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1922 “The Baseball Cyclopedia” by Ernest J. Lanigan, the “Patron Saint of SABR.”
Lot 471. 1922 “The Baseball Cyclopedia” by Ernest J. Lanigan, the “Patron Saint of SABR.” Sportswriter Fred Lieb canonized Lanigan, who was not only a fellow sportswriter, but the leading baseball statistician of his era. Lanigan told Lieb that watching baseball didn’t especially interest him. “All my interest in baseball is in its statistics. I want to know something about every major league ball player, not only what he is hitting, but his full name with all middle names and initials, where they were born, and where they live now.” His 1922 “Cyclopedia,” a 208-page softcover, provides a history of baseball and various records – batting and base stealing champions, World Series statistics and a listing of more than 3,500 major league players. Subsequently, updates, or “Supplements,” to the “Cyclopedia” were issued annually. The 1922 supplement is part of the book, and the 1923 and 1924 supplements are included. There are some notes written on the title page of the book, and the back cover is almost separated. The inside of the front cover has advertising for “Baseball Magazine” posters. Late in his career, Lanigan served as curator of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and then as its historian. A letter signed by Mrs. Sugar is included; it verifies that this item is from Bert Sugar’s collection.
Winning Bid $30.
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