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Chasing Moonlight: The True Story of Field of Dreams' Doc Graham
Late on the afternoon of June 29, 1905, Archibald Graham bolted out of the New York Giants' dugout and took his position in right field for the first and only time as a major league baseball player. He played only and inning and a half. The Giants made their last out as Graham waited in the on-deck circle. The 27-year-old journeyman, who was affectionately known as Moonlight because of his off-season occupation as a medical student, was sent back to the minors and, presumably, into permanent obscurity. In the mid-1980s, nearly 20 years after Graham's death, author W. P. Kinsella stumbled across a line entry in the Baseball Encyclopedia while he was researching a book about Shoeless Joe Jackson. It was the name Moonlight Graham that first caught Kinsella's attention, but the fact that Graham never got to bat in the majors made him even more interesting to the fiction writer. Graham became a secondary character in Kinsella's book, Shoeless Joe . In 1989, Hollywood director and screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson decided that Graham deserved a larger audience. In Robinson's cinematic classic, Field of Dreams , Academy Award winning actor Burt Lancaster played Doc Graham in what would be his final screen appearance. The once little-known country doctor from Chisholm, Minnesota, became an international icon. More than a million people have since traveled to the corn-framed movie set in hopes that some of Graham's baseball magic might be channeled into their own lives. But what's the real story of Moonlight Graham? Why did a quiet North Carolina native, whose family was well known throughout the state, spend the bulk of his adult life in an isolated Iron Range community not far from the Canadian border? In Chasing Moonlight , the authors follow Graham's life from his youth spent with his younger brother, Frank Porter Graham, who became the president of the University of North Carolina and a United States senator; through his career as a medical student in Baltimore and New York while he played baseball at the same time; through his minor league successes in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In Graham's Minnesota years, the authors reveal a man whose pioneering research on children's blood pressure is still used at institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and whose quiet philanthropy made him beloved in his community. Although the line between fact and fiction has been blurred with respect to the events of Graham's life, Chasing Moonlight shows that the real Moonlight Graham was just as iconic and endearing as the fictional character.
220 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Brett Friedlander
1 book3 followersBrett Friedlander has spent 25 years as a professional writer, earning 22 national, regional, and state awards. His honors include a 2007 NC Press Association Award in the sports feature category for two chapters from Chasing Moonlight. He is a reporter for the Wilmington Star-News and lives in Fayetteville, NC."
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 8, 2009
Late in the afternoon on June 29, 1905, a kid called Moonlight bolted out of the New York Giants’ dugout and took up his position in right field for the first and only time as a major league baseball player. It was an event of such little consequence that even those from the announced crowd of 2,000 at Brooklyn’s Washington Park didn’t take notice.
And yet a century later, Archibald "Moonlight" Graham has become so well known that a film crew traveled all the way from Tokyo, Japan, to create a documentary on him and a California company trademarked his name for its line of baseball-themed apparel.
No one in the ballpark on that otherwise ordinary afternoon could have imagined that pilgrims would one day journey to Graham’s grave site to leave candy, coins, baseballs, and other tokens of gratitude and esteem. Or that the Minnesota Twins would play a tribute game in his honor, marking the 100th anniversary of his flash of major league glory.
So what was it about that half an inning that makes so many people want to talk about it so many years later?
Ten years after Graham’s 1965 death, author W. P. Kinsella stumbled across his record while researching a book on the legendary Shoeless Joe Jackson. Kinsella was so intrigued by Graham that he used his name for a secondary character in his award-winning novel, Shoeless Joe.
Hollywood director and screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson decided that Graham deserved a larger audience when his adaptation of Shoeless Joe was released to the movie-going public under the title Field of Dreams. He chose Academy Award–winning actor Burt Lancaster to play the beloved Doc Graham in what would be his final screen appearance.
Neither the book nor movie came close to communicating the character and complexity of the quiet North Carolina native who spent the bulk of his adult life isolated in a small, out-of-the-way town not far from the Canadian border. In their new biography of Graham—Chasing Moonlight—authors Bret Friedlander and Robert Reising prove that truth is just as interesting as fiction.
Graham came from one of North Carolina’s most respected families. His father, Alexander, was a superintendent of schools in North Carolina and was so beloved that the Charlotte Observer once suggested that "perhaps not a man in [town:] was as well-known." His younger brother, Frank Porter Graham, became president of the University of North Carolina, a United States senator, and an early champion of the civil-rights movement. Frank was held in such high regard that he was once offered a chance at the vice presidency by none other than Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 1902, Graham’s first year as a professional ballplayer, his team was disbanded at mid-season because of, among other considerations, a lack of competition. Still an unknown rookie, Graham, who had just earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, began attending medical school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
While completing his medical training in Maryland and later New York City, Graham continued to play baseball. During the four seasons when he played minor league ball in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Graham was a respected, caring man who dedicated his life to helping others. Instead of calling attention to his philanthropy, he simply chose to quietly extend a $10 handshake to a local miner who happened to be down on his luck.
After his brief appearance in the major leagues, Graham moved to Chisholm, Minnesota, where he practiced medicine for the next 44 years. His pioneering research on child blood pressure is still used at such respected institutions as the Mayo Clinic.
After getting his license, becoming a doctor, and moving to Minnesota, Graham was offered one final chance to choose the sport he loved over the profession for which he’d been trained when the Boston Red Sox purchased his contract following the 1910 season. This time, he turned down the offer.
Some may look at Graham’s decision to leave baseball behind after just five minutes in the majors as a tragedy, but the only real tragedy is that the world didn’t get to know the good doctor until long after he was gone. With the publication of Chasing Moonlight that tragedy can be rectified.
And yet a century later, Archibald "Moonlight" Graham has become so well known that a film crew traveled all the way from Tokyo, Japan, to create a documentary on him and a California company trademarked his name for its line of baseball-themed apparel.
No one in the ballpark on that otherwise ordinary afternoon could have imagined that pilgrims would one day journey to Graham’s grave site to leave candy, coins, baseballs, and other tokens of gratitude and esteem. Or that the Minnesota Twins would play a tribute game in his honor, marking the 100th anniversary of his flash of major league glory.
So what was it about that half an inning that makes so many people want to talk about it so many years later?
Ten years after Graham’s 1965 death, author W. P. Kinsella stumbled across his record while researching a book on the legendary Shoeless Joe Jackson. Kinsella was so intrigued by Graham that he used his name for a secondary character in his award-winning novel, Shoeless Joe.
Hollywood director and screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson decided that Graham deserved a larger audience when his adaptation of Shoeless Joe was released to the movie-going public under the title Field of Dreams. He chose Academy Award–winning actor Burt Lancaster to play the beloved Doc Graham in what would be his final screen appearance.
Neither the book nor movie came close to communicating the character and complexity of the quiet North Carolina native who spent the bulk of his adult life isolated in a small, out-of-the-way town not far from the Canadian border. In their new biography of Graham—Chasing Moonlight—authors Bret Friedlander and Robert Reising prove that truth is just as interesting as fiction.
Graham came from one of North Carolina’s most respected families. His father, Alexander, was a superintendent of schools in North Carolina and was so beloved that the Charlotte Observer once suggested that "perhaps not a man in [town:] was as well-known." His younger brother, Frank Porter Graham, became president of the University of North Carolina, a United States senator, and an early champion of the civil-rights movement. Frank was held in such high regard that he was once offered a chance at the vice presidency by none other than Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 1902, Graham’s first year as a professional ballplayer, his team was disbanded at mid-season because of, among other considerations, a lack of competition. Still an unknown rookie, Graham, who had just earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, began attending medical school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
While completing his medical training in Maryland and later New York City, Graham continued to play baseball. During the four seasons when he played minor league ball in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Graham was a respected, caring man who dedicated his life to helping others. Instead of calling attention to his philanthropy, he simply chose to quietly extend a $10 handshake to a local miner who happened to be down on his luck.
After his brief appearance in the major leagues, Graham moved to Chisholm, Minnesota, where he practiced medicine for the next 44 years. His pioneering research on child blood pressure is still used at such respected institutions as the Mayo Clinic.
After getting his license, becoming a doctor, and moving to Minnesota, Graham was offered one final chance to choose the sport he loved over the profession for which he’d been trained when the Boston Red Sox purchased his contract following the 1910 season. This time, he turned down the offer.
Some may look at Graham’s decision to leave baseball behind after just five minutes in the majors as a tragedy, but the only real tragedy is that the world didn’t get to know the good doctor until long after he was gone. With the publication of Chasing Moonlight that tragedy can be rectified.
December 31, 2022
Let’s just say I really had to “go the distance” just to get a hold of this book and I’m sure glad I did! This is the real life story of Moonlight Graham as purported by its authors, Friedlander and Riesing. It was an enjoyable read, one that was well researched and one that did not evolve into hero worship. It both colorized and dispelled the picture of the man as portrayed by Hollywood.
I think Burt Lancaster’s character in Field of Dreams does capture his essence and the two defining aspects of his life; that he played one big league game with no at-bats and that he became an outstanding doctor for the town of Chisholm, Minnesota for many decades after.
That movie character and what little else I’d dug up is what inspired me to seek out the real story and it was not disappointing; this was a fascinating man who did so much to help people around him. I am inspired by his story and I like to think I will try to emulate him even more as I age.
Burt Lancaster was great, but it’s the real story with all its jewels and warts that provides real effect. The real Moonlight Graham was not perfect and pristine but even more inspirational nonetheless.
(The publisher discontinued printing and the used copies on eBay are exhorbitantly priced; if you’re interested, send me a message and I’ll direct you to how you can get a book directly for the base price plus shipping.)
I think Burt Lancaster’s character in Field of Dreams does capture his essence and the two defining aspects of his life; that he played one big league game with no at-bats and that he became an outstanding doctor for the town of Chisholm, Minnesota for many decades after.
That movie character and what little else I’d dug up is what inspired me to seek out the real story and it was not disappointing; this was a fascinating man who did so much to help people around him. I am inspired by his story and I like to think I will try to emulate him even more as I age.
Burt Lancaster was great, but it’s the real story with all its jewels and warts that provides real effect. The real Moonlight Graham was not perfect and pristine but even more inspirational nonetheless.
(The publisher discontinued printing and the used copies on eBay are exhorbitantly priced; if you’re interested, send me a message and I’ll direct you to how you can get a book directly for the base price plus shipping.)
May 21, 2014
Fantastic! This is the story of Dr. Archibald "Archie" (Moonlight) Graham. You may remember him from the movie, "Field of Dreams". In the movie, he was played by Burt Lancaster. You may remember the scene ... he's one of the players that comes out of the cornfield ... he finally gets his chance to bat against a major league pitcher. After hitting a SF and returning to the bench, he notices a young girl fall off the bleachers and begin choking. Without thinking twice, he sprints into action and saves her. In doing so, he realizes that he has turned back into an old man, forfeiting his opportunity to continue playing. He picks up his black doctor's bad and walks back into the corn. Before disappearing, he turns to the other players and asks, "Win one for me, will ya, boys?"
Dr. or Doc as he was known by his patients was a real person and not just a character in a movie. This is his story and a rewarding one at that.
Because of the book, "Shoeless Joe" and "Field of Dreams", he became famous to many. Because of his tireless work as a doctor, he was famous to a few. View this work however you will, it is still an inspiring piece of literature.
Dr. or Doc as he was known by his patients was a real person and not just a character in a movie. This is his story and a rewarding one at that.
Because of the book, "Shoeless Joe" and "Field of Dreams", he became famous to many. Because of his tireless work as a doctor, he was famous to a few. View this work however you will, it is still an inspiring piece of literature.
June 7, 2009
In the movie Field of Dreams, Archibald “Moonlight” Graham became the archetype of the thousands of athletes who get a whiff of the big time but never quite stick. Brett Friedlander and Robert Reising “chased Moonlight” from his native North Carolina to far northern Minnesota and discovered that Graham left a far more enduring mark than his single line in The Baseball Encyclopedia.
After eight minor-league seasons and his two-inning stint with the New York Giants in 1905, Graham served nearly a half-century as a beloved doctor in Chisholm, Minn., near the Canadian border. Along the way he conducted pioneering research on children’s blood pressure; his findings are used to this day.
Author W.P. Kinsella and, later, screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson brought Graham’s name back into public consciousness decades after his death. From there, Friedlander and Reising (a professor of education at the University of the Cumberlands) tracked down former patients, family members, reporters and librarians to connect the far-flung dots of Graham’s remarkable life.
(This review first appeared in Kentucky Monthly magazine.)
After eight minor-league seasons and his two-inning stint with the New York Giants in 1905, Graham served nearly a half-century as a beloved doctor in Chisholm, Minn., near the Canadian border. Along the way he conducted pioneering research on children’s blood pressure; his findings are used to this day.
Author W.P. Kinsella and, later, screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson brought Graham’s name back into public consciousness decades after his death. From there, Friedlander and Reising (a professor of education at the University of the Cumberlands) tracked down former patients, family members, reporters and librarians to connect the far-flung dots of Graham’s remarkable life.
(This review first appeared in Kentucky Monthly magazine.)
October 22, 2012
The small glimpse we get of Moonlight Graham in the Kinsella novel SHOELES JOE and legendary film adaptation - "Field Of Dreams" only skims the surface of what this incredible man was all about.
Famously noted for the fact that he only played on innning and never got to bat in a game for the NY Giants --- Archibald "Moonlight" Graham went on to become a successful Doctor in a small Minnesota town. 'Doc' Graham came from a family of athletes and over-acheivers and was a natural ball-player. The thing that so interested Kinsella when he was dong research in the early 60's on SHOELESS JOE was how someone could be satisfied coming so close t realizing their dream --- only to have it pass them by.
After reading CHASING MOONLIGHT, you will have a more complete understanding of this man who was fortunate enough to have many gifts and never for a moment lived with any regrets. A terrific baseball book and even better portrait of a great American story.
Famously noted for the fact that he only played on innning and never got to bat in a game for the NY Giants --- Archibald "Moonlight" Graham went on to become a successful Doctor in a small Minnesota town. 'Doc' Graham came from a family of athletes and over-acheivers and was a natural ball-player. The thing that so interested Kinsella when he was dong research in the early 60's on SHOELESS JOE was how someone could be satisfied coming so close t realizing their dream --- only to have it pass them by.
After reading CHASING MOONLIGHT, you will have a more complete understanding of this man who was fortunate enough to have many gifts and never for a moment lived with any regrets. A terrific baseball book and even better portrait of a great American story.
February 29, 2016
A thoroughly researched book, this is the wonderfully told true story of Archie "Moonlight" Graham, the doctor made famous by Burt Lancaster's portrayal in the movie "Field of Dreams." The author, much like Kevin Costner's "Ray Kinsella" character, fully and thoughtfully answers the question, what IS it about a half-inning (in reality, one and a half innings) of baseball that makes us want to know more about this otherwise unknown everyman? Further, to know about the people whose lives he touched. It's a beautiful story of Graham's love of the game, and an even greater love of humankind. Nice touches in the book's appendices include a comparison of facts in the book with portrayals in the movie, and Archie's baseball stats including the line on that one famous game. That page made it all touchingly real to me. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
July 19, 2018
The reason I read this book is my mother was one of the students at the Chisholm schools where Dr. Graham practiced medicine and kindness. Growing up in the town next door, I wanted to know more about him. And then there's the Field of Dreams connection. For my interest level, this was a great read, especially knowing some of the people and places mentioned.
November 27, 2017
What so special about a half of inning? Read this book and you will know why.
January 12, 2019
The true story of Moonlight Graham, who was portrayed in the movie "Field of Dreams" by Burt Lancaster, but previously "discovered" by author W.P. Kinsella, who included him as a fictionalized minor character in his book, "Shoeless Joe."
I was surprised to learn that Graham was raised in North Carolina, not Minnesota where he spent most of his adult life. His distant cousin was another famous Graham from North Carolina (Billy), and his brother was a state senator there who once turned down the opportunity to be FDR's Vice President. Known throughout his life as Doc instead of Moonlight, he had an interesting background in professional baseball while working to finish medical school to eventually attain the career that would endear him to the town of Chisholm, Minnesota. There, he impacted hundreds of lives with his selflessness and generosity throughout the early to mid 20th century. Along the way, he also became a nationally known and respected doctor because of his research into high blood pressure among children.
The book, though relatively short (given the fact that Graham didn't become "famous" until about 25-30 years after his death in 1965), did a remarkable job of thoroughly detailing Graham's baseball pursuits while also projecting the spotlight where it belonged: portraying the impact that Graham's character had upon the fellow citizens of his small town. Graham never discussed the professional baseball experiences of his youth until near the end of his life. His dedication was to his wife, Alecia, and to the schoolchildren of Chisholm.
Given the fact that the story of Moonlight Graham is only a subplot of "Field of Dreams," it would be interesting to see a full movie developed to depict his entire life and his legacy as an inspirational tale of the value of pursuing a person's true calling. Though Graham would have loved to have enjoyed a full major league baseball career, he knew that he could make a real difference in the doctor's office.
I was surprised to learn that Graham was raised in North Carolina, not Minnesota where he spent most of his adult life. His distant cousin was another famous Graham from North Carolina (Billy), and his brother was a state senator there who once turned down the opportunity to be FDR's Vice President. Known throughout his life as Doc instead of Moonlight, he had an interesting background in professional baseball while working to finish medical school to eventually attain the career that would endear him to the town of Chisholm, Minnesota. There, he impacted hundreds of lives with his selflessness and generosity throughout the early to mid 20th century. Along the way, he also became a nationally known and respected doctor because of his research into high blood pressure among children.
The book, though relatively short (given the fact that Graham didn't become "famous" until about 25-30 years after his death in 1965), did a remarkable job of thoroughly detailing Graham's baseball pursuits while also projecting the spotlight where it belonged: portraying the impact that Graham's character had upon the fellow citizens of his small town. Graham never discussed the professional baseball experiences of his youth until near the end of his life. His dedication was to his wife, Alecia, and to the schoolchildren of Chisholm.
Given the fact that the story of Moonlight Graham is only a subplot of "Field of Dreams," it would be interesting to see a full movie developed to depict his entire life and his legacy as an inspirational tale of the value of pursuing a person's true calling. Though Graham would have loved to have enjoyed a full major league baseball career, he knew that he could make a real difference in the doctor's office.
December 12, 2023
Being a fan of obscure baseball players, I finally got around to reading the book. This was so well done. I would put this in my top five favorite baseball books that I’ve read. I won’t recount Graham’s life here (you can read that yourself) but I will say that he will go down as one of my favorite people in history.
July 3, 2019
Kudos to the author for all of the hard work he put into this book! Well worth the read for avid baseball fans!
December 6, 2023
Very informative story of Moonlight Graham.
August 14, 2012
The most interesting part of this book, and it afflicts many biographies, is the mythologizing of the mundane. This book is afflicted more than most because it is largely about a myth. Moonlight Graham, so the story goes, was only offered the briefest glimpse of his greatest desire--to play major league baseball--and the seed of this disappointment remained planted in his soul even beyond the day of his death. The movie FIELD OF DREAMS blew this myth up to full blown Americana. In reading this fairly well written and researched biography, the tone differs from the text. You realize that he would have actually preferred football if he were given the size and despite fits and spurts of quality play, his baseball numbers in the minors for the most part were pretty pedestrian. Despite this he is presented as a can't miss prospect who always just missed getting that break. The twists and turns of a given life can seem important, but few have a lasting impact. Here, extra import is given to the mundane to help drive the narrative. Too much of this leads to a hollow biography. And that's how I felt at the end. Not enough is known about what Archibald Graham actually thought about the key moments of his life...or even what he thought those moments were. That's the problem with becoming famous after you pass, the interior life was too little remarked upon, especially for a private person, so that much is left to speculation and just enough hyperbole to fill a couple hundred pages. Also, as with most biographies, the early parts are the best. Cool to find out that a town near me that I have seen the sign for for years is actually named after his family. Many members of his family were famous in their own right, and despite the saintliness of a small town doctor Archie Graham, actually deserving as much or more praise for serving their relative communities. Funny thing was, when Archie couldn't play because of school or injury and age, he really didn't seem to miss it. We are all myths waiting to happen.
January 13, 2014
Anybody who has seen “Field of Dreams” remembers the kindly old doctor played by Burt Lancaster. He was one of the old ballplayers Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) collects along the way for his magical baseball field he built on his farm. The doctor, Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, had made it to the big leagues and managed to reach the field for one inning playing for the New York Giants baseball team, but ended his career in the on-deck circle without ever having his turn at bat.
What a lot of people who watch that movie may not realize is that Dr. Archie Graham was a real man. When author W. P. Kinsella was writing his novel “Shoeless Joe” from which “Field of Dreams” was produced, he discovered the story of Graham's short entry in the Baseball Encyclopedia. Attracted by the intriguing nickname, Kinsella went visiting to find out more. What he discovered was a man with a fascinating life.
Graham had not only had a brief shot at the majors, but had both before and after a long and full career in the minor leagues while balancing it with medical school. After he was finished with baseball, he had a long career as a town doctor in Chisholm, Minnesota where he found himself almost by accident. Among things even those who knew he was real didn't know was the fact that his younger brother was the first president of the consolidated state university system of North Carolina.
In “Chasing Moonlight” Friedlander and Reising reveal the rest of the story. Their research is thorough and their storytelling style brings Graham to life in a way even film couldn't. This book is one of the most well written biographies I have read in a long time if ever. Well worth the read.
What a lot of people who watch that movie may not realize is that Dr. Archie Graham was a real man. When author W. P. Kinsella was writing his novel “Shoeless Joe” from which “Field of Dreams” was produced, he discovered the story of Graham's short entry in the Baseball Encyclopedia. Attracted by the intriguing nickname, Kinsella went visiting to find out more. What he discovered was a man with a fascinating life.
Graham had not only had a brief shot at the majors, but had both before and after a long and full career in the minor leagues while balancing it with medical school. After he was finished with baseball, he had a long career as a town doctor in Chisholm, Minnesota where he found himself almost by accident. Among things even those who knew he was real didn't know was the fact that his younger brother was the first president of the consolidated state university system of North Carolina.
In “Chasing Moonlight” Friedlander and Reising reveal the rest of the story. Their research is thorough and their storytelling style brings Graham to life in a way even film couldn't. This book is one of the most well written biographies I have read in a long time if ever. Well worth the read.
June 9, 2009
Wanders a bit in the second stanza, eventually petering out into nothing. But what a fascinating guy; or, at least, what a fascinating life. Why didn't he go back to North Carolina? Why didn't he punch John McGraw? Why is everyone who chased down Graham's life story, from WP Kinsella to Kevin Costner, such an awful goddamn liar?
January 22, 2010
Interesting biography about a man who became famous to the general public through the movie "field of dreams". Archie "Doc" Graham's life is an American story of a son who through hard work and perseverance makes choices that lead to his becoming a beloved doctor in an obscure town in Minnesota rather than a famous baseball star.
February 22, 2011
The character in "Field of Dreams" played by Burt Lancaster is based on a real guy: Archie "Doc" "Moonlight" Graham. Nicely done story of his life. Turns out the real Graham was as fantastic as the fictional one. Time to watch the movie... again!
March 29, 2011
I enjoyed this tale of a nearly forgotten American hero.
April 8, 2016
Well told story about an intriguing man. It deserves to be read
May 21, 2012
A goodhearted book that was surprisingly interesting throughout.
April 8, 2014
He was a great man, wonderful ballplayer, and Dr for sure. R til the end:)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews