William A. Young

“Chief” is the head man; it is a title of diffidence. As applied to John Tortes Meyers, All-Star catcher for John McGraw’s New York Giants, it is a fitting title: the Dartmouth-educated Meyers was an outstanding hitter and well-regarded field general who might have made the Hall of Fame if his career had been a bit longer. Yet during his playing days, “Chief” was used as an insult, not a compliment, because Meyers was a Native American, from the Cahuilla tribe.

This well-documented, show more yet readable, biography naturally focuses on Meyers’ playing career, but also explores his youth in California, the racial insensitivity he and other Natives faced, and his life and career after baseball. While the challenges Jackie Robinson faced in breaking baseball’s color line are well-known, Meyers (and other Natives, like Albert Bender, Jim Thorpe, and Allie Reynolds) faced similar abuse—yet were never excluded from the game, as Blacks were. This volume gives new appreciation for their struggle, while giving one of the Deadball-era’s best catchers much-overdue recognition. show less

William Young's biography of John Tortes "Chief" Meyers is much more than an account of a sports career. Meyers was a professional catcher at the end of the dead ball era. More notably he was a Native American (Cahuilla) athlete who was, to put it mildly, relentlessly stereotyped, and yet succeeded. The book evenly chronicles his life in baseball while rounding out the picture with well researched details of the upbringing, cultural pride, wit, and articulate thoughts of this long ago star. show more Meyers fascinating intersections with sports icons John McGraw, Christie Mathewson, & Jim Thorpe are included. The in-depth accounts of games are mostly limited to the few World Series in which Meyers played. A well done book about a smart, powerful man. show less

Many baseball (and non baseball fans) are aware of the difficulty that black ball players had breaking into the big leagues. But how many are familiar with the story of Native American ballplayers? I would guess rather few...I didn't become aware of their story into college when a librarian, who was researching the history of a local team, began telling me stories about these early ballplayers. And this book reminds me of some of those stories.

William Young provides the reader with a wealth show more of information, not just on John Meyers career in baseball, but helping us set his story into the historical perspective. He provides information on Meyer's tribe, the Cahuilla, and historical accounts on the prejudices and troubles that tribes had during that time period to give the reader a greater perspective on the accomplishment of Meyers. Young brings Meyers to life, helping us to understand his wit and character, and the stories that Meyers told through his life. Meyers is a player that caught for two of the greatest pitchers ever in Christy Mathewson's and Walter "Big Train" Johnson, played for the legendary John McGraw.

Overall this is a fantastic look at a catcher and ball player who has gotten lost amongst today's stars. young does an excellent job of bringing Meyers character and sense of humor to life. show less

As a baseball fanatic, I learned quickly the saga of Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey. In grade school, I "researched" a report about the Walker brothers (Moses and Fleetwood), so, all in all, I thought I was pretty well versed with the game's history of race relations. This book has been a welcome further education. John Totes Meyers was born of a German-American father and a Cahuilla mother. A fascinating journey through the US of the late 19th/early 20th century would find him as one of show more the premier players on the fabled New Your Giants, as well as a pioneer in both human, civil, and labor rights issues of the era. Written in a straightforward style, what this biography may lack in flowery prose is more than compensated by thorough and extensive research. For a fascinating glimpse back in time (only a century ago) of the nation's mind and heart and soul, as expeienced -- and at times, influenced, by -- a unique and independent individual, this biography is highly recommended. show less