Book Description

Relive the thrill of 24 years in the career of the fabled "Georgia Peach"--one of the greatest, most colorful, and simply larger-than-life baseball players who ever lived. Arranged in a visually exciting scrapbook format, packed with pictures and memorabilia that illustrate every significant date and more than 800 games, it takes you from April 26, 1904, when the 17-year-old Tyrus Raymond Cobb stepped up to the plate for the first time professionally, till his final turn on the field in 1928. The focus is on his playing, rather than on his oft-discussed personality and private life, with commentary culled from contemporary accounts that reveal how Cobb's swift throwing arm and fine batting skills contributed to every game. A generous sampling of photographs, cartoons, and ads from the period--many not seen since their original publication--provides a rare and enlightening vision of this ever-intriguing hero of baseball.
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Reviews (1)

Ty Cobb's Scrapbook
It was a refreshing look from a contemporary view of this fasinating era of baseball. Crammed full of interesting pictures. The Author certainly portrays Cobb as a baseball player extroadinaire. This book adornes my coffee table and is great for sneaking in a quick look from the "Deadball area." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Near the end of Yogi Berra’s memoir, Ten Rings: My Championship Seasons, he observes that he was never that popular with the media because "I’d always never tell too much." He could have said the same thing about his book. While entertaining, Ten Rings is no Ball Four. It is a light, quick, uncontroversial trip through Berra’s All-Star career with the Yankees, punctuated by details of his ten World Series victories.

Berra, who grew up in St. Louis in an Italian section of town know as "The Hill," has always been a bit of comic relief in the baseball world. As a young Yankee, he notes, he was labeled "the Ape" by fellow players and coaches who were surprised that someone so short and stocky could hit so well. Indeed, Berra is the first to admit that, early in his career, he was a poor catcher and an easy mark for pranksters. But he would go on to win the American League MVP award three times, and his fourteen World Series records (detailed, along with his overall Series stats, in an appendix) belie the Neanderthal image portrayed in the press.

Yankees fans and serious baseball scholars may be frustrated by Berra's lack of interest in overturning the myths that surround him. Berra confesses that many of the malapropisms associated with him were actually fabricated by reporters, but he does not name names. And the Georges (Weiss and Steinbrenner)--who caused Berra so much grief during his career as a player and manager--are lightly forgiven. Despite the lack of major revelations Ten Rings offers a pleasant refresher course in, arguably, the greatest string of baseball seasons in history.--Patrick O’Kelley ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Yogi Berra tells the story behind each of his "Ten Rings"
I feel that I can make the claim that Yogi Berra is the most beloved living baseball player, without the same sort of argument I would get if I happened to be making a claim about the greatest living baseball player (Mays or Bonds or Aaron?) or the most admired living baseball player (Musical or Ryan or Aaron?). But who else brings a big smile to your face when you see him still doing commercials on television almost four decades after he retired from playing baseball?

"Ten Rings: My Championship Seasons" was written by Yogi with Dave Kaplan, a former newspaper reporter who is currently the director of the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, and you have the sense that Yogi was looking at his scrap books and press clippings talking about what he remembers from each of the ten seasons in which he and the Yankees won the World Series. Yogi also comments on the four years the Yankees lost the Fall Classic and the three years they did not even win the American League pennant, but the focus is mainly on what those ten seasons that ended with him receiving one of his "Ten Rings."

I have read most of the books by and about Yogi since I was given a copy of Joe Trumbell's biography in the mid-1960s, and I was rather surprised by how many new stories Yogi came up with for this trip down memory lane. Especially interesting "Ten Rings" are what he has to say about Casey Stengle during the 1949-53 seasons when the Yankees became the first team to win five World Series in a row, and his thoughts about the Brooklyn Dodgers during all their classic confrontations in the 1950s. He also provides some nice details on the end of Allie Reynolds's second no-hitter in 1951. Some readers might be dismayed that Berra has little bad to say about his teammates and opponents, although I think it is clear he felt about Yankee GM George Weiss the way many feel about the team's owner George Steinbrenner today, but clearly Yogi is long past holding grudges. He talks about some of the abuse heaped on him in the early days of his major league career and speaks modestly about his own impressive career accomplishments.

If you read between the lines the key thing you will pick up is the sense of teamwork and professionalism that existed on the Yankees during the Berra years. This book will be of some value to baseball historians in that it contains Yogi's thoughts on the key players in each championship season as well as some interesting anecdotes that show a different side of the Yankees. For example, Mickey Mantle thought calling pitches was not that hard so Yogi lets him do it during a game Whitey Ford is pitching. Then there is rookie Gil McDougald making a point to veteran pitcher Allie Reynolds. So there are a few choice tales in this rather brief book.

In the fifth grade there were three of us with the same first name and since I had a catcher's mitt, I spent a year as Yogi. It did not matter that Yogi had already retired and that I had never seen him play. I liked New York as a city and the Yankees in the Civil War, so becoming a New York Yankees fan seemed like a good idea. The fact that they had a catcher with basically the same first name and a last name starting with the same three letters as my own, was too obvious to ignore. Since then I have become much more impressed by what Berra did on the field, much more than the celebrated Yogi-isms (although I love the way the best of those make perfect sense if you pay attention to what is meant rather than what is being said). Clearly I am at the point where I will read anything Yogi happens to write, and while we are not talking classic baseball books, you are not going to be disappointed by "Ten Rings" or any of his other volumes.

Final Notes: Yes, the page numbers are superimposed on a miniature image of Yogi's ring for that particular championship season. Also, I find it somewhat ironic that the cover is done in a layout rather reminiscent of the 1965 Topps baseball cards, which was the first year in which Yogi was pictured as a player-coach for the New York Mets. The back of "Ten Rings" has an Appendix listing Yogi Berra's World Series Career Records along with his season and post-season batting stats along with line scores for all of the World Series games for those ten championship seasons.

breezy fun
This light reminiscence of Yogi's ten championship seasons is a quick, pleasant read. Like a fleshed out magazine article, perhaps, it touches on a bit of history, a few sketches of famous teammates, and a recounting of the high spots of this charming hall of famer's career. A good choice for the younger fan with no memory of the game as it was in a simpler time.

Yogi writes about much more than his funny one-liners
Reading 'Ten Rings' is simple fun. It's about 212 pages that feel like 80. The book has a brief introduction to Yogi's life before becoming a Yankee. There are ten chapters - one for each World Series championship season Yogi enjoyed as a Yankee - and then Yogi wraps up with a few more observations on baseball and his life.

What else are you going to get from Yogi's 'Ten Rings?' The best aspect of the book is Yogi's appraisal of two things. First, Yogi offers glimpses into the personalities of people like Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, and other Yankees. There is no tell-all or in-depth analysis of their lives, just simple commentaries on them as ballplayers and teammates. By focusing on these friends and teammates, he tries to pass on what it meant (and still means today) to be a New York Yankee and a winner. Occasionally he'll stray to comparing those ballplayers to some of today's, something he could have done much more of to add a bit more depth to the book.

Next, Yogi turns the focus back on himself. Here he is more frank - and still funny - than I expected. In each championship season he highlights the accomplishments anyone would be proud of, whether it's hitting .300 or driving in 100 RBIs. Yogi's not boastful in any way, but reading about his 'Ten Rings' you do get the sense of how underrated he was even back then. Most baseball people didn't give him enough credit unless he was winning a World Series, hitting a home run, or taking home three American League MVP awards.

'Ten Rings' is more amusing than hilarious. Yogi talks about his Yogi-isms but doesn't dwell on them. For a good laugh he has written other books filled with that stuff. This is just a simple read. I read it on three successive nights before going to bed...and I don't even like the Yankees. ... Read more

Book Description

Is Ernie Harwell one of the most beloved figures in baseball? In 1991 when the Detroit Tigers decided not to renew his contract, various Domino's Pizza locations (also owned by the Tigers owner) received bomb threats. 72-year old Harwell had been the voice of the Tigers for over thirty years. Public outcry led the Tigers to rehire him. Harwell, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, was at the mike for Bobby Thompson's Shot Heard 'Round the World, Jackie Robinson's second year with the Dodgers, and the Tigers' World Championships of 1968 and 1984. And he's the only broadcaster traded for a player!

Harwell's life is more than just baseball. He interviewed golfing great Bobby Jones, and heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey. Gone With The Wind author Margaret Mitchell's former paperboy, Harwell assisted Life magazine in its coverage of the film premier.This memoir, like its subject, is unique and unforgettable. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A joy to hear broadcasting - a real joy to learn from him.
If we could only have more time to get to know people like Ernie Harwell, there would be a much greater appreciation for life in this world. Despite all of the many changes in his life, the opportunity to be around baseball for so many years, get paid to do it and enjoy it thoroughly...he has remained humble and human.

He is quick to tell you that he is "just a turtle on fence post", noting that we all know that turtle didn't get there by himself. He credits so many people for the opportunities that he has experienced...yet he has spent so many years positively influencing our lives, about life as seen through the many stories he tells via baseball.

Although I have only lived in the Detroit metro area for two years which limits my exposure to hearing Harwell call games all my life, I could immediately feel the respect and warmth of his broadcasts. Seeing him at several baseball and community events, I am always impressed with the attention that the sports stars give him when they are around him. Not only professional baseball players but professionals from other sports seem to delight in being around him and hearing the stories he tells with his charming southern drawl.

Whether you have the opportunity to hear him or you value hearing baseball stories that have something interesting to learn from in each story, you will enjoy this book.

If you are a person that enjoys learning from people that have shared their life with others and brought a positive influence to the world, you will enjoy this biography of a hall of famer.

Thanks Ernie!

The Voice of Baseball
Ernie Harwell popped up in a lot of unexpected places in the year 2001. On October 3rd, he broadcast the official recreation of the 1951 Miracle at Coogan's Bluff game for Major League Baseball's official website; later on, he broadcast the final game of a World Series for an all-time-greats fantasy league also run by MLB. Not bad, for a man who was fired by his longtime Detroit Tigers employees over a decade ago for being "too old".

"My 60 Years in Baseball" has a very unusual title for an autobiography. That's because it's not an autobiography -- it's a standard bio, written by columnist Tom Keegan. Presumably this was done with Ernie Harwell's full cooperation, and reprints of several Harwell newspaper columns highlight the book. I'm just a little confused by the use of the word "My".

I know Tom Keegan's columns from the New York Post, and "My 60 Years" reads very much like a 275-page human interest story. It's a puff piece, but in the best way possible. Keegan tracks down interviews with athletes, writers and friends who have known Harwell at various points along his 60-plus-year career, and the stories related are mostly heart-warming. The best chapter in the book is an interview with Denny McLain, one-time Tiger pitching ace, from his cell in federal prison. Even repeat convicts love the voice of Ernie Harwell.

Don't read "Ernie Harwell" because it's the best sports bio of all time, but read it to become more familiar with one of the last of the original (and now "old school") announcers. I listened to Ernie for the brief time I lived in the Detroit metro area, and I'm glad I had the chance. It's a specific style of broadcast, heavy on imagery and game detail, that's no longer in vogue and will be dearly missed when the last of its practictioners hangs up their microphones. Read the stories Keegan finds, and read again the reprinted Harwell columns, which are a delight of word choice, firm opinion, and humor.

A gift
Ernie Harwell has the ability to articulate his thoughts and possesses a vast reservoir of anecdotes and observations based on his lengthy career. The combination made this into one of the more enjoyable baseball books I've read in recent years.

A home run
As a young boy growing up in a Detroit suburb, I often fell asleep at night with a transistor radio and an earphone, listening to Ernie Harwell and George Kell broadcasting Tigers' games. I've been a fan since. This book brought back a lot of those memories. It was well written and a fitting tribute to a man who has meant so much to the game. Well done.

This Little Light of Mine
Ernie Harwell's broadcasting career has covered an incredible amount of baseball history dating back to the days of Red Barber with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Bobby Thompson's home run on 10/3/'51, the birth of the Baltimore Orioles, and over four decades with the Detroit Tigers. Harwell came to the Tigers in 1960 as a replacement for Van Patrick who I grew up listening to as a Tigers' announcer. Author Tom Keegan begins the book with the controversial firing of Harwell and who was to blame for the fiasco. However, as Ernie says, "It doesn't matter. All that matters is everyone is forgiven." That comment is typical of the Christian Harwell. Ernie has the gift of making anyone he talks to feel as though they are important and his feelings are genuine. As Ernie says, God has blessed him with good health, and he has done what he can to take care of himself physically to show that age can be just a number. Ernie Harwell is not only a great ambassador for baseball, but also for everyone in how to treat their fellow human beings. The book is easy reading and is of value to those interested in baseball history and to those who want to meet a man we all can learn from regarding human relations. ... Read more

Book Description

"Shoeless" Joe Jackson's rise from the cotton mills of the American South to the big cities of the North is a classic American tale of rags to riches. Born of sharecropping parents in South Carolina, Jackson's perfect swing and legendary fielding ability would make him a star in the Major Leagues. Unfortunately, Jackson's legend was interrupted by his alleged involvement in baseball's darkest chapter, the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, which ultimately banished him to participation in "outlaw" baseball leagues. Kelly Boyer Sagert recounts all phases in this legendary hitter's life--from mill worker to major league outfielder, to a central figure in a national scandal, and later, to his ventures as an entrepreneur and sometime ballplayer. In analyzing the life and surrounding cultural contexts of Jackson's time, the author examines how "Shoeless Joe" became the controversial but enduring legend that he is today. A timeline, bibliography, statistical appendix, and narrative chapter on the making of Jackson legend enhance this biography. ... Read more

Amazon.com

From its original publication in 1984, Creamer's superb portrait of one of the game's most cherished characters was quickly acknowledged as a masterwork of sports biography. Its opening line--"Casey Stengel naked was a sight to remember"--helped establish the complex and often contradictory personality that Creamer strips from its façade by work's end. Stengel worked to build his image as the game's crazy clown prince, but he was always crazy like a fox, remarkably resilient, quietly brilliant, and always entertaining, from the day he broke into the majors with Brooklyn in 1912 to the afternoon he finally hung up his uniform as the loveable manager of the hapless Mets in 1964. His record of success as manager of the Yankee juggernaut from 1949 to 1960 remains one of baseball's unapproachable legacies: 10 pennants and seven World Series titles, including five in a row. "Casey could be wildly amusing," Creamer writes, stating the obvious, "but," he continues, "there was a burning ambition in him too." By displaying the former--especially in the form of his own confusing use of words, dubbed Stengelese by the beat writers whose job it was to interpret him--Stengel was able to let the latter sneak up on the opposition undetected. It was part of his myth and part of his mystery, both of which Creamer exposes with great skill, real respect, and obvious affection. --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Disappointing
I had read such glowing reviews of this book, and had enjoyed other Creamer works so thoroughly that I was suprised how uninspired I was while reading this. Perhaps I failed to be dazzled by Stengel the man. Perhaps I grew tired of the predictable retelling of Stengel's life, season by season, many of which held no remarkable events. Baseball in '41 is a much more rewarding book, full of wonderful anecdotes well recounted.

A MUST for any lover of baseball
"Stengel: His Life and Times" is no mere biography. It is a chronicle, not only of the earlier days of baseball, but of America itself. As a biography, it is superlative. As a history book, it stands on it's own merits.

Informative, often funny, biography of Casey Stengel
In STENGEL, Creamer traces the life of baseball legend Casey Stengel, from his youth in Kansas City through his baseball career. Included are dozens of anecdotes which reveal insight into the character of the man known and loved by millions of baseball fans spanning several generations. ... Read more

Book Description

Baseball is woven into American culture and history to the point where myth and reality blend, making it difficult at best to distinguish between the two. Rarely is this more apparent than in the life and times of Bob Feller, one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game.

From his childhood during the Great Depression in rural Iowa, Feller lived storybook experiences that seemed to foretell his unparalleled ascent to big league stardom. His father structured everything to help young Bob realize his potential as a baseball player, including building a farmland "field of dreams" expressly for young Bob’s diamond education.

But Feller’s professional life in baseball was far from the near-mythic quality of his childhood. Feller became a controversial figure from the moment he signed his first professional contract. Battling with owners, the press, and fellow play-ers, Feller alienated and charmed them by turns, reflecting the complex motiva-tions of a man aware of his own prodigious talent and opportunities. Feller was both an unabashed patriot who enlisted in the Navy the day after Pearl Harbor and a remarkably successful businessman who organized lucrative winter barn-storming tours. His unquestioned position as one of the first players to advocate integrating the game was complicated by his combative relationship with Jackie Robinson. As a result, Feller’s contribution to the game has been the subject of both positive and negative interpretation. John Sickels has produced the first balanced, historical portrait of this controversial player whose commitment and talent inspired his teammates, and whose outspoken opinons just as frequently exasperated them. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Interesting and Entertaining, but Incomplete
The book is written in an intersting, insightful and entertaining manner. It covers Feller's individual baseball seasons in detail. It alos presents interesting info. about his military service in WW 2. It presents an insightful analysis of his complex personality. Its weaknesses are: (1) it covers reatively little of his personal life, especially his post baseball life; and (2) it includes few, if any, recollections of Feller, based on interviews by the author with players and other people who knew Feller.

The author seems to rely entirely on synthesizing information from the various articles and books that have been writtem about Feller, plus the results of one or two interviews with Feller. Why the author chose not to contact any of Feller's former teammates or others who knew him is bewildering. Since Bob has been retired for 47 years, it would have been nice to hear more about his post-baseball life. There's a little on this in the book, but not that much.

great read - very entertaining!
while i am not an avid baseball fan, i thought the book told a very fascinating story for the ages about a baseball legend. honestly, i had never heard of Bob Feller until i found this book. now that i know of his tale and his conflicts with his peers, i would like to learn more about him.

Sickels starts the book out solidly, beginning with his life on the farm. as Feller continues through life, historical facts and social norms are juxtaposed against Feller's comments, choices, and career. i found this aspect of the book the most enjoyable.

there actually are tons of stats spread all over the book, but they act as punctuation to the story, never overwhelming the plot. also, Sickels mostly remains an invisible narrarator - he rarely makes judgement calls and keeps the spotlight focused on Feller.

Sickels kind of storytelling is the type i'd love to see made into a movie - maybe a Costner or Crystal flick. Sickels does a great job moving from statistician to historian.

Wonderful!
The most outstanding facet of this book, I found, is the way that it was put together combining numerical facts with historically accurate details. The book gave lots of information without making me feel like it was only full of statistics. It's a true biography, combining both Bob Feller's private life and the public's view of his career. I would suggest this book to not just baseball fans, but any fan of history as well. Its a definite must read. ... Read more

Book Description

Derek Jeter-the Yankees shortstop who isn't short on talent, looks, or heart.

Though he's only 24, many of his teammates describe Derek Jeter as a baseball player with maturity beyond his years. His awesome skills on the playing field have earned him an American League Rookie of the Year award and helped the Yankees to two World Series championships in three years. Jeter is rapidly making a name for himself as one of today's hottest young athletes. Baseball fans can't get enough of the graceful Yankees shortstop who wows them with his power and speed. Women are mesmerized by his hear-stopping good looks-he was even named on of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people in the world! Read all about this down-to-earth superstar, from his childhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where his dream of playing for the Yankees began, to his life today, his charity work, his hopes for the future, and why he told GQ magazine, "I have the greatest job in the world."

With eight pages of cool photos!
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Reviews (11)

My Thoughts On This Book
I really enjoyed reading this book. I would definately recommend it to anyone who is curious about Derek Jeter. It gave out a lot of new and interesting facts about him that I didn't know. Whenever I read a chapter, I thought that the book was so good that I had to keep on reading it.I am 11 and I do not think it was my age level though. It was a little confusing, but very interesting!

The best.
Derek Jeter The PRIDE Of The Yanks is the best book I have ever read. It is full of great discription. I LOVED IT!

Don't Bother
It was absolutely painful to get through this book.

I realize it was an unauthorized biography, but I really didn't need to spend money to read interviews with Derek's 4th grade teacher, snippets of Joe Torre's memoirs, or recaps of what other writers that Derek actually spoke to had to say.

The author seemed to know he didn't have enough material for a book so he just took up space, wasting tons of pages talking about (and repeating) utter nonsense, or things that had nothing whatsoever to do with Derek Jeter, the person.

Though it's meant more as a motivational book for kids, I thought "The Life You Imagine" provided much more information, which actually came from Derek himself. I'd buy that one if you're interested in learning about Derek Jeter.

Leave it to twin brothers
The Gyles twins are very good at writing on Derk Jetter. I look forward to their upcoming biography on Boogaloo Shrimp, the famous midget from the Harmonicats.

For "Teenie-Boppers" not adults
The first 6 chapters are ok....but the information is very repetitive...from chpt 7 on is for hormonal little girls. The book does chronicle Derek's life but the author could not find enough material to fill the book...it repeats throught the book, a teenage girl would love this book, a person who is a baseball fan will find this painfull, a Jeter fan can get through it. Derek Jeter: A Yankee for the New Millennium is a much better book for baseball fans over the age of 17. ... Read more

Book Description

The inspiring account of San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky tells the story of his faith in Jesus Christ and his determination to come back to his sport. He has courageously overcome repeated tragedies caused by cancer surgery, and many have already embraced his monumental story. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An Inspiring Story of the Comeback and Never Giving Up
I've always been a big Dave Dravecky Fan, and I knew his story from what I read in the news and saw during the events of this time period. Reading about his life, his thoughts and insights on the world around him was inspirational. He loved baseball so much, that he did whatever it took to be the best. Dravecky was a man of great faith-he makes many references to thanking Jesus Christ for the opportunities and never blamed Him for the obstacles. His never say die attitude is one I wish more athletes and general public would adapt as their own.

This book follows a timeline from his childhood and minor league struggles (briefly) to his major league success and then his battle with cancer in his deltoid muscle, and finally, his return to baseball. It is a very quick read and one of the better athlete autobiographies I have read.

A True Story of Hope.
I remember I read this as a freshman in high school, and I was blown away. He talks about his struggles with cancer. What a witness when he told the doctors and nurses that God was in control of the operation on his shoulder! An awesome witness to anyone who may feel down on their luck. He talks about his relationship with his brothers in Christ, Atlee Hammaker and Scott Garrelts. What an awesome testimony!

FANTASTIC
A must read for every athlete - both Christian and non-Christian. Dave is an inspriation. I have read the book six times over the years and have never found a book by an athlete better. To top it off, Dave is as nice of a guy in person as he is in his book.

Most inspirational
A very uplifting book about Mr Dravecky's battle with cancer. More than just an athlete centered book, this details his struggles and triumphs with this very debilitating disease.

Both interesting and inspirational
Dave Dravecky wrote an inspiring book after his first bout with cancer and amazing comeback to professional baseball. The writing is better than in most athlete-authored books. Most sports fans know that the cancer returned, and Dave lost an arm to it. The follow-up story is revealed in subsequent books authored by Dave Dravecky and his wife Jan Dravecky. I think readers will be uplifted by any of these books. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Walloped!!
This book is full of lively anecdotes written in a thoroughly illuminating and informative manner. Learning about the highs and lows of Hack Wilson - one of baseball's biggest enigmas -- was a rollercoaster ride of fun. Heartily recommend it.

As Solid as Hack Wilson
I found this to be a very well written and very interesting book. Clifton Blue Parker has done an excellent and very thorough and complete research of a rather difficult subject, and pulled off a solid read from start to finish. Clifton Parker is correct in one of his assessments late in this book...People are forgetting Hack Wilson. Here today and gone tomorrow aptly applies to the career and life of Hack Wilson. That is sad indeed. Hack Wilson was a character of the game both on and off the field. What Mr. Parker has done is preserve a life, career and very important lesson in life in his book.

Clifton Parker puts Wilson's 191 RBI's into perspective and does not candy coat it. He backs it up with reasonable assumptions and hard facts. A tragic figure is Wilson, and Mr. Parker portrays him accordingly. Interesting how some of today's so-called athletes and heros are really no different than Wilson...

I consider this a must read for anyone that loves baseball history. This is as good a read as you will find. An interesting subject and an equally interesting read.

Hack Wilson De-Mystified
I read a lot of baseball biographies, and one of the worst things is reading player propaganda. It seems that hero worshipping infects far too many endeavors in the baseball arena, including biogaphies. Refreshingly, this book on Hack Wilson does not hero worship. It is a serious thorough accounting evidently based on plenty of research. It covers Wilson's rise and fall, from cradle to grave, with warts and heroics, and all. Prior attempts on Wilson's life never gave an adequate accounting of his life otuside baseball. The one thing that would have helped this book is any surviving members of the Wilson clan. That's no fault of Parker, who writes in an engaging, almost poetic, manner about this fascinating character out of Baseball's Roaring 20s. I hope to read more of his work!

Fouled Away, the Story of Hack Wilson
The author makes a diligint effort in telling baseball fans the accomplishments and lifestyle of Hack Wilson, one of baseballs most over looked Hall of Famers. The author does an excellent job tying in the roar 20's and the city of Chicago into the book. Wilson's best years were spent in Chicago at Wrigley Feild with the Cubs. All the accomplishments and downfalls of Wilson are noted. What the author does leave the reader wondering is first who exactly is this complicated yet modest man, which may be of no fault of his own. Second, the author fails to describe why the small West Virginia town of Martinsburg was so important to a man who was a star in the "Second City". ... Read more

Book Description

Ted Williams (1918–2002), one of the most colorful and controversial figures in sports history, was a genuine American hero and cultural icon.Considered by many the greatest hitter who ever lived, the "Splendid Splinter" appeared in eighteen All-Star games, won six batting titles and two Triple Crowns, and, in 1941, was the last player to hit over .400.In addition to his accomplishments on the baseball field, Hall-of-Famer Williams served as a fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War, and was a tireless worker on behalf of the Jimmy Fund in the fight against cancer in children.

Williams's remarkable talent and passion for excellence, along with his stubborn, head-on approach to life and outspoken, volatile behavior, made him a favorite subject—and target—of sports scribes and other writers throughout his career.Although famous for his feuds with the press during his playing days, the temperamental star matured into a distinguished elder statesman of baseball.

This volume collects the best writing about Williams and some classic photographs of the hitter, providing a panorama of his brilliant ability and complex personality from his rookie year in 1939 to the memorial tributes following his recent death.It features thirty-five articles by celebrated sportswriters and best-selling authors, including Al Hirschberg ("Handsome Bad Boy of the Boston Red Sox"), Red Smith ("Ted Williams Spits"), Bud Collins ("'Saint' Goes Marching In"), Peter Gammons ("Williams an Unquestioned Hit with Him"), Ed Linn ("The Kid's Last Game"), John Updike ("Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu"), Donald Hall ("The Necessary Shape of the Old-Timers' Game"), John Underwood ("Going Fishing with the Kid"), Stephen Jay Gould ("Achieving the Impossible Dream: Ted Williams and .406"), and David Halberstam ("The Perfectionist at the Plate").

Taken together, the pieces offer a vivid mosaic of a true American great who is admired and respected as much by today's ballplayers and fans as those of his own generation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is a "must read" for all Ted Williams fans!
Compiled and edited by lifelong Boston Red Sox fan Lawrence Baldassaro (who is also Professor of Italian and Comparative Literature, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Reflections On A Splendid Life: Ted Williams is a remarkable tribute to the talented baseball player who won six batting titles and two Triple Crowns, and in 1941, was the last player to hit over .400. In addition to his legend on the baseball field, he served as a fighter pilot in World War II and worked on behalf of the Jimmy Fund to fight against cancer in children. Reflections On A Splendid Life collects writings and photographs of Williams, from his rookie year in 1939 to his death in July 2002. Articles by sportswriters, best-selling authors, and those who knew and respected the remarkable Ted Williams fill the pages of this one-of-a-kind compilation. This is a "must read" for all Ted Williams fans! ... Read more

Book Description

Pete Rose is baseball's "Hit King," the Major Leagues' all-time leader in career hits. But some fans consider his off-the-field actions a black mark on the sport. Major League Baseball's investigations into Rose's gambling led to his lifetime banishment from the game--which, in turn, has barred him from otherwise--certain induction into the Hall of Fame. Rose brought to the sport an unparalleled drive to succeed. Now, people from every part of society debate the nature of his legacy. Baseball author David Jordan presents an even-handed look at Rose's life, career, and post-baseball life, and lets the reader decide for him- or herself. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hank Greenberg, The Story Of My Life
Ira Berkow did a great job writing about Hank Greenberg's life. He has written several books on sport figures. Because of his career as a sport writer and book reviewer I feel he did a nice job with interviewing people and getting information about Hank Greenberg. The book takes a great look at Hank Greenberg life with all his accomplishments. Not only should it be read by every Tiger fan but also every baseball fans in general. Although he missed time through injuries, military service, and early retirement, Greenberg still ranks as one of the most fearsome sluggers in baseball history. The powerful right-hander played only the equivalent of nine and a half seasons, yet produced outstanding career totals as well as exceptional season marks. A native New Yorker, Greenberg was the son of Rumanian born Jewish immigrants who owned a successful cloth shrinking plant. Hank graduated from James Monroe High School in the Bronx, the attended New York University on an athletic scholarship for one semester before beginning his professional baseball career. The 6'4 215 lb. Greenberg's athletic success stemmed from size, strength, and hard work, more than native talent. His high school coach explained: "Hank was so big for his age and so awkward that he became painfully self conscious. The fear of being made to look foolish drove him to practice constantly and, as a result, to overcome his handicaps." Greenberg also took a lot of cruel comments about his religion which made him even a stronger person. He played for the majors from 1933 - 1947 first with the Detroit Tigers and one year with Pittsburgh Pirates. One of the most important decision he had to make was whether to play on a Jewish holiday. He choose not to and that was a very important statement about his heritage. Hank Greenberg retired in 1947 and becomes a smart business man and an excellent Farm Director for the Indians. I feel Hank Greenberg was a success in many things in his life, a truly one of a kind man and a book everyone should read. I applaud Ira Berkow for his commitment to the book.

A great book
This is a great look at Hank Greenberg. It should be required reading for every Tiger fan and baseball fans in general. In addition to providing a look at the life of Hank Greenberg, along the way it chronicles the great Tiger teams of the thirties and forties. However this is more than just a baseball book. Hank discusses his career as a ballplayer/GM/Owner, the challenges of being the first Jewish superstar baseball player, and his decision to give four and a half years of his career to the military. Hank dictated the bulk of this book while sitting by his pool in his final years. Ira Berkow took the tapes, wove in some interviews with friends/family/teammates, and added some old newspaper accounts to create this wonderful book.

OUTSTANDING
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ. AN EXCELLENT JOB OF DESCRIBING THE LIFE OF ONE OF GREAT PLAYERS THE GAME HAS SEEN. MR. GREENBERG PUT UP WITH A LOT OF ABUSE AND RIDICULE. BUT HE HANDELED IT WITH AUTHORITY AND GAINED DIGNITY. HIS DESCRIPTION OF THE SIMILARITIES THAT HE AND JACKIE ROBINSON FACED IS VERY INTRIGING. HIS TELLING OF HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH BILL VEECK IS ALSO WELL TOLD AND FASCINATING.
A SMART BUSINESS MAN AND AN EXCELLENT FARM DIRECTOR FOR THE INDIANS SHOW THAT HANK WAS A SUCCESS IN MANY THINGS IN LIFE.
A TRULY ONE OF A KIND MAN AND BOOK.
A MUST READ FOR ANYONE. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Once again, the Bison Books imprint of the University of Nebraska Press has reached into baseball's past and returned with a Hall of Fame read. Fear Strikes Out is one of the game's most dramatic autobiographies. It is also one of the most important. When first published in 1955, it ventured into territory traditionally considered out of play for a sports story. "I must have been quite a card when I first broke into baseball's big league as a Boston Red Sox rookie in 1952," Piersall opens rather cheerily. He was a baseball clown, and the fans loved his offbeat shenanigans. One paragraph later, he tosses a huge, hanging curve. "Almost everybody...thought I was a riot. My wife knew I was sick, yet she was helpless to stop my mad rush toward a mental collapse."

In time, Piersall would become one of the silkiest centerfielders of the '50s--no mean feat given his contemporaries Mantle and Mays. A new afterword by Piersall catches us up to his later years (and stunts) in baseball and his post-career as a broadcaster. Fear is actually a prologue to that. It's a courageous story. Piersall's demons had him by the throat and nearly choked him. The breakdown he suffered early in his rookie years was so complete and so terrifying that his mind blanked out the next seven months before his own healing allowed for a painful reconstruction. Given that Fear was written in an era before biographic confessional and the public washing of an athlete's unclean flannels, Piersall's honesty and detail about mental illness, hospitalization, psychiatric therapy, and the struggle back to sanity are extraordinary. This is a truly marvelous book--better than the movie starring Anthony Perkins that was made from it--and, like the lead-off hitter Piersall was, it's earned its spot at the top of the order of any serious collection of baseball biographies. --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fine-If Sanitized- Story. Good '50s Backdrop.
"Fear Strikes Out" tells the tale of Jimmy Piersall, who played for the Boston Red Sox in the early to late 1950s. He and Willy Mays of the Giants were the best defensive center fielders in pro baseball then and perhaps ever. "FSO" is more concerned with Jimmy's nervous breakdown in 1952 and his subsequent recovery. The real story should be his patient wife, without whom Piersall would have been at sea. The Catholic Church has canonized people for less! "FSO" skims along the edges of Jimmy's problems but to its' credit does not sweep them under a rug. The problems may be sanitized but not trivialized. In my opinion, the true meat of the book is its' 1950s American League backdrop, which I'm just barely old enough to remember. Red Sox fans should enjoy reading about Ted Lepcio, Lou Boudreau, Ellis Kinder, Joe Cronin and Billy Goodman. "FSO" has a limited scope and appeal. The 1950s sportsworld was lilly white and not given to tell all, dirt digging locker room scoops and the book reflects that era. Jimmy gets a free pass on some (not all) of his antics. Readers who accept those constraints should find "FSO" enjoyable and worthwhile. Anyone with a dad or uncle, etc who is a hardcore Red Sox fan has a great Christmas present to click unto.

Inspirational, not informative
This short biography of talented centerfielder Jim Piersall of the Red Sox has long been well-received for it's frank portrayal of mental illness and the difficult road to recovery. Unfortunately, the book is ultimately disappointing because it goes only to the brink of discovery; we never fully understand the real cause of the illness or have explained to us what the treatment was like.

The book begins with Piersall's fascinating life story including his difficult family life and we see the strains of his illness develop from his earliest memories. Piersall proves to be a very real person and his humanity is quite believable as he accomplishes many things under the heavy burden of his illness. However, about the time Piersall suffers his blackout, the book blacks out as well and we only learn about his descent into madness as he thumbs through photo albums with his longsuffering wife. He only mentions in passing that he received shock therapy, but we never learn why or for how long or whether there were other treatments involved. The book has a gloriously happy ending with Piersall fully recovered and on his way to Spring Training for next season. I think the reason for this is that the book may have been written as a sort of apology or explanation to the general public about Piersall and his antics on and off the field; it also may have been considered poor taste in the 1950s to have been more descriptive than that.

Overall, this book is great for biographical information on Piersall and as an inspirational story of triumph over adversity, but may leave you hungry for more detail.

Good book!
It is one of the best books I have read in my life

Heartwarming story of personal battle over mental illness
This is an inspiring story of a young father, husband and star major league baseball player who is suffering a mental collapse. Through love and faith and his own indomitable will he fought his way back to a sane and purposeful life. Was co-written by Al Hirshberg. Great book for baseball fans and lessons to be learned for parents who maybe "push" their kids to be "superstars" in sports. This book is hard to find. If you can't order the book here-- check it out at the library. CaroleM438@AOL.co ... Read more

Book Description

"No athlete performed at a higher level through greater stress than Jackie Robinson."
–Scott Simon

The integration of baseball in 1947 had undeniable significance for the civil rights movement and American history.Thanks to Jackie Robinson, a barrier that had once been believed to be permanent was shattered–paving the way for scores of African Americans who wanted nothing more than to be granted the same rights as any other human being.

In Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball, renowned broadcaster Scott Simon reveals how Robinson’s heroism, firmly planted in the memory of Americans, brought the country face-to-face with the question of racial equality.From his days in the army to his ascent to the major leagues, Robinson battled bigotry at every turn.Simon deftly traces the journey of the rookie who became Rookie of the Year, recalling the taunts and threats, the stolen bases and the slides to home plate, the trials and triumphs.Robinson’s number, 42, is now retired on every club in major league baseball–in homage to the man who had to hang his first Brooklyn Dodgers uniform on a hook rather than in a locker.

TURNING POINTS features preeminent writers offering fresh, personal perspectives on the defining events of our time. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Don't Miss This LIttle Gem!
This little book--small in dimensions and hardly over 100 pages in length--should be on everyone's bookshelf. Whether you remember watching Jackie Robinson play (as I do), or whether he's just a name from the distant past; whether you're white (as I am), or black, or any other race, creed or color; whether you're a baseball fan (like me) or someone who couldn't care less about the National Pastime, Jackie Robinson's story is for everyone.

The only reason I didn't give this book a 5-star rating is that there's really nothing new in it; if you already know the saga of Robinson's integration of baseball you aren't likely to learn a lot of news things about it here. But Scott Simon writes beautifully and movingly and retells this great American story with verve and directness.

I've read that there are professional baseball players today (even black players!) who barely have any idea who Robinson was or what he endured. His story should never be forgotten and this wonderful book will help assure that Robinson's memory endures.

Derivative and amateurish book
This book offers nothing in the way of original research or new conclusions about the integration of organized baseball; it is full of errors, special pleading, and misplaced nostalgia. It also fails to acknowlege its debt to the superior work of others, especially Jules Tygiel (*Baseball's Great Experiment: Jackie Robinson and his Legacy*) and John C. Chalberg (*Rickey and Robinson: The Preacher, the Player and America's Game*). Purchase either of the latter books (or both) and give this misconceived vanity effort a pass.

Perfect read for a Saturday morning
This book is a perfect two-hour read for a Saturday morning after listening to the author on NPR's Saturday Morning Edition. The reader can hear Mr. Simon's distinctive and familiar voice when reading the pages. The book is not intended to be a comprehensive history on baseball's integration or a biography of Jackie Robinson, as noted in the opening pages. Rather, it provides just the right amount of background on Mr. Robinson and Mr. Richey, as well as the context surrounding events. Mr. Simon's notes and examples stimulate readers to learn more about particular people and events. I particularly recommend this book (and possibly the series from the list of forthcoming books) as a quick read for adults and teenagers who desire to read about the people and events that shaped our nation, yet must balance the responsibilities of family, work and community, which may prevent them from reading longer books.

Wonderful book / series
This is the second book I've read in the series (after Columbus in the Americas by William Least Heat-Moon). They are both vivid, concise accounts of extraordinary moments. I came to this book without knowing much about Jackie Robinson. I couldn't put the book down. It's a remarkable story and so beautifully written. I highly recommend it and look forward to others in the Turning Point series. It's a wonderful idea, to get great authors to offer their insights about a particular historic event in a pocket size book.

A Great Introduction to the Career of a Legend
In the annals of baseball history, Jackie Robinson stands among the true greats of the game. He was that rare ballplayer who excelled at hitting, fielding, and baserunning (stealing home became his 'signature' baserunning move). But Jackie Robinson was more than a great ballplayer; he was a pioneer. He endured overwhelming racism and even death threats, and became an icon for the civil rights movement along the way. Simon vividly describes the tense atmosphere of Robinson's first games in the majors, and describes how some of Robinson's own teammates were afraid to stand next to him for fear of gunshots. The author has written an insightful and enjoyable account of Robinson's breakthrough into the major leagues. Definitely recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Fantastic and Inspiring Book
A Fantastic and Inspiring Book. Elston Howard was a great man who had guts and charisma. This is a must read for ALL baseball fans and even non baseball fans! Enjoy!

AN EXCELLENT READ
MRS HOWARD AND MR WIMBISH DO A SUPERB JOB IN TELLING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF FORMER YANKEE GREAT ELSTON HOWARD. ELSTON DESERVED A MUCH LONGER LIFE. THIS IS WRITTEN WITH MUCH HONESTY AND SENSITIVTY. . FROM THE JIM CROWE LAWS TO ARROGANCE AND PREJUDICE, ELSTON HOWARD FACED MANY BARRIERS ALONG THE WAY TO STARDOM. HE WAS QUITE A PLAYER AND DESERVED MUCH MORE RECOGNITION. THIS BOOK BEAUTIFULLY DESCRIBES THE TRADGEDY, TURMOIL, AND TRIUMPHS THAT CAME TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY. A MUST READ FOR ALL YANKEE FANS AND HISTORIANS OF BASBALL. A GREAT READ.

A book for all sports fans and then some
I enjoyed this book tremendously.It's not just a well written story, but it seems to give true insight to life inside the Yankees during one the franchise's most notable eras.Mickey, Yogi, Elston and company made history together. Arlene stood tall in her role as the first black Yankee wife and Elston prevailed with honor and sportsmanship during these difficult transitional years.Mrs. Howard and Mr. Wimbish's collaboration deserves kudos and more readers.Even long suffering Red Sox fans (just like me!)won't be disappointed.

Baseball History at its Best!
The story of Elston Howard's climb through the baseball ranks during the height of the Jim Crowe laws is not to be missed by anyone who likes baseball or history. His widow Arlene sees his great rise and tragic end to a debilitating disease with the eyes of an old-fashioned story-teller: passionate and dispassionate, an actor on the stage and an observer from the audience. A must read for baseball fans, black history buffs, and those who want to know what it was like to live inside a separate America during one of its greatest and worst eras.

A True Piece of American History
For those of us who grew up in the 50's with the Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants all in New York, it is a great story evocative of those days told from with a fine eye and keen perspective.A must read for young and old alike - a story that should never be forgotten.Elston Howard's widow is direct and unsparing in this straight forward narrative of their life together with Baseball. ... Read more

Book Description

No player in the history of baseball has burst onto the scene like the Cardinals' Albert Pujols. His first four seasons have been matched statistically by only Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio through the same point in their Hall of Fame careers. Moving from the Dominican Republic when he was 15 years old was the break Pujols needed to turn himself into one of the best players in the game today. He was only a 13th-round draft choice out of a small junior college, but all Pujols needed was one season in the low minor leagues, with 14 career at bats above Class A, before he was ready for the major leagues. Pujols’ career began with a monstrous Rookie of the Year campaign, and he has not slowed down yet, finishing as the runnerup to Barry Bonds in the National League's MVP voting the last two years and likely to finish in the top three in voting again this season. He appears to be the most likely candidate in the game today to become the next Triple Crown winner and perhaps the next hitter to challenge the .400 mark. ... Read more

Book Description

George Brett: A Royal Hero is the most complete volume ever compiled about the 1999 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. His legendary career is reviewed in precise detail througharticles that appeared in The Kansas City Star from the early 1970's through 1999. No one followed George Brett with greater interest nor wrote of his exploits with greater in- terest than the sportswriters of the Royal's hometown daily newspaper. ... Read more

Book Description

Ted Williams: The Pursuit of Perfection is filled to the brim with wonderful photos and stories about the man who reigns today as the elder statesman of baseball.Agreed by most to be the greatest pure hitter in the history of the game, Teddy Ballgame is a lot more. He's a military hero as well, having served in two wars and having flown combat missions with John Glenn as a United States Marine Corps jet fighter pilot. As a celebrity, he has lent his name to numerable charitable efforts, and his half-century of service in fighting children's cancer represents the longest association of any sports figure with a charitable cause. Among baseball fans, no one who watched the 1999 All-Star Game will ever forget the moment when all the great Hall of Famers from the game's past broke ranks on the field at Fenway Park and flocked around Ted once he was brought to the mound. It was a spontaneous show of love and admiration for Teddy Ballgame, the game's greatest. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great book, but be careful.
This is a great book, but basically it's the same book the authors put out in 1997 under the title "Ted Williams: A Tribute" They did add a CD.

A Must for Any Fan or Collector
I bought this book for my father, a diehard Ted Williams fan since childhood. He has read other books on Williams and says, by far, this is the best. The stories are fascinating and revealing, and offer little-known information, even if you followed his great career and life. The paper quality, design, and writing are superb, making it a wonderful keepsake or collector's piece. I would not hesitate to buy this as a gift for any sports fan, knowing they would not be disappointed. It would make a nice coffeetable piece in a den or sports-watching room. An absolutely wonderful book on all counts. ... Read more

Book Description

Many of the great ballplayers of the Negro League have been forgotten simply because baseball's Hall of Fame would not recognize black players until Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige made their way into the Hall of Fame. For this book, more than 50 former Negro League players and baseball historians were asked to vote for players who they believe should have been included in the Hall of Fame, and to select an All-Time Negro League All-Star Team. In addition to presenting and discussing their choices, the book profiles the lives and careers of the players selected. Appendices include rosters of the players and historians who voted. ... Read more

Book Description

Whenever Joe DiMaggio appeared at Yankee Stadium after retirement, he was always introduced as "the greatest living ballplayer." In the career-spanning Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, Richard Gilliam puts together the inspiring story of how he achieved that distinction when baseball was truly the national pastime and how he stayed in American hearts long after his departure from the game. DiMaggio's legendary status is more than his unbeatable record of a 56-game hitting streak in 1941 and his gliding greatness in the outfield as "The Yankee Clipper." With his supple wide-legged swing, DiMaggio batted in more runs per game than Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Hank Aaron - the third highest R.B.I. this century - and he struck out fewer times than any other power hitter with his home-run record. "Joe was the pride of baseball," said Cardinal outfielder Stan Musial, and rival Ted Williams admitted, "He could do it all." Joseph Paul DiMaggio possessed a dignity on and off field that carried him through not only thirteen seasons with the Yankees - and ten World Series - but also his famous marriage with Marilyn Monroe, his success as a pitchman, and appearances in works by Ernest Hemingway and Paul Simon.

Joltin' Joe DiMaggio combines the best of new writing about this great sports legend, along with rarely seen classic essays from newspapers, magazines and books into a comprehensive view of one of the Twentieth Century's most fascinating celebrities. ... Read more