As a journeyman catcher for Detroit and later for Baltimore he had a unique vantage point for observing just what it is that makes some batters successful while others of equal or greater ability go hitless game after game. His observations led to questions-many of which had never been asked before-about hitting, about how to maximize your power, and about many of the old rules of thumb everyone had always accepted as given.Taking full advantage of the latest videotape and photographic technology, Lau vigorously pursued the answers to these questions, spent countless hours experimenting with different techniques, and analyzed the hitting styles of hundreds of batters. Gradually, he realized the mechanics and keys of good hitting and his system of teaching evolved.A natural teacher, Lau, used his knowledge to improve the batting averages of the Orioles, the A's, the Royals, and the Yankees. And through his work with individual players, such as Hal McRae and George Brett, he earned a reputation as one of the most respected and effective hitting instructors in the game. Few people knew more about hitting than Charley Lau, and no one was better qualified to show you how to become a consistent hitter. Lau passed away in 1984.

    He was born in the town of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Although he did not start bow hunting until he was 29 and did not master the skill for many years, he is widely regarded as a pioneer in the bow-hunting community. Bear was a world traveler, film producer, and the founder of Bear Archery, an outdoor company that still exists. He died in Gainesville, Florida, and is in the Bowhunters Hall of Fame.

    

    Thomas McGuane takes readers from the Florida Keys to the plains of Montana and to the streams of Michigan, introducing his family, bird dog, rodeo friends, and his own sporting ethic. First published in 1980, this enlarged edition includes five new essays.

    3 after Babe Ruth and No. 7 before Mickey Mantle. The three Alou brothers hit consecutive groundouts in the same inning. Sparky Anderson was the only manager to win World Championships in both leagues. Sammy Sosa once shined shoes for 35 cents a pair. These choice morselsand others like themare found in The Baseball Catalog: Millennium Edition, baseball expert Dan Schlossbergs highly acclaimed work on America's national pastime. Turn these pages to find out which announcer signaled a home run by yelling, "Open the window, Aunt Minnie, here it comes!" Learn how corncobs helped Paul and Lloyd Waner become Hall of Famers. Read about the only man to pitch a perfect game in relief . . . what Joe Medwick said when he met the Pope . . . why Hank Aaron was once called out for hitting a home run . . . and how Jake Jones was given a triple on a foul ball. It's all here: from the origins of the game through the advent of divisional play, wild-card winners, interleague competition, and realignment. This new edition of The Baseball Catalog will entertain trivia buffs well into the new millennium. Every aspect of the game is covered, from the hot dog to the hot corner: nicknames, quotations, origins, superstitions, traditions, trades, rules, umpires, memorable moments, spring training, plus postseason and All-Star highlights. The Baseball Catalog is Dan Schlossbergs all-inclusive tribute to the good old days of Americas favorite sport.

    

    Offers color portraits and brief profiles on more than seventy top professional football players, and reviews some of the sport's colorful history.

    

    Eddie doesn't like the idea of girls playing baseball in his league, but when one of his pitches injures a girl, he rethinks his attitudes.