218 - The Flying Dutchman, Honus Wagner w/ Arthur D. Hittner

Hooks & Runs

Our guest this week is Arthur D. Hittner, author of "Honus Wagner, The Life of Baseball's Flying Dutchman," Revised Edition (McFarland, 2024). Originally published in 1996, Hittner's book won the prestigious Seymour Medal for best baseball historical or biographical book in 1997.
Wagner led the National League in batting 8 times and hit .324 in his storied career. Over 100 years after his last Major League game, The Flying Dutchman is still considered by many to be the greatest shortstop who ever played. Hittner's revised edition brings Wagner to life for a new generation of fans.
Arthur D. Hittner's Website: www.hittnerbooks.com/
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This podcast and this episode are copyright Craig Estlinbaum, 2024.

Chapter

1. Introducing Arthur D. Hittner (00:00:00)

2. Writing "Honus Wagner: The Life of Baseball’s “Flying Dutchman” (00:05:47)

3. "I think he was a freak of nature" (00:10:03)

4. "Baseball was the means by which immigrants assimilated into American culture." (00:16:11)

5. "The younger players ... worshipped him." (00:20:10)

6. "Wagner outplayed Cobb significantly..." (00:26:45)

7. "He spent some time with a gentleman who was named 'Bonesetter' Reese." (00:29:59)

8. "I bet he wished he had a card." (00:34:34)

9. "[Wagner] was the legend that was in the dugout and everybody was happy to have him there." (00:38:39)