The Glory of Their Times
February 15, 2005 Lawrence Ritter passed away. He was the author of Glory of Their times.
The Glory of Their Times: A Timeless Baseball Classic
Few books in the vast library of baseball literature hold the revered status of The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter. Published in 1966, this groundbreaking work captures the essence of early 20th-century baseball through the voices of the men who played the game. Hailed as one of the greatest books ever written about baseball, it remains a cherished piece of sports history, offering readers an intimate look at the sport’s formative years.
A Journey Inspired by History
Ritter’s inspiration for the book struck in 1961 with the death of Ty Cobb, a legendary figure in baseball history. Motivated by the realization that the game’s pioneers were aging and their stories at risk of being lost, Ritter embarked on an ambitious journey. Drawing influence from folklorists John and Alan Lomax, who traveled the country preserving American folk songs, Ritter sought to capture the oral histories of baseball’s early stars.
Armed with a tape recorder and an unwavering passion, Ritter traveled over 75,000 miles, sitting with players in their homes, listening to their firsthand accounts. The result is a collection of vivid, first-person narratives that bring to life the sights, sounds, and spirit of baseball’s golden era.
From Interviews to Iconic Publication
Between 1962 and 1966, Ritter conducted extensive interviews, culminating in the book’s publication in September 1966. Despite not making the best-seller list, a glowing review by Wilfred Sheed in The New York Times Book Section propelled the book to critical acclaim. An expanded edition in 1984 introduced new voices, including George Gibson, Babe Herman, Specs Toporcer, and Hank Greenberg.
Remarkably, Ritter shared the book’s royalties with the 22 players featured in the original edition and their estates, a testament to his respect for their contributions. Over the years, The Glory of Their Times has sold over 360,000 copies, with Ritter earning modestly from this literary classic.
Voices of the Game’s Pioneers
The book features interviews with legendary players such as Sam Crawford, Hank Greenberg, Edd Roush, and Paul Waner, some of whom were Hall of Famers at the time of publication. Others, like Goose Goslin and Rube Marquard, credited the book for boosting their Hall of Fame candidacies. The stories are rich with personal anecdotes, offering readers a direct connection to baseball’s past.
Legacy Beyond the Pages
The Glory of Their Times transcended the written word, inspiring a vinyl album in the 1970s featuring actual interview recordings. With the advent of audiobooks, extended versions of these recordings became available on cassette and CD, allowing new generations to hear the players’ voices.
In 1971, Ritter, alongside Bud Greenspan, produced a documentary film based on the book, combining vintage footage, photographs, and the original audio interviews. Though initially overlooked by commercial networks, the film found its audience on PBS in 1977, further cementing the book’s place in baseball lore.
Why It Still Matters
Decades after its release, The Glory of Their Times continues to resonate with baseball fans and historians alike. Its enduring appeal lies in its authenticity—real stories told by real players, unfiltered and heartfelt. For anyone passionate about baseball, history, or storytelling, Ritter’s work is more than a book; it’s a time capsule preserving the soul of America’s pastime.
Players and others interviewed:
Interviews
Jimmy Austin
Rube Bressler
Al Bridwell
Stan Coveleski
Sam Crawford
George Gibson
Goose Goslin
Hank Greenberg
Heinie Groh
Babe Herman
Harry Hooper
Davy Jones
Sad Sam Jones
Willie Kamm
Tommy Leach
Hans Lobert
Rube Marquard
Chief Meyers
Lefty O’Doul
Bob O’Farrell
Edd Roush
Fred Snodgrass
Specs Toporcer
Bill Wambsganss
Paul Waner
Joe Wood
Bill Veeck
Billy Werber
Benny Bengough
Marty McHale
Eliot Asinof
Fred Lieb
George McBride
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Show Notes & Featured Audio
Jimmy Austin
Rube Bressler
Al Bridwell
Stan Coveleski
Sam Crawford
George Gibson
Goose Goslin
Hank Greenberg
Heinie Groh
Babe Herman
Harry Hooper
Davy Jones
Sad Sam Jones
Willie Kamm
Tommy Leach
Hans Lobert
Rube Marquard
Chief Meyers
Lefty O’Doul
Bob O’Farrell
Edd Roush
Fred Snodgrass
Specs Toporcer
Bill Wambsganss
Paul Waner
Joe Wood
Bill Veeck
Billy Werber
Benny Bengough
Marty McHale
Eliot Asinof
Fred Lieb
George McBride