Charlie Murphy

The Iconoclastic Showman Behind the Chicago Cubs

By: Jason Cannon

Narrated by: Donald Villella

2023 SABR Larry Ritter Book Award
Finalist for the 2022 CASEY Award

You don’t know the history of the Chicago Cubs until you know the story of Charles Webb Murphy, the ebullient and mercurial owner of this historic franchise from 1905 through 1914. Originally a sportswriter in Cincinnati, he joined the New York Giants front office as a press agent—the game’s first—in 1905. That season, hearing the Cubs were for sale, he secured a loan from Charles Taft, the older half-brother of the future president of the United States, to buy a majority share and become the team’s new owner. In his second full season, the Cubs won their first World Series. They won again in 1908, but soon thereafter Murphy’s unconventional style invited ill will from the owners, his own players, and the press, even while leading the team through their most successful period in team history.

In Charlie Murphy: The Iconoclastic Showman behind the Chicago Cubs, Jason Cannon explores Murphy’s life both on and off the field, painting a picture of his meteoric rise and precipitous downfall. Listeners will get to know the real Murphy, not the simplified caricature created by his contemporaries that has too frequently been perpetuated through the years, but the whirling dervish who sent the sport of baseball spinning and elevated Chicago to the center of the baseball universe.

Cannon recounts Murphy’s rise from the son of Irish immigrants to sports reporter to Cubs president, charting his legacy as one of the most important but overlooked figures in the National League’s long history. Cannon explores how Murphy’s difficult teenage years shaped his love for baseball; his relationship with the Tafts, one of America’s early twentieth-century dynastic families; his successful and tumultuous years as a National League executive; his last years as an owner before the National League Board of Directors ousted him in 1914; and, finally, Murphy’s attempt to rewrite his legacy through the construction of the Murphy Theater in his hometown of Wilmington, Ohio.

©2022 Jason Cannon (P)2024 Jason Cannon

Historians of Baseball Will Love This Book

If you are a historian of baseball and/or a Chicago Cubs fan you will love this book. The amount of time, effort and research put into this by the author is amazing. Reading or listening to this book will give you a good sense how baseball, specifically the National League was formed. Great read!

The storytelling

This book provided a great description of the life of Charlie Murphy. I didn’t know that he was the owner of the Chicago Cubs, and behind both World Series Titles.

Perfect for any Cubs fan!

If you love baseball and/or Cubs history, this book unveils an incredible story about one of the first juggernauts in baseball history. From the origin of Charlie Murphy's rise from a pharmacy clerk to the owner of the Chicago Cubs and then to his legacy project of the Murphy Theater in Wilmington, Ohio. This book goes into depth about a truly fascinating figure in baseball history. This book is recommended for anyone interested in baseball, the Chicago Cubs, or the Murphy Theater. 5 stars!

Enthralling Voice for Cubs Fans

Donald Villella's compelling delivery of Charley Murphy offers an immersive experience for fans of the team. His energetic storytelling and clear passion for the subject bring Murphy's legacy to life, giving listeners a vivid understanding of his contributions to the Cubs. This audio book is an excellent choice for Cubs fans looking to delve deeper into the history of their team and appreciate Murphy's impact on its success.

An often overlooked baseball magnates

Prior to the Chicago's world series drought, Charlie Murphy purchased the Cubs for a mere $100,000, and led the organization to four pennants, and two world series championships. However, Murphy became a polarizing character, prone to countless squabbles and controversies. After securing a loan from Charles Taft (the half brother of President William Taft), Murphy turned the Cubs fortunes around, but in the end, was no longer welcomed as a baseball owner.

Jason Cannon describes Murphy's humble upbringing, and becoming a success as a sports journalist in Cincinnati. In era where it was common for sports franchises to hire writers for PR work, Murphy became the assistant secretary for the New York Giants, where he learned from the legendary manager John McGraw. In 1906, Murphy's Cubs faced the south side's Chicago White Sox to the delight of Windy City baseball fans.

Murphy developed a triumphant relationship with player/manager Frank Chance. The skipper would suggest players the team needed to succeed, and Murphy used his resources to acquire the talent. Chance was a members on the famous "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" double play combination. Yet in the end, Murphy alienated his relationships with Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, Chance, and popular pitcher Mordecai Brown.

In "Charlie Murphy," the author writes extensively about the fall outs that caused irreparable damage to Murphy's reputation with his fellow owners. Cannon does an outstanding jobs detailing Murphy's fight with the federal league, ticket snafus, and his friction with National League President Harry Pulliam. By age forty six, Murphy was out of organized baseball. This is a fabulous work on an often forgotten baseball magnate.

Great story and a great narrator

As a lifetime baseball fan I enjoyed the Charlie Murphy story, finding it very informative. I have a hearing problem, but the narrator Donald Villella made it so easy for me to clearly hear and know every word he was saying.