In this lively chronicle of the 1888-1889 Spalding world baseball tour, Thomas Zeiler examines the roots of the post-1898 American empire by analyzing the ways in which the tour drew on elements of globalization to inject American values, and thus, power into the international arena. As Zeiler follows the players on each leg of their journey, he explores important elements of globalization: the business ethic, technological innovation, racial hierarchy, attempts at Americanization abroad, and promotion of an exceptionalist identity.