It all started with a spitball in Perry on Friday the 13th of October, 1922, when folks got to watch the country’s most famous baseball player in action.
The Jefferson public library will celebrate the popular summer pastime of baseball when it hosts an author talk and book signing with Iowa author Timothy Grover on Saturday, June 17, at 9 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Grover’s new book, “Barnstorming Babe: A Slugger’s Bumpy Trek Across Small-Town America”, was published in March.
Grover has had a lifelong fascination with baseball and legendary slugger Babe Ruth. He became intrigued when he learned “The Great Bambino” had played in small towns and after doing some research, decided to write his first book.
After losing the World Series in 1922, Babe Ruth and New York Yankees teammate Bob Meusel went on a three-week 18-game barnstorming tour through the Midwest. Stops in eight states included cities such as Omaha, Kansas City and Denver, and also small towns like Sleepy Eye, MN, Drumright, OK, and Perry, IA.
These were exhibition games with Ruth and Meusel playing on opposing teams. A few other professionals and many local players rounded out the rosters. The Yankee barnstormers played in sleet, rain and snow; traveled overnight by rail; and tolerated endless civic celebrations in their honor. They hit monstrous home runs and played against some great small-town pitchers. They also visited orphanages and created lifelong memories for hardscrabble farmers who could have never otherwise had a chance to see a major league baseball player.
Grover is an accomplished writer, blogger, award-winning photographer, and published poet. He grew up in Rowley, is a graduate of Iowa Central Community College and the University of Northern Iowa, and now lives in Pleasant Hill. He loves being a grandpa, going camping, and reading about history.
Grover says anyone who reads his book will learn a lot about baseball history, Babe Ruth’s career and what life was like in the 1920s. His book may be checked out from the library or purchased from the author and autographed the day of the program. His book is also available for purchase online. The author has generously offered to donate a percentage of his book sales the day of the event to the Greene County Youth Athletic Association (GCYAA).
Following the library’s author presentation, GCYAA’s annual fundraising event will be begin at 10 am at the Little League field. Grover will also attend this event and have books for sale there.
The public is invited to stop in the library during June to see a display of baseball memorabilia from the collection of John Rowland. As a young boy, Rowland went to see the Milwaukee Braves play and remains a lifelong fan and collector, following the team after it moved to Atlanta. “Join us at the library this summer as we celebrate books, authors and baseball,” a library spokesperson said.
