Search results for ""triumph books""

The Atlanta Braves are 2021 World Series Champions! The Atlanta Braves have been fixtures in the postseason in recent franchise history, with six playoff berths and four NL East titles in the last decade. The big breakthroughs had been fleeting prior to the 2021 season, however, with their last NL Pennant in 1999 and last World Series title in 1995. That all changed in 2021 with a resilient and remarkable group taking down the powerful Houston Astros to claim the fourth World Series crown in franchise history and giving Braves fans a thrilling run they’ll never forget. Packed with outstanding coverage and dynamic photography from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Against All Odds: The Atlanta Braves' Improbable Journey to the 2021 World Series guides fans through the Braves’ unbelievable journey – from battling through major injuries to the season-altering trade deadline acquisitions that sent them surging in the second half; from their dismantling of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS and their overwhelming of the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, all the way through their resilient World Series triumph over the Houston Astros.This commemorative edition also includes feature stories on Braves stars Freddie Freeman, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario and other favorites, and is a must-have keepsake for fans of this amazing championship squad.

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In The Franchise: Boston Red Sox, take a more profound and unique journey into the history of the team. This thoughtful and engaging collection of essays captures the astute fans’ history of the franchise, going beyond well-worn narratives of yesteryear to uncover the less-discussed moments, decisions, people, and settings that fostered the team's iconic identity. ​ Through wheeling and dealing, mythmaking and community building, explore where the organization has been, how it got to prominence in the modern major league landscape, and how it’ll continue to evolve and stay in contention for generations to come. Red Sox fans in the know will enjoy this personal, local, in-depth look at baseball history.

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An entertaining look at one of hockey's most unique traditions: the emergency backup goaltender. Tom Fenton was in a barber’s chair when he got the call. Nathan Schoenfeld was giving his 5-week-old twin boys a bath. Eric Semborski was teaching kids to play hockey at a suburban rink. Within hours, each was wearing a mask, pads, and an NHL uniform as an emergency goalie, perhaps the most unusual position in all of sports.Odd Man In shares the stories of these unlikely masked heroes, tracing the origins of this quirk of the game while profiling those who have experienced the chaotic thrill of suiting up on short notice for an NHL team. David Ayres, a Zamboni driver, became an overnight sensation with the Carolina Hurricanes after beating his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Accountant Scott Foster signed on the dotted line then played an unforgettable 14 minutes for the Chicago Blackhawks, finishing his one-day career with a perfect 1.000 save percentage.Their stories and more are celebrated in this fascinating volume for all hockey fans.

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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 2022 Minor 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.

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A multidimensional biography of one of Philadelphia's ultimate power brokers.Most sports team owners make their money elsewhere and purchase a team as an extravagant hobby—but that is not the story of Ed Snider. One of the few owners in history to get control of a franchise by mortgaging nearly everything to his name, the longtime Philadelphia Flyers chairman would go on to form the billion-dollar empire of Comcast-Spectacor and cement his standing as one of the most influential businessmen in the city’s history. Snider was ambitious and entrepreneurial, though extraordinarily demanding of those who worked for him. He was affectionate with his loved ones, yet often showed a surprising lack of emotional intelligence. His staunch capitalist beliefs contrasted his progressive-minded views on the business of hockey and in sharing his wealth with those in need. The Last Sports Mogul embraces all sides of Snider to form a complex portrait of the unparalleled figure once named Philadelphia’s greatest mover and shaker of the millennium. Thoroughly researched and reported, this is a fascinating business story encompassing humble beginnings, unprecedented success, and the values one chooses at the end of the day.

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The classic account of an unforgettable endurance test, now updated with a new introduction The 1989 Ironman World Championship was the greatest race ever in endurance sports. In a spectacular duel that became known as the Iron War, the world's two strongest athletes raced side by side at world-record pace for a grueling 139 miles. Driven by one of the fiercest rivalries in triathlon, Dave Scott and Mark Allen raced shoulder to shoulder through Ironman's 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race, and 26.2-mile marathon. After 8 punishing hours, both men would demolish the previous record--and cross the finish line a mere 58 seconds apart. In Iron War, sports journalist Matt Fitzgerald writes a riveting epic about how Allen and Scott drove themselves and each other through the most awe-inspiring race in sports history. Iron War goes beyond the pulse-pounding race story to offer a fascinating exploration of the lives of the world's two toughest men and their unquenchable desire to succeed.Weaving an examination of mental resolve into a gripping tale of athletic adventure, Iron War is a soaring narrative of two champions and the paths that led to their stunning final showdown.

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Celebrating a New Orleans icon and one of football’s most beloved superstars Drew Brees describes his arrival in New Orleans as “a calling.” Following a catastrophic shoulder injury and a handful of years with the San Diego Chargers, Brees hit the ground running with the Saints, leading the team to the playoffs in his very first season and building toward the ultimate prize: the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl title. By the time he hung up his cleats in 2021, the Saints QB had won 172 games as a starting quarterback, led the NFL in passing yards seven times, and fashioned more than 50 game-winning drives. He won the 2004 Comeback Player of the Year award and was named to 13 Pro Bowls. These moments and memories are collected in Drew Brees: A Tribute to the Saint of New Orleans, a fully illustrated gift book commemorating the 20-year career of one of the most beloved Saints players in history. Featuring more than 100 photographs and unparalleled written coverage from the pages of Sports Illustrated™, this new volume provides readers a complete portrait of the ultimate team player whose impact on the Saints franchise cannot be overstated—from his earliest days in New Orleans to the euphoria of Super Bowl XLIV and beyond.This commemorative book also features SI’s best written coverage of Brees’s career, including pieces by Tim Layden, Greg Bishop, and more.

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Lunardi delves into the early days of Bracketology, details its growth, and dispels the myths of the process. The NCAA Tournament has become one of the most popular sports events in the country, consuming fans for weeks with the run to the Final Four and ultimately the crowning of the champion of college hoops. Each March, millions of Americans fill out their bracket in the hopes of correctly predicting the future.Yet, there is no true Madness without the oft-debated question about what teams should be seeded where—from the Power-5 Blue Blood with some early season stumbles on their resume to the mid-major that rampaged through their less competitive conference season—and the inventor of Bracketology himself, Joe Lunardi, now reveals the mystery and science behind the legend. While going in depth on his ever-evolving predictive formula, Lunardi compares great teams from different eras with intriguing results, talks to the biggest names in college basketball about their perception of Bracketology (both good and bad), and looks ahead to the future of the sport and how Bracketology will help shape the conversation. This fascinating book is a must-read for college hoops fans and anyone who has aspired to win their yearly office pool.

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For more than 35 years, the very best in baseball predictions and statistics The industry's longest-running publication for baseball analysts and fantasy leaguers, Ron Shandler's Baseball Forecaster, published annually since 1986, is the first book to approach prognostication by breaking performance down into its component parts. Rather than predicting batting average, for instance, this resource looks at the elements of skill that make up any given batter's ability to distinguish between balls and strikes, his propensity to make contact with the ball, and what happens when he makes contact—reverse engineering those skills back into batting average.The result is an unparalleled forecast of baseball abilities and trends for the upcoming season and beyond.

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An unforgettable look at a lifetime of baseball packed with humor and passion for the game With a career that has now touched eight decades, Jim Kaat has had a prime front row seat for baseball's continuing evolution. Not only was he a major-league pitcher for 25 seasons, but his time as a pitching coach and his many years as a broadcaster have given him a singular long view of the game. In Good as Gold, Kaat weaves the tale of a lifetime, taking fans on the field, into the clubhouse, and behind the mic as only he can.Full of priceless stories from New York, Minnesota, and across the major leagues, this honest and engaging autobiography gives fans a rare seat alongside Kaat on a tour of baseball history.

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A celebration and remembrance of baseball's home run king "Hammerin'" Hank Aaron was unquestionably one of baseball's greatest icons, revered for his powerful bat, intense resolve, and steadfast generosity. The Braves legend's passing in 2021 was mourned across baseball, inspiring countless tributes to Aaron and his 23-year Hall of Fame career.Hank Aaron: A Tribute To The Hammer is a celebration of Aaron's incomparable presence in Atlanta, Milwaukee, and beyond, from his immediate impact as a 20-year-old with the Braves to breaking Babe Ruth's longstanding home run record in 1974 to the strength he embodied while facing insidious racism throughout his career and remaining an advocate for civil rights as long as he lived.Through memorable stories and historic photography from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, fans will join in commemorating Aaron's legacy, reliving an unparalleled career one striking moment at a time.

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A vibrant picture book biography of Surya Bonaly, the figure skating champion who backflipped her way into history As a young girl in France, Surya Bonaly was constantly in motion, gifted in any sport she tried. But it was figure skating that had her heart. Surya knew she belonged on the ice. Her colorful costumes, exuberant routines, powerful jumps, and daring combinations were all expressions of her love for skating and her ambition to push the boundaries of what a figure skating champion could look like. Some people weren't sure Surya belonged on top of the podium. "Is she graceful enough?" they asked. "Does she look like a skater?" But Surya's fearless heart propelled her to always stay true to herself while pursuing her boldest dreams.Culminating in her iconic backflip performed at the 1998 Olympics, Fearless Heart is a lushly illustrated, lyrical story of self-expression and courage.

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A high-octane memoir of unflappable determination from an X-Games and Paralympics champion When "Monster" Mike Schultz won snowboarding gold in Pyeongchang, South Korea, it was the culmination of a decade of reinvention, in every sense of the word. Ten years earlier he'd lain bleeding on the side of a mountain after a devastating snowmobile accident. Now he stood tall on the Paralympic podium, supported by a prosthetic knee and foot of his own creation.Driven to Ride chronicles Schultz's improbable journey following a lifesaving amputation. From a place of debilitating pain and depression, he tapped into the same sense of adventure that had once taken him to the top of competitive snowmobile racing and followed it to the pinnacle of an entirely new sport: adaptive snowboarding. As he launched himself into the world of adaptive sports, Schultz's ambition was only tempered by his need for better equipment—prostheses that could withstand the vibrations of a motocross bike or the impact of rough terrain. His obsessive tinkering, without any formal engineering background, has presented yet another new path designing innovative prostheses for athletes and wounded military veterans.Inspiring and thrilling in equal measure, this is a singular story of uncommon strength, ingenuity, and seizing golden opportunities.

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An insider's look at Calgary Flames history from beloved trainer Bearcat Murray Jim "Bearcat" Murray knows what it means to live and breathe Calgary Flames hockey, and he's carved out his own spot in team history as an unforgettable character. The young man from Okotoks who once dreamed of becoming a jockey found his calling as the Flames' longtime athletic trainer, went on to sip beer from the Stanley Cup, and later was unanimously voted into the Hall of Fame. Murray now reflects on decades of incredible memories, from the Flames' earliest days after moving to Calgary in 1980 to the glory years of Lanny McDonald and Theo Fleury to the madcap sequence of events that inspired a group of Boston Bruin fans to create The Bearcat Murray Fan Club.Packed with countless unforgettable gems, this rollicking tour of Flames history is essential reading for all fans.

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Featuring traditions, records, and lore, this his lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every New York Islanders fan should know. Whether you were there for each of the franchise's four Stanley Cups or are just diving in, these are the 100 things every fan needs to know and do in their lifetime. The Athletic's Arthur Staple has collected every essential piece of Isles knowledge, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100.Covering important dates, behind-the-scenes tales, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by the likes of Denis Potvin, Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and Billy Smith, this is the ultimate resource guide for all Islanders faithful.

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A hands-on, illuminating deconstruction of NBA basketball, tracing the tactical evolution of the modern game. As the NBA celebrates and surpasses 75 years of existence, today's game looks nothing like it did in generations past when Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took turns ruling the league. But it's also entirely different from a decade—even half decade—ago. Today's stars enter the league with more versatility and fluidity than ever before, and they need it to handle the strategies, philosophies, schemes, skill sets, movement patterns, and measures of basketball intelligence that simply didn't exist in the past.Spaced Out tells the story of what professional basketball looks like right now and how it got here. Taking a court-level view, Mike Prada breaks down high-level play to elucidate the athleticism, strategy, and skill demonstrated on a nighty basis, while shining a light on the historical forces that have dramatically altered the shape of the game and the role of its superstars. Topics covered include the explosion of three point shooting, the rise and fall and rise again of zone defense, the impact of tighter enforcement of perimeter contact rules, and other pivotal factors impacting the pro game. From Xs and Os to keen historic analysis, this definitive volume will reveal the intricacies of a beautiful game for savvy fans, players, and coaches alike.

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With a New Afterword: THE INSIDE STORY OF WHAT WENT WRONG AFTER 2016! David Kaplan of CSN Chicago and ESPN Radio goes behind the scenes with the Cubs and their front office, walking the steps of their captivating rise to becoming 2016 World Series champions On October 12, 2011, Theo Epstein became the new Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations, flipping a switch on the lovable-loser franchise and initiating a plan to accomplish in Chicago what he'd succeeded in as general manager of the Boston Red Sox: ending a World Series drought. It would require a complete team tear-down and turnover, a new farm system foundation of young talent which Epstein and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer gradually added to with gutsy trades and timely signings. After years of rebuilding, Epstein's vision was realized in the form of one of the most exciting and talented teams in baseball, led by heavyweights like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, as well as visionaries like manager Joe Maddon. Then the challenge became making the success last.Featuring exclusive interviews with Epstein, owner Tom Ricketts, and other team insiders, this is the definitive account of modern baseball on the North Side.

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Lunardi delves into the early days of Bracketology, details its growth, and dispels the myths of the process The NCAA Tournament has become one of the most popular sports events in the country, consuming fans for weeks with the run to the Final Four and ultimately the crowning of the champion of college hoops.  Each March, millions of Americans fill out their bracket in the hopes of correctly predicting the future.Yet, there is no true Madness without the oft-debated question about what teams should be seeded where—from the Power-5 Blue Blood with some early season stumbles on their resume to the mid-major that rampaged through their less competitive conference season—and the inventor of Bracketology himself, Joe Lunardi, now reveals the mystery and science behind the legend. While going in depth on his ever-evolving predictive formula, Lunardi compares great teams from different eras with intriguing results, talks to the biggest names in college basketball about their perception of Bracketology (both good and bad), and looks ahead to the future of the sport and how Bracketology will help shape the conversation. This fascinating book is a must-read for college hoops fans and anyone who has aspired to win their yearly office pool.

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A refreshing memoir of battles and self-belief from one of the NHL's most revered enforcers Shawn Thornton was an unlikely NHL success, to say the least. The Oshawa, Ontario native was picked late in the OHL and later thought he was being pranked when the Toronto Maple Leafs called him to say he'd been selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NHL draft. After years spent working and maturing in the AHL, Thornton would go on to play 14 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and Florida Panthers, winning two Stanley Cups along the way. For the first time, in this candid memoir, Thornton opens up about his life in hockey and beyond, from his early days as an unrated prospect to the leadership lessons he learned in the minors, from the most difficult on-ice brawls to the ecstasy of reaching the sport's most celestial heights.Fans will not want to miss this story of perseverance and finding one's own path.

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After 50 years of waiting, Kansas City Chiefs fans were hungry for a return to Super Bowl glory. In 2020, their patience was rewarded in dramatic, exuberant fashion with a second-half comeback for the ages against the San Francisco 49ers. ESPN's Adam Teicher expertly retraces the team's unforgettable championship season as well as the moves and moments that made it all possible—the hiring of head coach Andy Reid in 2013, drafting future-MVP Patrick Mahomes, the heart-wrenching AFC Championship loss to the Patriots in 2019 that lingered in the mind of every player, and more. Teicher captures the mood of the team week by week, every step of the way, profiling numerous players, coaches, and key figures.

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“In this fraught time of cutthroat business and financial dealings, racial animosity, and heartless political leaders, Dave’s remarkable story has lessons for us all.” —Jalen Rose, former professional basketball player, current analyst for ESPN A narrative of chance and purpose that touches all corners of society to tell the improbable tale of one man looking for something greater. A young, Black kid from one of the poorest sections of Washington, D.C., despite being legally blind in one eye, develops into a Hall of Famer. A rookie bank teller rises to become a business leader. A once-reluctant political neophyte answers the call to become mayor of Detroit and establishes a mentoring program for Black teens that serves as a model for the nation. All of these stories belong to one man: Dave Bing. In Attacking the Rim, Bing shares this multifaceted personal saga with a rare combination of modesty, moxie, and self-belief. Reflecting on his playing days with the Pistons, Bullets, and Celtics, Bing takes readers inside the exciting world of pro basketball at the moment when sensational athletes were turning a low-budget game into a high-powered, multimillion-dollar entertainment spectacle. From inside the Detroit mayor’s office, he offers a firsthand look at the city’s monumental challenges, including debt, corruption, unemployment, infrastructure, and the daily choices between the lesser of evils. And finally, he takes us through the mentoring foundation he’s created, cutting through the red tape of charitable work to achieve fundamental change in the young men of Detroit. Dave Bing’s story is one of unbelievable perseverance and success, and in it he shares the lessons for personal growth and excellence he’s learned along the way.

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Revised and updated, including the 2019 World Series!100 Things Nationals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of the Washington Nationals. Whether you're a die-hard booster from the days of the Senators or a newer supporter of Max Scherzer and Juan Soto, these are the 100 things all fans need to know and do in their lifetime. It contains every essential piece of Nationals knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist as you progress on your way to fan superstardom.

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“Basketball gave me a life; Parkinson’s taught me how to live it.” —Brian Grant After 12 years of playing basketball at the highest professional level, Brian Grant could have been forgiven for thinking that the hardest part of his life was behind him, that he’d be able to kick back and enjoy the fruits of his considerable labors. But soon after his retirement from the NBA, Grant was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s disease, ushering in a challenge greater than any he’d faced before, as well as an opportunity to embrace what really matters. With esteemed basketball writer Ric Bucher, Grant shares his story in raw and candid fashion, as he takes readers to Sacramento, Portland, Miami, and beyond; to the airplane 30,000 feet in the air where he first came to understand the source of the tremors in his hand; and to the summit of Mount St. Helens alongside five others with PD, where he once again put himself to the test and defied expectations. In Rebound, Grant shares his remarkable life before, during, and after those NBA years with no shortage of compassion and wit.

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“Offbeat homage to the game and its players…win, win all the way.” –Kirkus Reviews Batter up! Featuring a dynamic, colorful parade of baseball legends including dozens of superstars and historical figures like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Ken Griffey Jr., and David Ortiz, S is for Slugger is the ultimate ABC book for budding baseball fans. The perfect way to teach baseball to the little slugger in your life. More in the ABC to MVP series: B is for Baller G is for Golazo

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For ESPN's Ryan McGee, football is a lifelong passion formed from growing up as the son of Dr Jerry McGee, a man who wore stripes for decades as one of the most highly-decorated officials in college football history. In this book Ryan McGee teams up with his father and brother to share lessons learned between the white lines, featuring a cast of characters that runs from no-name small college athletes and coaches to one-name legends such as Holtz, Paterno, Tebow, and Bo. The McGees provide a rare and often hilarious glimpse inside the lives of college officials, detailing how a love for the game convinces accomplished professionals from all walks of life to voluntarily endure ceaseless insults, public criticism, and the expressed goal of doing one's job on a very public stage in a way that will hopefully NOT draw any attention to how that job is done. From hilarious stories of brawling high school referees and making awkward small talk with George Lucas and Darth Vader at the Rose Bowl to the heart-tugging story of young sons in the stands on a Saturday as a stream profanity-laden insults directed at their father drowns out the marching band, Sidelines and Bloodlines delivers laughs, tears, and a deeper understanding of a life in stripes.

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Anyone who knows Jay Horwitz knows he loves stories and has a wealth of them to share. As the beloved, longtime PR director for the New York Mets, he has witnessed and quietly shaped some of the most memorable moments in team history, becoming a trusted friend and mentor to generations of players, from Darryl Strawberry to Jacob deGrom. In this fascinating memoir, Horwitz tells the unlikely story of a childhood dream come true, offering an unparalleled insider's perspective on four dynamic and unpredictable decades of Mets baseball. Featuring reflections and anecdotes only Horwitz can tell, on subjects ranging from clubhouse hijinks to the chaotic New York media scene to navigating moments of greatness and defeat, Mr. Met is a remarkable behind-the-scenes ride that fans will not want to miss.

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The first book of its kind to fully integrate sabermetrics and scouting, the 2020 Minor 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.

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The man on the mic for countless memorable moments from John Elway, Von Miller, Peyton Manning, and more, Dave Logan has lived and breathed Denver Broncos football as the team's longtime play-by-play announcer. In If These Walls Could Talk: Denver Broncos, Logan provides insight into the Broncos' inner sanctum as only he can.

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Longtime sportswriter Adam L. Jahns explores the living history of the team, counting down from number fifty to number one. This dynamic and comprehensive book brings to life the iconic franchise's remarkable story, including greats like Ditka, Payton, Urlacher, and more.

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ESPN's Sal Paolantonio takes readers inside the Eagles' improbable 2017 season, one which culminated in the franchise's long-awaited first Super Bowl victory—from their hot start in the fall with nine straight wins, to the unfathomable loss of star quarterback Carson Wentz, to the sweetest victory over the New England Patriots in Minnesota featuring the unforgettable "Philly Special," and finally to the raucous celebrations on Broad Street. Through exclusive interviews, fans will learn how Philadelphia overcame Wentz's season-ending injury which instantly branded them underdogs, gaining inside perspective into the dynamic between head coach Doug Pederson, back-up quarterback and eventual Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles, and the many individuals who stepped up and answered the call at the right times. Paolantonio captures the mood of the team week by week, every step of the way, profiling numerous key players, coaches, and more.

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The Big 50: Chicago Cubs is an extensive and dynamic look at the 50 top moments and figures that make the Cubs the Cubs Longtime MLB scribe Carrie Muskat recounts the living history of the team. Learn about and revisit the remarkable stories, featuring greats like Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo, Anthony Rizzo, and more. With dozens of interviews compiled over years of intimate access to the team, this is the perfect primer for new Cubs fans and an essential addition to a seasoned fan’s collection. The Big 50 series take a deep dive into the fifty best figures and historical moments that make a team. Other Big 50 titles on Chicago sports include: The Big 50: Chicago Bears The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks

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The Washington Nationals entered the 2019 season with high hopes but an uncertain identity under second-year manager Dave Martinez. Gone was Bryce Harper. Still around were dominant starting pitchers in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, star third baseman Anthony Rendon, talented young outfielders Juan Soto and Victor Robles – and the specter of past playoff disappointments. A slow start dragged down by bullpen collapses saw the team 12 games below .500 and 10 games out of first place entering Memorial Day weekend. And then began a turnaround for the ages. Behind bedrock pitching from Strasburg and offseason acquisition Patrick Corbin, clutching hitting from Howie Kendrick and midseason signing Gerardo Parra, the Nationals played the final 112 games of the regular season as well as any team in baseball to capture a wild-card berth. Along the way, they discovered the camaraderie and joy that would propel them to a wild-card victory over Milwaukee, an upset of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division round, a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series and, finally, a World Series victory over the Houston Astros. In Fight to the Finish, relive the Nationals’ run through the images and words of The Washington Post photographers and reporters who followed the team every step of the way.

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Most Colorado fans have taken in a game at Folsom Field, remember the Buffaloes’ national championship victory over Notre Dame, and can vividly recall Kordell Stewart’s Hail Mary heave to Michael Westbrook. But only real fans know the amazing story of “Whizzer” White, have read Sal Aunese’s letter to his teammates just before his death, or are aware of how the rivalry with Nebraska was born. Featuring traditions, records, and lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every University of Colorado fan should know. Whether you’re a longtime fan from the days of Bill McCartney or a more recent supporter, these are the 100 things all fans need to know and do in their lifetime. CU beat reporter Brian Howell has collected every essential piece of Buffaloes knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist as you progress on your way to fan superstardom.

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The University of Virginia’s triumph over Texas Tech in the 2019 NCAA championship game was the culmination of a basketball season no fan will ever forget. Anchored by Ty Jerome, De'Andre Hunter and Kyle Guy, coach Tony Bennett’s squad captured the ACC regular season championship and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row, setting the stage for redemption. U.Va. then fought past Gardner-Webb, Oklahoma, Oregon and Purdue to set up a Final Four thriller against Auburn, where Guy stepped up for the game-deciding shots to send the Cavaliers to the championship game. Packed with expert analysis from The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press as well as stunning action photography, March to Redemption: Virginia’s Historic 2019 Championship Season takes fans through U.Va’s amazing journey, from the aftermath of the previous year’s wrenching first-round tournament loss, all the way to the final seconds in Minneapolis. This commemorative edition also features in-depth profiles of Bennett, Jack Salt, Jerome, Guy and more!

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Don't bunt in a blowout. Don't pimp your home runs. Act like you've been here before. In Unwritten: Bat Flips, the Fun Police, and Baseball's New Future, national baseball writer Danny Knobler dives deep beyond the brushbacks and brawls to examine shifting attitudes towards Major League Baseball's once-sacred player codes. What emerges in the process is a much larger story, one of a more youthful, more exuberant, more diverse game in the midst of a fascinating culture clash. Featuring countless interviews with some of baseball's biggest names, including current and former major-league players, coaches, scouts, and journalists, Unwritten is a revealing, thoroughly of-the-moment portrait of a sport grappling with the loaded question of what it means to play the game the right way. Fans will not want to miss these varied, inside perspectives on America's pastime marching into the future.

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The man on the mic for countless memorable moments from Larry Walker, Todd Helton, Nolan Arenado, and more, Drew Goodman has lived and breathed Rockies baseball as the team's longtime television broadcaster. In If These Walls Could Talk: Colorado Rockies, Goodman provides insight into the Rockies' inner sanctum as only he can. Featuring conversations with players past and present as well as off-the-wall anecdotes, this indispensable volume is your ticket to mile high history.

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The Ohio State University is synonymous with football success, with eight national championships and counting. Author Paul Keels, as the radio voice of the Buckeyes, has witnessed more than his fair share of that history up close and personal. Through singular anecdotes only Keels can tell as well as conversations with current and past players, this book provides fans with a one-of-a-kind, insider's look into the great moments, the lowlights, and everything in between. Ohio State die-hards will not want to miss this book.

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After 55 years of waiting, Houston Astros fans were hungry for World Series glory. After three consecutive 100-loss seasons, some tantalizing tastes of playoff success, and a devastating hurricane that united a community, their patience was rewarded in dramatic, exuberant fashion. In Liftoff!, Houston Chronicle writer Brian T. Smith expertly retraces the team's magical 2017 championship season as well as the moves and moments that made it all possible—the hiring of general manager Jeff Luhnow in 2011, drafting Carlos Correa with the first overall pick, the meteoric rise of Jose Altuve, the trade that brought ace Justin Verlander to Houston, and more. Featuring an unforgettable cast of characters both on the field and in the front office, this is the story of how the Astros went from empty seats to packed stadiums and, at long last, earned history.

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Longtime sportswriter Patricia Traina explores the living history of the team, counting down from number fifty to number one. This dynamic and comprehensive book brilliantly brings to life the historic franchise’s remarkable story, including greats like Taylor, Strahan, Parcells, Manning, and more.

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Is this the sweetest championship of them all? And more pointedly, could it be the last of an era? Take a good, long look at pro football’s acknowledged greatest dynasty, one equally revered and reviled. It started out 17 years ago when, as lovable 14-point underdogs, the New England Patriots pulled off one of the game’s biggest upsets. Now, with their record-tying sixth Super Bowl title in their record 11th appearance, they may have earned their final acclamation against a team that was seeking to avenge that very loss in 2002 that started the Patriots on their path to greatness. In the Boston Globe’s Never Gets Old, New England fans far and wide can savor this sixth championship, earned in spite of the usual accompanying distractions. There were questions about the quarterback: was he finally too old, at 41, to carry what some saw as a mediocre team? But those who were convinced by reports that a major rift among New England’s holy trinity of owner Robert Kraft, mastermind Bill Belichick, and field marshal Brady—first reported last season—would deter them from their appointed task, simply hadn’t been paying attention. This triumvirate tunes out the noise and shows its opponents how the game should be played. Relive every moment of the 2018 regular season and 2019 NFL playoffs, from opening kickoff to the latest hoisting of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. There’s also a comprehensive Super Bowl retrospective section, which chronicles all 11 of the Patriots’ appearances in the big game since 1986. With its vibrant color photographs, essential statistics, memorable quotes, and acclaimed commentary by some of the nation’s best sportswriters, this book is the ultimate New England Patriots keepsake. Never Gets Old takes you inside the legacy and behind the scenes on an all-access pass, providing commentary and insights on Brady, Belichick, All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore and the rest of a roster that silenced the doubters once again. And it fully commemorates what Patriots Nation has known for most of the 21st century: This is a team for the ages.

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For more than 40 years, millions of newspaper readers have delighted in solving the daily 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 certain letters from each word are used to form the answer to the puzzle.

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The Big 50: New York Rangers is a lively, comprehensive look at the 50 men and moments that made the Rangers the Rangers. Experienced sportswriter Steve Zipay recounts the living history of the team, counting down from No. 50 to No. 1. This collection brilliantly brings to life the team's remarkable story, from its Original Six roots to stars like Mark Messier and Henrik Lundqvist, to the team's unforgettable 1994 Stanley Cup win.

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In the 2018 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors cemented their place in basketball history by dominating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and winning their third championship in four seasons. Golden Age: The Brilliance of the 2018 Champion Golden State Warriors takes fans through the memorable ride that was the 2017-2018 season, from superstar Steph Curry's perseverance through injuries, to the team sending an amazing four players to the All-Star game, to the outspokenness and unique coaching approach of Steve Kerr on their way to another NBA title. Featuring terrific coverage from Golden State of Mind's Thomas Bevilacqua and full of action-packed photos, this commemorative edition takes fans from the disappointing opening night loss against the Houston Rockets, to the Warriors ultimately triumphing over Houston in seven games in the Western Conference Finals, all the way through the moment the Dubs clinched their status as an NBA dynasty with a third title in four years. This keepsake also features in-depth stories on fan favorites Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and more.

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With its three-hour-long contests, 162-game seasons, and countless measurable variables, baseball is a sport which lends itself to self-reflection and obsessive analysis. It's a thinking game. It's also a shifting game. Nowhere is this more evident than in the statistical revolution which has swept through the pastime in recent years, bringing metrics like WAR, OPS, and BABIP into front offices and living rooms alike. So what's on the horizon for a game that is constantly evolving? Positioned at the crossroads of sabermetrics and cognitive science, The Shift alters the trajectory of both traditional and analytics-based baseball thought. With a background in clinical psychology as well as experience in major league front offices, Baseball Prospectus' Russell Carleton illuminates advanced statistics and challenges cultural assumptions, demonstrating along the way that data and logic need not be at odds with the human elements of baseball—in fact, they're inextricably intertwined. Covering topics ranging from infield shifts to paradigm shifts, Carleton writes with verve, honesty, and an engaging style, inviting all those who love the game to examine it deeply and maybe a little differently. Data becomes digestible; intangibles are rendered not only accessible, but quantifiable. Casual fans and statheads alike will not want to miss this compelling meditation on what makes baseball tick.

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During three consecutive 100-loss seasons, Houston Astros management asked fans to be patient, promising them there was a plan in place that would result in success. That patience was rewarded with the ultimate prize in 2017, as the Astros knocked off the Los Angeles Dodgers in thrilling fashion to claim the first World Series crown in team history. During the regular season they ran away with the American League West, winning the division by a massive 21 games. Anchored by a dynamic offense and boosted by the late-season acquisition of a resurgent Justin Verlander, this historic team would not be denied on their way to the long-awaited title. Packed with superb coverage and vivid color photography from the Houston Chronicle, Astros Strong: Houston's Historic 2017 Championship Season guides fans through the Astros' entire amazing journey – from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and resiliency of the Houston community, to the Astros' quick work of the powerful Red Sox in the ALDS; from their hard-fought ALCS win over the young Yankees, all the way through their incredible World Series triumph over the dominant Dodgers. This commemorative edition also includes feature stories on Astros stars Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, and other fan favorites, and is a must-have keepsake for Astros fans of all generations.

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Led by stars like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook, the Chicago Blackhawks are a modern NHL powerhouse, as much a part of Chicago as the Willis Tower or The Bean at Millennium Park. In If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Blackhawks, Mark Lazerus chronicles the team's rise from the dark ages of the 2000s to the golden age of the 2010s through never-before-told stories from inside the dressing room, aboard the team plane, at the players' homes, and — especially in the case of the rowdy 2009-2010 team that started it all — in countless Chicago bars. If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Blackhawks will bring readers closer to their favorite players than ever before. It's a book Hawks fans won't want to be without.

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In December 1979, a Detroit tradition began when the Red Wings took the ice for the first time at their new riverfront home, Joe Louis Arena. Named after former heavyweight champion boxer Joe Louis, the stadium that became affectionately known as “The Joe” saw the renaissance of the Red Wings franchise, including four Stanley Cup championship seasons and a 25-year run of advancing to the playoffs. The Joe: Memories from the Heart of Hockeytown takes a look back at the storied history of Joe Louis Arena in this, its final year. The arena has witnessed many stories, recounted with admiration in The Joe. Red Wings greats from Gordie Howe to Steve Yzerman to Nicklas Lidstrom skated on The Joe’s storied ice, and time-honored rivalries, such as those between the Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche, were played out in dramatic fashion. The stadium has spawned such personalities as Al the Zamboni driver, who twirls octopuses overhead, the Knitting Lady, the Guy in the Orange Hat, and Mo Cheese. The Joe also hosted a number of unforgettable non-hockey events, from Ronald Reagan’s nomination at the 1980 Republican convention, to the start of Prince’s Purple Rain tour in 1984, to N.W.A.’s controversial concert in 1989, to Bob Seger joining Kid Rock on stage during Super Bowl week in 2006. The Joe offers a comprehensive tribute in words and pictures to hockey’s last old-time arena. Learn about the history of the Red Wings and The Joe and the unforgettable games played there, as well as a number of key events in Detroit’s history. For anyone who has cheered on the Red Wings over the past three-plus decades, this book is not to be missed.

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From his very first quest to attain the Triforce, explore Hyrule, and rescue Princess Zelda, Link has been on the ultimate adventure since 1986, and fans around the world have been involved in the journey all along the way. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the universe of the beloved Legend of Zelda video games is still ever-evolving, gaining new fans and reminding the world why it continues to captivate. The Legendary World of Zelda is a comprehensive look at everything to know and love about your favorite games with character profiles, gameplay tips, little-known facts, and more! From A Link to the Past, to Ocarina of Time, to Twilight Princess, and gazing ahead to Breath of the Wild, this is the ultimate guide for all fans of The Legend of Zelda.

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