Author and liberal commentator Peter Dreier presents his two new baseball books published in 2022: “Baseball Rebels: The Players, People, and Social Movements that Shook Up the Game and Changed America,” and “Major League Rebels: Baseball Battles over Workers’ Rights and American Empire,” in a virtual event on Wednesday, July 20, 5 to 6 p.m.
The event is hosted by the Pasadena Public Library.
In “Baseball Rebels,” Dreier and co-author Robert Elias examine the key social challenges –
racism, sexism and homophobia – that shaped society and worked their way into baseball’s culture, economics, and politics.
Since baseball emerged in the mid-1800s to become America’s pastime, the nation’s battles over race, gender, and sexuality have been reflected on the playing field, in the executive suites, in the press box, and in the community. Some of baseball’s rebels are widely recognized, but most of them are either little known or known primarily for their baseball achievements – not their political views and activism. Everyone knows the story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color line, but less known is Sam Nahem, who opposed the racial divide in the U.S. military and organized an integrated military team that won a championship in 1945. Or Toni Stone, the first of three women who played for the Indianapolis Clowns in the previously all-male Negro Leagues.
“Baseball Rebels” tells stories of baseball’s reformers and radicals who were influenced by, and in turn influenced, America’s broader political and social protest movements, making the game – and society – better along the way.
“Major League Rebels: Baseball Battles over Workers’ Rights and American Empire,” is a captivating history of the baseball reformers and revolutionaries who challenged their sport and society – and in turn helped change America.
Athletes have often used their platform to respond to and protest injustices, from Muhammad Ali and Colin Kaepernick to Billie Jean King and Megan Rapinoe. Compared to their counterparts, baseball players have often been more cautious about speaking out on controversial issues. But throughout the sport’s history, there have been many players who were willing to stand up and fight for what was right.
In “Major League Rebels,” Dreier and Robert Elias reveal a little-known yet important history of rebellion among professional ballplayers.
Peter Dreier, aside from being an author, is also an urban policy analyst and college political science professor. He is the Dr. E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics at Occidental College in Los Angeles.
Dreier graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in 1970 and from the University of Chicago with a PhD in 1977. He was Director of Housing at the Boston Redevelopment Authority and senior policy advisor to Boston Mayor Ray Flynn for nine years.
In January 1993, Dreier became a professor at Occidental College. That year, he was also appointed by the Clinton administration to the advisory board of Resolution Trust Corporation.
The event will be on Zoom. Attending the virtual event is free but registration is required.
To register, visit https://pasadena.evanced.info/
For more information, call (626) 744-4066.
