Rutgers University Press The Greatest Ballpark Ever: Ebbets Field and the Story of the Brooklyn Dodgers Paperback – Illustrated, 22 June 2005

THE GREATEST BALLPARK EVER is a paean and a song of love to Ebbets Field, home of the "original America's team," the Brooklyn Dodgers, from 1913 to 1957. Author Bob McGee writes a detailed and crisp history of the team and the place, but far beyond the FACTS surrounding the history of the physical structure of the park, and the men who played there, he manages to capture---amazingly enough, and very well---the SYMBOLOGICAL importance of the Brooklyn Dodgers and their home in the American, and particularly Brooklynite, psyche.Of particular joy is the fact that McGee refuses to fall for the revisionist dreck presently being touted by the O'Malleys and their supporters, that "The Big Oom" had no choice but to hijack the Dodgers from Brooklyn in 1958. He relegates their arguments quite properly to the floor of the horse stall where they (and Walter) belong.If McGee's symbologizing of Ebbets Field sounds awfully highfalutin', it isn't. McGee loves the IDEA of Ebbets Field, and in communicating that love, recreates the ballpark in words, an almost impossible task, considering that, like much of his reading audience, he never experienced the reality. That he could succeed at all is a measure of how fine this book is. THE GREATEST BALLPARK EVER comes VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.---Order me dogs and beer. Here comes the Duke of Flatbush to the plate---

bob mcgee hits a grand slam. the research in this book is impeccable and there is more information packed in this volume than any other. this book is not just about the history of the stadium, its also about the personal stories involved with growing up in the neighborhood. overall, a great read.

Very readable and extremely well written. Nostalgia meets solid historical details. A book even for non-Dodger fans. Have given it as a present to a number of people.

Growing up in Brooklyn in the 50's, Ebbets Field was where I first saw professional baseball and the old Brooklyn Dodgers were (and in many ways still are) my heroes. There certainly have been many more beautiful ball parks built in the past 60 or so years, but Ebbets Field will always hold a special place for me. And a lot of other fans. As Frank Sinatra sang -And there used to be a ballpark where the field was warm and greenAnd the people played their crazy game with a joy I'd never seenAnd the air was such a wonder from the hot dogs and the beerYes, there used a ballpark right here

So much has been done about the Brooklyn Dodgers & their legendary playpen, Ebbets Field. But this is about a thorough history of the latter as one can get!