Charlie Murphy: The Iconoclastic Showman Behind the Chicago Cubs

Winner of the 2023 SABR Larry Ritter Book AwardFinalist for the 2022 CASEY AwardYou don't know the history of the Chicago Cubs until you know the story of Charles Webb Murphy, the ebullient and mercurial owner of this historic franchise from 1905 through 1914. Originally a sportswriter in Cincinnati, he joined the New York Giants front office as a press agent-the game's first-in 1905.That season, hearing the Cubs were for sale, he secured a loan from Charles Taft, the older half brother of the future president of the United States, to buy a majority share and become the team's new owner.In his second full season, the Cubs won their first World Series.They won again in 1908, but soon thereafter Murphy's unconventional style invited ill will from the owners, his own players, and the press, even as he led the team through their most successful period in team history. In Charlie Murphy: The Iconoclastic Showman behind the Chicago Cubs, Jason Cannon explores Murphy's life both on and off th