Fans Called Him "Turkey," I Called Him Dad
Author | : Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown |
Publisher | : McFarland |
Total Pages | : 178 |
Release | : 2023-02-13 |
ISBN-10 | : 9781476646978 |
ISBN-13 | : 147664697X |
Rating | : 4/5 (78 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Baseball Hall of Famer Norman Thomas "Turkey" Stearnes (1901-1979) batted more than .400 three times, led the Negro Leagues in home runs seven times and holds the all-time Negro Leagues record for career home runs. Despite his legendary achievements on the field, Stearnes worked off-seasons in Detroit's auto plants, including one owned by Walter Briggs, who also owned the Detroit Tigers--a team Stearnes couldn't play for because he was black. Written by his eldest daughter, this first biography of "Turkey" Stearnes intimately recounts his life and career and gives overdue recognition to one of the greatest all-around players in the history of baseball.