Search results for ""triumph books""

Curse broken. For the first time since 1908, the Chicago Cubs are champions of the baseball world! Following a dominant regular season and a thrilling playoff performance, the Cubs captured their long-anticipated World Series title in dramatic fashion and fulfilled the dreams of generations of Cubs faithful. From Kris Bryant's MVP-caliber heroics to the team's dramatic comeback in Cleveland, Fly the W: The Chicago Cubs' Historic 2016 Championship Season is packed with vivid, insightful stories from the Daily Herald as well as dynamic photographs of the Cubs' entire star-studded roster. Relive each key moment of this brilliant year with nearly 100 full-color images printed on museum-quality paper, including exclusive photography from the Cubs' championship celebration. Also featuring in-depth profiles of Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, and other favorites, this commemorative coffee table book takes fans on an unforgettable journey and is an essential keepsake for all Cubs aficionados.

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Super Team is the ultimate celebration of the unprecedented collection of star-power that makes up the Warriors' once-in-a-lifetime roster. Including nearly 100 full-color photographs, fans are provided a glimpse into the personalities that make up this hoops juggernaut—Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and more. It will also feature an in-depth look at the highlights from the historic 73-win season, the shocking free agent signing of Durant, the Warriors teammates' journey in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and an exclusive look at the Dubs' preparation for the 2016-2017 NBA season. This keepsake is sure to inspire and entertain Warriors fans everywhere and get them ready for the new season, for what promises to be a transcendent and unforgettable team.

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Showcasing one of professional basketball's best players, this book spotlights the life and career of hardcourt superstar LeBron James. More than just a biography, it relates James' story while also establishing his prominent place in NBA history. By examining his skills and statistics in a variety of categories and comparing him to other NBA legends—including Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and more—the guide makes a strong case for James as basketball's greatest. Along the way, his best and most memorable moments are revisited, from his days as a high school stand-out in Akron, to his first stint with the Cavaliers, to "The Decision" to join the Miami Heat, and the show-stopping performance in the 2016 Finals to bring an NBA title back to Cleveland. LeBron James vs. The NBA is certain to stir up lively debate and is a must-have for Cavs fans and basketball buffs alike.

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All eyes and ears turned toward Ann Arbor in late 2014 when it was announced that Jim Harbaugh would be returning to the Big House as the new head coach of Michigan football. Now, Angelique Chengelis, longtime chronicler of the Wolverines for the Detroit News, gives the inside story on how exactly Harbaugh restored the Michigan program to national title contender status. Learn how he instilled a new culture and rankled rivals with outspokenness, creative tactics, and relentless recruiting. Get the behind-the-scenes story on how and why Harbaugh chose to come back to the university he led to glory as its starting quarterback in the early 1980s. Follow along as Jabrill Peppers, Jake Butt, and others develop into true stars. Michigan Man is a comeback tale, an examination of the rapid turnaround from a five-win team in 2014 to squads that earned 10 wins plus trips to the Citrus and Orange Bowls in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Featuring extensive interviews with Harbaugh himself, this is a book Wolverines faithful and football fans in general will not want to miss.

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THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE MOST STORIED FRANCHISES IN NHL HISTORY. Winners of five Stanley Cup championships, the Penguins have hosted generations of stars from Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, all of whom have left an indelible mark on team history. Phil Bourque, who helped earn two of those Stanley Cup victories and who now serves as color commentator alongside Mike Lange for Penguins radio broadcasts, has gotten to witness more than his fair share of that history up close and personal. In If These Walls Could Talk: Pittsburgh Penguins, you’ll relive some of that history, from Bourque’s memories of training camp with Lemieux to his stories of celebrating with (and having to repair) the Cup. Through singular anecdotes only Bourque can tell about current and past players, coaches, and opponents, this book provides fans with a one-of-a-kind, insider’s look into the Penguins’ greatest moments, disappointments, and everything in between.

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With 14 All-Star appearances, 13 Gold Gloves, a Most Valuable Player Award, and, of course, a World Series ring, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has more than earned his spot in Cooperstown as one of the best Major League catchers of all time. In They Call Me Pudge, Rodriguez tells the story of his unforgettable baseball journey, from signing his first professional contract as a 16 year-old in Puerto Rico, to his years in Texas, Detroit, and beyond, to the World Series stage in Miami, and behind the doors of the Texas Rangers front office. Rodriguez's accomplishments, his teammates, and his biggest challenges all receive time in the spotlight in this refreshing memoir of a life and Hall-of-Fame career.

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With their 2015 World Series championship, the Kansas City Royals claimed their spot among baseball's top current franchises. Through the words of the players, via multiple interviews conducted with current and past Royals, readers will meet the players, coaches, and management and share in their moments of greatness and defeat. Montgomery recounts moments with George Brett, Willie Wilson, and Mike Sweeney as well as the current squad under Ned Yost, including Eric Hosmer and Alex Gordon. Kansas City fans will not want to be without this book.

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Back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. No NHL team this century could stake that claim. Until the Pittsburgh Penguins topped the Nashville Predators in the 2017 Final to bring Lord Stanley home for the second consecutive season. In their 50th NHL season, the Penguins overcame adversity en route to the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup. Key players, including Kris Letang and goalie Matt Murray, missed time due to injuries and the team played a compressed schedule. But led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh finished with 111 points, the second-most in the NHL. In the eastern conference playoffs, the Penguins prevailed over the Columbus Blue Jackets and Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals before topping Ottawa in a thrilling seven-game series reach the Stanley Cup Final. Filled with stunning full-color photography and expert reporting from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Stanley’s Sequel captures the Penguins’ exciting journey, from the preseason to their Stadium Series in over the Flyers at Heinz Field to Chris Kunitz’s goal in the second overtime of Game 7 against Ottawa and the final seconds against the Predators. This commemorative edition also includes in-depth profiles of Crosby, Malkin, head coach Mike Sullivan, veteran goalie Mark-Andre Fleury and other Penguins stars.

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Brought to you by the writers and editors that created Pojo's Unofficial Ultimate Pokemon, Pojo's Unofficial Big Book of Pokemon features more of everything— more characters, more tv shows, more movie reviews, more video game history, and more tips for building the very best Pokemon team! Up to date for the 2016 holiday season, this collector's edition is packed with collector’s information, toy history, puzzles pages, and more! It is the ultimate guide, touching on everything Pokemon enthusiasts could ever ask for.

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Every New York Yankees fan has a bucket list of activities to take part in at some point in their lives. But even the most die-hard fans haven't done everything there is to experience in and around the Bronx. From visiting Stan's Sports Bar to sitting in the bleachers for the roll call, author Mark Feinsand provides ideas, recommendations, and insider tips for must-see places and can't-miss activities near Yankee Stadium. But not every experience requires a trip to New York; long-distance Yankees fans can cross some items off their list from the comfort of their own homes. Whether you're attending every home game or supporting the Yanks from afar, there's something for every fan to do in The New York Yankees Fans' Bucket List.

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In 2010, the Carolina Panthers hit rock bottom—they were a 2-14 team that had become an NFL joke. But an extraordinary turnaround over the next five years culminated in a 15-1 record in 2015 and a berth in Super Bowl 50. Fueled by charismatic quarterback Cam Newton and a host of other big personalities, the Panthers staked their place in NFL history. Panthers Rising is the inside story of this remarkable turnaround. Author Scott Fowler has covered the Panthers for The Charlotte Observer since the team’s inception in 1995. He writes from an insider’s perspective about what really led to Newton’s rise to NFL Most Valuable Player and the controversies that surrounded the best season the quarterback has ever played. Head coach Ron Rivera, a linebacker on the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears, told his players all season to let their personalities shine through like that squad once did 30 years earlier. Carolina responded with a 14-game winning streak to open the season and an unprecedented run through the NFC playoffs. Based on exclusive interviews with many Panthers stars and Fowler’s behind-the-scenes access to the team, Panthers Rising is the inside story of the Panthers’ rise to the NFL’s elite.

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Take that, Roger Goodell. In a season that began with a controversial four-game suspension for their acknowledged leader, Tom Brady, the New England Patriots tuned out the distractions and the enmity to once again do their job better than anyone else. They went 14-2 for the league's best record, then produced a dramatic playoff run that culminated in their fifth world title and a Lombardi Trophy photo op with their archenemy. The Patriots found new heroes - like Chris Hogan and Martellus Bennett - and leaned on old reliables to overcome a controversy that created headlines around the world. Love them or hate them, future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick's Patriots - led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Brady - truly rank among the greatest franchises ever. In The Boston Globe's Roger That!: With Fifth Super Bowl Win, Brady and Belichick's Patriots Show Who's Boss, Pats fans can revel in their team's latest historic achievement, as well as relive every moment of the 2016 season and playoffs, from opening kickoff to the hoisting of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. With its vibrant color photographs, essential statistics, memorable quotes, and acclaimed commentary by some of the nation's best sportswriters, this is the ultimate New England Patriots keepsake. Roger That! takes you inside the legacy and behind the scenes on an all-access pass, providing commentary and insights on Belichick, Brady, mastermind assistant coaches Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia, as well as other key contributors on and off the field. And it fully commemorates what Patriots Nation has known for most of the 21st century: This is a team of champions, and these champions are a team for the ages.

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NFL Draft Elite 60: The 2016 Superstars of Tomorrow is the must-have guide for football fans interested in learning more about the cream of the crop of college prospects, the players bound to make a major impact on the field and in fantasy football matchups during their rookie year and beyond. Including 60 full-color photographs, the player profiles are chock full of scouts’ analysis, strengths & weaknesses, career projections and up-to-the-minute NFL Combine results. This striking and informative book eschews the dense presentation and content of the average draft guide and hones in on the most essential facts and observations about the core group of players that will impact the league for years to come. NFL Draft Elite 60 focuses on all of the best prospects on the board, from well-known seniors like Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley and Alabama’s Reggie Ragland, to diamonds in the rough like Jason Spriggs out of Indiana and Darian Thompson from Boise State. Draft industry leader Dane Brugler has all of the top 60 future stars profiled, thoroughly analyzed and thoughtfully projected, providing essential information to every NFL and fantasy football fan around the country

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For more than three decades, the New York Giants have been one of the most competitive teams in the National Football League, winning four Super Bowls and eight conference championships in that time. Now, Lawrence Taylor—Hall of Fame player and consummate Giant—teams up with William Wyatt to tell the stories of the Giants’ most memorable players and coaches, including Bill Parcells, Rays Perkins, Carl Banks, Harry Carson, and Gary Reasons to name but a few. In My Giant Life, Taylor looks back at the best games, best moments, and behind-the-scenes stories of the men who played and coached for the team.

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Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL, one of the faces of the league and already a Packers legend, but his journey to the top was far from easy. Rodgers has gone on to win a Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP award, has twice been voted NFL MVP and has placed himself directly on the path to the Hall of Fame. Including dozens of full-color photographs, fans are provided a glimpse into Rodgers’ life. Written by heralded Packers scribe Rob Reischel, this keepsake is sure to inspire and entertain Packers and football fans alike.

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The Big 50: San Francisco Giants is an amazing, full-color look at the 50 men and moments that made the Giants the Giants. Experienced Bay-area sportswriter Daniel Brown recounts the living history of the Giants, counting down from No. 50 to No. 1. The Big 50: San Francisco Giants brilliantly brings to life the Giants remarkable story, from Willie McCovey and Will Clark to the roller-coaster that was Barry Bonds to the team’s current dynasty and Madison Bumgarner shutting down the Royals in the 2014 World Series.

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For people just starting to play, disc golf can become an exciting and addictive sport to play for a lifetime. Avid disc golfers often find playing a challenging test of both physical skill and mental determination. Disc golf is a “greener” sport than most, and has fewer barriers to entry than traditional golf and other recreational sports. It is also one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf provides readers all the essential information they need to get started playing disc golf, but it is much more than just a basic “how to” manual – it is a thoughtful, fascinating, and thoroughly enjoyable exploration into the history, nature, science, and skills of disc golf. Featuring more than 80 instructional photos, this is a comprehensive book about disc golf that would be enjoyed by all players, from beginners to aspiring professionals.

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Minecraft has more than 100 million registered users and this book guides them through the mods You’ve built a great base, a secret hideout, and other awesome builds. You’ve mined diamond, gold, and iron. You may have even played around with Redstone or fought the Ender Dragon. Now, take your Minecraft game to a whole new level by experiencing the coolest mods—short for modifications—available. Mods change the game of Minecraft, both in ways that can be small and simple, such as better lighting or new creatures to fight, or they can literally reshape the game from the ground up, turning it into something entirely different and new. Enter Master the Mods!, the definitive guide for everything you need to know to about mods. This guide gives an overview of what mods are, what types of mods exist, and how to easily install them. Whether you’re trying mods for the first time or are already familiar with the wide world of mods, Master the Mods! presents whole new worlds to explore.This book is not authorized, sponsored, endorsed or licensed by Mojang AB. The trademark Minecraft is owned by Mojang AB; and other company names and/or trademarks mentioned in this book are the property of their respective companies and are used for identification purposes only.

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Captures, game-by-game in insightful words and riveting images, the Patriots’ indomitable march to their fourth Super Bowl triumph This ultimate comeback story is recounted in PUMPED, produced by the Boston Globe, which has chronicled the team’s fortunes for New England sports fans since the team’s inception, and never more thoroughly than in 2014. The 2014 Patriots rallied from a humiliating loss in Week 4—which pundits gleefully pointed to as the first sign of their decline—to reel off seven straight victories and establish themselves once again as the AFC’s top team and the league’s model of consistency. This 128-page book also offers perspective on the Patriots’ seven previous visits to football’s ultimate spectacle. As PUMPED painstakingly describes it, their road to Title No. 4 was marked by controversy and seeming chaos, but the Patriots cut through the distractions to do their job, again, better than anyone else.

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The St. Louis Cardinals are one of baseball’s most storied franchises, and as much a part of St. Louis as Anheuser-Busch and the arch. From Lou Brock to Matt Carpenter, Ozzie Smith to Yadier Molina, Bob Gibson to Adam Wainwright, from Hall of Famers to rookie busts, the Cardinals are beloved in St. Louis. In this book, Stan McNeal provides a closer look at the great moments and the lowlights that have made the Cardinals one of the baseball’s keystone teams. Through the words of the players, via multiple interviews conducted with current and past Cardinals, readers will meet the players, coaches, and management and share in their moments of greatness and defeat. This book shares stories behind such Cardinal memories as the little-known clubhouse antics of backup catcher Bob Uecker during the teams’ memorable run in the 1960s, the excitement at Busch Stadium in the 1980s as the Cardinals reached the World Series three times, and the elation of the 2006 and 2011 World Series championships.

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Tracing the careers of four instrumental players who turned around the Yankees ball club, this book shares behind-the-scenes stories from their early days together in the minors through the 2013 season, and follows them on their majestic ride to the top of the baseball world. At a time when the New York Yankees were in free fall, having failed to win a World Series in 17 years and had not played in one in 14 years—the Bronx Bombers’ longest drought since before the days of Babe Ruth—along came four young players whose powerful impact returned the franchise to its former glory. They were a diverse group from different parts of the globe: Mariano Rivera, a right-handed pitcher from Panama, who was destined to become the all-time record holder in saves and baseball’s greatest closer; Derek Jeter, a shortstop raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, who would become the first Yankee to accumulate 3,000 hits; Jorge Posada, an infielder-turned-catcher from Puerto Rico, who would hit more home runs than any Yankees catcher except the legendary Hall of Famer Yogi Berra; and Andy Pettitte, a left-handed pitcher born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who would win more postseason games than any player in baseball history. Together they formed the “Core Four,” and would go on to play as teammates for 13 seasons during which time they would help the Yankees advance to the postseason 12 times, win the American League pennant seven times, and take home five World Series trophies. This book follows these phenoms from the minor leagues to the present, detailing their significant contributions to a winning major league franchise. This 2014 edition updates readers on Jeter’s struggles with injuries and recovery, Rivera’s final season, and Pettitte’s and Jeter’s plans moving forward.

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Offering an inside look at the most famous marathon in the world, this exploration traces the Boston Marathon's 26.2-mile route from the starting line on narrow Main Street in Hopkinton to the Boylston Street finish line in downtown Boston, bringing to life the history, personalities, pivotal moments, and individual character of each city the race traverses. The Boston Marathon includes well-researched briefs on topics including Metcalf’s Mill at Ashland, the unmarked starting point of the first race in 1897, the infamous 1967 battle over Kathrine Switzer’s attempt to compete five years before women were allowed, and other vital race-day elements. The book also includes a tribute to the victims of the tragic 2013 bombing near the finish line. This is a supremely entertaining glimpse at the history of the greatest running event in the world—from wacky entrants to hard-fisted managers, tortured disappointments, and glorious triumph.

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Heisman Trophy winners Glenn Davis and Felix Blanchard—renowned during their playing days at West Point as “Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside”—were the best-known college football players in the country between 1944 and 1946, and Army was the nation’s top-ranked team under legendary coach Red Blaik. Acclaimed author Jack Cavanaugh takes readers through the Black Knights’ three consecutive National Championship seasons, including the 1946 “Game of the Century” between Army and Notre Dame, the only college game to date to have included four Heisman Trophy winners. Cavanaugh also examines the impact the war had on Army’s success—because its players were already considered to be in the military and thus deferred from active duty while students at West Point, Army featured many outstanding high school and prep school players in those years. A unique look at the changes that took place in sports and almost every aspect of American life in the wake of World War II, this book a must-read for fans of college football and military buffs in addition to Army fans.

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To any baseball fan, Nolan Ryan’s name still conjures up images of blistering 100-mile-per-hour fastballs and knee-buckling curveballs. During his 27-year career, “The Ryan Express” was named an eight-time All-Star and amassed seven no-hitters and more than 5,700 strikeouts—more than any other pitcher in major-league history. This comprehensive biography of Nolan Ryan follows the baseball legend’s journey from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993. Hall of Famers, journeymen, clubhouse workers, coaches, and trainers offer their own unique take on Ryan in this book filled with never-before-told anecdotes and personal recollections and peppered with eyewitness accounts of his greatest games. In the pages of this history, readers will discover what made Nolan Ryan one of the most revered and respected athletes and citizens of his time.

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Chronicling a young superstar’s rise to fame, this account details how Texas teenager Austin Mahone went from anonymous high school student to Billboard charter. Readers learn about the early life of this budding singing sensation; how he got his start covering pop songs and posting them on YouTube, eventually receiving more than 100 million views; and his promising future with Chase Records, who recently signed him to a record deal worth more than $3 million. With full-color photographs and an intimate look at the life of the up-and-coming pop star, this book is the inside source for all self-proclaimed “Mahomies.”

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No college football program has ever had to deal with the obstacles, hostility, and challenges encountered by the players and coaches of the 2012 Penn State Nittany Lions, and this book is an account of that unforgettable season in which the team rebounded from a disillusioning 0-2 start to surprise everyone and finish with an 8-4 record, third best in the Big Ten Conference. The turmoil at Penn State began in early November 2011 with the shocking arrest of retired assistant coach Jerry Sandusky for multiple charges of sexual child abuse, and within days legendary head coach Joe Paterno was fired in what would be termed the biggest scandal in college football history. By the end of January, Paterno was dead from lung cancer and a new head coach without any Penn State connections, Bill O’Brien, began putting together his staff while finishing up his job as offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl bound New England Patriots. We Are Penn State tells the story of how this team overcame unprecedented NCAA sanctions, including a four-year bowl ban and the loss of 45 scholarships over the same period, the transfer of several of its star players, and overwhelming predictions that the 2012 season would be a disaster to put together a successful season and restore some dignity to what was once considered one of the elite programs in college football.

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Exploring a pitching career that began with a complete-game victory over Hall of Famer Don Drysdale in 1964 and ended when he could no longer control his pitches, this book details the life of Pittsburgh Pirates great, Steve Blass. This insider's view of the humorous and bizarre journey of a World Series champion pitcher turned color commentator will delight Pirates and baseball fans alike. Recounting his first years in the Major Leagues and his battle with the baffling condition that would ultimately bear his own name, Steve Blass tells the story of his life on and off the field with a poignant, dazzling wit and shares the life of a baseball player who had the prime of his career cut short.

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A behind-the-scenes look at the most powerful voices on New York’s AM dial, this is the all-encompassing history of WFAN. Created in 1987, WFAN was the nation’s first 24-hour, all sports radio station and this work recounts how, a quarter-century later, it is the highest-rated station in New York and the home to many unforgettable radio personalities past or present, including Don Imus, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Mike Francesa, and Boomer Esiason. Seasoned journalist Tim Sullivan provides an account that soaks itself in the history, impact, egos, fans, and all the controversies of WFAN, making it an enthralling read for any sports fan.

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Intended for anyone who wants rock-hard abs but needs help getting motivated, the editors of fitness authority Muscle & Fitness magazine have created a four-week plan that incorporates invaluable take-away strategies to get a firmer midsection. More than 50 exercises and full-color photos guide readers through the best ways to obtain a tight six-pack. Throughout the exercises informative tips and fast facts are included to ensure that each routine is executed in the safest and most effective manner possible.

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One of the most storied and fascinating histories in all of Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers—an American League charter franchise in 1901—have survived some of the most intense highs and lows of any team in professional sports, and this lively and detailed book explores it all. This guide to all things Tigers covers the 1984 World Series championship and the riots it sparked; controversial “Georgia Peach” Ty Cobb; and crucial information such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, singular achievements, and signature calls. This fully updated edition, which includes details on the Tigers’ exciting 2011 playoff run and Miguel Cabrera’s historic season as well as the Tigers’ acquisition of Prince Fielder, guides fans on numerous of activities to help them celebrate their team in new and deeper ways.

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This vibrant tribute to the 2012 NCAA men's basketball champions provides a visual feast for fans who want to relive the Kentucky Wildcats' road to championship glory. It features an introduction and several articles by Larry Vaught, a Kentucky sports institution and six-time recipient of Kentucky’s National Sportswriter of the Year title. This celebratory book takes readers from the season’s opening tip in November, through the exciting regular season and SEC Tournament, and on to the final seconds in New Orleans. Also included are features on the team's key figures, including head coach John Calipari and star forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

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This commemorative book on the Super Bowl XLVI champions provides a visual look at the New York Giants’ road to glory and their 21–17 victory over the New England Patriots. Packed with stunning action photography, stories, and analysis from the New York Post, the celebratory account takes readers from the season opener on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and the Giants’ overtime win in San Francisco that clinched the NFC title to Mario Manningham’s fourth-quarter catch to set up the game-winning score in the Super Bowl. In-depth profiles of Giants stars, including quarterback Eli Manning, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, and receiver Victor Cruz, make this keepsake book an essential part of any fan’s collection.

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Music-themed puzzles will shake up enthusiasts of the scrambled word game who are ready to rock with this new collection. For more than 40 years, millions of newspaper readers have delighted in solving Jumble®, which appears in hundreds of national papers and in these puzzle books that offer hours of challenging word play and fun. Each page features a series of mixed-up words coupled with a cartoon clue, and one letter from each word is used to form the answer to the puzzle.

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Speaking candidly to veteran sportswriter Mike Shalin for the first time about his often tumultuous career in Major League Baseball, Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd recounts a life that began in the Deep South of Mississippi, and the events that led him toward great heights atop the pitcher’s mound at Fenway Park. As part of a stellar rotation alongside Bruce Hurst and a young Roger Clemens, Boyd served a dazzling array of pitches to opposing batters, most notably during the Boston Red Sox ill-fated 1986 World Series run against the New York Mets; and while he was at once brilliant and focused on the mound, off the field—as he affectingly reveals here—Boyd was unraveled by the personal battles he waged with substance abuse and destructive mood swings. As one of the few African American starting pitchers in the history of baseball, Boyd offers a candid, insightful, and often funny portrait of an athlete with boundless passion for the game, his teammates, and the Boston Red Sox.

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Demonstrating that claiming the most sought-after moniker in baseball is truly an epic journey, this record explores what separates World Series victors from those who come up short. More than 50 current and former Major League Baseball players, managers, and coaches from the last 50 years—all of whom have World Series championships under their belts—are interviewed, including Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Kent Hrbek, Jim Kaat, and Dave Winfield. Packed with never-before-published stories, this chronicle includes hilarious tales from the clubhouse and dugout as well as inspirational and educational anecdotes. Answering questions such as How are great teams built? How do you keep players motivated when momentum seems to be turning against them? and What are the key qualities that every leader must possess? this investigation illustrates how championship baseball teams offer valuable lessons that can be readily applied to everyday life.

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Jon Falk is a living encyclopedia of Michigan football tradition and history, and these firsthand, inside stories reveal the priceless experiences of the coaches and players who made it happen. He’s not as well known as the Big House itself or even the Little Brown Jug, but among coaches, players, and a good portion of the Michigan football faithful, Jon Falk has forged a colorful legend of his own. While games are won and lost on the field, it’s in the locker room where stories are told, friendships are made, and memories are created during the best four years of any college player’s life.

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Drawing together insights from nearly 100 former players, coaches, and Hokie fans, this is the ultimate compendium of everything that is special about Virginia Tech's football team. Highlights include the most important moments in Virginia Tech's football history, beloved traditions and memories from Blacksburg, coaching legends, and the team's greatest players from past and present.

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From the editors of Muscle & Fitness magazine, which has been excelling in the area of physique transformation for over 70 years, this book is built on the foundation that the key to a strong, healthy body is an effective muscle and strength-training program. This health provides all the guidance needed to achieve workout goals and have a muscular body.

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Drawn from more than 60 interviews and hours of face time, this authorized biography offers an unprecedented inside-the-dugout look at the manager who guided the New York Yankees to their 27th world championship. Beginning with his childhood in the baseball mecca of Chicago, this book traces Joe Girardi’s rise from a catcher at Northwestern University to his time in the minors, his 15 years in the majors, and his successful career as a manager. As much a character portrait of the man as a chronicle of his achievements, this study reveals the amalgam of influences—the relentless work ethic learned from his father combined with the systematic mind of an engineer, the baseball know-how instilled by the likes of Don Zimmer and Joe Torre, and the heart of his tenacious mother—that combined to propel Girardi to his current stature.

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Delving into a tug-of-war that has existed since 1900, this book digs deep into the age-old clash between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns, guaranteed to make anyone the most informed fan on their bouts. The first guide approaching the duel from a pro-Oklahoma perspective, this chronicle documents how the Sooners earned 47 straight wins and more national championships than any other team in its conference, including their nemesis Texas. Loaded with trivia, hilarious history, and inside scoops, this compilation also features fantastic stories behind the legendary names of Bud Wilkinson, Darrell Royal, Mack Brown, Lee Roy Selmon, and more. Demonstrating that there is no fine line between love and hate, this entertaining handbook tackles a competition as wide as the Red River itself.

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Continuing the popular trend of these witty word puzzles, this collection of brainteasing scrambled words with a bonus mystery puzzle and humorous comic will delight fans of Jumble® or word puzzles in general. For more than 40 years, millions of newspaper readers have delighted in solving Jumble®, which appears in hundreds of national papers and in these puzzle books that offer hours of challenging wordplay and fun. Each page features a series of mixed-up words coupled with a cartoon clue, and one letter from each word is used to form the answer to the puzzle.

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Alabama's once-storied football program had fallen on lean times when the school made the brilliant move of luring coach Nick Saban back to the SEC from the pro ranks. In only three seasons, Saban changed the culture, brought in the type of players he wanted, and led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season, SEC championship, and a victory in the BCS national title game. Packed with stunning action photography, this exciting commemorative and revised edition celebrates Alabama's 2009 success with a review of every game and in-depth profiles of Saban, Mark Ingram, Greg McElroy, and the stifling Crimson Tide defense.

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Josh Bleill tells people he had “one bad day” while on combat patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, on October 15, 2006. That day, an IED struck his Humvee, tearing through the vehicle and killing two of his fellow marines while severely injuring Bleill and his best friend. He awoke five days later with to learn of the catastrophic loss of his two friends and both of his legs. Recovering physically presented a great challenge, but the mental recovery was the toughest battle. For three and a half months he never left the hospital because he didn't want people to see his injured body. In One Step at a Time, Bleill shares the story of his own personal redemption and the many life-changing moments he encountered, from his enlistment to active duty in Fallujah, through two years of intensive rehabilitation, and ultimately to his job as the community spokesman for the Indianapolis Colts. Readers will be inspired by his undying enthusiasm, infectious joy, and sense of humor as he shares his message of going forward, one step at a time.

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Three-time Ironman finisher Amy Snyder takes the wraps off the best kept secret in the sports world, the Race Across America (RAAM), a bicycle race like no other. Unlike its famous cousin the Tour de France, RAAM is much crazier, more gothic, and even savage: once the gun goes off the clock doesn't stop, and the first rider to complete the prescribed 3,000-mile route is the victor. In Hell on Two Wheels, Snyder follows a group of athletes before, during, and after the 2009 RAAM, the closest and most controversial race in the event's 30-year history. This work offers a thrilling and remarkably detailed account of the competitors' triumphs and tragedies as they test themselves, each other, and the limits of human endurance. As RAAM exacts its vicious toll, Snyder shows how the racers discover their essential humanity and experience profound joy and completeness, demonstrating how such a grueling effort can also be cleansing and self-revelatory.

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This exhilarating account skips the unforgettable athletic achievements, heroic performers, and exhilarating moments that remind fans of everything they love about sports and honest competition and gives the real skinny on football's unknown history. Author Robert Schnakenberg takes readers through a decidedly snarky trip through the game's rich history of buffoonery, thuggery, fashion missteps, acting careers gone awry, barrel-wearing superfans, touchdown dances, overzealous mascots, needlepoint-loving defensive tackles, unwatchable football-themed movies, and hundreds of other unbelievable-but-true aspects of America's most popular spectator sport.

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For more than 40 years, millions of newspaper readers have delighted in solving Jumble®, which appears in hundreds of national papers and in these puzzle books that offer hours of challenging wordplay and fun. Each page features a series of mixed-up words coupled with a cartoon clue, and one letter from each word is used to form the answer to the puzzle.

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Another classic collection in the making, this book of word scramble puzzles is a quick way to liven up downtime. For more than 40 years, millions of newspaper readers have delighted in solving Jumble®, which appears in hundreds of national papers and in these puzzle books that offer hours of challenging wordplay and fun. Each page features a series of mixed-up words coupled with a cartoon clue, and one letter from each word is used to form the answer to the puzzle.

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For serious football fans wanting to relive the most unforgettable, extraordinary, and gut-wrenching moments in Alabama's history, this account explores the team's greatest plays, providing context, back story, relevant circumstances, and comments from those directly involved in each play. Photos help reanimate memories, including offensive lineman Jerry Duncan's unlikely catch to help beat Nebraska in the 1966 Orange Bowl, the goal-line stand against Penn State that preserved the 1978 National Championship, George Teague ripping the ball away from Miami's Lamar Thomas in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, and Tyrone Prothro's miraculous 2005 catch in a come-from-behind victory against Southern Mississippi.

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