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Photos: 'Baseball Comes Home' by Dan Valenti Published; Book Chronicles Hall of Fame Game Series, 1939-2008

Posted on: Friday, 19 December 2008, 07:00 CST

RICHFIELD SPRINGS, N.Y., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- "Baseball Comes Home," a book by noted author Dan Valenti chronicling the 70-year history of the Baseball Hall of Fame Game played in Cooperstown, has been published and is now available for purchase.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/crcustompublishing/36502/

"Baseball Comes Home" traces the 70-year series of the Hall of Fame Game played at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY beginning in 1939, the year the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opened with its initial inductees (including Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb). It concludes with the 2008's final tilt between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres, which was cancelled by two fierce storms.

In the 201-page book, Valenti has unearthed much new information and many photographs that have never been published or have been seen only once upon original publication years and even decades ago. More than 150 photos, many in color, support the 75,000-word text in an oversized, coffee-table paperback format. Organized by decade, "Baseball Comes Home" includes game stories and discussion of every game, box scores, a complete index, and appendices.

Most of the source material in this definitive book comes from the Baseball Hall of Fame's voluminous archives. For the first time, a single source brings together the most complete presentation ever of this important, heretofore untold, part of baseball history. This book will be relevant for years to come for baseball fans, researchers, historians, social scientists (each chapter includes a cultural overview of a relevant decade), and any reader who enjoys probing, intelligent, and insightful prose.

The book sets straight the "myth" of Abner Doubleday's "invention" of baseball in Cooperstown and chronicles the changing nature of America's Pastime, especially the tidal influence of money as it made its way through -- and forever changed -- the game of baseball following free agency in 1976.

"In telling the hidden history of this important series of games," Valenti says, "the book traces the evolution of baseball from the iconic years of the game's 'Golden Age' to the forces that eventually doomed the Hall of Fame Game: the 'entertainment' factor, the rock-star status of top players, and, above all, unprecedented amounts of money."

The Baseball Hall of Fame Game series began in 1939 with a pickup game to mark Major League Baseball's Centennial. That game featured Ruth, Lefty Grove, Honus Wagner, and other Hall of Famers and All Stars. It ended with 2008's apocalyptic storm. In its heyday, the Hall of Fame Game ranked in importance second only to the World Series and The All Star Game, drawing media coverage from around the world. By the end, the series has become an oddity still greatly enjoyed by fans but largely shunned by the media.

Valenti has authored many books, including numerous baseball titles. In July 1989, he was awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's President's Award with a lifetime pass to the Hall of Fame for his contributions to baseball literature. His work has been widely cited and anthologized. He has written on numerous topics. Baseball and religion have been two of his specialties.

Valenti is a frequent radio and TV guest. He hosted a daily AM radio show for 14 years based in Massachusetts and heard in New England and New York State. For two years he hosted a Boston Red Sox pre-game radio show. For many years, Valenti was business partner with Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ken Coleman.

"Baseball Comes Home" documents in evocative text and stunning photos the game that annually paid tribute to baseball in the village that bears the honor of "Birthplace of Baseball." The keepsake book is published by CR Custom Publishing. The book is available online at www.baseballcomeshome.com.

EDITORS NOTE: Dan Valenti is available for interview by contacting Ken Drumm at (518) 797-3939/ kmdmarcomm@aol.com

SOURCE CR Custom Publishing

Source: PR Newswire

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