Most biographies of Jim Thorpe (1888-1953) emphasize his Olympic glory and his remarkable abilities in track and football. Thorpe's 1912 gold medals in the decathalon and pentathalon and his talent on the gridiron rank him high among outstanding athletes of the twentieth century. That Thorpe also played brilliantly on the baseball diamond is an often overlooked facet of his career. This narrative of Thorpe's rise and fall in American sports pays particular attention to his time in the major and minor leagues, including his stormy relationship with New York Giants manager John McGraw and baseball's role in stripping Thorpe of his Olympic medals. By chronicling Thorpe's involvement in baseball, football and track concurrently, this profile offers a complete portrait of one of the most versatile athletes in sports history.
Most biographies of Jim Thorpe (1888-1953) emphasize his Olympic glory and his remarkable abilities in track and football. Thorpe's 1912 gold medals in the decathalon and pentathalon and his talent on the gridiron rank him high among outstanding athletes of the twentieth century. That Thorpe also played brilliantly on the baseball diamond is an often overlooked facet of his career. This narrative of Thorpe's rise and fall in American sports pays particular attention to his time in the major and minor leagues, including his stormy relationship with New York Giants manager John McGraw and baseball's role in stripping Thorpe of his Olympic medals. By chronicling Thorpe's involvement in baseball, football and track concurrently, this profile offers a complete portrait of one of the most versatile athletes in sports history.