Something Like a War (19 Sep. 1994)

This second episode in the series covers the years 1900-10. The new century was a time of great change in the United States and around the world. Baseball was in decline generally but the ... See full summary »

Director:

Ken Burns

Writers:

Geoffrey C. Ward, Ken Burns

Stars:

Adam Arkin, Philip Bosco, Keith Carradine

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Adam Arkin	...	Himself (voice)
Philip Bosco	...	Himself (voice)
Keith Carradine	...	Himself (voice)
John Chancellor	...	Narrator (voice)
Ossie Davis	...	Himself (voice)
Loren Dean	...	Himself (voice)
John Hartford	...	Himself (voice)
Anthony Hopkins	...	Himself (voice)
Derek Jacobi	...	Himself (voice)
Garrison Keillor	...	Himself (voice)
Alan King	...	Himself (voice)
Amy Madigan	...	Herself (voice)
Arthur Miller	...	Himself (voice)
Michael Moriarty	...	Himself (voice)
Buck O'Neil	...	Himself

Storyline

This second episode in the series covers the years 1900-10. The new century was a time of great change in the United States and around the world. Baseball was in decline generally but the creation of the American League by Bam Johnson in 1896 presents the first real competition to the older and well-established National League. The new league was an immediate success and established themselves in cities that had been abandoned by the National League. The National League owners did their best to obstruct the upstarts but in the end had to admit that their play was on a par with the older established circuit. This led to the first World Series in 1903 between the Boston Pilgrims and the Pittsburgh Pirates, which Boston won (there was no World Series in 1904 because of NY Giants manager John McGraw's antipathy towards Johnson and the American League, a decision that cost the players dearly). The stars of the day shone: Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Christie Mathewson and many others. African ...

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Genres:

Documentary | History | Sport

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Details

Release Date:

19 September 1994 (USA)

Company Credits

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Sidewalks of New York"
Performed by Mike Montgomery

User Reviews

The Most Interesting Decade In Baseball History

This was an extremely interesting segment and decade, maybe the best of this nine-tape (or DVD) series. It was so interesting that I, myself, have gone and read a lot of books about this decade (1900-1909). I still think it is the most fascinating in baseball history. It featured famous characters such as Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, John McCraw, Rube Wadell,Rube Foster and many other colorful players. Not only were the people fascinating, their stories were incredible, especially the ones dealing with Cobb and Wadell.

The passion of America's baseball fans became unbelievable, and nowhere more than in the Polo Grounds of New York where the Giants were the dominant team with pitcher Mathewson and manager McGraw. I remember the first time I watched this being stunned how they allowed fans on the field back in those days. It's really tough when all those fans are threatening your players in the outfield. In Baltimore, a fight on the field turned into a riot one day. That, in turn, led to a fire and the stadium plus 13 adjacent buildings, all burned down

There is one amazing story after another in this decade, which I why I enjoy this segment above all the rest. If you really want to get a feel for the times and the players, check out Lawrence Ritter's famous book, "The Glory Of Their Times."