The Twenty-Four-Inch Home Run
Encyclopedia
The Twenty-Four-Inch Home Run: And Other Outlandish, Incredible But True Events in Baseball History is a book about baseball lore written by sportswriter Michael G. Bryson. The title refers to the book's central story, about a game where Andy Oyler
hit a baseball that became stuck in the mud 24 inches in front of home plate
, allowing him to score an inside the park home run before the opposing team located it. All told, the book contains 250 such stories, including an anecdote about a team registering a tripleplay without touching the ball. Bryson also debunks several well-known baseball legends, including the story that Abner Doubleday
invented baseball
and Babe Ruth's called shot
.
The News Journal described the book as being filled with "wisecrack anecdotes" and "amazing facts, ludicrous turns of events, and hilarious quotes." Baseball historian Stew Thornley
described the book as "compilation of strange but supposedly true baseball tales," but questioned the veracity of the Oyler story, saying that Bryson "provides more details and great embellishment but did not give the date of the game."
The book has been cited as a source by Society for American Baseball Research
, several reference books, and a book about baseball's influence on American foreign policy. One review wryly quipped "The title explains this book about as well as any brief review could."
It was used as a source for Matt Tavares's
children's book Mudball. The book was featured by the LA84 Foundation
in its 1991 convention.
Andy Oyler
Andrew Paul Oyler was a Major League Baseball third baseman. He was born in Newville, Pennsylvania and attended Washington & Jefferson College. He played professionally for the Baltimore Orioles in the . In 27 professional games that year, he had 77 at-bats with 17 hits and one home run.He...
hit a baseball that became stuck in the mud 24 inches in front of home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
, allowing him to score an inside the park home run before the opposing team located it. All told, the book contains 250 such stories, including an anecdote about a team registering a tripleplay without touching the ball. Bryson also debunks several well-known baseball legends, including the story that Abner Doubleday
Abner Doubleday
Abner Doubleday was a career United States Army officer and Union general in the American Civil War. He fired the first shot in defense of Fort Sumter, the opening battle of the war, and had a pivotal role in the early fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg was his finest hour, but his...
invented baseball
Origins of baseball
The question of the origins of baseball has been the subject of debate and controversy for more than a century. Baseball and the other modern bat, ball and running games, cricket and rounders, were developed from earlier folk games....
and Babe Ruth's called shot
Babe Ruth's Called Shot
Babe Ruth's called shot was the home run hit by Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, held on October 1, 1932 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, but the exact nature of his...
.
The News Journal described the book as being filled with "wisecrack anecdotes" and "amazing facts, ludicrous turns of events, and hilarious quotes." Baseball historian Stew Thornley
Stew Thornley
Stew Thornley is an author of books on sports history, particularly in his home state. He has been an official scorer and online gamecaster for the Minnesota Twins.-References:...
described the book as "compilation of strange but supposedly true baseball tales," but questioned the veracity of the Oyler story, saying that Bryson "provides more details and great embellishment but did not give the date of the game."
The book has been cited as a source by Society for American Baseball Research
Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research was established in Cooperstown, New York, in August 1971 by Bob Davids of Washington, D.C. The Society's mission is to foster the research and dissemination of the history and record of baseball, while generating interest in the game...
, several reference books, and a book about baseball's influence on American foreign policy. One review wryly quipped "The title explains this book about as well as any brief review could."
It was used as a source for Matt Tavares's
Matt Tavares
Matthew Manuel Tavares is an American author and illustrator of picture books for children. He attended Bates College, and now lives in Maine with his wife and two daughters....
children's book Mudball. The book was featured by the LA84 Foundation
LA84 Foundation
The LA84 Foundation is a private, nonprofit institution created by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee to manage Southern California's endowment from the 1984 Olympic Games...
in its 1991 convention.