Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
From New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss comes the remarkable true story of Glenn Burke, a "hidden figure" in the history of sports: the inventor of the high five and the first openly gay MLB player. Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown. On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history without even swinging a bat. When his teammate Dusty Baker hit a historic home run, Glenn enthusiastically congratulated him with what is now known as the high five, which would go on to be the Dodgers' signature move.
In the coming months, Glenn made a name for himself in baseball, as Rookie of the Year in 1977. He was even called "the next Willie Mays" by his coach. But Glenn also made history in the MLB by being the first openly gay MLB player, and one of the first in any of the major American sports. While his MLB career was cut short only three years later, his legacy and impact on the athletic and LGBTQ+ community would resonate for years to come.
Singled Out tells the true story of Glenn Burke: from his childhood, his journey to the MLB, and beyond, into the more difficult times of his life--during drug addiction, injury, and the AIDS epidemic. This story is a sorely needed narrative and a fascinating account of a mostly unknown piece of MLB and LGBTQ+ history.
Readers won't soon forget about the bold spirit, joy, and tragedy of Glenn Burke's life. Includes black-and-white photos, a timeline, and an index.
Synopsis
* An] excellent exercise in narrative nonfiction. --Booklist (starred review)From New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss comes the remarkable true story of Glenn Burke, a hidden figure in the history of sports: the inventor of the high five and the first openly gay MLB player. Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown. On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history without even swinging a bat. When his teammate Dusty Baker hit a historic home run, Glenn enthusiastically congratulated him with the first ever high five.
But Glenn also made history in another way--he was the first openly gay MLB player. While he did not come out publicly until after his playing days were over, Glenn's sexuality was known to his teammates, family, and friends. His MLB career would be cut short after only three years, but his legacy and impact on the athletic and LGBTQ+ community would resonate for years to come.
In Singled Out, New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss tells the story of a little-known but monumentally important sports pioneer, Glenn Burke: from his childhood growing up in Oakland, his journey to the World Series, and his joy in living free at a time of gay liberation, to more difficult times: facing injury, addiction, and the AIDS epidemic.
Packed with black-and-white photographs and never-before-seen details about Glenn's life, Singled Out is the fascinating and thoroughly researched story of a trailblazer in sports--and the history and culture that shaped the world around him.