Author

Timothy Grover

Timothy Grover is an author, blogger, photographer, and historian. While Barnstorming Babe: A Slugger’s Bumpy Trek Across Small-Town America is his first book, his writing has also appeared in Newsweek, Baseball Digest, the Iowan, and in eight Lyrical Iowa poetry anthologies.

Growing up in northeast Iowa, Tim dreamed of being the next Harmon Killebrew. But lacking speed and the ability to hit any thrown baseball, he gave up the game to collect ball cards and read history books.

After receiving communication degrees from Iowa Central Community College and the University of Northern Iowa, he worked in broadcasting for eleven years. In 1988, Tim and his wife Deb bought a mobile DJ service in Des Moines. Complete Music quickly became the largest mobile entertainment service in central Iowa. After hosting over 7000 events, they sold the business in 2013.

Now retired, Tim Grover lives in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. He treasures family time, camping, photography, and traveling. He loves sharing stories about Barnstorming Babe with libraries, books stores, and civic groups. Sometimes he’s even funny!

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Book Event Schedule:

February 22 - Johnston Public Library - Local Author's Book Fair - 2-4pm

March 17- Silver City Public Library - Speaking/Book Presentation - 3-4pm

March 17- Council Bluffs Public LIbrary - Speaking/Book Signing - 6:30-7:30pm

April 24 - Guttenberg Public LIbrary - Speaking/Book Presentation - 7-8pm

Testimonials:

"Loved the Babe Ruth book! It was a fascinating read!" - Former US Senator Tom Harkin

"A great bathroom book!" - Andy Fales, WHO-TV News

‍"Tim Grover whisks us back to a golden era in America’s baseball history..." - John Busbee, KFMG Radio

"Fun book; easy read; well-researched. Can finish it in an enjoyable evening." - Dr. Robert Shreck

"It brought to life one of my heroes in a way I could never imagine." - William Withers, Goodreads

- CLICK HERE to listen to an Audio Podcast about Barnstorming Babe

- CLICK HERE to listen about Barnstorming Babe on Pete A. Turner's Break it Down Show

- CLICK HERE to read a piece featured in the MC Globe-Gazette

Babe Ruth and Bob Musial while playing in Perry, Iowa.

This glove was recently purchased to represent what players typically used during the 1920's era of Barnstorming Babe. While most of the glove has ample padding, the pocket is darkened and broken-in. Players in those days caught baseballs in their palm (unlike gloves used today). It would’ve taken a great deal of skill to be a good fielder back then. My research indicates this is probably from the 1920s…webbing became more prevalent in the 1930s.

CLICK to Read an Article from the *Little Village Magazine*

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Barnstorming Babe

Babe Ruth could be his own worst enemy.

After the 1921 World Series, the Bambino and teammate Bob Meusel began a barnstorming tour in the Northeast. The new baseball commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, had warned them against doing it, citing a ridiculous and seldom-enforced rule. Greed overruled logic, and they did it anyway. Landis responded by suspending both players for the first six weeks of the 1922 season.

A year later, Landis had waived the rule. And after losing the World Series in 1922, Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel left the harsh glare of New York for an eighteen-game Great Plains barnstorming tour. Stops included Omaha, Kansas City, and Denver. But also Sleepy Eye, Pratt, and Tarkio.

They played in sleet, rain, and snow, traveled overnight on “jerkwater” railroads,and tolerated endless civic celebrations. They hit monstrous home runs, played against formidable Negro Leaguers, and faced some great small-town pitchers. They also visited orphanages, raised money for the American Legion, and created lifelong memories for hardscrabble farmers who would have never otherwise had a chance to see a major league baseball player.

The adventure kicked off with a spitball in Perry, Iowa, on Friday the thirteenth…

Genre: Non-Fiction: Historical/Baseball

Pages: 136

Price: $19.95 (HB)

RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2023

ISBNs:
Paperback: 978-1-947305-53-3
ePub: 978-1-947305-54-0

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