My all time favorite baseball book along with Robert Creamers Babe . After reading this book in high school I sought out Smokey Joe Wood who was living in New Haven CT not far from us in Rhode Island . I was 15 years old at the time . Wood and I exchanged letters and at one point I called him on the phone . When my father found out he asked me who this Joe Wood was in New Haven . I told him that he was a pitcher on the 1912 Red Sox . My father then perked up and said "you mean Smokey Joe Wood?" I said "yes ". He then said "your grandfather used to tell me stories about him when I was a little boy" . So my father picked up the phone and called Wood himself and asked if he received visitors to his New Haven home . Wood said "yes" . So we scheduled a visit to see him . It's something I will never forget. We got lost on the way there so my father asked a New Haven policeman how do we find Marvel Road . The police officer asked if we were looking for Joe Wood and my Dad said "yes" So the officer led us there . We met with Joe Wood for a couple of hours . It was a thrill for me and I'll never forget it

My absolute favorite baseball book. I read it every year before Spring Training.

Back when baseball was great! No stuck up cry baby millionaires! Just real men! No steroids just pure talent! Back when players would walk down the street and act like a regular joe. Man I wish I could have been there 😢

I went to Cooperstown with my sons about 10 years ago. I was in the museum book store, looking for "just the right book" as a memento of our day together. I was looking for around 30 minutes. Apparently one of the clerks was watching me scour through the vast, almost overwhelming supply of books to choose from. The Glory of Their Times caught my eye. Silly me, I had never heard of it. Anyway, this young clerk approaches me as I'm leafing through the pages and whispers, "You've got the right one."She was right. I've read that marvelous book countless times over the years. What a joy for a baseball fan. And a shoutout for that clerk, who was obviously working in the right place.

Ty and Honus got along very well with each other, with the Dutchman (Wagner's parents were actually immigrants from Prussia) receiving invitations to come down to Georgia to hunt and fish. Cobb called Wagner the greatest ballplayer who ever lived, high praise indeed.

What a difference..my father was ten when he went to seventh game of the 1934 world series, between the cards and the tigers, at Briggs stadium, Detroit. He saw Dizzy Dean pitch. My dad passed in 2008, at 86. I remember him telling me years prior, how the game has changed, and he was right. Miss you dad...

Best baseball book ever!!!!

Fabulous narration by Alexander Scourby, one of the best ever.

The greatest baseball book ever written.

Mathewson, 3 Fingers Brown, Ed Walsh, Ty Cobb, Frank Chance: I wish I could have met these gentlemen. Baseball's pioneers.

This is absolutely the best baseball book ever. If hearing the voices here wasn't good enough, please pick it up and read it. The stories told by the old ball players go into much greater detail and they are excellent.

Honus' hands were so huge that he could cover the ball entirely. Greatest SS and all-around player of his age. He also opened a sporting goods store in the Triangle in Pittsburgh after retiring and it quickly became a Pittsburgh institution. I bought my centennial jersey there the last time I was in Pittsburgh in 1987.

I cannot overemphasize the impact of this book on my love of baseball.

Brilliant piece of work. And the wonderful voice of Alexander Scouby.

Just finished reading Ritter's book. Loved it.

I know I've read the book at least thrice and I've watched this video at least twice. I would not have wanted to live during those times, but I sure enjoy the stories....

One of the proudest moments of my 74 years was playing on a championship Little League team when I was 10. I still have the trophy.

This is probably the best baseball documentary ever made, with the voices of the actual players. Dates from 1966, I believe. Alexander Scourby narrates.

This only enhances my love for baseball...the best game... period.

This video is priceless I remember seeing it on PBS in I think the early 1970's. Wahoo Sam Crawford what a great interview. This is why I love reading about baseball's early years. I also collect a few T206 cards of these players

brim of baseball caps sure did grow since then

I've read the book about 40 times now along with Ball Four. My two favorite baseball books.

Very enjoyable; to the heroes of the game; God Bless them

the best baseball book ever

Holy hell how did I miss this gem?

My Dads family is from Pittsburg & my Grandpa who was born in 1913 said one of his Aunts dated Honus Wagner for a time. I was a baseball freak growing up & the early 1900's were my favorite era , Thanks for uploading this I never saw it before.

Excellent, l enjoyed this very much. I always will Love the history of baseball...What a time it was !!

Love this book! I've got the audio book with these, and other, original recordings. Also have the record that was sold in the late 60s/early 70s. Research proves some of the recollections are off on some things, but we are all guilty of making some mistakes in our memories. Overall, this is a priceless work of love that Larry Ritter put together. This book, singlehandedly, is what gave me my passion for baseball history.

I wish I had lived back then.

God, I've grown to love the game. Sometimes it takes time to appreciate things. Born in 1957, I did play pick-up games in a small town in central PA in the 70s. We picked up sides each time. Sometimes 3 players on a side; sometimes 12. Can't say I was the best player, but I hit a homerun or two. Thanks for posting this. -- CDL.

Without question, the best baseball book

Smokey Joe Wood hurt his arm in 1915 and came back as an outfielder for Cleveland from 1918 through 1922. By the way, if Walter Johnson calls you the fastest pitcher on the planet YOU ARE THE FASTEST PITCHER ON THE PLANET

Just finished this book today. Very cool read.

These old black and white photos are the greatest ever.

The guy to the left of Fred Snodgrass in the Giants' team picture (shown at 33:24) is none other than Jim Thorpe. He played for them for three season beginning in 1913.

Smoky Joe Wood... underrated..great nickname too..

One of the best baseball books ever written! This documentary, which I had seen once before, more than 35 years ago, is fabulous!

I absolutely love the dead ball era. When strategy and skill were required to win games.

A masterpiece. A living history of the greatest age in baseball history.

WONDERFUL!!!!!!

Great documentary love hearing stories about the early days of MLB.

When my Uncle Dave died in @1970, my Aunt Julia gave me this book from his library. I’ve read it many times over the years. I’m a baseball fan to this day. This book is a treasured possession.

Charles Victory Faust. That is a name I never heard of but will remember from now on. This is an interesting, incredible documentary.

So good. Thanks Bud.

Smokey Joe Wood should be in the hall of fame!

Juuuuuust Marvelous 🙏

Great stuff ..the book is fantastic too

This has the greatest ending line I've ever seen in a docu-series. Before the narrator's closing statement to summarize it all, the reference to Babe Ruth was flawless: "Wait 'til you see him hit!" It's excellent because it segues into the next era of Major League Baseball. Baseball doesn't become the national pastime until the 1920s when Babe Ruth goes to New York, and Yankees management allowed him to swing the bat everyday instead of only batting on the days he was the starting pitcher the way the Red Sox used him. Baseball doesn't become "America's game" until Babe Ruth swings a bat on a daily basis. You can not understate the impact Babe Ruth had on not only the game of baseball, but on all American pro sports in general. For the first time in our country's history, professional athletes could become rich, inspiring celebrities with fanbases of their own as individuals instead of fandom being limited to the city and team overall. The overwhelming majority of baseball fans in the 1920-30s were not New York Yankees fans. In fact, if you were a baseball fan back then it was only because you had a nearby team of your own who drew you in to gave your city/state something to be proud of. However, nearly everyone (excluding Boston, I'm sure) were Babe Ruth fans. They weren't Yankees fans; they were Babe Ruth fans. That was totally unprecedented at the time. Seriously, the guy changed EVERYTHING. Which is why this is such a perfect ending: What comes next in baseball's timeline is the modern era, and it was ushered in on the sweet spot of Babe Ruth's bat.

Just a masterpiece! Stumpled upon this on KZfaq and it’s the reason why im a huge baseball fan today

Baseball was so fascinating back then! I could listen to their stories all day. Today's baseball is boring and too big business. It's money first & ball playing 2nd. There are no interesting characters, either. Most seem to be cookie cutter types.

These stories are priceless. Baseball today is boring compared to this.

Might be my favorite baseball book. Ball four would come in a close second.

we want more, we want more, we want more, we want more :)

The gloves of the era were small and thin enough as it was. But Honus Wagner, arguably the greatest shortstop who ever lived, would cut the palm out of his, for greater control. Like barehanding the ball on every play. His career lasted from 1897 to 1917, with many exhibition games after that.

This is great. To hear these men talk, men who actually played in this era, so excellent. One thing is how positive each man speaks of the other. Describing each other as a gentleman or fine. We’re so negative and hateful and miserable today.

Reading this book now!

My favorite baseball book.

Great video that gives a glimpse into the Dead Ball era. Amazing! This is what fuels people to collect T206 baseball cards.

What a great story wow! What a time to be alive.

Such fun. The mushy gloves, the imposing uniforms the appealing language. Maybe there's a dusty curiosity shop with a cheap time machine. A line drive in 1906.

I prefer ice hockey but no sport has the legends that baseball produced.

Excellent!!

A wonderful book a classic about base ball and a real piece of Americana

I played as a kid. I LOVED baseball.... but then life began and other things came along. This is a wonderful reminder of my youth and the history of the game I have always loved. Thank you for this post. What a great game.

It woulda been cool to live back then, seeing all the greats of the dead ball era!

Great film

RUTH, COBB,WAGNER,HORNSBY,FOXX,YOUNG,JOHNSON,GROVE-BEST EVER!

This was great

Been a long time since I've watched this. Thank you.

Great book.

Why is there no mention of Cy Young. He holds MLB records for the most career wins, with 511, along with most career innings pitched, games started, and complete games. Played 1890-1911. The best pitcher of the year award is named after him.

That Honus Wagner picture at the end of the video is so freaking amazing!! I love that baseball card

How fun is this. 😀 TY

Honus wagner most underrated player ever

No sport can claim a greater history than America's Past Time

great stuff...thanks for posting

Who would ever give this a thumbs down.

.. fantastic ..

Many years ago I read the book 'Glory of their Times'.

Honus also loved another game, just recently invented--basketball. He played many games for charity.

It's wonderful to hear the Giants defend Fred Merkle.

An excellent book about baseball in its early days.

Wonderful! Love baseball lore. Today, we're real lucky to have @ClaytonKersh22 and had #SandyKoufax! I know of #Walter not much of #SmokeyJoe!

CHILLS!!!

Pretty cool. Kept my attention the entire time with cool sound bites. Thank you.

That Cubs mascot was terrifying.

Greatest sports book

The major difference now..I'm 60, and i run into parents with kids, and there is no pick-up games, anymore..they're busy playing with i phones

Amazing to think a documentary like this will be made in the future with current players being the old curmudgeons.

This is what makes baseball so special,its the only game where the players live forever-gotta get that My 30 Years in baseball by John McGraw,bet its a lively read eh

This is a testimonium of a Time. It's marvelous to learn things that actual Baseball lacks or vanishes. Love for the game. This documentary is very interesting for whom love the game in other country because provide us knowledge of beginnins of baseball and some of the players and characters in early twenty century.

Magnificent!

Wow! This is a great video, and I am sure the book is even more amazing too! It reminds me of an episode from Ken Burns Baseball. I love the rare and raw video footage of these great players of the past.

Kept among my Dad's family items is what I would call a personality book where you have each of your friends write down answers to the same 50 questions. My Dad's mom and dad were not yet married but his mom was who made the book. She was from New Castle PA already working as a nurse at a hospital in Youngstown Ohio and my Dad's father lived in nearby Warren Ohio. One of the questions asked was to name your favorite ballplayer. Most answered it was Honus Wagner. Ths book is from 1915. Thanks for placing this amazing video on KZfaq. Cards fan from STL

Young 511 wins will never be broken.....ever

Giants traded their greatest pitcher, Amos Rusie for Matthewson. Rusie only pitched in 5 games after that, but he had won 30 or more four years in a row in the 1890s.

Ty Cobb won a triple crown during the dead ball era. Pitchers never worried about pitch count either. That makes them smarter than anyone pitching today.

I've had that book for 25 years and still love

Do you love baseball. After reading this book I fell in love all over again.

I'm 60 years old now and I can remember as a child my grandfather comparing the differences in baseball from my youth, to his youth which is covered in this documentary. Two of the things he spoke about concerned endurance of pitchers (pitching two complete games of a double header and many of those of my day unable to complete 9 innings). The second thing, about how much tougher players were during his era. He said "We used to cut a hole in the center of the glove." While I had never doubted what he said to be true I had never heard anyone else mentioning that fact until now by Fred Snodgrass.