The Golden Age

The story of baseball and New York post–World War II—a rise-and-fall tale of brilliance, explosive wealth, and the cultural earthquake that changed the sport, the city, and the country

After the war, New York seemed indestructible, the invincible hub of finance, fashion, art, power—and baseball.

The Golden Age transports readers through the next three decades, from 1945 to the mid-1970s: a time when the gods lived among us (but were still paid like human beings), and the legends on the Giants and Dodgers and Yankees walked and even played stickball in the streets of Washington Heights, Brighton Beach, and Staten Island; the era of Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra, Casey Stengel, Sandy Amorós, and so many more. But hubris and changing global economics pushed New York to the edge, as corruption, crime, deindustrialization, drug addiction, riots, and near ruin descended upon the city. The Giants and the Dodgers fled, convinced that New York was finished, one more aging eastern city that would never recover.

Onto this stage stepped the Mets, a living satire of a baseball team, but one perfect for the moment. Their dark horse run to the 1969 World Series injected a new energy and hope into a city plagued by despair, and the sport has never been the same since.

In this riveting and rollicking ode to America’s favorite pastime, Baker pays homage to the sport’s indomitable home city, the catalyst for baseball’s rapid changes, including a huge influx of money to the sport and the desegregation of the game in 1945, when Jackie Robinson signed with the Dodgers. From the diamonds and bleachers to the streets of Jackson Heights and Arthur Avenue, to the new wonder of television, and the dazzling nightclubs where ballplayers drank and brawled in their off-field hours, this character-driven portrayal of baseball’s golden years will leave die-hard fans and those who have just discovered the game charmed, fascinated, and nostalgic.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs