{"product_id":"louis-sockalexis-the-first-cleveland-indian-9780786413836","title":"Louis Sockalexis: The First Cleveland Indian","description":"\u003cp\u003eLouis Sockalexis  a Penobscot Indian from Maine  was one of the greatest college baseball stars of the 1890s. Following his days playing for Holy Cross and Notre Dame  he went directly into the major leagues with Clevelands National League team in 1897  becoming the first of his race to play in the majors and the first minority athlete to play in the National League. This is a complete biography of Sockalexis  known during his playing days as \"Chief of Sockem\" and \"Deerfoot of the Diamond.\" For three months  Sockalexis batted well over .300  hit home runs  and made incredible throws from the outfield  but he found it difficult to adjust to playing in the major leagues. He often found himself the object of ridicule and hatred from sportswriters and fans in other cities. Sockalexis began drinking heavily and was suspended by the Cleveland team for playing while intoxicated. His alcoholism brought his career to an unfortunate and premature end in 1899  and he died in 1913 at the age of 42. Shortly after his death  Clevelands American League team was named the Indians and Chief Wahoo was adopted as its mascot  something that has sparked controversy in recent years and brought attention to Sockalexis once again.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45666345189429,"sku":"ByrdShop_0786413832","price":51.16,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780786413836.jpg?v=1782428986","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/louis-sockalexis-the-first-cleveland-indian-9780786413836","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}