Before the World Series

the long version

"The first World's Championship Series arose in an ad hoc manner when the Providence Grays faced the New York Metropolitans in 1884. Seeking to maximize profits, team owners promoted postseason baseball to ensure that one team could bill itself as the world's best. Bowman traces the history of seven championship series, recounting the frenzied negotiations that often preceded the games. He also analyzes the emergence of mascots, the evolution of the sport's rules, and the impact of America's explosive urban growth on baseball's popularity"--Jacket.