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Biography, History, Social Science, Sports & Music
Notable works
The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937 (Drawing The Color Line) (2020), Between the Ropes at Madison Square Garden (2019),The Fighting Times of Abe Attell (2017), Battling Nelson, The Durable Dane (2016)
Notable awards
For Outstanding Preservation and Promotion of American History, Daughters of the American Revolution (2015); Lifetime Donor Membership to National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Historian International Boxing Hall of Fame
Mark Allen Baker (born March 27, 1957), is a former business executive, and American biographer, historian, known for his work on American culture, history and sports.
Baker has written twenty-five books including biographies on three members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame: Battling Nelson, The Durable Dane , The Fighting Times of Abe Attell and Lou Ambers: A Biography of the World Lightweight Champion and Hall of Famer.[1]
Following graduation, Baker was hired by the General Electric Corporation. His post-graduate work centered on computer graphics and digital imaging for his employer, and its Genigraphics Division (Microsoft PowerPoint). When the corporation sold Genigraphics (computer-graphics) to a group of venture capitalists, Baker stayed with the new corporation.Baker decided to leave the Genigraphics Corporation shortly after their acquisition by Pansophic Systems, Incorporated, a Lisle, Illinois software firm.[3][4][failed verification]
Baker has also been the co-owner of numerous businesses-while employed by the Genigraphics Corporation- including "Bleachers" of Liverpool, New York - an 8,000sqft (740m2). sports bar and museum. Opened in 1990, the restaurant hosted many significant events from a reception for "Stars on Ice" featuring Scott Hamilton and Debbie Thomas to a Monday Night radio show, broadcast by WAER hosted by broadcaster Mike Tirico.[5]
Writing career
Mark Allen Baker in Austria
While employed by the Genigraphics Corporation, Baker began writing and illustrating technical articles, trade periodicals and books.[6] This led to columns in other fields, along with contributions to books about computer graphics, golf, baseball and boxing. In 1990, Baker began publishing books under his own name in the area of Reference and Popular Culture. A decade later, he turned his attention to National and Regional History. Later, in 2016, the author began publishing in the area of Biography, Photography, along with Sports & Social Science.
The author's numerous radio appearances have included: Bridgeport, CT (WICC), New York, NY (WFAN), Santa Rosa, CA (KXXY), Syracuse, NY (WSEN, WHEN), and Tampa, FL (WNBA). As a television guest he has been seen on Metro TV, New York, NY and numerous local channels. Following his 1997 book, Goldmine's Price Guide to Rock & Roll Memorabilia, he appeared as a co-host on the VH-1 series Rock Collectors. As a speaker, Baker has attended many events including the Hemingway Days Festival & Writers Conference in Key West, Florida.[7][8]
In 2010, Mark Allen Baker began publishing national and regional history books.
The award-nominated Title Town, USA, Boxing in Upstate New York, published by The History Press examines the rich history of Boxing in central New York.[9] It is the first book to truly establish this region as the epicenter of pugilism. The book's foreword was written by Edward P. Brophy, Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.[10]
In October 2010, the author released Basketball History in Syracuse, Hoops Roots, also published by The History Press. [11] The book was an introduction to professional basketball in Syracuse and includes teams like (Vic Hanson's) All-Americans, the Syracuse Reds and the Syracuse Nationals (1946–1963).Contributions to the work include many former NBA players such as: Harry Gallatin, Bob Houbregs, Bailey Howell, Clyde Lovellette and Bill Sharman.
"Spies of Revolutionary Connecticut: From Benedict Arnold to Nathan Hale,” published by The History Press in 2014, introduced readers to the role the state played in intelligence gathering during the American Revolution.[12]
“Connecticut Families of the Revolution, American Forebears from Burr to Wolcott", Baker's second book of 2014, also published by The History Press, takes readers inside of the homes of the state's most patriotic families. [13] The work features the relatives of many American patriots including: Oliver Ellsworth, Nathan Hale, and Roger Sherman. Women, such as Eunice Burr, Lucretia Shaw, Mary Silliman, and Elizabeth Hull are also featured for their valuable contribution to the American Revolution.
Mark Allen Baker has spoken at many historical sites including the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse in New London, Connecticut and even given the 2015 Keynote Address at the annual meeting of the Norwich Historical Society inside the Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, Connecticut.[14]
Biographies
Turning his focus toward biography in 2016, Baker released, Battling Nelson, The Durable Dane. It is the author's eighteenth book and his first biography for McFarland & Company. [15] The incredible story of Oscar Battling Matthew Nelson is a "rags, to riches, to rags" tale. As the toughest and most durable professional boxer ever to enter a ring, Battling Nelson held the World Lightweight Championship from 1908 until 1910. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992, Battling Nelson is often recalled for his boxing trilogy with Joe Gans which is still considered one of the greatest in sports history. [16] With the release of this book, Baker holds the distinction of being the only person to serve the International Boxing Hall of Fame as an author, historian, chairperson, sponsor, volunteer, and biographer.[17]
Baker's The Fighting Times of Abe Attell hit #1 on Amazon's List of Hot New Releases in Boxer Biographies-the book also hit #1 New Release in Jewish Biographies in December 2017.
The author's nineteenth book, The Fighting Times of Abe Attell, was published in the fall of 2017. [18] Known for his record-setting, six-year consecutive reign as World Featherweight Champion from 1906-1912, Abraham Washington Attell (1883-1970) was among the cleverest, most scientific professional boxers ever to enter the ring. Attell's success inspired his brothers Caesar and Monte to take up the sport—Abe and Monte both held simultaneous world titles for a time. This first-ever biography covers Attell's life and career. Growing up poor and Jewish in a predominantly Irish neighborhood, he faced his share of adversity and anti-Semitism in and out of the ring. He was charged for alleged involvement in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. The charges were dropped but Attell was branded by association for the remainder of his life. [19] During the third week in January 2017, The Fighting Times of Abe Attell hit #1 on Amazon's List of Hot New Releases in Boxer Biographies-the book also hit #1 New Release in Jewish Biographies in December 2017.[20]
Social Science
Author Mark Allen Baker (right) with boxing trainer and fight commentator "Teddy" Atlas at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York (2019).
As a category of academic disciplines, social science has always fascinated the author.[neutrality is disputed] Between the Ropes at Madison Square Garden, The History of an Iconic Boxing Ring, 1925-2007, is the author’s twenty-first book and was published in July 2019. [21]As a cultural symbol, this historic boxing ring now rests majestically at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. Hosting championship fights, historic main events, and memorable undercards, it not only wrote boxing history punch-by-punch, it recorded world history one round at a time. Baker believes there was no better portrait of a sport or our society than the (New York) City Ring, and there never will be. [22] The International Boxing Research Organization noted, “Between the Ropes at Madison Square Garden combines a crucial aspect of boxing history with a portion of American History. It’s a book written with a narrative that unfolds in a clear and relaxed manner and should be read and relished.” [23][failed verification][24][25]
The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, was published by McFarland & Company in 2020. [26] The title was a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, “the color line.” While the title certainly proved useful, it took some extraordinary individuals, both Black and White, to step into the limelight and challenge the existence of the color line. This book traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the incredible professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring.[27] From the second week in September 2020, until the end of the month, The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, occupied the Top Ten on Amazon's List of Hot New Releases in Boxing Books. The book was also an Award-Winning Finalist in the Multicultural Non-Fiction category of the 2020 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest.[28] The USA Boxing News noted, “Baker takes no prisoners in his indictment of the white Heavyweight Champions who used the ‘Color Line’ to cover up their own racist ideals, or just plain cowardice.” [29]
Personal life
As an active member of the community,[neutrality is disputed] Baker regularly contributes organic fruits and vegetables to local food banks.[citation needed] He served as a member of the Hebron (Connecticut) Charter Revision Commission (2018-2019), and was elected to the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (2019).[30][31]
Mark Allen Baker lives in New England and Florida. He has three children: Aaron (b. 1985), Elizabeth (b. 1986) and Rebecca (b. 1990).[citation needed]
Connecticut Families of the Revolution, American Forebears from Burr to Wolcott (2014, softcover) ISBN978-1-62619-664-3; (2014, hardcover) ISBN978-1540211361
Boxing Legends of All-Time by Robert Cassidy, Jr. and Steve Nicolaisen. Publications International, 1996. ISBN9780785316909
Baseball Memorabilia by Mark Larson. Krause Publications, 1992. ISBN0873411900
Mickey Mantle Memorabilia by Mark Larson and Dave Platta. Krause Publications, 1993. ISBN0873412613
Antique Golf Collectibles by Chuck Furjanic. Krause Publications, 2003. ISBN0873496728
Computer Graphics for Designers and Artists by Isaac Kerlow and Judson Rosebush. Van Nostrand and Reinhold Company, 1986. ISBN9780442014308
Computer Graphics by John Lewell. Van Nostrand and Reinhold Company, 1983. ISBN978-0442260453
Related Research Articles
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF), located in Canastota, New York, United States, honors boxers, trainers and other contributors to the sport worldwide. Inductees are selected by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America. The IBHOF started as a 1990 initiative by Ed Brophy to honor Canastota's world boxing champions, Carmen Basilio and Basilio's nephew, Billy Backus; the village of Canastota inaugurated the new museum, which showcases boxing's rich history.
William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey, nicknamed Kid Blackie, and The Manassa Mauler, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1914 to 1927, and reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926. A cultural icon of the 1920s, Dempsey's aggressive fighting style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate. He pioneered the live broadcast of sporting events in general, and boxing matches in particular.
Abraham Washington Attell, often referred to by newspapers as "The Little Hebrew", was a boxer who became known for his record-setting, six year consecutive reign as World Featherweight Champion from 1906-1912, and his nearly consecutive ten-year reign starting in 1902. Said to be a friend of the gangster Arnold Rothstein, Attell was charged with game fixing in the Black Sox Scandal in 1919, but the charges were dismissed before trial. He also was suspected of other infractions including fixing fights, and using drugs during a fight.
Robert James "Bob" Fitzsimmons was a British professional boxer who was the sport's first three-division world champion. He also achieved fame for beating Gentleman Jim Corbett, and he is in The Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion, weighing just 165 pounds when he won the title. Nicknamed Ruby Robert and The Freckled Wonder, he took pride in his lack of scars and appeared in the ring wearing heavy woollen underwear to conceal the disparity between his trunk and leg-development.
George Emile Stipich was a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Stan Stasiak. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in the 1970s, where he won the WWWF Heavyweight Championship in 1973. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.
Rufus Putnam was a colonial military officer during the French and Indian War, and a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. As an organizer of the Ohio Company, he was instrumental in the initial settling of the Northwest Territory in present-day Ohio following the war.
Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling.It is anybody from 57kg to 60kg.
George Godfrey, nicknamed Old Chocolate by the press of the day in the last stage of his long career, was a Black Canadian heavyweight boxer who held the distinction of being World 'Colored' Heavyweight Champion during his career. Godfrey was inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
Oscar Matthew "Battling" Nelson, was a Danish-American professional boxer who held the World Lightweight championship. He was also nicknamed "the Durable Dane".
Young Corbett II was an American boxer who held the World Featherweight championship. He took the name "Young Corbett II" in honor of James J. Corbett, a heavyweight champion. Corbett was posthumously inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1965 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.
Lawrence Samuel "Larry" Gains was a Black Canadian heavyweight boxer who was champion of Canada and the British Empire. One of the top heavyweights of his era, he was denied the opportunity to become World Champion due to the bar on black boxers competing for the title.
The San Francisco Athletic Club was a boxing academy in San Francisco, California, known as the main training center for young boxers in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Club was opened in 1885 by Alex Greggains who had been a former middleweight boxing champion of California. Greggains was said to have formed the club because the California State Legislature had passed a law prohibiting boxing matches except before a licensed club.
Manuel Ramos, nicknamed Pulgarcito, was a Mexican boxer and actor. He was the heavyweight champion of Mexico, a top world title contender in the late 1960s, and one of Mexico's most internationally successful heavyweights.
Abe "The Newsboy" Hollandersky was an American professional boxer who became the second American to win the Panamanian national Heavyweight Title when he defeated Californian Jack Ortega in nine rounds in Panama City on May 30, 1913. American congressmen, Naval personnel, and canal workers were among the crowd of nearly two thousand who watched Hollandersky gain victory over an opponent who outweighed him by over thirty-five pounds. The New York Times announced Hollandersky's best known win the following morning.
Austin Rice was a New London boxer who became a Featherweight Title contender on January 14, 1903, when he faced featherweight champion Young Corbett II in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Though he lost the fight, he went toe to toe with a world class competitor for eighteen rounds and would meet four more boxing champions, easily placing him among the World's top ten featherweight boxers for his era.
Abie Bain was a rated Jewish Middleweight boxer from Newark, New Jersey. In 1930, he moved up a weight class and challenged Maxie Rosenbloom for the Light Heavyweight Championship of the World in Madison Square Garden, though he lost the bout.
Abe Goldstein was an American bantamweight boxer from New York. He defeated Joe Lynch to become World Bantamweight champion on March 21, 1924, in Madison Square Garden, and was ranked the #5 bantamweight of all time by boxing Manager Charley Rose. He worked with the famous New York trainer Ray Arcel.
Frankie Neil was a World Bantamweight champion. Fighting at 114 1/2 pounds, he took the world title from reigning champion Harry Forbes on August 13, 1903 at the Mechanics Pavilion in San Francisco in a second round knockout of a match scheduled for twenty rounds. Eddie Graney was the referee. Neil held the title only a little over a year, losing it on October 17, 1904 to British boxing champion Joe Bowker.
Fay Barbara King was an American illustrator, journalist, and cartoonist. Some of her work represents an early example of autobiographical comics.
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References
↑ Kurpiela, Heidi (August 15, 2019). "Class Act: Book Smart". Lakewood Ranch, FL: Observer Media Group Inc. Retrieved August 30, 2019.Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
↑ "Alumni Bookshelf". State University of New York at Oswego, NY. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
↑ Nathan, Daniel (March 21, 1998). "The International Boxing Hall of Fame". Chicago, IL: University of Illinois Press. Retrieved January 15, 2021.Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
↑ Baker, Mark (2010). Basketball History in Syracuse, Hoops Roots. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p.192. ISBN978-1-59629-983-2.
↑ Baker, Mark (2014). Connecticut Families of the Revolution, American Forebears from Burr to Wolcott Roots. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p.224. ISBN978-1-54021-136-1.
↑ Baker, Mark (2019). Between the Ropes at Madison Square Garden, The History of an Iconic Boxing Ring, 1925-2007. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p.316. ISBN978-1-4766-7183-3.
↑ Zotti, Roger (August 2018). "Book Review". Amherst, NH: The International Boxing Research Organization Journal. Retrieved September 1, 2019.Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
↑ Skutt, Alexander (2002). The Boxing Register. Ithaca, NY: McBooks Press, Inc. p.656. ISBN1-59013-020-0.
↑ Choko, Alexandre (2012). The Future of Boxing. Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Future of Boxing Publishing Inc. p.324. ISBN978-0-9881559-0-9.
↑ Baker, Mark (2020). The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p.250. ISBN978-1-4766-7765-1.
↑ "2020 Annual Best Book Awards". The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937. Beverly Hills, CA. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
↑ Rinaldi, Alex (January 2021). "Book Review". Toms River, NJ: The USA Boxing News. Retrieved January 1, 2021.Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
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