Triple Crown Research Articles

The Kentucky Derby: how the run for the roses became America's premier sporting event

Each year on the first Saturday in May, the world turns its attention to the twin spires of Churchill Downs for the high-stakes excitement of the greatest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby. No American sporting event can claim the history, tradition, or pageantry that the Kentucky Derby holds. For more than 130 years, spectators have been fascinated by the magnificent horses that run the Louisville track. Thoroughbreds such as Secretariat and Barbaro have earned instant international fame, along with jockeys such as Isaac Murphy, Ron Turcotte, and Calvin Borel. The Kentucky Derby: How the Run for the Roses Became America's Premier Sporting Event calls this great tradition to post and illuminates its history and culture. Rising from its humble beginnings as an American variation of England's Epsom Derby, the Kentucky Derby became a centerpiece of American sports and the racing industry, confirming Kentucky's status as the Horse Capital of the World. James C. Nicholson argues that the Derby, at its essence, is a celebration of a place, existing as a connection between Kentucky's mythic past and modern society. The Derby is more than just a horse race - it is an experience enhanced by familiar traditions, icons, and images that help Derby fans to understand Kentucky and define themselves as Americans. Today the Kentucky Derby continues to attract international attention from royalty, celebrities, racing fans, and those who simply enjoy an icy mint julep, a fabulous hat, and a wager on who will make it to the winner's circle. Nicholson provides an intriguing and thorough history of the Kentucky Derby, examining the tradition, spectacle, culture, and evolution of the Kentucky Derby - the brightest jewel of the Triple Crown.

Resolving a Catch-22 in Cardiac Gene Regulation

You have a big heart.” These five words have almost as many implications. Being big hearted can describe a generous and giving nature. In a different context, Secretariat's heart was unusually large because he carried an X-linked gene1 conferring on him rare physiological attributes that in 1973 propelled him to thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown. When the same declaration occurs between cardiologist and patient, however, the connotation is overwhelmingly negative. Heart enlargement from cardiac hypertrophy or dilated cardiomyopathy is a powerful positive predictor of morbidity and mortality.2,3 Accordingly, efforts to more fully understand the molecular underpinnings of structural and functional cardiac remodeling have been a major focus of basic cardiovascular research since genetic reprogramming was first mechanistically linked to cardiac hypertrophy.4,5 Over the past 25 years major transcriptional controls for pathological cardiac gene expression have been defined and suggested novel genetic approaches to control or reverse hypertrophy.6 Article see p 2751 Our conceptual understanding of the relationship between cardiac gene expression and physiotype derives from the common view that transcriptional regulation of genes determines expression of messenger RNAs (mRNA) that encode myocardial proteins. Recent evidence for epigenetic regulation by microRNAs has revised this linear paradigm. MicroRNAs adjust transcript abundance by binding to complementary sequences of target mRNAs, inducing their destruction, or blocking their translation (reviewed in 7). Clinical and experimental evidence implicates microRNAs as an important component of genetic reprogramming in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Ongoing efforts targeting microRNAs show potential therapeutic efficacy.8 Based primarily on large-scale microarray analyses, it is estimated that the heart expresses 300 to 400 microRNAs (of ≈1000 known) at meaningful levels. Of these, levels of >200 cardiac microRNAs are regulated in cardiac pressure overload, ischemia, or failure.9 The details of these regulatory events will …

Should Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training and Robotic-Assistive Steppers for Locomotor Training Trot Back to the Starting Gate?

Body weight–supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and robotic-assisted step training (RAST) have not, so far, led to better outcomes than a comparable dose of progressive over-ground training (OGT) for disabled persons with stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or cerebral palsy. The conceptual bases for these promising rehabilitation interventions had once seemed quite plausible, but the results of well-designed, randomized clinical trials have been disappointing. The authors reassess the underpinning concepts for BWSTT and RAST, which were derived from mammalian studies of treadmill-induced hind-limb stepping associated with central pattern generation after low thoracic spinal cord transection, as well as human studies of the triple crown icons of task-oriented locomotor training, massed practice, and activity-induced neuroplasticity. The authors retrospectively consider where theory and practice may have fallen short in the pilot studies that aimed to produce thoroughbred interventions. Based on these shortcomings, the authors move forward with recommendations for the future development of workhorse interventions for walking. In the absence of evidence for physical therapists to employ these strategies, however, BWSTT and RAST should not be provided routinely to disabled, vulnerable persons in place of OGT outside of a scientifically conducted efficacy trial.

BERRY TRIALS IN THE AZORES

The Direccao de Servicos de Agricultura e Pecuaria, Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Acores, Portugal, began a collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Clonal Germplasm Repository at Corvallis, Oregon, and The Ohio State University, Department of Entomology in 2004. While previous horticultural production in the Azores included bananas, pineapples, apples, pears, and grapes, the cultivated temperate zone berry crops have not been grown extensively. Our objective was to compare berry cultivars in the Azores. Between 2006 and 2009, plantings of southern highbush blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum, 'Emerald', 'Jewel,' 'Misty' and 'O'Neal'; of northern highbush blueberries, V. corymbosum, 'Brigitta', 'Duke' and 'Elliott'; and a rabbiteye cultivar, V. virgatum, 'Spring High', were established in Furnas and in Ponta Delgada. In 2007 and 2009, plantings of thornless blackberry Rubus hybrid 'Triple Crown', and two cultivars of red raspberries, Rubus idaeus 'Heritage' and 'Taylor', were established. In Furnas, only the 'Emerald' blueberry produced fruit in 2008 and 2009. The average yield in the first year was 0.4 kg/plant; in 2009 it was 2.6 kg/plant. The average fruit diameter was 13.95 mm, and weight was 2.44 g. The other cultivars did not produce fruit and the 'Jewel' plants were susceptible to leaf rust disease caused by Naohidemyces vaccinii (Wint.) Sato, Katsuya et Hiratsuka (=Pucciniastrum vaccinii). The blackberry plants produced fruit in 2009. Bud break occurred very late in the season (beginning of June) and the crop season extended from 26 August to 17 December although during the last month only a few fruit were produced. The production peak occurred on the first week of October. The 'Heritage' red raspberry fruit first ripened on 7 August and finished 14 September. The maximum production occurred on 17 August. The average fruit diameter was 15.93 mm, length was 17.50 mm, and weight was 2.60 g/berry. The raspberries became infested with the insect Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval). 'Taylor' was more susceptible than 'Heritage' to this lepidopterous pest. Trials are continuing.

Method for Producing Long-cane Blackberry Plants

The objective of this study was to evaluate primocane cane training and propagation techniques for the production of long-cane blackberry (Rubus spp.) plants. Seventeen to 29 6-ft-long canes were produced from each semierect ‘Triple Crown’ and trailing ‘Siskiyou’ blackberry plant grown on the rotating cross-arm (RCA) trellis and cane training system. By early August, the lateral canes had grown beyond the top wire ≈6 ft above the ground and continued growing downward to the ground. The tips of the lateral canes reached the soil level from mid-August to mid-September at which time they were placed in 1/2-gal pots containing peat-based media. In early Oct. 2009, the tip-rooted lateral canes were cut from the stock plant at the uppermost trellis wire. Among the long-cane plants produced in 2009, 76% of buds in ‘Siskiyou’ broke, but less than 30% of buds in ‘Triple Crown’ broke in a heated greenhouse. Flowering occurred in 15% of the shoots that developed on rooted ‘Siskiyou’ long canes, but the shoots on the long-cane plants of ‘Triple Crown' were morphologically vegetative and flowering did not occur. In 2010–11, the long-cane plants were detached from the stock plants in December, January, and March. The numbers of nodes with a flowering shoot improved to 41% and 16% and the number of flowers per shoot increased to two and five flowers on long-cane plants of ‘Siskiyou’ and ‘Triple Crown’ blackberry, respectively.

Benzannulated Bicycles by Three‐Component Aryne Reactions

Triple crown: A pair of three-component coupling reactions between arynes, isocyanides, and either activated alkynes or phenyl esters generates unusual iminoindenones or phenoxy iminoisobenzofurans (see scheme), the latter of which may be advanced to o-ketobenzamides by performing direct hydrolysis. The synthetic utility of these compounds is demonstrated in a rapid preparation of substituted dibenzoketocaprolactams.

Blackberry Propagation by Non-leafy Floricane Cuttings

One- or two-node hardwood cuttings were taken from 9-year-old ‘Triple Crown’ and ‘Siskiyou’ blackberry (Rubus) plants on 5 Nov. 2009, 3 Dec. 2009, and 21 Jan. 2010. The response of cuttings with and without partially excised axillary buds to an application of cytokinin was compared with control cuttings with intact axillary buds and no cytokinin. Differences in root development were evident in the two cultivars tested. The cuttings of ‘Siskiyou’ and ‘Triple Crown’ callused on cut ends, but many of the adventitious roots developed from the base of the axillary buds. Shoots emerged from the bud in ≈90% of ‘Siskiyou’ cuttings stuck in November, December, and January. Rooting occurred in more than 90% of cuttings stuck in November and December but declined in cuttings stuck in January. In ‘Siskiyou’, bud excision had no effect on shoot and root emergence, but cytokinin treatment suppressed rooting in cuttings collected in November and January. Shoot emergence and rooting were poorer in ‘Triple Crown’ cuttings than in ‘Siskiyou’. In ‘Triple Crown’ cuttings, partial excision of buds reduced shoot emergence only in January but had no effect on rooting at three sticking dates. Cytokinin treatment improved shoot emergence in November and December but reduced rooting in January. The enclosed system is a viable method for propagating ‘Siskiyou’ blackberry by non-leafy floricane cuttings.

Inheritance of resistance to oat stem rust in the cultivars Ronald and AC Gwen

Mitchell Fetch, J. and Fetch Jr., T. 2011. Inheritance of resistance to oat stem rust in the cultivars Ronald and AC Gwen. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 419–423. Oat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. avenae Eriks. and E. Henn., causes sporadic epidemics and yield losses in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan. Oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars registered for production in this area possess resistance to stem rust, but their genetic composition is unknown. Race TJJ (NA67), first detected in 1998, is virulent on most Pg genes; thus, it is desirable to know the gene(s) that are present in currently grown oat varieties. The hulled cultivar Ronald and the hulless cultivar AC Gwen were selected for characterization of inheritance of stem rust resistance, and crossed to the susceptible cultivar Triple Crown. Race BLD (NA1) was used to evaluate F1 plants and F2 populations. All F1 plants were resistant, indicating the presence of at least one dominant gene. Pooled F2 populations fit a 13:3 (resistant:susceptible) ratio for both Ronald (χ2 =0.31, P =0.58) and AC Gwen (χ2 =3.32 and P =0.07), indicating the presence of one dominant and one recessive gene. Segregation ratios in pooled F3 families fit a 7:8:1 (homozygous resistant:segregating:homozygous susceptible) ratio with race BLD (χ2 =0.84, P =0.66 for Ronald; χ2 =1.99, P =0.37 for AC Gwen), a 1:2:1 ratio (segregating families with 1:3 ratio) with race TJD (χ2 =2.87, P =0.24 for Ronald; χ2 =3.45, P =0.18 for AC Gwen), and a 1:2:1 ratio (segregating families with 3:1 ratio) with race FDJ (χ2 =1.33, P =0.51 for Ronald; χ2 =2.04, P =0.36 for AC Gwen). These results and reactions to known races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae indicate that both Ronald and AC Gwen possess the dominant gene Pg2 and recessive gene Pg13. This genetic study characterized the stem rust resistance in Ronald and AC Gwen, and confirmed the limited base of stem rust resistance in Canadian oat cultivars.

Hot stove economics: understanding baseball's second season

Why Johnny Estrada Is Worth Kevin Millwood: Valuing Players as Assets.- Down with the Triple Crown: Evaluating On-Field Performance.- A Career Guide from Little League to Retirement: Age and Success in Baseball.- Putting a Dollar Sign on the Muscle: Valuing Players.- Deals, Duds, and Caveats: What Do the Estimates Reveal?- Building a Champion on a Dime: Winning and Winning Efficiently.- Is C.C. Sabathia Worth $161 Million? Valuing Long Run Contracts.- You Don't Need a Name to Be Traded: Valuing Minor-League Prospects

International Application Of The Fifth Amendment: Where In The World Is Ernesto Miranda?

In 1966, The United States Supreme Court issued its now legendary decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1), and the practice of criminal law in the United States as was then known, was changed forever. The Miranda Warnings became not only the law of the land in protecting the rights of the accused, but also resulted in evolution and education in the field of law enforcement, processes that continue to this date. Now comes a series of cases involving international terrorism, and Miranda and its old stable-mate Mapp (2) get trotted out again for a new look, to see whether members of an international conspiracy--led by Osama Bin Laden and organized through the al Qaeda terrorist network--to kill American citizens and destroy American facilities across the globe(3), can make a run for the roses using the triple crown of American criminal jurisprudence, The Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution. Two races have been run, and the al Qaeda horsemen have finished out of the money. They now gear up and don their colors for one last run in their quest for exoneration: a date with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Virulence of Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae in the Eastern Prairie Region of Canada during 2007–2009

Unfavourable environmental conditions for crown rust [Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae] during 2007–2009 resulted in light incidence of crown rust on oat (Avena sativa) in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan. The first appearance of crown rust on 11 August in 2008 and on 15 August in 2009 was the latest ever seen in this region over the past three decades. Using 19 oat crown rust differentials, a large number of races were identified from isolates from wild oat each year, and a large proportion of the races were represented by a single isolate. There were significant differences between isolates from wild oat and cultivated oat in frequency of virulence to several genes in some years. Virulence frequency to Pc48, a gene in ‘Triple Crown’, was between 8.2–14.1% in isolates from wild oat and between 11.5–18.2% in isolates from cultivated oat during 2007–2009. Frequency of virulence to Pc68 was between 42.3–45.9% and 70.8–81.8% in isolates from wild oat and cultivated oat, respectively. As cultivars with the Pc38, 39, 68-gene combination were still commonly grown during these years, races with virulence to this gene combination were abundant. These cultivars were gradually replaced by new cultivars with different resistance genes. By 2009, ‘Leggett’ (Pc68, 94) accounted for 17.9% of the total oat hectarage, and ‘HiFi’ (Pc91) accounted for 3.0%. During 2007–2009, virulence to Pc94 was low (≤ 1.8%) or not detected, virulence to Pc91 was found in a single isolate, and virulence to gene temp_pc97 or temp_Pc98 was either low or not detected. The huge increase in frequency of virulence to Pc45 in 2008 and 2009 was most likely a result of isolates with this virulence migrating into the prairie region from the USA.

Self-Assembly of Dendritic Tris(crown ether) Hexagons and Their Complexation with Dibenzylammonium Cations

The construction of a new series of dendritic tris(crown ether) hexagons via coordination-driven self-assembly is described. Combining 120° crown ether-containing diplatinum(II) acceptors with 120° dendritic dipyridyl donors in a 1:1 ratio allows for the formation of a new family of dendritic triple crown ether derivatives with a hexagonal cavity in quantitative yields. The number and the position of these pendant groups can be precisely controlled on the hexagonal metallacycle. The structures of all dendritic multiple crown ether hexgaons are confirmed by multinuclear NMR ((1)H and (31)P), ESI-MS and ESI-TOF-MS, and elemental analysis. The complexation of these dendritic trivalent receptors with dibenzylammonium cations was investigated by (1)H NMR titration experiments. The thermodynamic binding constants between the receptors and guests were established by using the nonlinear least-squares fit method based on (1)H NMR titration experiments. It was found that the association constants of each assembly decrease correspondingly upon the increase of the generation of the dendrons from [G0] to [G3], which might be caused by the steric effect of the dendrons on host-guest complexation.

PARTICIPANT-OBSERVER OF HISTORY: JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN—SCHOLAR, MENTOR, AND PROMOTER OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORY

Previous articleNext article No AccessPARTICIPANT-OBSERVER OF HISTORY: JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN—SCHOLAR, MENTOR, AND PROMOTER OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORYLillian Serece WilliamsLillian Serece Williams Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Journal of African American History Volume 94, Number 3Summer 2009The Legacy of Dr. John Hope Franklin A journal of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/JAAHv94n3p370 Views: 4Total views on this site © ASALHPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Small Fruit Production in High Tunnels

High tunnels are a relatively economical form of protected culture, and offer cultural advantages such as protection from the elements and an extended production season. Interest in high tunnels for small fruit production has been increasing in North America. Growers in the United States and Canada are using multi-bay and single-bay high tunnels for production of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus), strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa), and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Research trials using high tunnels are being conducted in numerous places across the United States. In most instances, high tunnels increased yields of berry crops, improved quality, and decreased the incidence of most diseases compared with field production, powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) being a notable exception. The insect and mite complex encountered in tunnels when growing berry crops has changed markedly, often becoming similar to that which might have been expected in greenhouses, with numbers of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), whitefly (Aleyrodidae), and thrips (Frankliniella spp.) reaching high levels without control measures. In studies at The Pennsylvania State University, primocane-bearing cultivars of red raspberry plants produced at least two to three times as much marketable fruit in tunnels as in a previous field study, with substantial summer and fall crops obtained. ‘Triple Crown’ thornless blackberry produced very high marketable yields in the tunnels, even though winter injury historically resulted in a lack of blackberry production in the field. Strawberry production in a plasticulture system using short-day or day-neutral cultivars was found to be viable; however, the primary benefit of high tunnels for strawberry may have been reliability of production rather than a yield increase. Potential reasons for improvements in productivity and quality are numerous and warrant further attention.

Small Fruit Production in High Tunnels

High tunnels are a relatively economical form of protected culture, and offer cultural advantages such as protection from the elements and an extended production season. Interest in high tunnels for small fruit production has been increasing in North America. Growers in the United States and Canada are using multi-bay and single-bay high tunnels for production of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus), strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa), and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Research trials using high tunnels are being conducted in numerous places across the United States. In most instances, high tunnels increased yields of berry crops, improved quality, and decreased the incidence of most diseases compared with field production, powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) being a notable exception. The insect and mite complex encountered in tunnels when growing berry crops has changed markedly, often becoming similar to that which might have been expected in greenhouses, with numbers of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), whitefly (Aleyrodidae), and thrips (Frankliniella spp.) reaching high levels without control measures. In studies at The Pennsylvania State University, primocane-bearing cultivars of red raspberry plants produced at least two to three times as much marketable fruit in tunnels as in a previous field study, with substantial summer and fall crops obtained. ‘Triple Crown’ thornless blackberry produced very high marketable yields in the tunnels, even though winter injury historically resulted in a lack of blackberry production in the field. Strawberry production in a plasticulture system using short-day or day-neutral cultivars was found to be viable; however, the primary benefit of high tunnels for strawberry may have been reliability of production rather than a yield increase. Potential reasons for improvements in productivity and quality are numerous and warrant further attention.

John Bishop Borthwick

Grant Mooney writes: John Bishop Borthwick, or “Jake,” as he was affectionately known to patients and colleagues, achieved a remarkable, if not unique, “double” in 1938. He passed his MRCP...

Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacities of Alabama – Grown Thornless Blackberries

ABSTRACT Total phenolics (TPH), flavonoids (TF), monomeric anthocyanins (ACY), and Vitamin C Equivalent Antioxidant Capacities (VCEAC) utilizing ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays were determined for five fully ripened blackberries cultivars (‘Loch Ness’, ‘Navaho’, ‘Arapaho’, ‘Apache’, and ‘Triple Crown’) of Rubus spp. grown in Alabama. The ABTS and DPPH methods were highly correlated (R = 0.897) and the ABTS method was better for assessing the overall antioxidant capacity. Cultivar differences were found in TPH, ACY, and VCEAC as determined by the ABTS method (P ≤ 0.05) with ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Apache’ containing the highest levels. Based on these findings ‘Apache’, ‘Arapaho’, and ‘Navaho’ are three thornless blackberry cultivars that have potential to be used as dietary supplements and for commercial production in Alabama due to high phytonutrient content, antioxidant capacities, and yield.

Rowcovers Improve Winter Survival and Production of Western Trailing ‘Siskiyou’ Blackberry in the Eastern United States

Winter injury has limited the expansion of commercial blackberry (Genus Rubus, subgenus Rubus) production into more northern latitudes in central and eastern United States. Rowcover (RC) was applied over trailing ‘Boysenberry’ and ‘Siskiyou’ and erect, thornless ‘Triple Crown’ and ‘Apache’ blackberries at Kearneysville, WV (lat. 39.5°N, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b) from 2004 to 2007. The daily minimum temperatures under RC were as much as 5 °F to 10 °F higher at nights after sunny days, but were similar during nights after overcast days. On sunny days, daily maximum temperatures under RC were as much as 28 °F higher than in the open. Under RC, humidity rose more quickly and remained higher during the day than in the open, but was slightly lower at night. Mean vapor pressure deficit in late December, January, February, and early March was 100 to 250 kPa higher under RC than in the open. RC treatment significantly reduced winter injury and increased yield in ‘Siskiyou’ blackberry plants. The winter protection techniques described here would provide substantial benefits for growing blackberries in more northern areas where winter injury frequently causes crop failure.

Methyl jasmonate enhances antioxidant activity and flavonoid content in blackberries ( Rubus sp.) and promotes antiproliferation of human cancer cells

The effects of preharvest methyl jasmonate (MJ) application on fruit quality, antioxidant activity and flavonoid content in blackberries ( Rubus sp.) were determined. Anticancer activity against human lung A549 cells and HL-60 leukemia cells was also evaluated. Three blackberry cultivars (Chester Thornless, Hull Thornless and Triple Crown) were used in these experiments. Blackberries treated with MJ (0.01 and 0.1 mM) had higher soluble solids content, and lower titratable acids than untreated fruit as well as enhanced content of flavonoids and increased antioxidant capacity. Extracts of treated fruit showed enhanced inhibition of A549 cell and HL-60 cell proliferation and induced the apoptosis of HL-60 cells. Cultivar Hull Thornless had higher soluble solids and lower titratable acids compared to cv. Chester Thornless and Triple Crown. On the basis of fresh weight of fruit, Hull Thornless also had significantly higher anthocyanin, total phenolic content, antioxidant and antiproliferation activity than other two cultivars.

Black and Blue: The Golden Arm, the Robinson Boys, and the 1966 World Series That Stunned America (review)

Reviewed by: Black and Blue: The Golden Arm, the Robinson Boys, and the 1966 World Series That Stunned America Ron Kaplan Tom Adelman. Black and Blue: The Golden Arm, the Robinson Boys, and the 1966 World Series That Stunned America. New York: Little, Brown, 2006. 288 pp. Cloth, $24.95. For the most part, people love anniversaries—especially in sports. When one comes around, depending on the significance, one can count on a book or two to recognize the occasion. Lost in the fiftieth marking of Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series is the fortieth anniversary of what author Tom Adelman considers the "World Series that stunned America." Adelman follows the exploits of the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers as they inched toward their eventual showdown in the 1966 Fall Classic. He begins with the arrival of Frank Robinson, discarded by his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, in what is considered one of the most one-sided trades in history. The Reds followed the philosophy of former Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, who believed it was better to get rid of a player a year too early than a year too late. Robinson was a member of a generation of African American players laboring under pernicious racism among segments of society. He was deemed an angry black man by some, and his exile from a town where he enjoyed a good degree of success made him determined to prove the Reds' hierarchy wrong. He joined another future Hall of Famer in Brooks Robinson, the stellar third baseman, but the rest of the Orioles players were competent if untested. The starting rotation—Wally Bunker (age 21), Dave McNally (23), Jim Palmer (20), and Steve Barber (the "old man" of the quartet at 28)—continued to astound their fans and confound opposing batters as they won 48 of 75 decisions, ably supported by a strong relief corps that combined for the remaining 45 wins. Robinson was big man on campus—indeed, he won the Triple Crown that season—along with his "brother" Brooks and first baseman Boog Powell. On the other side of the country, the flashy Dodgers, led by Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Maury Wills, Tommy Davis, and a cast of supporting stars like Phil Regan, Jim Lefebvre, Ron Fairly, Lou Johnson, Jim Gilliam, and Ron Perranowski, edged out their perennial rivals, the San Francisco Giants, by a [End Page 134] mere 1.5 games (the Orioles finished 9 games over the defending American League champion Minnesota Twins). Adelman follows the fates of both teams as they plodded through the season with the requisite aches and pains. For the most part, he does an admirable job of keeping the excitement going. One bone of contention is when he singles out Koufax, long considered a courageous competitor, for what some might consider unfair treatment: It will always be debated [emphasis added] just how much Koufax benefited from the twin expansions of the early 1960s: the addition of new Major League franchises in 1961 and the commissioner's enlargement of the strike zone in 1963. The former, it is believed, supplied Koufax with more naïve strikeout victims, while the latter is said to have helped him get high strikes on his rising fastball. (74) Other pitchers had the same chance to "benefit" from those changes; with the exception of a few aces like Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, and Juan Marichal, they were not up to the task. Adelman mixes in nonsport events as he explains the necessity for the distraction of the national pastime for a country dealing with racial unrest and the war in Vietnam. Some players, including Drysdale and Brooks Robinson, visited U.S. troops after the season, boosting morale as did their predecessors during World War II. In a typical example of sports hyperbole, Adelman calls the 4-game sweep by Baltimore "one of baseball history's biggest upsets" (219). Granted, the odds-makers gave the nod to the more experienced Dodgers, but one could argue that the Pirates' win over the Yankees in 1960 or the Mets' victory over the same Orioles in 1969 might come higher on the list. The Dodgers...