Author Description

Professional Baseball in Lower Alabama has been part of the history of Mobile for 130 years. Old Time baseball in the Port City dates back to 1886. Monroe Park and Hartwell Field fielded numerous teams that competed in the Southern Association and Southern League. Many players from Mobile that starred in the Negro Leagues are featured during the Integration era. The 1922 and 1947 Bears and Charlie Finley's 1966 A's brought championships to Mobile before the White Sox lone season in 1970 began a 26-year absence of minor league baseball in the Azalea City. The Mobile Bay Sharks independent team in 1994 and 1995 created a frenzy of baseball at Eddie Stanky Field on the campus of the University of South Alabama in 1994 and 1995. Finally, Hank Aaron Stadium was built for the Mobile Bay Bears in 1997. Turner Ward, former 12-year Major Leaguer and current hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, led the Bay Bears to back-to-back Southern League titles during the 20 years of the team's history. Mobile Baseball Connection features Hall of Fame players like former Home Run King Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, Billy Williams, Ozzie Smith and Satchel Paige. Other old timers include Amos Otis, Cleon Jones, Tommie Agee, Frank and Milt Bolling, Bernie Carbo, Eddie Stanky, Dave Stapleton and many more. More players in the modern era that represent Mobile include Jake Peavy, Josh Donaldson, Juan Pierre, David Freese, Luis Gonzalez, Lance Johnson, Jon Lieber, Turner Ward, Marlon Anderson, Terry Adams, Adam Lind and P.J Walters. All these players have had an impact in major league baseball.My book displays to the entire world just how much baseball players with a connection to the city of Mobile have contributed to the wonderful sport of baseball.