Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Louis Sockalexis

Native American Baseball Pioneer

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

A biography of Louis Sockalexis, Penobscot Indian and the first Native American to play professional baseball, focusing on his formative years and culminating in an historic game at New York's Polo Grounds in 1897.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Levels

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      February 26, 2007
      Wise's solid debut picture book opens on June 16, 1897, as baseball fans filled the stadium at New York's Polo Grounds to watch the Cleveland Spiders face the New York Giants. Many in attendance had come to see-and heckle-a talented Cleveland rookie who was the first Native American to play major league baseball, Louis Sockalexis. The story then flashes back to Louis's boyhood in Maine, where he lived on the Penobscot Indian reservation and helped his father, a logger and river guide. But the lad "preferred to swing a baseball bat, not an ax," and spent his free time playing ball with peers or practicing on his own. Sockalexis became a star on his high school and college (he attended on an athletic scholarship) teams, persevering "with dignity and grace" despite the racial insults hurled by spectators. In 1897, he signed a contract with the Cleveland Spiders, even though his father insisted that his "rightful place" was on the reservation. Returning to the tale's opening scene, Wise conveys the tension and drama of the Spiders-Giants game, in which the crowd's jeers turn to cheers when Louis-as his father and other Penobscot tribe members look on-hits a home run against a celebrated pitcher (Amos Rusie, the "Hoosier Thunderbolt"). Balancing close-range portraits of the player and depictions of on-the-diamond action, Farnsworth's light-infused oil paintings impart the emotional tenor and the triumph of Louis's early years and regrettably brief major league career. Ages 6-12.

    • Library Journal

      April 9, 2007
      Wise's solid debut picture book opens on June 16, 1897, as baseball fans filled the stadium at New York's Polo Grounds to watch the Cleveland Spiders face the New York Giants. Many in attendance had come to see-and heckle-a talented Cleveland rookie who was the first Native American to play major league baseball, Louis Sockalexis. The story then flashes back to Louis's boyhood in Maine, where he lived on the Penobscot Indian reservation and helped his father, a logger and river guide. But the lad "preferred to swing a baseball bat, not an ax," and spent his free time playing ball with peers or practicing on his own. Sockalexis became a star on his high school and college (he attended on an athletic scholarship) teams, persevering "with dignity and grace" despite the racial insults hurled by spectators. In 1897, he signed a contract with the Cleveland Spiders, even though his father insisted that his "rightful place" was on the reservation. Returning to the tale's opening scene, Wise conveys the tension and drama of the Spiders-Giants game, in which the crowd's jeers turn to cheers when Louis-as his father and other Penobscot tribe members look on-hits a home run against a celebrated pitcher (Amos Rusie, the "Hoosier Thunderbolt"). Balancing close-range portraits of the player and depictions of on-the-diamond action, Farnsworth's light-infused oil paintings impart the emotional tenor and the triumph of Louis's early years and regrettably brief major league career. Ages 6-12.

      Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      July 1, 2007
      There are a number of books about the difficulties African American baseball players faced in their efforts to participate in Americas pastime. Heres the story of a Native American, who also dealt with prejudice in the early days of the game. The book begins with a dramatic moment. The New York Giantsare playingthe Cleveland Spiders on June 16, 1897, at the Polo Grounds. Louis Sockalexis of Maine, a member of the Penobscot tribe, hits a homer off the Hoosier Thunderbolt Amos Rusie. The book goes on to chronical Sockalexisyouth and then follows hisbrief time in the majorscut short by injury and alcoholism. The history is limned in somewhat awkward and sentimental prose.However, the story of the Penobscot boy who fell in love with baseball and endured the jeers and taunts of crowds and teammates is illustrated powerfully by Farnsworth, who uses oil paint and a golden sepia glow to evoke the time and the sport. The Cleveland Spiders became the Cleveland Indians, and some think it is because of Sockalexis.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)

    • School Library Journal

      May 1, 2007
      Gr 2-5-This picture book offers a rousing introduction to the life of the first Native American to play major league baseball. Hooked on the game from age 12, Sockalexis, a member of Maines Penobscot tribe, won an athletic scholarship to Holy Cross College and was signed by the Cleveland Spiders in 1897. Despite the disapproval of his father, who felt that his son should stay with his people instead of traveling the country with a ball team, Sockalexis was determined to play. Though he faced discrimination both on and off the field, his rookie season started strong. The narrative focuses on his first visit to the famed Polo Grounds stadium, home to the New York Giants and their ace pitcher, Amos Rusie. An afterword points out that though Sockalexiss career was tragically shortened by an injury, his efforts opened the door for Native American players such as Charles Albert Bender and Jim Thorpe. Wise and Farnsworth collaborate to great effect in rendering this story both informative and poignant. The color-drenched paintings do an excellent job of bringing this period to life and capturing the intense emotion of the ballpark drama. This finely crafted look at a little-known sports pioneer should intrigue a wide audience of readers."Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA"

      Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • PDF ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:920
  • Text Difficulty:4-5

Loading