Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream
The Story of Rollicking Lou Novikoff
Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream
The Story of Rollicking Lou Novikoff
Buying pre-order items
Ebooks and Audiobook
You will receive an email with a download link for the ebook or audiobook on the publication date.
Payment
You will not be charged for pre-ordered books until they are available to be shipped. Pre-ordered ebooks will not be charged for until they are available for download.
Amending or cancelling your order
For orders that have not been shipped you can usually make changes to pre-orders up to 72 hours before the publishing date.
Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available
- Delivery and returns info
-
Free US delivery on orders $35 or over
Description
The colorful biography of Lou Novikoff, one of the most fascinating characters in baseball history.
For baseball fans today, the name Lou Novikoff may not ring a bell--but he was the most publicized rookie in National League history when he joined the Cubs in 1941. In fact, he charmed and captivated sports enthusiasts throughout the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War with his power hitting and oddball antics.
In Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream, Gaylon White recounts for the first time the life of Lou Novikoff, bringing him back in the limelight where he always belonged. The son of Russian immigrants, Novikoff emerged from obscurity to become the king of softball in the 1930s and baseball's hard-hitting and hilarious Mad Russian during World War II. Once described as a combination of Babe Ruth, Hank Greenberg, and the Marx brothers, White details how the eccentric Novikoff enthralled baseball fans, sang like a pro, played a mean harmonica, and clowned around on the field, providing much-needed joy and laughter to a nation beaten down by the Great Depression and the war.
The Mad Russian oozed with color, but soon after World War II, he returned to the minors and eventually fast-pitch softball where he first achieved fame. Baseball forgot him, but now, decades later, Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream finally brings his vibrant story to life.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction – A Toast to Remember
1. The Mad Russian and Other Screwballs and Flakes
2. From Russia with Milk
3. Louie the Great
4. Steel Man
5. Lou-Lou Time in La-La Land
6. The James Boys
7. The Mad Russian is Coming
8. The Forgotten Man
9. In-Again-Out-Again Lou
10. The War of Nerves
11. The Sitting Soviet
12. From Baseball Exile to Army Private
13. Misery Loves Company
14. Sleepless in Seattle
15. Slip-Sliding Away
16. Back to First Love
17. The Sad Russian
Appendix – Lou Novikoff Career Stats
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Product details
| Published | Mar 04 2027 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hardback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 272 |
| ISBN | 9798216472735 |
| Imprint | Rowman & Littlefield |
| Illustrations | 43 bw images, 1 table |
| Dimensions | 9 x 6 inches |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
Related Titles
