CONTENDERS Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

Traci Sorell re-creates the excitement of the 1911 World Series, which featured two Native Americans on opposing teams. Listeners meet New York Giants pitcher John Meyers and Philadelphia Athletics catcher Charles Bender. Meyers was from the Cahuilla tribe in California; Bender was from Minnesota's Ojibwe tribe. Sorell demonstrates how Meyers and Bender used their courage and wit to overcome attempts to destroy their heritage and waylay their talents. Spirited descriptions from baseball sportscasting showcase Sorell at her best. Especially realistic are the nasty taunts by teammates, fans, and even the NEW YORK TIMES. The men's stories include lively baseball benchmarks, including accounts of their Hall of Fame honors and combined total of nine championships. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2024]