Louis P. Masur B.A. '78 -Historian's latest book recounts first World Series

“Autumn Glory”

Though it occurred a century ago, the first professional World Series of baseball between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Americans can be experienced as though you were watching it today, as told in the book “Autumn Glory: Baseball’s First World Series,” by Louis P. Masur, B.A. ’78.

Masur, a professor of history at City College of New York, is a cultural historian who wrote two books prior to Autumn Glory and has edited several others. He was in Buffalo recently as part of the “Meet the Author” series on WBFO-FM, UB’s National Public Radio affiliate, and met with alumni relations staff while he was on the South Campus.

The subject of his third and most recent book “allowed me to combine my passion for history and sports – I’m a huge baseball fan,” Masur said. Adding to novelty of Autumn Glory was the heightened excitement surrounding the 2003 season playoffs, with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs vying to be series contenders, two teams steeped in baseball history and heartache.

Autumn Glory comes to life through its dual narrative style, in which each game of the best-of-nine series is described in intricate detail, while being interspersed with historical contextual descriptions. Masur explained that though baseball was invented in the 1830s, it did not become a professional organization until the 1870s. The National League was formed in 1876, and the American League in 1901. The World Series was not the inevitable end of the season until 1903, when the owner of the Pirates challenged the Boston Americans to a playoff, which became the first world series. Masur describes the contest as a “war between two leagues.”

Research skills learned at UB

As works of history, all his books required in-depth research, a skill he learned while at UB. “I did what I was trained to do at UB, thorough research, going through microfilm…” His first book, published in 1991, looked at capital punishment in 19th century America, including organized opposition to capital punishment as well the movement from public to private executions.

“1831: The year of the Eclipse” is the title of Masur’s second book, published in 2001. In it, he theorizes that events of the year 1831, a year not previously recognized as historically significant, in fact marked a transformation in American society, particularly due to contemporary issues such as slavery and states’ rights.

North Campus pioneer

A native of New York City, Masur was part of the first class to attend the “new” North (Amherst) Campus, and the first in Fargo Quad, where faculty offices were housed as well. On the North Campus, “we felt like pioneers!” he said. “I remember the buses constantly going down Millersport Highway to Main Street, going to movies, Clark Gym…it was a great experience.”

He studied history and English. “I had amazing professors who helped shape my career and my life. “[History professor] David Gerber was a tremendous influence, as were Selig Adler and Milton Plesur …the faculty connection and interaction was tremendous, and since their offices were located in the Quads, we had a lot more interaction – we felt like friends.”

Masur himself became part of history while a student, surviving Buffalo’s “Blizzard of ’77,” which, he felt was “more adventurous than dangerous.” He lived at the North Campus for his freshman and sophomore years, and off campus near Main Street for his final two years. His love of sports led him to play intramural basketball, and he and his friends used to follow the Bulls to away games, telling the home team’s fans they were UB mascots.

He was also a writer for the student newspaper, the Spectrum. “My first byline was a review of a movie, I think it was Woody Allen’s Annie Hall.”

Most importantly, Masur met his wife while a student at UB, nursing student Jani Fox. They met as freshmen, dated as sophomores and married in 1981. They now live in New Jersey with their two children, Ben, age 16 and Sophie, age 12.

“The Buffalo and UB experience has shaped my life in so many ways, in my career, in my personal life…it’s a very special place to me.” The first time he returned to campus was at the invitation of David Gerber, who asked him to deliver the 1999 commencement address to the graduating history major. He was “amazed at the [changes in the] North Campus – more like blown away.”

--Barbara A. Byers, APR

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