Covey

A Stone’s Throw from a Coal Mine to the Hall of Fame

De: Harry Deitz

Narrado por: John Guccion

Stanley Coveleski’s life was a story of triumph and tragedy.

He was born in the Coal Region town of Shamokin, PA in 1889, the eighth child of Polish immigrants, and went to work as a breaker boy when he was 12. But he escaped the 12-hour work days in the mines by throwing stones at a can tied to a tree—his own crash course in how to pitch a baseball.

Years later, he was one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball.

In a season marked by personal and team tragedy—the death of his wife and his teammate Ray Chapman, who is the only player to die as a result of being hit by a pitch—Covey pitched three complete-game victories in the Cleveland Indians’ 1920 World Series championship.

Covey, one of 17 pitchers still allowed to throw a spitball after it being outlawed before the 1921 season, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.

©2022 Sunbury Press, Inc. (P)2023 Beacon Audiobooks

An often-overlooked hall of famer

Harry Deitz, not only examines the astonishing career of Stan Covelaski, but reveals his life before and after the game he loved. It appeared young Stan was not designed for the mound, but rather a life in the coal mines. The author establishes the path he followed to become one of the greatest pitchers of the 1920's and leading the Cleveland Indians to a World Series championship.

"Covey" allows the reader to experience the two personal tragedies that challenged Covelaski during his playing days. In 1920, teammate Ray Chapman died as a direct result of being stuck by a baseball while at the plate. Additionally, Covey's wife passed away when his children were still young. He would later marry his sister's younger sister, who helped raise Covey's kids.

The author breaks down the many impressive statistics "The Silent Pole" achieved in his brilliant Major League career. His control of Brooklyn batters in the 1920 World Series is simply remarkable. Covey won three games and posted a fantastical 0.67 ERA. He would have likely won additional World Series, but the 20's were dominated by the New York Yankees.

Covey's superb pitching in the 1920 World Series helped to lift the dark cloud that presided over the baseball world following the 1919 Blacksox scandal, which resulted in the series being thrown. If you enjoy baseball history, as much as I do, especially tales from the deadball era, I do suggest this title. I think you'll enjoy the complete story of one of baseball's last legal spitball pitchers. I also enjoyed compelling narration provided by the talented John Guccion.

Great Listen!

Lots of good info on Covey and many other players of that era. Great book and highly recommended it.