Answer:

doubleday

Answer	Crossword Clue
DOUBLEDAY	Big name in publishing, and a visual hint to the three adjacent pairs of answers to starred clues
DOUBLEDAY	Inventor of baseball.
DOUBLEDAY	Baseball name

DOUBLEDAY	Baseball's pioneer
DOUBLEDAY	First baseballer?
DOUBLEDAY	Big name in American book publishing for 120+ years ... and a hint to the answers to the starred clues