Of Mudcat, Boo, The Rope and Oil Can: An Informal History of Mississippians in Major League Baseball

From Sport McAllister to Billy Hamilton, this is the definitive book on Mississippians in the Major Leagues. I am really glad Mike Christensen, who knows the sport inside and out, wrote this splendid narrative. -Rick Cleveland, Executive Director, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and MuseumMississippi’s contributions to music are well known, whether the focus is on Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Bobbie Gentry or Jimmy Buffet, or on the creation of the blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Not so well known are the state’s contributions to Major League Baseball.

Drawing on more than a hundred sources, including personal interviews, this work chronicles the roles, large and small, played by Mississippians throughout five different eras of Major League Baseball.

It explores Mississippians’ connections to significant teams and events, such as the dismal Cleveland Spiders of 1899, Babe Ruth’s career, Jackie Robinson’s arrival, the 1946 World Series and the recent home run boom/steroid scandal.

Included are sidebars on such subjects as Red Barber (Hall of Fame broadcaster); pitching legend Dizzy Dean (an adopted Mississippian); Luke Easter (first black Mississippi native to play in the majors); the many colorful nicknames (Cool Papa, Mudcat, The Rope, Tin Man, Oil Can, etc.) bestowed on Mississippians; and an all-time dream team of Magnolia State products.