. . . This isn't merely a book about baseball. It's a book about heart."--Jeff Pearlman, New York Times bestselling author of Boys Will Be Boys and The Bad Guys WonIn 1971, a small-town high school baseball team from rural Illinois, playing with hand-me-down uniforms and peace signs on their hats, defied convention and the odds. Led by an English teacher with no coaching experience, the Macon Ironmen emerged from a field of 370 teams to represent the smallest school in Illinois history to make the state final, a distinction that still stands. There the Ironmen would play against a Chicago powerhouse in a dramatic game that would change their lives forever.In this gripping, cinematic narrative, Chris Ballard tells the story of the team and its coach, Lynn Sweet: a hippie, dreamer, and intellectual who arrived in Macon in 1966, bringing progressive ideas to a town stuck in the Eisenhower era. Beloved by students but not administration, Sweet reluctantly took over the ragtag team, intent on teaching the boys as much about life as baseball. Together they embarked on an improbable postseason run that buoyed a small town in desperate need of something to celebrate. Engaging and poignant, One Shot at Forever is a testament to the power of high school sports to shape the lives of those who play them, and it reminds us that there are few bonds more sacred than that among a coach, a team, and a town."Macon's run at the title reminds us why sports matter and why sportswriting has such great power to inspire. . . . [It's] one hell of a good story, and Ballard has written one hell of a good book." --Jonathan Eig, Chicago Tribune

    About fathers and sons. It’s about memory and identity, and an insidious illness that can rob a person of both.It’s also a detective story, an investigation into the improbable journey of a baseball bat from one of the most iconic moments in baseball history to a 12-year-old boy’s bedroom.

    (1914-1986) is legendary in many ways-baseball impresario and innovator, independent spirit, champion of civil rights in a time of great change. Paul Dickson has written the first full biography of this towering figure, in the process rewriting many aspects of his life and bringing alive the history of America's pastime. In his late 20s, Veeck bought into his first team, the American Association Milwaukee Brewers. After serving and losing a leg in WWII, he bought the Cleveland Indians in 1946, and a year later broke the color barrier in the American League by signing Larry Doby, a few months after Jackie Robinson-showing the deep commitment he held to integration and equal rights. Cleveland won the World Series in 1948, but Veeck sold the team for financial reasons the next year. He bought a majority of the St. Louis Browns in 1951, sold it three years later, then returned in 1959 to buy the other Chicago team, the White Sox, winning the American League pennant his first year. Ill health led him to sell two years later, only to gain ownership again, 1975-1981. Veeck's promotional spirit-the likes of clown prince Max Patkin and midget Eddie Gaedel are inextricably connected with him-and passion endeared him to fans, while his feel for the game led him to propose innovations way ahead of their time, and his deep sense of morality not only integrated the sport but helped usher in the free agency that broke the stranglehold owners had on players. (Veeck was the only owner to testify in support of Curt Flood during his landmark free agency case). Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick is a deeply insightful, powerful biography of a fascinating figure. It will take its place beside the recent bestselling biographies of Satchel Paige and Mickey Mantle, and will be the baseball book of the season in Spring 2012.

    Home to Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Berra, Mantle, Jackson, and Mattingly; and later Torre, Jeter, Rivera, and Rodriguez, the team has been a fixture in our national consciousness.Yet it's been nearly seventy years since Frank Graham wrote the last narrative history of the team. Marty Appel, the Yankees' PR director during the 1970s, now illuminates the team in all its century-plus of glory: clever, maneuvering owners; rowdy, talented players; and, of course, twenty-seven championships. Appel heard war stories from old-timers like Mantle, Berra, and Casey Stengel, and has maintained a presence in the organization ever since. A collector, writer, and raconteur, he gives life to the team's history, from the muddy, uneven field at Hilltop Park in the 1900s to the evolution of today's team as an international brand. Loaded with over a century's worth of great stories, folklore, and photos, this is a treasure trove for lovers of sports, the Yankees, New York history, and America's game.

    Over the past year, author and former Major League baseball player Ben Petrick has developed a loyal readership for his stories about his remarkable life, beginning with his meteoric rise from prep hero to big-league catcher; to the concealment of his stunning Parkinson's diagnosis after his rookie season; to his return home to a very private life with his wife and daughter; and finally to his decision to undergo a highly risk procedure to lessen his symptoms — not once, but twice.

    Yogi transports you there.” — Jim Bouton, author of Ball Four It happens every spring. Yankees pitching great Ron Guidry arrives at the Tampa airport to pick up Hall of Fame catcher and national treasure Yogi Berra. Guidry drives him to the ballpark. They watch the young players. They talk shop. They eat dinner together and tease each other mercilessly. They trade stories about the greats they have met along the way. And the next day they do the same thing all over again. As every former ballplayer can appreciate, in that routine, every spring, there emerges a certain magic. Driving Mr. Yogi is the story of how a unique friendship between a pitcher and catcher is renewed every year. It began in 1999, when Berra was reunited with the Yankees after a long self-exile, the result of being unceremoniously fired by George Steinbrenner fourteen years before. A reconciliation between Berra and the Boss meant that Berra would attend spring training again. Guidry befriended "Mr. Yogi" instantly. After all, Berra had been a mentor in the clubhouse back when Guidry was pitching for the Yankees. Guidry knew the young players would benefit greatly from Mr. Yogi's encyclopedic knowledge of the game, just as Guidry had during his playing days. So he encouraged him to share his insights. Soon, an offhand batting tip from Mr. Yogi turned Nick Swisher's season around. Stories about handling a hitter like Ted Williams or catching Don Larsen's perfect game captured their imaginations. And in Yogi, Guidry found not just an elder companion or source of amusement – he found a best friend. At turns tender, at turns laugh-out-loud funny, and teeming with unforgettable baseball yarns that span more than fifty years, Driving Mr. Yogi is a universal story about the importance of wisdom being passed from one generation to the next, as well as a reminder that time is what we make of it and compassion never gets old.

    A pitcher must know how to pitch--what to throw, when to throw it, and where to locate it. He must have a me-versus-you mind-set, that unique blend of confidence and determination that fuels a passion to set the tone of the game, own the mound, and shut down the opponent."The Complete Guide to Pitching" is the most comprehensive pitching resource available. Derek Johnson, one of the game's premier pitching coaches, takes you inside the art and science of pitching. You'll discover these strategies:- Upper- and lower-body pitching mechanics- Most effective arm and shoulder strengthening workouts- Shutting down the opponent's running game- Developing a potent pitching arsenal, including the splitter, curve, and changeup- Creating a pregame pitching plan- Situational strategies and recognizing hitters' weaknesses- Fielding the position- In- and off-season conditioning programs- Windup, stretch, and follow-throughFrom pregame warm-ups to cultivating the pitcher-catcher relationship, it's all here in this one-of-a-kind book and DVD package. Featuring skill instruction, development drills, exercises, personal insights, and instruction on every aspect of pitching, "The Complete Guide to Pitching" is a must-have for every pitching coach, pitcher, and baseball fan.

    Baseball Prospectus 2012 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 player's 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 seventeenth edition, this New York Times bestselling insider's guide remains hands down the most authoritative and entertaining book of its kind.

    More than a look at the century-long wait for another World Series win, the book contains crucial information for Cubs fans, such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by singular players. This guide to all things Cubs also includes a list of must-do Cubs-related activities, which include taking in Wrigley field, traveling to Arizona for spring training, and sipping beers at the best Cubs bars around the country.

    Presented in the format of Top 10 lists, this book is a comprehensive yet fun look at the greatest aspects of the game. From the top World Series moments to the most colorful characters, SI Kids ranks a variety of topics from the baseball diamond. Readers are guaranteed to love the big, exciting action photos from the Sports Illustrated collection and the insider knowledge of SI Kids. Filled with trivia and information, this dynamic book will be the definitive kids book on baseball. Top 10 Rankings include:Hardest throwersSlickest infieldersPowerful sluggersLoveable losersFastest base stealersBest ballparks

    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.

    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 leaguers throughout baseball and is a valuable tool for fans, fantasy leaguers, and anyone who wants to know more about the player development process.

    They consistently draw the largest home and away crowds of any team, command the largest broadcast audiences in baseball, draw the greatest number of on-line followers, and routinely sell more copies of books and magazines than any other professional sports team. The New York Times Story of the Yankees includes more than 350 articles chronicling the team's most famous milestones-as well as the best writing about the ball club. Each article is hand-selected from The Times by the peerless sportswriter Dave Anderson, creating the most complete and compelling history to date about the Yankees. Organized by era, the book covers the biggest stories and events in Yankee history, such as the purchase of Babe Ruth, Roger Maris's 61st home run, and David Cone's perfect game. It chronicles the team's 27 World Series championships and 40 American League pennants; its rivalries with the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox; controversial owners, players, and managers; and more. The articles span the years from 1903-when the team was known as the New York Highlanders-to the present, and include stories from well-known and beloved Times reporters such as Arthur Daley, John Kieran, Leonard Koppett, Red Smith, Tyler Kepner, Ira Berkow, Richard Sandomir, Jim Roach, and George Vecsey. This up-to-date, paperback edition, which includes Derek Jeter's last season and Yogi Berra's obituary, is illustrated with hundreds of black-and-white photographs that capture every era. A foreword by die-hard Yankees fan, Alec Baldwin, completes the celebration of baseball's greatest team.

    It’s not a book meant to reopen arguments about who does and does not deserve Hall of Fame enshrinement. Rather, it remembers those who, failing entrance into Cooperstown, may unfairly be lost to history. It’s for the players we grew up rooting for, the ones whose best years led to flags and memories that will fly together forever. Players like David Cone, Will Clark, Dwight Evans, Norm Cash, Kenny Lofton, Brad Radke, and many others.This is not a numbers-driven project (although our contributors lean analytical in their views). Our plan isn’t to be overbearing with stats and spreadsheets to convince you that these players are worth remembering. What we aim to do, instead, is accomplish that same task through stories. Think of your favorite players growing up: they have their moments, games, seasons, quirks, personalities, and legends worth remembering and sharing. Now, combine the best of everyone’s forgotten favorites, and you’ve got a Hall of Nearly Great. Ask the people who have those memories and love for these players to write essays about them, and you have The Hall of Nearly Great ebook.It takes a talented writer to give these players their due honors, and we’ve collected forty-two talented writers to do just that. These are All-Star writers, some of our favorite must-reads in today’s expansive baseball coverage landscape. They have diverse voices, diverse backgrounds and diverse interests, but they all love baseball and have a passion for the players they’re writing about. You already love some of these players, and you’ll come to love the rest.

    From the author of the beloved Mets fan memoir FAITH AND FEAR IN FLUSHING comes THE HAPPIEST RECAP, a four-volume history of the New York Mets wherein the half-century saga of baseball's most Amazin' franchise unfolds through its 500 biggest, best and most magnificent on-field triumphs. "First Base," the series' initial volume, commences with the birth of the Metsies in 1962, follows every step of the path that leads to their Miracle championship of 1969 and guides us through the You Gotta Believe drama of 1973. In between, we experience the Met wins in which records were set, legends were created and moments that will last forever first saw light. Relive the stories you know with a new twist. Discover the stories you've never heard. Feel once more the Met presence of Casey Stengel, Gil Hodges and Bob Murphy. Thrill to the exploits of Tom Seaver, Willie Mays and Tug McGraw. Spend a few minutes, too, with the Hooks and the Harknesses, the Hunts and the Hickmans, the MacKenzies and the Millers and the Ribants, Rustecks and Rohrs. Unlike most team histories, THE HAPPIEST RECAP views the 50-year journey of the New York Mets the way its most loving and loyal fans have: relishing all the joyous Met wins and marveling at all the memorable Met personalities.

    Through unique words and images, this celebratory book takes readers from spring training, through the exciting regular season, to the playoffs and World Series triumph. Including nearly 100 color photographs and profiles of star players and the manager, this keepsake book is an essential part of any fan’s collection.

    A towering figure during the Golden Era of the 1950s, Hodges was the Brooklyn Dodgers’ powerful first baseman who, alongside Jackie Robinson, helped drive his team to six pennants and a thrilling World Series victory in 1955. Dutifully following the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958, Hodges longed to return to New York City, and in 1962, joined the original Mets. He took over the manager’s spot on their bench in 1968 and transformed the team from a joke to World Champions in 1969—the Miracle Mets. Yet behind his stoic demeanor lay a man prone to anxiety and scarred by combat during World War II. His sudden death in 1972 shocked his friends and family and left a void in the hearts of baseball fans everywhere.Acclaimed authors Tom Clavin and Danny Peary delve into one of baseball’s most overlooked stars, shedding light on a fascinating life and career that even his most ardent fans never knew.

    This 96 - page book profiles 15 of the big leagues ' hottest stars and features SI Kids' signature content :great writing, fun trivia, amazing statistics, and dynamic photography. But Pro Files Baseball also delves deeper, providing insider tips from major league coaches on how to hit, pitch and field just like the stars in the book. Experts help break down each baseball skill so that young players can learn to play like the pros. In Pro Files Baseball, fans will not only read all about Albert Pujols and his accomplishments, but they 'll also learn how to smack home runs like the St. Louis Cardinals slugger.

    His friend, Abby, has bobblehead issues. And then there’s pinch hitter Sammy Solaris. But Sammy has problems of his own. He has a big swing but is too slow. If he can’t speed up his running and stealing, he’ll be off the team. There’s got to be something Chad can do to save the day . . . with a little help from Dylan, a baseball card, and that porcupine!

    Thirty teams, 25 players each, 750 players in all. For every new player that wins a place on the roster, another player is removed. A few talented players have careers that cover more than two decades. Most last less than three years. But for those who can retain a place on the roster, the money is good - minimum wage is almost $450,000 a year. And if they're really superstars, they can end up with an annual eight-figure salary. But there is more to it than money. The men of baseball love the game and they love the clubhouse. The game sometimes costs them their wives and time with their kids. The clubhouse is where they bond as a team and as a family. As with all families, it is a place of laughter and anger, tragedy and loss, happiness and dysfunction. And what unites that family is love. The love of a game called baseball. This collection of encounters with some of these men by sportswriter Larry LaRue takes the readers inside the clubhouse and behind the scenes to share with the reader what these men have accomplished and the price they have paid.

    Seriously injured at a young age, Dawson struggled with chronic pain throughout his career and was only seriously scouted by the Montreal Expos during college. Overcoming these odds, he went on to be named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1977, earn eight All-Star appearances, seven Gold Gloves, and a Most Valuable Player Award. This behind-the-scenes look at a dedicated player's journey from a segregated Miami neighborhood to the fabled halls of Cooperstown offers fans a window into the psyche of a fan favorite.

    Now, he's making these invaluable lessons available to everyone who loves the game of baseball. From high school to the Major Leagues, all baseball players struggle with competition, pressure, and their own personal challenges. This book, through inspiring stories about professional baseball players in various stages of their careers, as well as hands-on tips and questionnaires, will help players evaluate and improve the mental skills that are necessary for that competitive edge.In Intangibles, you'll find stories, instruction, and practical applications that teach players and coaches how to put forth their best mental games-portrayed through the eyes of those who have experienced those learning moments firsthand in their quests to become Major Leaguers. From a local park's baseball diamond to dusty minor league dugout benches to the musty concrete tunnels under Major League stadiums, Intangibles meets players where they are, offering specific ways to improve performance and outlook.Whether you hope to be a big league player someday, or whether you simply want to play your best game, this book is essential for all athletes who want to learn how to overcome fear, build confidence, and develop a mental framework for success.

    By age 33 he was certain he was going to be a Major League veteran, not a pitcher struggling to hang on with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats. Unfortunately, his past has left him with some scars and demons that he just can't seem to shake. Even with a loving wife and adoring son, Charlie lives with a constant feeling of emptiness and regret that is difficult to escape.Now, Charlie's professional baseball career is almost over and he has some decisions to make. Who does he want to be? What does he want to do? What would his Dad think about all of this? What is really important in his life? These are the questions that Charlie can't stop thinking about, and that he needs answered to feel at ease.

    As a metaphor in life, chin music is the split second when destinies are altered and all of our certainties about who we are change forever. Sixteen-year-old Ryan Buck is a talented athlete who was fortunate to escape with minor injuries from the horrific car crash that devastated his family. But factor in the suffocating guilt and the recurring nightmare that plagues him and maybe Ryan wasn t so lucky, after all. Two-and-a-half years and countless hours of therapy later, Ryan still can t remember a thing about the accident and it s making for agonizingly slow progress. But everything changes when his mom, Susan, is forced to sell the old Babe Ruth artifacts that have been in the family for years. Enter Sam Frank, a Yoda-like figure, who saves Susan from making a costly mistake. Sam s friendship and knowledge provides the support Susan needs to investigate a secret that has plagued her family for generations the remarkable encounter between her great grandmother Zel and the immortal Yankee slugger. As Ryan slowly makes progress, baseball becomes an important outlet, emotionally and physically. When his superior talent for the sport is recognized, a chance at the major leagues becomes a reality, leaving Susan torn between her excitement at Ryan's prospects and protecting her family from the truth that will turn their world upside down. When the facts emerge, it becomes a story with startling implications for the Buck family, baseball, and sports fans across America.

    The Phillies Experience explores both the on-field events and off-field drama that made each season unique, and it includes profiles of the stars and near-stars who made baseball history: Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Jim Bunning, Pete Alexander, Chuck Klein, Del Ennis, Dick Allen, Tug McGraw, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski, Garry Maddox, Pete Rose, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cliff Lee, and many, many more.

    Louis Stars, the Birmingham Black Barons, the Homestead Grays, and the Indianapolis Clowns; for over fifty years, they were the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox of black baseball in America. And for over a decade beginning in the late 1940s, umpire Bob Motley called balls and strikes for many of their games, working alongside such legends as Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays.Today, Motley is the only living arbiter from the Negro Leagues. His personal account of the Negro Leagues is a revealing, humorous, and unforgettable memoir celebrating a long-lost league and a remarkable group of baseball players. In Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars Motley and his son Byron share the characters, adventures, and challenges faced by these amazing men as they enthusiastically embraced America 's pastime and made it their own. Filled with stories of talented heroes, small miracles, and downright fun, this unique memoir is a must-read for any baseball fan.

    In the process, they will completely change the entire perception of fielding statistics in Major League Baseball. Key reports include: 1) Defensive Runs Saved this stat distills the latest in defensive research into a single number for every defender. 2) Total Runs a combination of Runs Created, Baserunning Runs, and Defensive Runs Saved determines an overall value for every player. 3)A pioneering essay by Bill James detailing his revolutionary Misplays/Good Plays way to measure defensive abilities. 4)Defensive scouting reports and player commentaries on every regular and semiregular position player in baseball. 5) Innovative analysis of Catcher Defense, with catcher ERA taken to the next level.

    Historical baseball mystery short story

    After the "opening" of Japan by Commodore Perry, Sayuri Guthrie-Shimizu explains, baseball was introduced there by American employees of the Japanese government tasked with bringing Western knowledge and technology to the country, and Japanese students in the United States soon became avid players. In the early twentieth century, visiting Japanese warships fielded teams that played against American teams, and a Negro League team arranged tours to Japan. By the 1930s, professional baseball was organized in Japan where it continued to be played during and after World War II; it was even played in Japanese American internment camps in the United States during the war.From early on, Guthrie-Shimizu argues, baseball carried American values to Japan, and by the mid-twentieth century, the sport had become emblematic of Japan's modernization and of America's growing influence in the Pacific world. Guthrie-Shimizu contends that baseball provides unique insight into U.S.-Japanese relations during times of war and peace and, in fact, is central to understanding postwar reconciliation. In telling this often surprising history, "Transpacific Field of Dreams" shines a light on globalization's unlikely, and at times accidental, participants.

    In The Man in the Crowd, Cohen chronicles America’schanging mood and lifestyle from the years of World War II through the silentgeneration of the fifties, the revolutionary turmoil of the sixties through the socialdecay of the seventies, the excess of the eighties through the technologicaltransformation of the nineties, up through the sobering uncertainty of the post-9/11 present day. His narrative spans four generations as he recounts in sparklingprose how, for his immigrant father, sports was a means of assimilation into lifein the New World; the warmth of watching his son and, later, his grandson bothfall heir to his devotion; and how the game of baseball has provided his life withits truest sense of continuity.

    Each chapter covers one state and opens with the all-time team, naming a top selection for each position followed by honorable mentions. Also included are all-time stat leaders in nine categories--games, hits, average, RBI, home runs, stolen bases, pitching wins, strikeouts and saves--a brief overview of the state's baseball history, notable player achievements, historic baseball places to see, potential future stars, a comprehensive list of player nicknames, and the state's all-time best player.

    It was a pleasure to work with him during the Olympics and again on this book. With this incredible story, you won't be disappointed." - 2000 USA Baseball Olympic Team Manager Tommy Lasorda This is the story of how an unknown squad of American minor leaguers stunned the international baseball powerhouse from Cuba. They were the 2000 USA Baseball Olympic Team, a ragtag group of minor-league players that were hand-chosen on paper, and had never played together as a team. Led by a Hall-of-Fame manager that had come out of retirement to lead the charge for his country, they pulled off the greatest upset in Olympic baseball history. Their triumph was remarkable, but the story of their coming together is even harder to imagine. Team USA Press Officer Dave Fanucchi gives readers a behind the scenes look at how the Major League Baseball executives in charge of this operation for the United States went about selecting the players, how Tommy Lasorda persuaded management into giving him the opportunity to coach the team, how the Americans narrowly qualified for the Olympics during a gut-wrenching game, and how capturing the gold medal in Sydney changed the lives of every player, coach and administrator involved. Told with warmth and an uncanny eye for detail, Miracle on Grass is an intimate, perceptive portrayal of three incredible weeks in Australia and a story that appeals to American pride. It features the wisdom and determination of one older man, and the heart and guts of several young baseball players on their attempt to win an Olympic gold medal, as they harness their passion for family and country.

    But what do the numbers mean? And how can America’s favorite pastime be a model for learning about statistics? Sandlot Stats is an innovative textbook that explains the mathematical underpinnings of baseball so that students can understand the world of statistics and probability.Carefully illustrated and filled with exercises and examples, this book teaches the fundamentals of probability and statistics through the feats of baseball legends such as Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio, and Ted Williams—and more recent players such as Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, and Alex Rodriguez. Exercises require only pen-and-paper or Microsoft Excel to perform the analyses.Sandlot Stats covers all the bases, including• descriptive and inferential statistics• linear regression and correlation• probability• sports betting• probability distribution functions• sampling distributions• hypothesis testing• confidence intervals• chi-square distributionSandlot Stats offers information covered in most introductory statistics books, yet is peppered with interesting facts from the history of baseball to enhance the interest of the student and make learning fun.

    He's good at it, and can pitch the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series victory in over a century. So why are all these Mafia-like events swirling around in his life? How does he extricate himself from them? And how does he concentrate on winning baseball games, rather than on his estranged relationshipwith his parents, his girlfriend, an aggressive reporter, and so much his Kansas farm upbringing didn't prepare him for?"In Front Of Fifty Thousand Screaming People" is Ronny Thompson's story, of his first two major league seasons. While he adjusts to the big city, two Mafia Dons have a major bet in place, and Ronny Thompson is the key to who wins and who loses. One Don seeks to protect him from the interferrences of the other. Despite this Mafia crossfire, Ronny excels, the Cubs play above their abilities, and the whole nation takes an interest in the outcome of the season.

    Showcasing original cards for hall-of-fame players such as Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra, and current heroes like Derek Jeter, this unique package provides a fun and fresh approach to revisiting America’s favorite pastime with one of baseball’s most beloved teams. Since the Yankee’s humble beginnings in 1903 as the New York Highlanders to today’s star-studded team, the Bronx Bombers have won 27 World Championships—more titles than any other professional sports franchise in history. Yankee Greats will let Yankee and baseball fans alike revel in and reminisce over so many of the players that helped make baseball what it is today, and these legendary cards will bring back fond memories for both young and old collectors.

    But most of white America knew nothing about this story because mainstream newspapers said little about the color line and still less about the efforts to end it. Even today, as far as most Americans know, the integration of baseball revolved around Branch Rickey’s signing of Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers’ organization in 1945. This book shows how Rickey’s move, critical as it may have been, came after more than a decade of work by Black and left-leaning journalists to desegregate the game. Drawing on hundreds of newspaper articles and interviews with journalists, Chris Lamb reveals how differently Black and white newspapers, and Black and white America, viewed racial equality. Between 1933 and 1945, Black newspapers and the communist Daily Worker published hundreds of articles and editorials calling for an end to baseball’s color line, while white mainstream sportswriters perpetuated the color line by participating in what their Black counterparts called a “conspiracy of silence.” The alternative presses’ efforts to end baseball’s color line, chronicled for the first time in Conspiracy of Silence, constitute one of the great untold stories of baseball—and the civil rights movement.

    The Bill James Handbook is first, best, most complete annual baseball reference guide available. Full of exclusive stats, this edition includes the first player projections for 2013 plus career projections and leaderboards.

    Consumers almost always benefit from competition in the marketplace and the card collectors were no exception during the Baseball Bubble Gum Card War. The result was the birth and rapid evolution of the modern baseball card.Each spring during the years of 1952 to 1955, American boys had their choice between two great sets of baseball cards. The boys would cast their votes for their favorite issue of the year by sliding nickels across the counter of America's dime-stores to purchase baseball cards from either Topps or Bowman. These wonderful Topps and Bowman sets of the early 1950s sparked the addiction of an entire generation of boys to the hobby of collecting baseball cards. By the end of the decade, 89% of American boys would be collecting baseball cards. This battle between Topps and Bowman, for control of the baseball card market, became known as "The Great Baseball Card Bubble Gum War." This contest was fought with such ferocity, that shortly after the war began it became clear that only one company would be left standing at the conclusion of hostilities. The winner would take all. This epic conflict for the control of America's favorite collectible is brought to life by the author, Dean Hanley, who is a long-time collector and the founder of DeansCards.com, which has the largest online inventory of vintage sports cards ever assembled. Dean writes a popular blog and has had dozens of articles about vintage baseball cards published in the "Sports Collectors Digest."Mr. Hanley is also the co-author of the eBook, "Before there was Bubble Gum: Our Favorite Pre-World War I Baseball Cards."Mr. Hanley combines his love of vintage sports cards, over forty years of card collecting experience, and extensive research to bring to life this fascinating battle for control of the bubble gum card market. Hanley examines each of these vintage baseball card sets from the era, details the evolution in the design of the cards, the companies that produced them, and the two visionary men that made these wonderful cards a reality and started a hobby that continues to this day."The Bubble Gum Card War: The Great Bowman & Topps Sets from 1948 to 1955" is a must for baseball card collectors and a fun read for fans of any age.

    To Sparky, a real professional was as great away from the diamond as he was on it.  His goal was for his players to be the best husbands, fathers, and community leaders they could be—he believed that was the mark of a winner, not the box score.  Sparky had a gift for taking something as inane as the infield fly rule and turning it into a lecture on how to lead a more meaningful life. In 2010, the old friends had planned a get-together before the end of the year.  But Sparky’s health was taking a turn for the worse, so Dan arranged a three-day visit as quickly as he could. During their last days together, the friends recalled the memories of a lifetime as each prepared silently for their final good-bye.  When that weekend came to a close, Dan had grown to appreciate Sparky more than he ever thought he could.  In this heartfelt memoir, Dan imparts to readers his best friend’s spirit through his unforgettable life lessons and stories only the two of them shared. "Like a wizard, Sparky Anderson was white-haired and wise, and sitting with him was like visiting with an oracle.  Dan Ewald, who spent more time with Sparky than any of us, beautifully captures the magic of Sparky’s wit, humor, and humanity in these pages.  All baseball fans should read it.” -- Mitch Albom, New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays with Morrie and Have a Little Faith “No one understood Sparky better than Dan Ewald. Managing people in a scope far broader than a pennant race is a rare quality, and Sparky understood people, their insecurities, their motivations. This is a great read, a great understanding of the humanity of playing baseball.” –Peter Gammons, MLB Network“For decades, it seemed like everyone in baseball knew Sparky Anderson, and almost all of us considered him a friend.  But few knew him as Dan Ewald did.  Here, Dan provides a unique look at an endearing man who led a significant life both in and out of the game.” –Bob Costas

    A major league player like Ted Kluszewski comes barreling towards the plate as you flash the bulb while the catcher makes the tag. That was one of Jack Klumpe's experiences for over a quarter century (1950-1985) covering Reds baseball for the Cincinnati Post. Jack followed the Reds from spring training to the World Series, from Crosley Field to Riverfront Stadium. He witnessed-and captured-some of the greatest players and events in franchise history, and nearly every day of every summer of his career, Jack shared his view with the fans.

    The tradition of writing haiku about baseball continued through the 20th century with even Jack Kerouac writing about baseball in haiku form. Today, noted haiku artists such as Cor van den Heuvel, Ed Markowski, Jim Kacian, Dan McCullough, and others continue the tradition of writing haiku about baseball. This book takes a swing at contributing to that tradition.

    This book is a sweeping survey of the literature in the field, the history of such subsidies, the politics of stadium construction and franchise movement, and the prospects for a re-priva-ti-zation of ballpark and stadium financing. It ties together disparate strands in a fascinating story, examining the often colorful cases through which governments became involved in sports. These range from the well-known to the obscure--from Yankee Stadium and the Astrodome to the Brooklyn Dodgers' move to Los Angeles (to a privately built ballpark constructed upon land that had been seized via eminent domain from a mostly Mexican-American population) to such arrant giveaways as Cowboys Stadium. It examines alternatives that might lessen the pressure for public subsidies, whether the Green Bay Packers model (in which the team's owners are local stockholders) or via league expan-sions. It also takes a look at little-known, yet significant, episodes such as President Theodore Roosevelt's intervention in the collegiate football crisis of 1905--a move that indirectly put the federal government on the side of such basic rule changes as the legalization of the forward pass.They Play, You Play is a fresh look at a political and economic puzzle: how it came to be that Joe and Jane Sixpack in the Bronx and Dallas subsidize the Steinbrenners and Jerry Joneses of professional sport.

    Full of interesting trivia, hilarious history, and inside scoops, the book relates the fantastic stories of legendary Red Sox managers and star players, including Ted Williams, Jim Rice, and David Ortiz, as well as the numerous villains who have donned the pinstripes over the years. Like two books in one, this completely biased account of the rivalry proclaims the irrefutable reasons to cheer the Red Sox and boo the Yankees and shows that there really is no fine line between love and hate.

    Leroy “Satchel” Paige was arguably one of the world’s greatest pitchers and a premier star of Negro Leagues Baseball. But in this biography Donald Spivey reveals Paige to have been much more than just a blazing fastball pitcher. Spivey follows Paige from his birth in Alabama in 1906 to his death in Kansas City in 1982, detailing the challenges Paige faced battling the color line in America and recounting his tests and triumphs in baseball. He also opens up Paige’s private life during and after his playing days, introducing readers to the man who extended his social, cultural, and political reach beyond the limitations associated with his humble background and upbringing. This other Paige was a gifted public speaker, a talented musician and singer, an excellent cook, and a passionate outdoorsman, among other things. Paige’s life intertwined with many of the most important issues of the times in U.S. and African American history, including the continuation of the New Negro Movement and the struggle for civil rights. Spivey incorporates interviews with former teammates conducted over twelve years, as well as exclusive interviews with Paige’s son Robert, daughter Pamela, Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, and John “Buck” O’Neil to tell the story of a pioneer who helped transform America through the nation’s favorite pastime. Maintaining an image somewhere between Joe Louis’s public humility and the flamboyant aggression of Jack Johnson, Paige pushed the boundaries of segregation and bridged the racial divide with stellar pitching packaged with slapstick humor. He entertained as he played to win and saw no contradiction in doing so. Game after game, his performance refuted the lie that black baseball was inferior to white baseball. His was a contribution to civil rights of a different kind—his speeches and demonstrations expressed through his performance on the mound.

    Taking 40 years of Rangers history, the book distills it to the absolute best and most compelling moments, identifying the personalities, events, and facts every Rangers fan should know without hesitation. Numbers with huge import, such as 8, 34, and 1972; nicknames such as Pudge, Juan Gone, and Ryan Express; plus memorable moments, singular achievements, and signature calls all highlight the list. Experiences are another important part of the fabric of being a fan, so the book also includes things Rangers fans should actually see and do before they join Billy Martin and others at the Pearly Gates. From having a brew at the best Rangers bars in Texas to discovering the boyhood home of Nolan Ryan and finding the best food at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, this book contains numerous tips and suggestions for enjoying all aspects of Rangers fandom.

    A contemporary Mutiny On The Bounty – with baseball bats and pranks -- the story centers on the relationship between old-school minor-league manager Roman Meister, a macho behemoth appalled by the changes in “his country,” and the team captain, an elfin free spirit who flows easily among his multicultural teammates – and takes on Roman when push comes to shove. Is Roman mighty? Was Gatsby great?

    Since that day, millions have witnessed the Red Sox play baseball. Their “Royal Rooters” evolved into the “Fenway Faithful” and are now commonly referred to as “Red Sox Nation.” Nine World Series have been staged upon Fenway’s turf, along with three Major League All-Star Games. Aside from baseball, Fenway has been host to professional and amateur football games, ice hockey, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, hurling, boxing and wrestling matches, and even a circus. Music from concerts has reverberated across its lawn, religious services have been held, and political rallies staged—all adding patches to the quilt of Fenway’s rich, illustrious history. The structure that noted author John Updike referred to many decades ago as “a lyric little band box” has become one of New England’s most beloved historical landmarks.

    In Arise, he teams up with his wife, Ellen, to share what they have learned about making a difference in the world while living out your God-given dreams. Long before Clayton began his pro baseball career, he and Ellen made a commitment to live out their faith in Christ by giving to others--and they see their success on and off the field as blessings to be shared with those who are hurting most.

    A story told in more than 100 book pages—great value! The date was October 20, 1934, just days after Dizzy Dean’s St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series. The place was Boston’s Fenway Park, under portable lights. The money behind it was Henry Ford’s, who yearned to see an all-white team defeat the black all-stars. For Diz’s team there was Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Shoeless Joe Jackson (overweight and still banned from the game), and a lanky minor- leaguer named Joe DiMaggio. Paige’s all-stars featured Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, Turkey Stearnes, and Buck Leonard. With a keen eye for historical detail and a passionate love for baseball, Kevin King chronicles this epic game between Diz’s and Satch’s all-stars. No trophies or championships were on the line, only the two most important things in life to any ballplayer—respect and redemption.

    In this work, the third in a series, three mathematicians employ statistical science in an attempt to answer some of baseball's toughest questions. For instance, how good were the 1961 New York Yankees? How bad were the 1962 Mets? Which team was the best of the Deadball Era? They also strive to determine baseball's greatest player at various positions. Throughout, the objective evidence allows for debate devoid of emotion and personal biases, providing a fresh, balanced evaluation of these and many other challenging questions. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.