Baseball Books

Book SynopsisThe book that inspired the movie Field of Dreams.The voice of a baseball announcer tells the Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella: If you build it, he will come.He is Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ray''s hero.It is a baseball stadium which Ray carves out of his cornfield.Like the movie FIELD OF DREAMS that was made from this novel, SHOELESS JOE is about baseball. But it''s also about love and the power of dreams to make people come alive.Trade Review‘The movie only captured half the magic of the book. This is a masterpiece.’ Andrew Kaufman ‘Not so much about baseball as it is about dreams, magic, life and what is quintessentially American.’ The Philadelphia Enquirer.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFew sports have the rich history ofbaseball. From spring training to the autumnalWorld Series, baseball's storied franchises have produced many legendary moments over 150 years of the major leagues. But it's the riveting rivalries between the men on the diamond who are sport's star attraction.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAuster''s novel of love and forgiveness from the author of contemporary classic The New York Trilogy: ''a literary voice for the ages'' (Guardian) Sunset Park is set in the sprawling flatlands of Florida, where twenty-eight-year-old Miles is photographing the last lingering traces of families who have abandoned their houses due to debt or foreclosure. Miles is haunted by guilt for having inadvertently caused the death of his step-brother, a situation that caused him to flee his father and step-mother in New York seven years ago.What keeps him in Florida is his relationship with a teenage high-school girl, Pilar, but when her family threatens to expose their relationship, Miles decides to protect Pilar by going back to Brooklyn, where he settles in a squat to prepare himself to face the inevitable confrontation with his father - a confrontation he has been avoiding for years.Set against the backdrop of the devastating global rece

Read more less

Book SynopsisA comprehensive trivia book that enables readers to compete as they answer questions!In The New Book of Baseball Trivia, experienced baseball author Wayne Stewart includes 500 fun and engaging questions and answers on everyone's favorite former and active players and coaches. Readers are awarded a single, double, triple, or homer based on the difficulty level of the question, with the goal to score as many runs as possible by the end of the book. They are kept on their toes by answers head-scratchers such as: Which team became the first one ever to have three of its players hit 40+ homers in a season? Who was the shortest man ever to appear in a big-league game? Which two brothers combined for more lifetime home runs than any other brother act? When Shane Bieber won the 2020 Cy Young Award, he became the fifth Cleveland Indian to capture that honor. Name three of the other four men to accomplish this. Which two men bashed more home runs while teammates than any other teammate combo? And many more! This book makes the perfect gift for the baseball-loving fan!

Read more less

Book Synopsis A must-have book for any Guardians fan, Cleveland Guardians A?Z is compiled alphabetically for easy accessibility. The book offers a complete history of the franchise going back to when it was known as the Indians for many years, then way back when it was known as the Naps, Napoleons and Blues, and even as far back as its very first season of 1901 when it didn?t even have a nickname. The book contains hundreds of different items of interest. The Cleveland baseball team, as it was known in its first season, finished 54?82 that year and in seventh place out of eight teams in the American League. The team experienced many ups and downs until it finished 98?56 and won the World Series in 1920. The Indians were average for the most part until they won the World Series again in 1948. They followed that up with five very good seasons before finishing 111?43 and reaching, but getting upset by the New York Giants, in the 1954 World Series. The Indians contended again in 1959 but then, after trading fan favorite Rocky Colavito, were rather ho-hum through most of the 1960s until falling into a dismal abyss until the mid-1990s when they moved from decrepit Cleveland Stadium into brand-new Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field). Six postseason appearances and two trips to the World Series brought baseball excitement back to Cleveland in the form of 455 straight regular-season home sellout crowds. Losing seasons for the most part followed until Terry Francona came aboard as manager in 2013. The son of former Indians player Tito Francona, the younger Francona led the team to nine winning seasons in his elevenyears as manager, including six playoff appearances and a World Series berth in 2016. Cleveland Guardians A?Z brings you the history of the team and will delight those with a penchant for sports trivia with its array of facts and heightened attention to detail. From Fred Abbott to George Zuverink, this book has all the information Guardians fans would ever want to know about their team.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn The Science of Baseball, sportswriter and injury expert Will Carroll shows how understanding the science behind the Great American Pastime helps fans appreciate its nuances and that it enhances, not detracts from the greatest game ever invented. Carroll, as well as several experts via interviews, covers topics like what makes the ball break, bounce, and fly; how material science and physics work together to make the bat function; how hitters use physics, geometry, and force to connect; sensors and cameras; injuries; and much more. Baseball aficionados and science geeks alike will better appreciate the game--no matter which teams are playing--after reading this comprehensive book!Trade Review“My favorite baseball writing is discovering things hidden in plain sight. Carroll gives us a comprehensive look at the game, from the makings of the baseball itself, to the benefits (and dangers) of analytics. The game has changed dramatically in the last decade, yet so many traditional baseball questions remain unanswered. Carroll asks these questions, while easing your fear of a robot ump future.” --Brian Kenny, MLB Network and author of Ahead of the Curve “As The Science of Baseball notes, baseball is a game of science, but it’s also one of magic. To many of us, the magic of the sport is in the science. This book is an intriguing look at how this beautiful game where the impossible can happen is rooted in rhyme and reason. Carroll adeptly explores the physical and statistical phenomena of baseball, undertaking aspects of the game that could be considered dry in an engaging and thought-provoking way. A must-read for any baseball fan who has ever had to explain why baseball’s slower pace belies its complexity.” --Kavitha A. Davidson, award-winning sportswriter and podcaster "For years, Will Carroll has been ahead of the game. No matter the subject, Will is always thinking ahead and knows of the next big thing before any of the rest of us. In The Science of Baseball, Will brings you inside those conversations that are usually held in bars and hotel lobbies at baseball's most high-profile events. Reading the book is like sitting in the corner of the booth with the brightest people in the game and just shutting up and listening. It's a fascinating read that touches on every part of not just the modern game of baseball, but of the future of the sport." --C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic and BBWAA President, 2021 "There’re not a lot of writers that understand baseball more than Will. The Science of Baseball really showcases Will’s extensive knowledge of the game and breaks down the science behind the sport we all love. This is a great read for baseball fans looking to understand the game from a scientific perspective.” --Mike Reinold, Chicago White Sox Sr. Medical Advisor and President of the American Physical Therapy Association "Will Carroll does what he has been doing for years: Tackling interesting, sometimes complicated baseball topics and breaking them down into digestible pieces. The Science of Baseball will engage you and make you smarter about the game.” --Jon “Boog” Sciambi, Chicago Cubs and ESPN play by play announcer

Read more less

Book Synopsis The best resource for projecting future performance of minor league athletes?essential for fantasy league baseball players. The first book of its kind to fully integrate sabermetrics and scouting, the 2024Minor League Baseball Analyst provides a distinctive brand of analysis for more than 1,000 minor league baseball players. Features include scouting reports for all players, batter skills ratings, pitch repertoires, performance trends, major league equivalents, and expected major league debuts. A complete sabermetric glossary is also included. This one-of-a-kind reference is ideally suited for baseball analysts and those who play in fantasy leagues with farm systems.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover What Made Baseball America’s Pastime #1 New Release in Baseball StatisticsBaseball Memories & Dreams celebrates the iconic moments, heroes, and trends that define baseball for its millions of fans This compendium of baseball writing covers it all—recollections of Hall of Famers and narratives from top baseball writers; stories on the rich iconography and history of the game across the full diversity of players, teams, and leagues; and reflections on the way America’s pastime has shaped our culture. Selected from the Baseball Hall of Fame’s member magazine, Baseball Memories & Dreams brings to life the best of baseball. More than just a baseball history book. Revel in America’s pastime and explore baseball history in articles written by notable sports writers, Hall of Famers, media personalities, and the Hall’s own expert historians. Baseball Memories & Dreams showcases the best of baseball facts, baseball biographies, and baseball media personalities into a robust catalogue of known and unknown information.Get the inside scoop into the lives of baseball giants like Johnny Bench, Peter Gammons, John Grisham, Tim Kurkjian, Ichiro Suzuki, Joe Torre, and more. From their stories, gain insight into each individual life to see just what trials and hardships made these men into the best baseball players in history. With Baseball Memories & Dreams in hand, you’ll see America’s pastime in a new light.Inside, you’ll find over 70 articles on America’s pastime, highlighting: Baseball facts, baseball biographies, stats, and artifacts—and the history and lore behind them Coverage of Black, Hispanic, and woman players Stories about baseball’s great players, teams, and rivalries, as well as the moments that trace the game’s wide-ranging history If you enjoy baseball books—best sellers like The Baseball 100, Cloudbuster Nine, or Talking to GOATS—you’ll love Baseball Memories & Dreams.Table of ContentsContents Foreword Chapter 1: Baseball and American Culture Growing Up with the Game John Grisham The Rail Hitter? Abraham Lincoln & Baseball: Two Symbols of American Identity Chief Justice Frank J. Williams Struck Out but Never Retired Ernest Thayer’s timeless ode to the Mighty Casey turns 125 this year Richard Pioreck Diamonds & Railroads The advent of regional rail service made baseball as we know it possible Steve Buckley Diamonds to Dollars A.G. Spalding revolutionized the game on and off the field Bill Francis Mail, Money, and the National Pastime Baseball has long been a symbol of America on stamps and coins David Moriah Baseball’s Greatest Skit Abbott and Costello’s classic routine has become film royalty Tim Wiles Seventy-Five Years on the Small Screen How television transformed baseball into a national obsession Curt Smith Capping Things Off Baseball has added a staple to modern culture and fashion George Vecsey Chapter 2: Artifact Spotlight A Paper Trail to History Scorecard from game three of 1951 NL playoff echoes Russ Hodges’ legendary call Tim Wiles To Australia…and Beyond 125 years ago, baseball went global during the Spalding tour Tom Shieber Clip and Save Bound volumes of the New York Clipper provide a look at baseball’s earliest days Craig Muder The Honus Is On You Celebrating a hundred years of baseball’s most revered card Tim Wiles Do You Know the Muffin Man? Historic book from Museum’s collection details the origin of one of baseball’s unique words Jim Gates King of the One Game Wonders Larry Yount is as much a major leaguer as his more famous brother, even though he never played in a game John Odell Giving the House a Home Donation by former House of David player adds important piece to Museum collection Jim Gates Chapter 3: Hall of Famers Winning Record Derek Jeter’s talent, tenacity brought the Yankees back to the top Tyler Kepner Tale of a Tiger Alan Trammell’s passion for the game paved the way to greatness Tom Gage Boston Beckoned, Cooperstown Called Pedro Martínez’s journey to greatness featured tenacity, tough times, and a terrific arm Dan Shaughnessy Road to Cooperstown Ozzie Smith followed his dreams to become one of baseball’s best players and ambassadors Hal Bodley Junior’s League Ken Griffey Jr.’s date with Cooperstown always seemed a foregone conclusion Larry Stone Little Joe’s Big Career Hall of Famer Joe Morgan has devoted his life to the game—on and off the field Hal Bodley Paige in History In 1971, Satchel Paige came to Cooperstown, opening the door for more legends Scott Pitoniak The First Face of Baseball Christy Mathewson changed the way the public perceived ballplayers Larry Brunt Chapter 4: The African American Baseball Experience Homers Defeat Hate Hank Aaron overcame bigotry in his pursuit of Babe Ruth’s record Terence Moore Paper Trail Black publications provide much of the known record of the Negro Leagues Scott Pitoniak A Road to Equality Black barnstormers, led by Hall of Famer Satchel Paige, left remarkable legacy Larry Tye Jackie’s Rookie Season In 1947, Jack Roosevelt Robinson became the first winner of the BBWAA’s Rookie of the Year Award—and accomplished so much more Claire Smith No Challenge Too Great Hall of Famer Roy Campanella’s strength in the face of racism and injury served as inspiration Neil Lanctot Color Between the Lines On September 1, 1971, the Pirates put forth baseball’s first all-Black lineup Claire Smith Chapter 5: Legendary Performances Let’s Play 2,632 Cal Ripken Jr.’s legendary durability had family roots Tim Kurkjian Still A Miracle The Amazin’ Mets wrote what may be baseball’s most incredible story Wayne Coffey More than an ‘Average’ Season Seventy years after Ted Williams’ feat, baseball awaits its next .400 hitter Craig Muder Mound of Effort Fifty years ago, Juan Marichal and Warren Spahn pitched a game for the ages Jim Kaplan The Great Home Run Race Fifty years have passed since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle chased the Babe Scott Pitoniak Make His a Double Seventy-five years ago, Johnny Vander Meer set what may be an unbreakable record Bill Francis The Sunday Manager Burt Shotton faced challenges that no skipper ever had while leading the Dodgers to the 1947 NL pennant Steve Wulf The Road Stockings The 1869 trips by the Cincinnati baseball team made the game famous throughout the United States John Erardi Chapter 6: Latino Legacy Roberto Clemente: The Father of Puerto Rican Baseball Luis R. Mayoral Primero Player The majors’ Latin American roots reach back 144 years to Esteban Bellán Jim Gates Besting the Bambino Hall of Famer Cristóbal Torriente’s story revisited through historic image of Babe Ruth in Museum’s collection Alex Coffey Cuban Baseball Legacy Rich in American Heritage Adrian Burgos A Cuban Revolution Hall of Famer Martín Dihigo left a legacy that still impacts the National Pastime Danny Torres Kings of the World In 1959, Havana-based triple-A team ruled minor league baseball David Krell Pirates of the Caribbean The 1971 Bucs utilized a diverse lineup to help secure a World Series crown Danny Torres Chapter 7: Baseball Goes to War Battling on the Diamond As the sesquicentennial observance begins, we look back at baseball during the Civil War Steve Light Evers Goes to France Kept from combat by injury, Johnny Evers still served his country in The Great War Jim Leeke Remarkable Character Sixty-four years ago, an Indians/A’s matchup demonstrated the strength of baseball—and of the men who played the game Paul Dickson The Show Must Go On Seventy-fifth anniversary of Green Light Letter shines a light on baseball’s role in World War II Alex Coffey Jackie’s Battle As a member of the US Army, Jackie Robinson fought for equality before he reached Ebbets Field Claire Smith Return Policy Big leaguers showed in 1945 that their baseball skills would survive their time at war Phil Rogers Chapter 8: Women in Baseball Saluting the Girls of Summer Women have starred on the diamond and contributed to the game for more than 150 years Debra Shattuck Burton Woman’s World Hall of Famer Effa Manley blazed a trail for female executives in baseball Scott Pitoniak A Sacrifice of Their Own AAGPBL players faced wartime hardships just like their MLB counterparts Carroll Rogers Walton Equal chance Women’s barnstormers blazed a trail for future players Tim Wiles Second to None Toni Stone broke barriers as the first woman to play in the Negro Leagues Carroll Rogers Walton Dolly White: Dreaming of the Diamond Tim Wiles Chapter 9: In Their Own Words Rookie Recallings From your first year in the big leagues all the way to being a Hall of Famer, you learn a lot Johnny Bench Family Service Trevor Hoffman recalls his father’s love of country and baseball Trevor Hoffman Right at Home For one Red Sox broadcaster, true love is a day at Fenway Park Joe Castiglione Expressly Amazing Nolan Ryan launched his Hall of Fame career by helping the 1969 Mets win the World Series Nolan Ryan Sharing Words of Wisdom Frick award winner Bob Wolff recounts lessons learned from a life spent in broadcasting Bob Wolff Case Closed Joe Torre recalls what made Mariano Rivera the game’s most feared relief pitcher Joe Torre Our Rite of Spring Despite Many Changes, Spring Training Remains Baseball’s Proving Ground Peter Gammons Cooperstown’s Elephant Ear Wade Boggs used one glove for his first fifteen seasons in the big leagues Wade Boggs Houston Strong As Jeff Bagwell’s induction approaches, an Astros teammate reflects on what it means to be a Hall of Famer Craig Biggio Hitting the Mark For this major leaguer, trips to Cooperstown renew a love of the game Ichiro Suzuki Acknowledgements About the Hall

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA young boy lands a dream job for the Cincinnati Reds where he becomes witness to a baseball record that is unbreakable.12-year-old Richie Goodwin doesn't think life can get any worse. His highly competitive nature always makes it difficult for him to make friends and now he must get a job to help his struggling family. When Richie lands a dream job as batboy for the Cincinnati Reds, his troubles continue to brew when he must answer to a bossy Senior Batboy, obey strict rules, and convince the guys at school that he really did land the job. After carelessly disobeying a clubhouse rule, Richie gets fired and now his friends will think he is a liar and phony.Given a second chance Richie must learn to follow the rules as he gets to witness Johnny Vander Meer set a baseball record that might be unbreakable.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA loving look at the old ball game, from the cartoonists at The New Yorker America's national pastime engages fans and fanatics across the country and around the world.Table of ContentsIndex of Artists. Marisa Acocella.Charles Addams.Peter Arno.Perry Barlow.Charles Barsotti.Harry Bliss.Michael Crawford.Whitney Darrow Jr.Chon Day.Robert J. Day.Richard Decker.Dana Fradon.Edward Frascino.Herbert Goldberg.Alex Gregory.John Groth.Sidney Hoff.David Langdon.Arnie Levin.Lee Lorenz.Robert Mankoff.Charles E. Martin.Henry Martin.Joseph Mirachi.Frank Modell.William O’Brian.Garrett Price.George Price.Gardner Rea.Donald Reilly.Mischa Richter.Carl Rose.Al Ross.Charles Saxon.Bernard Schoenbaum.Danny Shanahan.David Sipress.Otto Soglow.William Steig.Peter Steiner.Mick Stevens.James Stevenson.Barney Tobey.Mike Twohy.Robert Weber.Bill Woodman.Jack Ziegler.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''No one does it better than Grisham'' - Telegraph A father''s guilt. A son''s redemption. Thirty years have passed since eleven-year-old Paul Tracy watched his troubled father, Warren, a pitcher for the New York Mets, clash with his childhood hero, the Cubs'' golden-boy Joe Castle, in a contest from which no winners emerged.Now the news that his father is dying brings the memory of that day flooding back. Deciding that it''s time to face up to what really happened on that baseball field in 1973, father and son make their way to Calico Rock, Arkansas, where either redemption or rejection awaits them.What readers are saying about CALICO JOE''Hooked from start to finish'' - 5 STARS''Riveting'' - 5 STARS''A delicious meal of a book!'' - 5 STARS 350+ million copies, 45Trade ReviewThe best thriller writer alive -- Ken FollettNo one does it better than Grisham * Daily Telegraph *A superbly written book which . . . deserves a place on any family bookshelf' * Sunday Express *An enjoyable, heartwarming read * USA Today *

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLessons in baseball enlightenment from three-time MLB Manager of the Year Joe Maddon.No one sees baseball like Joe Maddon. He sees it through his trademark glasses and irrepressible wit. Raised in the "shot and beer" town of Hazleton, PA, and forged by 15 years in the minors, Maddon over 19 seasons in Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Anaheim has become one of the most successful, most colorful, and most quoted managers in Major League Baseball. He is a workplace culture expert, having engineered two of the most stunning turnarounds in the past quarter century: taking the Rays from the worst record in baseball one year to the World Series the next and leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years.Like his teams, Maddon defies convention. He is part strategist, part philosopher, part sports psychologist, and part motivational coach. In THE BOOK OF JOE, Maddon gives readers unique insights into the game, including the tension between art and data, the changing role of managers as front offices gain power, why the honeymoon with the Cubs did not last, and what it's like to manage the modern player, including stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Yu Darvish, and Kris Bryant.But you expect even more from a manager who meditates daily, admires Twain, and has only one rule when it comes to a team dress code: "If you think you look hot, wear it!" And Maddon delivers. Built on-old school values and new-school methods, his wisdom applies beyond the dugout. His mantras about leadership, mentorship, team building, and communication are meditations on life, not just baseball. Among those mantras are: "Do simple better." "Try not to suck." "Don't ever permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure." "See it with first-time eyes." "Tell me what you think, not what you've heard."THE BOOK OF JOE is Maddon at his uniquely holistic best. It is a memoir of a fascinating baseball journey, an insider's look at a changing game, and a guidebook on leadership and life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom its inception, Sports Illustrated has chronicled baseball's greatest spectacle: the World Series. Now, SI celebrates the grandeur and spirit of the Fall Classic with a deluxe commemorative book featuring the magazine's iconic photography alongside classic stories from legendary writers. Along with overviews of notable teams and championships, this new volume includes stats, facts, and rankings spanning World Series history. The nostalgic past meets the electric present in this ultimate examination of baseball's storied event. Bringing MLB history to life by diving into the legendary SI archives, Sports Illustrated The Fall Classic is essential for every baseball fan, no matter what team.Trade Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisBaseball programs at all levels recognize the competitive edge that can be gained by their athletes through targeted resistance training programs. Every Major League Baseball team, most minor league teams, the top 25 ranked college baseball teams, and even some high schools (depending on the level and size) have a full-time strength and conditioning professional on staff. With Strength Training for Baseball, you will gain insights into to how amateur to professional baseball players are trained, and you will learn to apply those best practices with your own team to gain a winning advantage.Developed with the expertise of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Strength Training for Baseball explains the value of resistance training for baseball athletes—backed by practical experience, evidence-based training methodologies, and research. The book will help you understand the specific physical demands of each position—pitchers, catTrade Review“Strength Training for Baseball provides a road map—compiled by experts in the field and game—that utilizes research and practical experience to enhance a player’s performance on the field.”—Butch Thompson, Auburn University Head Baseball Coach“The intelligence, research, and practical information provided in Strength Training for Baseball make this an absolute game changer. If you are serious about playing and taking your game to the highest level, this book is a must.”—Lane Burroughs, Louisiana Tech University Head Baseball Coach“Creating and maintaining strength and explosiveness through a sport-specific resistance training routine are a must for all baseball players. Strength enhances power, which is essential for pitching performance, bat speed, and explosive first-step movement, whether on defense or offense.”—Wade Simoneaux, West Monroe High School Head Baseball Coach“Strength Training for Baseball has been written and designed by experts in the field for each level of play without compromising the need for sustainable production in the future. Everyone wins: the player and the team.”—Steve Renfroe, Briarwood Christian High School Head Baseball Coach“We stress playing the game the right way to our guys all the time. That includes preparing themselves fundamentally and physically to play every day. It starts in the weight room, with the right routines to draw from and help reach any player’s full potential.”—Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians ManagerTable of ContentsForeword by Nolan Ryan Introduction by David J. SzymanskiPart I. Principles of Sport-Specific Resistance TrainingChapter 1. Importance of Resistance TrainingDavid J. Szymanski and Brad LawsonChapter 2. Analysis of the Sport and Sport PositionsA. Eugene Coleman and William E. AmonetteChapter 3. Testing Protocols and Athlete AssessmentDavid J. Szymanski and Jose VazquezChapter 4. Sport-Specific Program Design GuidelinesSean Marohn and Zach GjestvangPart II. Exercise TechniqueChapter 5. Total Body Exercise TechniqueJay DawesChapter 6. Lower Body Exercise TechniqueMatthew Krause and Rigo FeblesChapter 7. Upper Body Exercise TechniquePaul FournierChapter 8. Anatomical Core Exercise TechniqueNate Shaw and Derek SomervillePart III. Program Design Guidelines and Sample ProgramsChapter 9. Off-Season ProgrammingPatrick McHenry, Chris Joyner, and Joe KesslerChapter 10. Preseason ProgrammingPatrick McHenry, Chris Joyner, and Joe KesslerChapter 11. In-Season ProgrammingPatrick McHenry, Chris Joyner, and Joe KesslerChapter 12. Postseason ProgrammingPatrick McHenry, Chris Joyner, and Joe Kessler

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of Paper Lion It began as a fun filled stunt and came to a deeply hellish, nearly humiliating end. George Plimpton had the chance to answer every baseball fan's question: could I strike out a major league star? Out of My League chronicles what happened next as his inspired idea to get on the mound and pitch a few innings to the All-Stars of the American and National Leagues got seriously out of hand. The original foray into participatory journalism that started it all, Out of my League announced George Plimpton as a giant of sports journalism, able to penetrate deep into the very spirit of sport, with his characteristic wit, charm and grace.Trade ReviewBeautifully observed and incredibly conceived, this account of a self-imposed ordeal has the chilling quality of a true nightmare. It is the dark side of the moon of Walter Mitty -- Ernest HemingwayA baseball book such as no one else ever wrote, and one of the best ever * New York Herald Tribune *With his gentle, ironic tone, and unwillingness to take himself too seriously, along with Roger Angell, John Updike and Norman Mailer he made writing about sports something that mattered * Guardian *What drives these books, and has made them so popular, is Plimpton’s continuous bond-making with the reader and the comedy inherent in his predicament. He is the Everyman, earnests and frail, wandering in a world of supermen, beset by fears of catastrophic violence and public humiliation, yet gamely facing it all in order to survive and tell the tale… A prodigious linguistic ability is on display throughout, with a defining image often appended at the end of a sentence like a surprise dessert. -- Timothy O'Grady * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisZack Hample''s bestselling, smart, and funny fan’s guide to baseball explains the ins and outs of pitching, hitting, running, and fielding, while offering insider trivia and anecdotes that will appeal to anyone—whether you''re a major league couch potato, life-long season ticket-holder, or a beginner.• What is the difference between a slider and a curveball?• At which stadium did “The Wave” first make an appearance?• Which positions are never played by lefties?• Why do some players urinate on their hands?Combining the narrative voice and attitude of Michael Lewis with the compulsive brilliance of Schott’s Miscellany, Watching Baseball Smarter will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the sport—no matter what your level of expertise.Featuring a glossary of baseball slang, an appendix of important baseball stats, and an appendix of un

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoshua "Josh" Gibson (1911–1947) is a baseball legend - one of the greatest power hitters in the Negro Leagues, and in all of baseball history.Table of ContentsBottom of the First Manifesto for Black Baseball Players Smuggling Strength Naming Homerun #1 Night Visions Brooklyn Uncovered Dear Diary Papa Tells the Truth Premature Bottom of the Fourth The Original Dodgers Seen It Coming (1951) Pregame Cut West Field Can't Compete Trash Talk Bat Considers Considering a Strike Homerun #270 Dear Mama Your Enough Ain't Enough Not Fit for Service Pregame Prayer Top of the Fifth Telegram to Pittsburg Pirates Gator Belt Outfield Cot Worship Trucutu Perejil The Base Watch Winter Ball Bottom of the Sixth Resurrection The Magician Battle of the Greatest Late Night Ritual The Bats Speak Deep Breath Bottom of the Ninth Living Will Youth Fountain My First Slump Mamma and Her Daughter Let Us Be Home Run #800 and Something Extra Innings Cooperstown Where We Go The Walk Off Acknowledgements

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoshua "Josh" Gibson (1911–1947) is a baseball legend - one of the greatest power hitters in the Negro Leagues, and in all of baseball history.Table of ContentsBottom of the First Manifesto for Black Baseball Players Smuggling Strength Naming Homerun #1 Night Visions Brooklyn Uncovered Dear Diary Papa Tells the Truth Premature Bottom of the Fourth The Original Dodgers Seen It Coming (1951) Pregame Cut West Field Can't Compete Trash Talk Bat Considers Considering a Strike Homerun #270 Dear Mama Your Enough Ain't Enough Not Fit for Service Pregame Prayer Top of the Fifth Telegram to Pittsburg Pirates Gator Belt Outfield Cot Worship Trucutu Perejil The Base Watch Winter Ball Bottom of the Sixth Resurrection The Magician Battle of the Greatest Late Night Ritual The Bats Speak Deep Breath Bottom of the Ninth Living Will Youth Fountain My First Slump Mamma and Her Daughter Let Us Be Home Run #800 and Something Extra Innings Cooperstown Where We Go The Walk Off Acknowledgements

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewFunny, tender, and magical, Grand Slam Romance captures the complicated messiness of an old romance reignited by a new rivalry. A comical and endearingly relatable story! * Sloane Leong, author of a Map to the Sun *Funny, flirtatious, and fantastical, Grand Slam Romance combines all the best parts of sports manga, magical girls, and romance for a satisfying home run of a story. * Nicole Goux, Forest Hills Bootleg Society, Everyone is Tulip, Shadow of the Batgirl *Grand Slam Romance is hilarious, sexy, and joyful! Featuring a group of queer friends so funny and cool, you'll wish you were on the team. * Britta Lundin, author of Like Other Girls *

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines how the national pastime of baseball has the capacity to shape politics and American democracy.What is the relationship between sports and politics? Often, politics are thought to be serious, whereas sports are diversionary and apolitical. Using baseball as a case study, Democracy at the Ballpark challenges this understanding, examining politics as they emerge at the ballpark around spectatorship, community, equality, virtue, and technology. Thomas David Bunting argues that because spectators invest time and meaning in baseball, the game has power as a metaphor for understanding and shaping politics. The stories people see in baseball mirror how they see the country, politics, and themselves. As a result, democracy resides not only in exclusive halls tread by elites but also in a stadium full of average people together under an open sky. Democracy at the Ballpark bridges political theory and sport, providing a new way of thinking about baseball. It also demonstrates the democratic potential of spectatorship and rethinks the role of everyday institutions like sport in shaping our political lives, offering an expanded view of democracy.

Read more less

Book Synopsis During the 19th century, baseball was a game with few rules, many rowdy players and just one umpire. Dirty tricks were simply part of a winning strategy--spiking, body-blocking, cutting bases short or hiding an extra ball to be used when needed were all OK. Deliberately failing to catch a fly in order to have the game called due to darkness was also acceptable. And drinking before a game was perhaps expected. Providing brief bios of dozens of players, managers, umpires and owners, this book chronicles some of the flamboyant, unruly and occasionally criminal behavior of baseball''s early years.

Read more less

Book Synopsis Hoyt Wilhelm''s intriguing baseball career lasted two decades. A veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, the eight-time All-Star from Huntersville, North Carolina, was a standout for the New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves, though he did not reach the majors until he was nearly 30. He pitched a no-hitter as a starter, won as many as 15 games a season, was the first reliever to win more than 100 games and save more than 200, and broke Cy Young''s record for most games on the mound. Along the way, he relied almost entirely on his baffling skill with a rare weapon of choice--the knuckleball. This first full-length biography covers the life and career of the first relief pitcher in the Hall of Fame.Table of Contents Table of Contents Preface Introduction  1. A North Carolina Guy  2. From North Carolina to North Carolina  3. War  4. Starting Over  5. Minneapolis: Make It or Break It  6. The Majors at Last  7. A Hot Commodity  8. The World Series  9. Entrenched with New York 10. On to Other Teams 11. Lightning Strikes 12. Rebirth with Orioles 13. Trying to Make Sense of It 14. Out of Control 15. Hanging Tough with the Orioles 16. Good Company 17. Wilbur and Hoyt 18. White Sox and Still Going 19. A Thousand Games 20. Running Out of Teams 21. A Call from the Hall Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnyone who has love for the game of baseball will enjoy this remarkable book. Library Journal, Starred ReviewIn Whispers of the Gods, bestselling author Peter Golenbock brings to life baseball greats from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s through timeless stories told straight from the players themselves. Like the enduring classic The Glory of Their Times, this book features the reminiscences of baseball legends, pulled from hundreds of hours of taped interviews with the author. Roy Campanella talks about life in the Negro Leagues before coming up to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ted Williams recounts why he believes Shoeless Joe Jackson belongs in the Hall of Fame. Tom Sturdivant provides vivid memories of Casey Stengel, Mickey Mantle, and other Yankee icons. Other voices include Phil Rizzuto, Jim Bouton, Monte Irvin, Stan Musial, Ron Santo, Rex Barney, Ellis Clary, Roger Maris, Ed Froelich, Marty Marion, Jim Brosnan, Gene Conley, and Kirby Higbe.The players interviewed were All-Stars, Hall of Famers, and heroes to many, and their impact on the national pastime is still seen to this day. Baseball history comes alive through the stories shared in Whispers of the Gods, offering a fascinating account of the golden age of baseball.

Read more less

Book SynopsisChasing Baseball is a book that provides a snapshot of grassroots baseball in Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales.  Played as it is in the rain and cold, on temporary diamonds that are sometimes less than ideal, baseball is still fragile in these places and an enormous group effort is needed to sustain it. The book is the story of people who love the game, the story of people who believe that baseball can flourish where it’s been planted, developing according to the idiosyncrasies of each location.On one hand, baseball is baseball, and what is depicted—despite some idiosyncratic rules and an incredibly wide range of talent and experience—is not dissimilar to what one might see in North America. On the other hand, it feels different. More precarious, yes, but also more communal. This is baseball played for its own sake, played in public parks by people who have somehow fallen in love with the game or are searching for a piece of home.Written in the tradition of Dave Bidini’s Tropic of Hockey: My Search for the Game in Unlikely Places, Chasing Baseball provides readers with a vivid picture of baseball as it is played in these places.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe dual-language (English and Spanish) PLEIBOL! takes readers on a journey into the heart and history of U.S. Latina/o baseball. The extraordinary stories of Latinas/os, alongside the artifacts of their remarkable lives, demonstrate the historic role baseball has played as a social and cultural force within Latino communities across the USA for over a century and how Latinos, in particular, have influenced and changed the game. Latinas/os have celebrated a shared cultural heritage, made a living and fought for rights and justice through baseball. These stories represent experiences to which many people can relate: how one becomes part of a community; how the game can bring people together regardless of race, class and gender and how fans can participate in the culture of the sport as easily as players can on the field. Through eight thematic chapters, the authors illustrate how baseball has provided an important platform from which to celebrate and challenge what it means to be American. Each chapter features stories and artifacts from the Smithsonian exhibits of the same name paired with voices from the community of scholars, players and enthusiasts who have contributed to the larger pan-Smithsonian Latinos and Baseball collecting and exhibition initiative. The variety of stories and objects included in this volume brings seemingly disparate pasts and present together to reveal how baseball is more than simply a game. The history of Latinos and baseball is this quintessential American story.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Highly entertaining with useful appendices." --Spitball Magazine"Provides a wealth of detail about the origins of the Illinois game and the teams who played it from Chicago down south to Cairo and nearly every town in between." --St. Louis Post-Dispatch"A delightful collection of history and baseball anecdotes for both casual and serious baseball fans." --Illinois Times"Ballists, Dead Beats, and Muffins makes clear that there was a simplicity, innocence, and freshness to baseball in Illinois in these years, even as Sampson details the movement—probably inevitable—toward a more competitive and more professional level of play." --Third Coast Review"Effectively blends history and nostalgia, sparking an appreciation of the National pastime. . . . This 250-page gem by Robert D. Sampson is an exhaustive focus on baseball's early style and sweep when gentlemanly players, civic leaders, and hosts of spectators stressed the bliss more than the score." --Community Word“Detailed studies of baseball during these crucial years are rare, with ones that focus on a single state even more so. Bob Sampson’s Ballists, Dead Beats, and Muffins is thus both timely and valuable, confirming some long-accepted assumptions and forcing reexamination of others. Highly recommended!”--Peter Morris, author of Baseball Fever: Early Baseball in MichiganTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Prologue A Dying Ember First Inning Baseball Fever and Pioneers Second Inning Organizing Clubs, Funding, Travel, and the Game’s Rituals Third Inning Playing Fields, Gambling, and Injuries Fourth Inning The Game and Its Players Fifth Inning Sharing the Fun Sixth Inning Barriers of Race and Gender Seventh Inning Trouble in Baseball’s Eden Eighth Inning Representative Teams Ninth Inning The Thrill Departs Epilogue Ghosts Appendix A Illinois Baseball Teams, 1865-70 Appendix B Bloomington’s Fifth Ward School-Grounds Neighborhood Appendix C Illinois Baseball Players, 1865-70 Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis“Of all the people I play against, the only one I truly fear is Larry Bird.”—Magic Johnson, from the Foreword.The heart and soul of a champion: his life, his career, his game. To understand basketball, you have to understand Larry Bird. Arguably the greatest all-around player the game has ever known, he led the Boston Celtics from the basement to three world championships, collecting three NBA Most Valuable Player awards along the way. Yet, despite these massive accomplishments, Bird has rarely talked to the press, and much about the man has remained a mystery. Now in Drive, the long-silent superstar sets the record straight, revealed a side of himself-and of basketball-you’ve never see before. Inside, you’ll learn Bird''s most private feelings about: The momentous decision to transfer from Bobby Knight’s Indiana University to Indiana State. The heartbreak of his father''s suicide and his own failed marriage. The single-minded discipline that tumed a small-town hero into a national superstar. The Boston Garden and the legendary Celtic charm. The Isiah Thomas controversy and the fierce Celtic-Laker rivalry. The great players of the NBA: including Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkins, and Michael Jordan, and much more. here is the book that puts a basketball legend-and his game-on the line. And scores!

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPreeminent baseball analyst Bill James and ESPN.com baseball columnist Rob Neyer compile information on pitches and their origins, nearly two thousand pitchers, and more in this comprehensive guide.Pitchers, the pitches they throw, and how they throw them—they’re the stuff of constant scrutiny, but there''s never been anything like a comprehensive source for such information…until now. Bill James and Rob Neyer spent over a decade compiling the centerpiece of this book, the Pitcher Census, which lists specific information for nearly two thousand pitchers, ranging throughout the history of professional baseball. Their guide also includes a dictionary describing virtually every known pitch, biographies of great pitchers who have been overlooked, and top ten lists for fastballs, spitballs, and everything in between. James and Neyer also weigh in on the debate over pitcher abuse and durability, offer a formula for predicting the Cy Young Award winner, and reveal James’s Pitcher Codes. Learn about the origins and development of baseball’s most important pitches and more knuckleballers and submariners than you ever thought existed! Baseball’s action always starts with the pitchers. Begin to understand them and join in on entertaining debates while having a great deal of fun with the history of the game that captivates so many with this one-of-a-kind guide.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis biography traces the early life of George Edward Waddell in western Pennsylvania, the fits and starts of his first years in professional baseball, his big years with the A's, and his subsequent fade into obscurity and his early death.Trade ReviewA most compelling, valuable addition." —Nine"The saga of the A's star hurler of the early 1900s." —USA Today Sports Weekly"This is the study of a man and his times." —Today's Librarian

Read more less

Book SynopsisA biography of Eddie Collins, one of baseball's most consistently good batters, its best bunter and hit-and-run man, one of its craftiest base runners and finest defensive second basemen. It tells how, during his career, he was repeatedly referred to as the game's smartest player, both on and off the field.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIlluminates how public memory of Jackie Robinson has undergone changes over the last sixty-plus years and moves his story beyond Robinson the baseball player, opening a new, broader interpretation of an otherwise seemingly convenient narrative to show how Robinson's legacy ultimately should both challenge and inspire public memory.Trade Review"Reclaiming 42 is a welcome addition to the literature on Jackie Robinson."—Eric Allen Hall, Journal of African American History"Readers will come away with a truer and more nuanced view of the man, as ballplayer and political actor."—Thomas Wolf, NINE"This book by Dave Naze should be on every baseball fans bookshelf no matter what team you show allegiance to or your views on political matters."—KNUP Sports“Reclaiming 42 is a must-read for anyone interested in the relationship between sports and politics. It will appeal to baseball novices and baseball experts alike. David Naze’s exploration of Jackie Robinson’s vocal critiques of racial inequalities, and modern-day efforts to erase any controversial elements from Robinson’s memory, are especially timely.”—Jonathan J. Cavallero, associate professor of rhetoric, film, and screen studies at Bates College“The story of Major League Baseball could not be told without mentioning Jackie Robinson. But his legacy too often has been simplified and sanitized, made to fit safely within our preconceived narratives about the role of race and sport in the United States. In this book, Dave Naze recovers a complex and human Robinson whose legacy exceeds the limitations of those narratives. Through a skillful analysis that addresses Robinson’s political activism and his prolific writings, as well as the ways that he has been memorialized, Naze invites us to understand that Jackie Robinson speaks not only to the ages but to our own time.”—Robert E. Terrill, professor of rhetoric in the Department of English at Indiana University, Bloomington“A compelling contribution to the scholarship on Jackie Robinson and also on the Negro Leagues.”—Michael Butterworth, professor of communication studies and director of the Center for Sports Communication & Media at the University of Texas at AustinTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: Have We Failed Jackie Robinson’s Legacy? 1. Robinson’s Postplaying Career: A Political Impact 2. The Robinson-Robeson Clash: A Siren Song Sung in Bass 3. Cooperstown and Kansas City: The Museum Narratives 4. Jackie Robinson Day: The Contemporary Legacy Conclusion: Taking Inventory of a Legacy Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplores Jackie Robinson's compelling and complicated legacy Before the United States Supreme Court ruled against segregation in public schools, and before Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, Jackie Robinson walked onto the diamond on April 15, 1947, as first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers, making history as the first African American to integrate Major League Baseball in the twentieth century. Today a national icon, Robinson was a complicated man who navigated an even more complicated world that both celebrated and despised him. Many are familiar with Robinson as a baseball hero. Few, however, know of the inner turmoil that came with his historic status. Featuring piercing essays from a range of distinguished sportswriters, cultural critics, and scholars, this book explores Robinson's perspectives and legacies on civil rights, sports, faith, youth, and nonviolence, while providing rare glimpses into the struggles and strength of one of the nation's mTrade Review"[Michael] Long and his contributors attempt to separate the man from the myth and show how his influence continues to extend ...These pieces embody all of what made Robinson special, assessing him through many different lenses...give[s] a towering cultural figure his due beyond the baselines."" * Kirkus Reviews (starred) *"This collection of essays explores baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s complicated legacy, his impact on society and the inner turmoil that came with his historic achievements." * USA Today *"[Michael] Long, along with 13 contributors, explore lesser-known aspects of the life of Jackie Robinson, who became the first Black American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...Even those who know nothing about Robinson will take something inspiring away from this excellent anthology." * Publishers Weekly *"Juxtaposing events in the sports world from the ‘40s to now, 42 Today recalls Robinson’s legacy and establishes how he paved a way for future civil rights activism, from Black Lives Matter to Colin Kaepernick." * TheRoot.com *"Whether you consider yourself a baseball scholar or not, 42 Today has something to teach you. With 13 essays as well as a foreword by Ken and Sarah Burns and David McMahon and an introduction by the editor, there is no shortage of information about the man’s life, some well known and some obscure. In addition to correcting the errors in what we know about Robinson, there is also detail of how Robinson and his legacy affected groups beyond the typically male-dominated realm of baseball fans." * CoveringtheCorner.com *"2021 marks the 75th anniversary of Branch Rickey signing Jackie Robinson to the Montreal Royals, which integrated organized baseball for the first time since the 19th century. Anniversaries of important historical events offer opportunities to reflect on their significance, and this collection of essays makes use of the occasion to explore Robinson's activism in civil rights, politics, and sports." * Choice *"The value of this collection is in its breadth and accessibility… an excellent addition to an undergraduate course on baseball, race, and American history." -- Sarah L. Trembanis (University of Delaware) * Journal of African American History *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor most baseball teams, the 2020 season was a strange, short, fanless diversion--but not in Los Angeles. After years of frustrating playoff runs, they finally reclaimed the World Series trophy after more than 30 years, led by their star pitcher, Clayton Kershaw, their electric new outfielder, Mookie Betts, and a bevy of impressive young players assembled by their hard-charging, ingenious team President, Andrew Friedman. The collection of talent that took the field in 2020, and again in 2021, was nothing short of a superteam, on a par with the dynastic Yankees of the 1990s.Yet winning at modern baseball is nothing like it was even 20 years ago. In the years since Billy Beane's famous Moneyball teams, baseball has grown to look less like a sport and more like a Wall Street firm that traded its boiler room for a field. Teams relentlessly exploit inefficiencies, new innovations, and tiny advantages--sometimes without regard for the rules of the game. The result is a sport that has never been played at a higher level, yet has seen its TV ratings and attendance numbers in long, slow decline. And with the league's collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of 2021, a labor crisis looms.This fascinating book not only examines the remarkable Dodgers team that won it all, but offers a unique view inside a sport that can't seem to break its addiction to winning at all costs--even when those costs might be the future of the game. From Kershaw's late-career breakthrough to Friedman's machinations, it shows what it takes to win, and what it will take to save the sport.

Read more less