By David Rapp

The Cubs at the beginning of the 20th Century were juggernauts. They won the National League pennants in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1910, and the World Series in 1907 and 1908. They were at the heart of the first big wave of Baseball Fever. 

And the heart of the infield was Joe Tinker (SS), Johnny Evers (2B), and Frank Chance (Manager, 1B and occasional C). Immortalized in the short poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” you know it, right – “These are the saddest of possible words: “Tinker to Evers to Chance.”” But Tinker and Evers had a fight and didn’t speak to each other for 33 years, all while playing just about flawless defense – right next to each other. 

David Rapp focuses on the five year run where they were arguably the best team in the world. He also discusses how the many innovations and changes in the US were reflected in how baseball became the national pastime.

336 Pages

4/5