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Book Review: LOUIS SOCKALEXIS:The First Cleveland Indian

LOUIS SOCKALEXIS: The First Cleveland Indian
By David Fleitz
McFarland Press, 2001
219 pp.

David Fleitz is a software developer and member of SABR who’s previous book, Shoeless: The Life and Times of Joe Jackson, cleared away cobwebs from the myths surrounding Kinsella’s hero. In “Louis Sockalexis: The First Cleveland Indian,” he illuminates a ballplayer who until recently, was nearly unknown to modern readers. This lucid, concise biography answers the question: Who was the real Louis Sockalexis and why is it important that we remember him?

The Cleveland Indians claim that they are named in honor of the nineteenth-century Penobscot outfielder that played for them when they were the Spiders. Only when challenged in recent years have they admitted that there was in fact no mention of Sockalexis when they selected the name Indians. However, because they enjoyed some of their finest moments during the rookie season of Louis Sockalexis, he probably was the inspiration behind the new name. In more ways than one, Sockalexis was indeed the first Cleveland Indian. Whether the current team’s Chief Wahoo mascot honors his memory is another matter of fierce debate.

Fleitz opens his work with a look at “Sock’s” early life and the tradition of athleticism among the Penobscot people of Indian Island, Maine. Among fleet-footed runners, young Louis stood out early on. His talents were quickly noticed and he left his home to attend private schools on scholarships. While playing in the summer leagues, he attracted the attention of Mike “Doc” Powers, catcher and coach for Holy Cross College. Powers brought Sockalexis to Holy Cross, where he became a huge favorite with the students, batting .436 and .444 in his two years there. “Sock” was an outstanding all-around athlete. In a striking photograph of Sockalexis with his teammates, the big handsome outfielder wears a confident grin, as if he knows he’s at the top of his game.

After a short stint at Notre Dame, Sockalexis was signed to the Cleveland Spiders by Pat Tebeau. Even before he stepped off the train, Cleveland was buzzing with excitement. For four short months in 1897, Sock was the talk of the town. At first he had to face jeers and war whoops from the crowds and racist gibes from the press, but he calmly played the game and soon won them over. His hot hitting and sizzling throws from right field brought roars from the fans, or “cranks,” as they were called then. But his after-hours drinking proved to be his downfall--literally. A drunken tumble from a second-story window in Cleveland’s red light district wrecked his right foot, robbing him of his phenomenal speed. He played parts of 1898 and 1899 but finally was released to the minors, where he stumbled around in an alcoholic haze for several years. He did play an entire season for the Lowell Tigers, batting .288. In 1902 he went home to Indian Island, stopped drinking, and put his life back together as a respected umpire and coach for Penobscot youths.

Fleitz handles the difficult subject of Sockalexis’s alcoholism with tact and compassion, presenting Louis in a generally sympathetic light. I was touched by a description of the once-great ballplayer ferrying passengers across the Penobscot River and avidly reading the sports pages they saved for him, always willing to relive his glory days with anyone who remembered him.

I give this well-written book a rating of 3 balls.

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Our Rating System is based on a four ball system as follows:
One Ball: Average. It has something to say but is nothing special.
Two Balls: Something men usually have - also means its a cut above average, and worth reading/owning.
Three balls: Stands out from its peers and is highly recommended.
Four Balls: More than just what two men have when hanging out together, it means it is an exceptional book that truly earns a walk - straight to the local book store to get a copy.

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