Death in the Strike Zone tells the story of James Creighton, one of the earliest stars in baseball history. Playing in the years before the Civil War, Creighton became famous for his remarkable pitching ability at a time when the game looked very different from the baseball we know today. His powerful and unusual pitches helped change the way the sport was played and influenced the development of modern pitching rules.

Creighton played for the Brooklyn Excelsiors and quickly became a player people wanted to see. At a time when baseball was still developing, his talent helped make the sport more exciting and popular. However, his promising career came to a tragic end in 1862, when he collapsed during a game and died just four days later at only twenty-one years old. For some time, it was thought that he had hurt himself playing baseball (or cricket, which was also popular at the time), which led to his death.

Gilbert approaches Creighton’s life and death like a historical mystery. He examines old records, newspaper accounts, and conflicting stories to investigate what may have happened. He also explores the people and baseball organizations surrounding Creighton, showing how the sport developed during its early years. The book raises questions about Creighton’s death, his influence on the game, and why his accomplishments have largely been forgotten.

I found the subject of Death in the Strike Zone fascinating because it introduces readers to a baseball pioneer whose story deserves more attention. Most baseball fans are familiar with modern stars, but many probably have never heard of James Creighton. Gilbert does a good job of bringing this forgotten figure back into the spotlight and showing how much one player can influence a sport.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is the mystery surrounding Creighton’s death. His sudden passing at such a young age makes his story both tragic and intriguing. Gilbert’s research gives readers the opportunity to look beyond the familiar stories of baseball history and consider what life was really like for players in the sport’s earliest days.

I also enjoyed the way the author connects Creighton’s personal story to the larger history of baseball. The book provides a look at how the game was played before many of the rules and traditions we recognize today were established. It makes you appreciate how much the sport has changed and how some of its early players helped shape its future.

At times, however, the amount of historical detail and discussion of other players and baseball organizations can take attention away from Creighton himself. I found myself having to put the book down intermittently and pick it up later as the details were very overwhelming and tedious. Readers who prefer a fast-paced biography may find some sections slower than others. Still, the research adds valuable background and helps explain why Creighton’s story matters.

There’s a New York Mets connection to Creighton that’s in the afterword. Creighton himself had no children, which is understandable considering the age at which he passed away. His sister did, however, and one of her descendants was Dr. James C. Parkes, who was the team physician for the Mets from 1974-1991. I do remember him quite well, so I really appreciated this connection.

Overall, Death in the Strike Zone is an interesting and informative book that combines baseball history, biography, and mystery. I would recommend it to baseball fans and readers who enjoy learning about overlooked historical figures. For the casual fan, it’s likely the incredible detail from this time period in baseball history will be overwhelming. Even though Creighton’s life was tragically short, his story is a reminder that some of the people who have the greatest impact on history are not always the ones we remember.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, David R. Godine, Publisher, and author Thomas W. Gibson for the advance reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. This has been my unbiased review of the book.