But his influence extends beyond statistics, and at long last here is the first definitive biography of one of baseball's immortal figures. Based on meticulous research and extensive interviews The Last Hero reveals how Aaron navigated the upheavals of his time - fighting against racism while at the same time benefiting from racial progress - and how he achieved his goal of continuing Jackie Robinson's mission to obtain full equality for African Americans, both in baseball and society, while he lived uncomfortably in the public eye. Eloquently written, detailed and penetrating, this is a revelatory portrait of a complicated, private man who through sports became an enduring American icon.

    Mays signed 100 copies for his Charity, The Say Hey Foundation. The signing took place at a local sporting goods store. You will receive the retail store receipt, copies of 2 newspaper articles announcing the signing and The Letter of Evaluation.

    In the tradition of Moneyball, The Last Hero, and Wicked Good Year, Barry’s Bottom of the 33rdis a reaffirming story of the American Dream finding its greatest expression in timeless contests of the Great American Pastime.

    He then went on to win all three games of baseball's first World Series. Fifty-nine in '84 tells the dramatic story not only of that amazing feat of grit but also of big-league baseball two decades after the Civil War—a brutal, bloody sport played barehanded, the profession of uneducated, hard-drinking men who thought little of cheating outrageously or maiming an opponent to win. It is the tale, too, of the woman Radbourn loved, Carrie Stanhope, the alluring proprietress of a boarding-house with shady overtones, a married lady who was said to have personally known every man in the National League. Wonderfully entertaining, Fifty-nine in '84 is an indelible portrait of a legendary player and a fascinating, little-known era of the national pastime.

    "ROGER MARIS may be the greatest ballplayer no one really knows. In 1961, the soft-spoken man from the frozen plains of North Dakota enjoyed one of the most amazing seasons in baseball history, when he outslugged his teammate Mickey Mantle to become the game's natural home-run king. It was Mantle himself who said, "Roger was as good a man and as good a ballplayer as there ever was." Yet Maris was vilified by fans and the press and has never received his due from biographers--until now.Tom Clavin and Danny Peary trace the dramatic arc of Maris's life, from his boyhood in Fargo through his early pro career in the Cleveland Indians farm program, to his World Series championship years in New York and beyond. At the center is the exciting story of the 1961 season and the ordeal Maris endured as an outsider in Yankee pinstripes, unloved by fans who compared him unfavorably to their heroes Ruth and Mantle, relentlessly attacked by an aggressive press corps who found him cold and inaccessible, and treated miserably by the organization. After the tremendous challenge of breaking Ruth's record was behind him, Maris ultimately regained his love of baseball as a member of the world champion St. Louis Cardinals. And over time, he gained redemption in the eyes of the Yankee faithful.With research drawn from more than 130 interviews with Maris's teammates, opponents, family, and friends, as well as 16 pages of photos, some of which have never before been seen, this timely and poignant biography sheds light on an iconic figure from baseball's golden era--and establishes the importance of his role in the game's history.

    Baseball Prospectus 2010 brings together an elite group of analysts to provide the definitive look at the upcoming season in critical essays and commentary on the thirty teams, their managers, and more than sixty players and prospects from each team.Contains critical essays on each of the thirty teams and player comments for some sixty players for each of those teamsProjects each players stats for the coming season using the groundbreaking PECOTA projection system, which has been called "perhaps the game's most accurate projection model" (Sports Illustrated)From Baseball Prospectus, America's leading provider of statistical analysis for baseballNow in its fifteenth edition, this New York Times bestselling insider's guide remains hands down the most authoritative and entertaining book of its kind.

    This official commemorative history digs deep into the archives to celebrate over a century of Phillies baseball, from the first game in 1883 through the team’s triumphant world championship run. Original essays by Hall of Famers, current Phillies heroes, and a cast of unforgettable characters including players, managers, broadcasters, and baseball’s most die-hard fans offer insights and anecdotes, transporting readers onto the field and behind the scenes. With more than 300 photos chronicling everything from ballparks old and new to the evolution of the uniforms to the team’s greatest names, games, and moments, The Philadelphia Phillies is a must-have keepsake for Phillies and baseball fans everywhere.

    . .or after one of my teammates hit me in the nuts with the rosin bag while my eyes were closed.Hilariously self-effacing and brutally honest, Hayhurst captures the absurdities, the grim realities, and the occasional nuggets of hard-won wisdom culled from four seasons in the minors. Whether training tarantulas to protect his room from thieving employees in a backwater hotel, watching the raging battles fought between his partially paralyzed father and his alcoholic brother, or absorbing the gentle mockery of some not-quite-starstruck schoolchildren, Dirk reveals a side of baseball, and life, rarely seen on ESPN.My career has crash-landed on the floor of my grandma's old sewing room. If this is a dream come true, then dreams smell a lot like mothballs and Bengay.Somewhere between Bull Durham and The Rookie, The Bullpen Gospels takes an unforgettable trot around the inglorious base paths of minor league baseball, where an inch separates a ball from a strike, and a razor-thin margin can be the difference between The Show or a long trip home."It's not often that someone comes along who is a good pitcher and a good writer." --King Kaufman, Salon"After many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years spent in the bullpen, I can verify that this is a true picture of baseball."--Tim McCarver"There are great truths within, of the kind usually unspoken. And as he expresses them, Dirk Hayhurst describes himself as 'a real person who moonlights as a baseball player.' In much the same manner, while The Bullpen Gospels chronicles how all of us face the impact when we learn reality is both far meaner and far richer than our dreams--it also moonlights as one of the best baseball books ever written."--Keith Olbermann"A bit of Jim Bouton, a bit of Jim Brosnan, a bit of Pat Jordan, a bit of crash Davis, and a whole lot of Dirk Hayhurst. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant. This is a really enjoyable baseball read."--Bob Costas"Fascinating. . .a perspective that fans rarely see."--Trevor Hoffman, pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers "The Bullpen Gospels is a rollicking good bus ride of a book. Hayhurst illuminates a baseball life not only with wit and humor, but also with thought-provoking introspection."--Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated"Dirk Hayhurst has written a fascinating, funny and honest account on life in the minor leagues. I loved it. Writers can't play baseball, but in this case, a player sure can write."--Tim Kurkjian, Senior Writer, ESPN The Magazine, analyst/reporter ESPN television"Bull Durham meets Ball Four in Dirk Hayhurst's hilarious and moving account of life in baseball's glamour-free bush leagues."--Rob Neyer, ESPN.com"If Holden Caulfield could dial up his fastball to 90 mph, he might have written this funny, touching memoir about a ballplayer at a career--and life--crossroads. He might have called it 'Pitcher in the Rye.' Instead, he left it to Dirk Hayhurst, the only writer in the business who can make you laugh, make you cry and strike out Ryan Howard."--King Kaufman, Salon"The Bullpen Gospels is a funny bone-tickling, tear duct-stimulating, feel-good story that will leave die-hard baseball fans--and die-hard human beings, for that matter--well, feeling good."--Bob Mitchell, author of Once Upon a Fastball Dirk Hayhurst is a part time professional baseball player who enjoys comic books, video games, and a good sugar high. Dirk is a former member of the San Diego Padres, and currently a member of the Toronto Blue Jays where he is temporarily on the disabled list. He makes his home in Twinsburg, Ohio, with his wife Bonnie and their pet garfoose.

    This volume celebrates the 100th anniversary of the cards which were printed between 1909 and 1911, when the popularity of baseball really exploded. From that era came Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie, and Cy Young.

    Louis Cardinals play the Chicago Cubs--the "lovable losers" to most fans but the hated enemy to the Leitch men. Along for the ride are both Will's father, the gregarious but not-exactly demonstrative Midwestern titan who, despite being a die-hard Cards fan and living his whole life just 200 miles south of Chicago, had never been to Wrigley Field before this game, and Will's college friend, a lifelong Cubs fan. The Cardinals have recently fallen out of the pennant race, and the Cubs, as it turns out, are attempting to clinch the division on this Saturday afternoon in September. The pitchers are Ted Lilly for the Cubs and Joel Pineiro for the Cardinals. It's just a regular game. Play ball. The book unfolds in half-inning increments where Will gives one-of-a-kind insight on the past, present, and future of the game--from Pujols' unrivaled greatness to the myth that steroids have ruined baseball. Along the way, he shares memories of his father and growing up in the small town of Mattoon, including the year his dad coached his Little League team and nicknamed a scrawny kid "Bulldog," and an unlikely postgame episode involving a biker bar and Mr. Holland's Opus. And there is beer. Lots and lots of beer.Are We Winning? is a book about the indelible bond that links fathers and sons. For the Leitch men it's baseball that holds them together--not that either of them would ever be so weak as to admit it. No matter how far apart they are or what's going on in their lives, they'll always be able to talk about baseball. It's the story of being a fan, a story about fathers, sons, and legacies. And one perfect game.

    The Prospect Handbook profiles in-depth analysis and statistics of 900 players, provides a detailed amateur draft report card, a list of the top one hundred prospects, and a ranking of the Major League Baseball player development programs. The Prospect Handbook is the resource for information regarding the leading minor leagues throughout baseball and is a valuable tool for fans, fantast leaguers, and anyone who wants to know more about the player development process.

    Rather than predicting batting average, for instance, this resource looks at the elements of skill that make up a given batter's ability to distinguish between balls and strikes, his propensity to make contact with the ball, what happens when he makes contact and reverse engineer those skills back into batting average. The result is an unparalleled forecast of baseball skills and trends for the upcoming season and beyond.

    The 1990 Cincinnati Reds stunned the baseball world by winning the National League pennant and then sweeping the heavily favored Oakland A’s in the World Series. The Reds held first place from game one through the end of the world championships — becoming one of only three wire-to-wire champions in major league history. Surprisingly, the story of this colorful team has never been told before in a book. In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of this historic achievement, The Wire-to-Wire Reds brings back the memories with original interviews, more than one hundred photos, and riveting storytelling by award-winning Cincinnati Enquirer columnist John Erardi and blog-master Joel Luckhaupt. With a foreword by Hall of Fame Reds announcer Marty Brennaman, The Wire-to-Wire Reds is the ultimate keepsake for fans throughout Reds Country.

    Rather than predicting batting average, for instance, this resource looks at the elements of skill that make up a given batter's ability to distinguish between balls and strikes, his propensity to make contact with the ball, what happens when he makes contact and reverse engineer those skills back into batting average. The result is an unparalleled forecast of baseball skills and trends for the upcoming season and beyond.

    But when a friend and neighbor started capturing this man’s unusual talents with a video camera, that’s what happened. With uncanny precision, Batting Stance Guy can mimic any baseball player he’s ever seen, and the results will take you back—to the game last night, or last year, or in 1980, or anywhere in-between.

    Wrigley Regulars examines various components of community through the lens of "the regulars," a group of diehard Chicago Cubs fans who loyally populate the bleachers at Wrigley Field. In a time when many communities are perceived as either short-lived or disintegrating, the Wrigley regulars have formed their own thriving set of pregame rituals, ballpark traditions, and social hierarchies. Swyers examines the conditions, practices, and behaviors that help create and sustain the experience of community. At Wrigley Field, these practices can include the simple acts of scorecard-keeping and gathering at the same location before each game or insisting on elaborate rules of ticket distribution and seating arrangements, as well as more symbolic behaviors and superstitions that link the regulars to each other. A bleacher regular herself, Swyers uses a qualitative approach to define community as the ways in which people arrive at an awareness of themselves as a group with a particular relationship to the larger world. The case of the regulars offers a challenge to the claim that community is eroding in an increasingly fragmented and technologically driven culture, suggesting instead that our notions of where we find community and how we express it are changing.

    The Lumber Company. Ten Acres of Roof. Homer Hankies. Bobblehead dolls. Piranhas. Twins Territory. In 1961, the Twins brought major league baseball to the upper Midwest, becoming the first team to claim with its name not just a city but a region. In We’re Gonna Win, Twins! longtime sports reporter and columnist Doug Grow chronicles a half century of Twins baseball, season by season, from the scrappy stars of Metropolitan Stadium through two World Series in the Metrodome to the opening of a new era at Target Field. Beginning each chapter with a snapshot of events in the world and in baseball, inviting fans to remember where they were when, Grow shows how teams were built and managed, from the arrival and departure of key players like Harmon Killebrew, Frank Viola, David Ortiz, and Torii Hunter to the unintended scouting trip that brought Kirby Puckett to the Twins. He profiles great players and great seasons—from the matchup of Koufax and Kaat in the 1965 World Series to the unlikely contenders of 1979 to perhaps the best World Series ever in 1991. Bringing fans behind the scenes, he shares the camaraderie and occasional scuffles in the clubhouse and tells the stories that animated even lackluster seasons, including the 1968 game when Cesar Tovar played every position. Taking us through two eras of owners, Grow captures the changing economics of baseball and vividly portrays the characters that defined the times—from the “holy cow” of original radio color man Halsey Hall to the sweet moments and struggles of players like Zoilo Versalles, the first Latin MVP, to the 2006 season when the major leagues’ batting title, MVP, and Cy Young Award all went to Minnesota Twins. As the franchise moves back out under the open air and into its fifth decade in the major leagues, the incredible insider view and stunning photographs of We’re Gonna Win, Twins! celebrate the year-in, year-out texture of the game, the oh-so-satisfying triumphs, and the angst that indelibly mark the true fan.

    Sam Sheppard in their home along the shore of Lake Erie — which held both the city and the nation spellbound that summer. Both of these generation-defining stories take place in the final days of the "Best Location in the Nation," the nickname for the Cleveland of the 1950s, which truly was one of the great and most influential cities in America. These two parallel tragedies harbinger an onslaught of adversity that dragged Cleveland from its lofty standing as a leading American city to one with a bleak — even comic — reputation.

    This is the story of Fred Hutchinson and his players as they completed his inspirational final season. In 1964, the Reds battled themselves, their opponents and their emotions to mount a late winning streak which, coupled with the historic collapse of the Phillies, allowed the team to enter the final day with a chance to win the pennant for their stricken manager.

    More than 70 years after he swung his bat for the final time, “the Sultan of Swat” remains baseball’s greatest player.  Find out about: - His troubled childhood—including a period in reform school - How he got his legendary nickname - How he always tried to be an inspiration to children - His record-breaking plays - The curse of the Babe that haunted the Boston Red Sox for so many years   This biography really hits one home!

    Ron Santo passed away December 2, 2010 after battling cancer and diabetes. He was a nine time All-Star and five time Golden Glove winner as a Cub. Santo has been Cubs color commentator on WGN-AM since 1990. In this tribute to the legendary Cub, Triumph Books partners with the Chicago Tribune to celebrate his Chicago legacy and all that he meant to baseball fans in the city.

    Pro players use many skills to help their teams on the field, such as throwing curveballs, stealing bases, and turning double plays. Follow the advice inside to play baseball like a pro!

    So he put together a group of experts that included all-stars, Emmy Award winners, writers, radio hosts, and enough World Series rings to fill one hand's fingers. Is your Favorite player on the list? From New York Times bestselling author Len Berman comes an action-packed collection for sports fans of all ages.If you had to pick the best baseball players of all time, who would they be? Len Berman gave it a try, and asked a blue-ribbon panel--with experts including World Series champion Bernie Williams and radio host Chris Mad Dog Russo--to weigh in too.Full of photos, facts, and fun, The 25 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time gives you the stories behind the names. Why do so many people love Babe Ruth? What makes Alex Rodriguez so great? Was Jackie Robinson as important on the field as he was off the field? Discover why Len Berman thinks the 25 players in this book are the greatest--then it's time to start your own debate!So who are the 25 greatest baseball players and why?Who would be on your list?Let the arguments begin! Praise for Len Berman's The Greatest Moments in Sports His writing is lively, humorous, and informative--just right to sustain kids' (or adults') interest...this is an excellent choice for anyone who is into sports. --School Library JournalReaders and browsers will enjoy paging through this compendium's stories and action-filled photos. --BooklistIt's an eclectic roundup that's likely to have readers mulling their own personal favorites. --Publishers Weekly Great book, great stories--a gold medal performance. --Mike Eruzione, captain of the Miracle on Ice 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.Len Berman is an Emmy Award-winning sportscaster who has covered just about every major sports event, including multiple Super Bowls, World Series, and Olympics during his 40-year career in broadcasting.He is the creator of Spanning the World, a monthly collection of sports bloopers, which was a 20-year staple on NBC's Today show. He is also the creator of Sports Fantasy, which aired on NBC and pitted regular viewers against famous sports stars.He is the recipient of eight Emmy Awards and is a six-time winner, New York Sportscaster of the Year. His daily Top 5 email is featured in the Huffington Post and is received by thousands around the country. This is his fifth book.A native New Yorker, Len graduated from Syracuse University. He resides on Long Island with his wife, Jill. They have three children. Visit Len at http: //thatssports.com/

    With guest writers like Rob Neyer, John Dewan, Richard Lederer and Tom Tango, and articles on some of the hottest topics in baseball, as well as historical analyses, The Hardball Times Baseball Annual is a resource readers will enjoy again and again.

    On the one hand, the minors are filled with wholesome, family-friendly entertainment-fluffy mascots, kitschy promotions, and earnest young men signing autographs for wide-eyed Little Leaguers. On the other, they comprise a world of cutthroat competition in which a teammate's failure or injury can be the cause of quiet celebration and 90 percent of all players never play a single inning in the major leagues. In Knocking on Heaven's Door, award-winning sportswriter Marty Dobrow examines this double-edged culture by chronicling the lives of six minor leaguers-Brad Baker, Doug Clark, Manny Delcarmen, Randy Ruiz, Matt Torra, and Charlie Zink-all struggling to make their way to "The Show." What links them together, aside from their common goal, is that they are all represented by the same team of agents-Jim and Lisa Masteralexis and their partner Steve McKelvey-whose own aspirations parallel those of the players they represent. The story begins during spring training in 2005 and ends in the fall of 2008, followed by a brief epilogue that updates each player's fortunes through the 2009 season. Along the way Dobrow offers a revealing, intimate look at life in minor league baseball: the relentless tedium of its itinerant routines and daily rituals; the lure of performance-enhancing drugs as a means of gaining a competitive edge; the role of agents in negotiating each player's failures as well as his successes; and the influence of wives, girlfriends, and family members who have invested in the dream.

    Met and, of course, Y is for "Ya Gotta Believe!" Toddlers will love learning their letters with all the great symbols and players of their favorite team. The book is even shaped like a baseball jersey and features the home game jersey as the cover.

    The many greats who played for the Rochester Red Wings--Stan Musial, Cal Ripken, Jr., Bob Gibson, Boog Powell, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, and Justin Morneau--are among those brought to life in this story rich with quirky performances and poignant moments.This updated edition of Silver Seasons: The Story of the Rochester Red Wings includes three new chapters covering the team's record-setting tenth International League champion- ship, the distinction of being named top minor-league franchise by Baseball America, and its new affiliation with the Minnesota Twins. Read about the longest game in pro baseball history; learn about one of the greatest teams in minor-league history, the 1971 Junior World Series champion Red Wings; relive the miracle homers hit by Estel Crabtree in 1939 and Jim Finigan in 1961; and reminisce about the closing of fabled Silver Stadium and the opening of glorious Frontier Field in downtown Rochester, which was capped by an unlikely championship in the Red Wings' first season at their new park in 1997.

    But what about those lesser-known milestones and achievements — the arcane trivia that hardball fans crave? In Baseball's Top 100: The Game's Greatest Records, sports writer and trivia master Kerry Banks compiles the ultimate collection of achievements on the diamond. Grab a seat in the bleachers, buy some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and relive the greatest-and sometimes strangest-moments of the grand old game.Kerry Banks is an award-winning magazine journalist and author. His published works include Pavel Bure: The Riddle of the Russian Rocket, records books on hockey and basketball such as The Unofficial Guide to Basketball's Nastiest and Most Unusual Records, and the children's Hockey Heroes series. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

    Target Field explores the Minnesota Twins’ long journey to getting a new ballpark and celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of its design and construction. With first-hand insight from the designers, engineers, workers, and team executives who made it all happen, the book gives an insider’s tour of the features and amenities that fans will enjoy for generations. Target Field brings to life the smells of real grass and mustard-slathered hot dogs, the sounds of the ball hitting the bat and the roar of the crowd, and the sights of a glorious new home for the Minnesota Twins.

    Loaded with great young talent, the team was expected to move up in the standings and maybe even to break its nine-year streak of losing seasons. But win the division? Hardly.No one realized the level of heart and tenacity this team possessed, the pluck and verve this team could summon in the face of adversity. The Reds came from behind to win 45 games, and whenever they took a tough loss, they bounced back the next game. They truly were “The Comeback Kids.” As baseball fans throughout the country waited for them slide back to expectations, they just kept hustling—and winning.The Reds led the league in many offensive categories, with a lineup anchored by budding superstar Joey Votto and aging veteran Scott Rolen. Though the pitching staff lacked a true ace, many pitchers contributed quality games. The bullpen did the same, until September, when heralded phenom Aroldis Chapman came up from the minor leagues and threw 100 mph fastballs, taking the staff to a whole new level.The Comeback Kids tells the remarkable story of the 2010 Reds, a team that relied on every player to achieve a stunning division championship. Featuring nearly 100 photos, this full-color book is the ultimate keepsake for every Reds fan, helping them remember a season, and a team, they never want to forget.

    Since 1931, the Red Sox have issued 74 different numbers to more than 1,500 players.In this newly updated edition, Red Sox by the Numbers tells the story of every Red Sox player since ’31—from Bill Sweeney (the first Red Sox player to don #1) to J.T. Snow (#84, the highest-numbered non-coach in Sox history). Each chapter also features a fascinating sidebar that reveals obscure players who wore certain numbers and also which numbers produced the most wins, home runs, and stolen bases in club history.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

    In his latest work, James lives up to that reputation with the The Bill James Gold Mine 20010 - a groundbreaking collection of original essays, statistical profiles, and hidden nuggets of information worth their weight in gold. In seventeen original essays and numerous new statistical measures, Bill James goes beyond the numbers and provides the witty, irreverent, and stingingly accurate analysis for which he has become (in-)famous.

    Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1956, he was a manager by the age of twenty-six and a general manager at forty-one. He was the youngest player-manager ever to play in the World Series, and he managed the Red Sox longer than any other man in history. As president of the American League, he oversaw two expansions, four franchise shifts, and the revolutionary and controversial introduction of the designated-hitter rule, which he wrote himself. This book follows Cronin from his humble beginnings to his position as one of the most powerful figures in baseball. Mark Armour explores Cronin’s time as a player as well as his role in some of the game’s fiercest controversies, from the creation of the All-Star Game to the issue of integration. Bringing to life one of baseball’s definitive characters, this book supplies a crucial and fascinating chapter in the history of America’s pastime.

    After a romantic courtship, the lives of these newlyweds were filled with unimaginable success and joy. But all of that changed when their first-born son was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, a birth defect that causes an abnormally shaped skull. Their priorities swiftly changed, as Jorge and Laura navigated their way through the challenges of their son’s diagnosis and eventual treatment, which has included eight major surgeries. Laura stayed home with her son, while Jorge suffered in silence as he tried to stay strong under the pressure to perform as a Yankees baseball player.Amid their fear, confusion, and anxiety as young parents, they decided to keep their son’s sickness a secret to protect him from a media frenzy, but in time they realized it was this very celebrity status that would allow them to make a difference—not only for patients with craniosynostosis but for people suffering from any type of illness. They decided to open the Jorge Posada Foundation to help kids with the same condition, a decision that gave new meaning to their lives. Before being a celebrity athlete or a lawyer, Jorge and Laura are a father and a mother, a husband and a wife—and the fortitude and foundations of their family values have helped them face even the worst of days. The Beauty of Love is more than a memoir about dealing with childhood illness—it is a heartfelt and uplifting illustration of how a couple can endure stress and strife and come out stronger on the other side.

    (They won the Series in 1925.) Traynor was a line-drive hitter who drove in runs as effectively with doubles and triples as most of his peers did launching balls over the fence, and by all accounts he was a dazzling defender. After his playing days ended, Traynor stayed in Pittsburgh, managing the Pirates for five years and working as a popular broadcaster for decades, cementing his place as one of the most popular athletes ever to play in the Steel City.

    Louis Post-Dispatch will document each Cardinals home stand and all the history made throughout the inaugural 2006 season at the new Busch Stadium. Whether you had a

    Most players were simply local heroes with a local following, but a few teams achieved fame far beyond their region. The Alpine Cowboys--despite being based in Texas's remote, sparsely populated Big Bend country--became a star in the firmament of semi-pro baseball. Lavishly underwritten by a wealthy rancher with a passion not only for baseball but even more for helping young men get a good start in life, the Cowboys played on a "field of dreams" whose facilities rivaled those of professional ballparks. Many Cowboys went on to play in the big leagues, and several pro teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and St. Louis Browns, came to play exhibition games at Kokernot Field.The story of Herbert Kokernot Jr. and his Alpine Cowboys is a legend among baseball aficionados, but until now it has never been the subject of a book. DJ Stout, son of former Cowboys player Doyle Stout, presents a hall-of-fame-worthy collection of photographs, memorabilia, and reminiscences from Alpine Cowboys players, family members, and fans to capture fifteen years (1946-1961) of baseball at its finest. Nicholas Dawidoff's introduction, originally published in Sports Illustrated, tells the fascinating tale of "Mr. Herbert" and his determination to build a baseball team and ballpark that deserved to carry his ranch's 06 brand.One of the most heartwarming episodes in the annals of the game, The Amazing Tale of Mr. Herbert and His Fabulous Alpine Cowboys is a fitting tribute to a man, a team, and a ballpark.

    It is a striking example of modernism and was the first reinforced-concrete stadium. The Giants' home for 40 years, it played host to two World Series, including in 1989, when it was infamously delayed by the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Renovated to a dual-purpose stadium in 1970, it became home to the San Francisco 49ers. In 1982, "The Catch," one of the most famous plays in NFL history, heralded the beginning of five Super Bowl Championships. Candlestick Park was also home to the early Oakland Raiders, was visited by Pope John Paul II, and saw the last Beatles concert.

    Fatherhood, childhood, baseball, and marriage are all portrayed with profound and moving truthfulness."—Mario M. Cuomo, former governor of New York"Inspiring, outrageous, soaring, devastating. Anyone who's ever played baseball or watched it, anyone who's ever been a father or had one, is in for a treat."—Mike Farrell, actor (M*A*S*H, Providence) and author of Just Call Me Mike"Home, Away has it all -- realistic family drama, the action of professional sports, witty dialogue and a plot that covers all the bases. I was captivated from beginning to end. Gillenkirk's book is a home run."-Holly Goldberg Sloan, screenwriter, Angels in the Outfield, The Big Green"This complex and compelling novel ... (is) the stuff of real life. It's a great read."-Isolina Ricci, author, Mom's House Dad's House books"One of the best baseball books of 2010" -Baseball AmericaHow much is a father's love worth? Jason Thibodeaux has a $42 million contract to pitch for the Colorado Rockies and a romantic bachelor lifestyle when the son he lost in a searing custody battle reappears in his life. Home, Away follows Thibodeaux's colorful rise to the pinnacle of Major League Baseball and his agonized decision to quit in the prime of his career to care for his troubled son. Their evolving relationship and resulting confrontations -— on the baseball field and off -— test the limits of loyalty and the meaning of fatherhood itself.

    A simple but fact-packed overview of the New York Yankees baseball team, covering their origins, their home field, famous players and managers, and well-known plays throughout the team's history.

    A simple but fact-packed overview of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, covering their origins, their home field, famous players and managers, and well-known plays throughout the team's history.

    This dazzling keepsake includes highlights from the regular season, game-by-game recaps of all the playoff games, special player features and extended coverage of the World Series win over the Texas Rangers. Over 100 full-color photos included. A must have for all San Francisco faithful.

    Louis Cardinal enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. All the playing greats are featuredfrom masters of the mound like Dizzy Dean and Bob Gibson to hitting legend Stan Musial and defensive extraordinaire Ozzie Smithalong with super-skippers like Miller Huggins and 2010 inductee Whitey Herzog, not to mention media venerables like Bob Broeg and the iconic Jack Buck. Anecdotes, statistics, and myriad photos tell the story of each Cardinal's journey to enshrinement in the hallowed halls of an American institution. Author Greg Marecek, sports historian and media figure, presents The Cardinals of Cooperstown as his fourth book on St. Louis sports, following two titles on the St. Louis Hawks and one of the St. Louis Football Cardinals. Marecek is also president of the new St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

    Ranging from games with incredible historical significance and individual achievement to those with high drama and high stakes, the book envisions the impossible: a blemish-free Yankees season. Evocative photos, original quotes, thorough research, and engaging prose and analysis add another dimension.

    Morris traces the game’s social, ethnic, political, and cultural significance since its introduction on the island more than one hundred years ago. Introduced by the Japanese colonial government at the turn of the century, baseball was expected to “civilize” and modernize Taiwan’s Han Chinese and Austronesian Aborigine populations. After World War II, the game was tolerated as a remnant of Japanese culture and then strategically employed by the ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Even as it was also enthroned by Taiwanese politicians, cultural producers, and citizens as their national game. In considering baseball’s cultural and historical implications, Morris deftly addresses a number of societal themes crucial to understanding modern Taiwan, the question of Chinese “reunification,” and East Asia as a whole.

    This comprehensive sabermetrics primer will introduce you to these new statistics with easy to understand explanations and examples. It will illustrate the evolution of statistics from simple traditional measures to the more complex metrics of today. You will learn how all the statistics are connected to winning and losing games, how to interpret them, and how to apply them to performance on the field. By the end of this book, you will be able to evaluate players and teams through statistics more thoroughly and accurately than you could before.

    Now was the time to cash in on the “investments” of his youth. But all the card shops had closed, and cards were selling for next to nothing online. What had happened? In Mint Condition, his fascinating, eye-opening, endlessly entertaining book, Jamieson finds the answer by tracing the complete story of this beloved piece of American childhood. Picture cards had long been used for advertising, but after the Civil War, tobacco companies started slipping them into cigarette packs as collector’s items. Before long, the cards were wagging the cigarettes. In the 1930s, cards helped gum and candy makers survive the Great Depression. In the 1960s, royalties from cards helped transform the baseball players association into one of the country’s most powerful unions, dramatically altering the game. In the ’80s and ’90s, cards went through a spectacular bubble, becoming a billion-dollar-a-year industry before all but disappearing, surviving today as the rarified preserve of adult collectors. Mint Condition is charming, original history brimming with colorful characters, sure to delight baseball fans and collectors.