Product Description
Play Ball: 100 Baseball Practice Games is the best way to develop players' skills, execution, and on-field team play!

With more than 100 skill-building competitions, Play Ball: 100 Baseball Practice Games covers everything from the fundamentals of fielding, pitching, catching, and hitting to special situations such as rundowns, base stealing, and bunting. You'll even learn how to incorporate the games into team practices to perfect execution and prepare for opponents.

Renowned coach and American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame member Tom O'Connell includes games for individual players as well as group competitions for infielders, outfielders, and pitchers and catchers. Coaching tips and variations also allow the developmental games to be used with beginning, intermediate, and advanced players and teams alike.

From outfielder to catcher, from player to coach, Play Ball: 100 Baseball Practice Games is your guide to more productive and engaging practices, focused play, and on-the-field excellence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great resource
I have been teaching kids' baseball for a few years now and breaking up the boredom of practices has always been a challenge. I occasionally pull out a game from this book to keep it fun for the kids, give them some variety,and help pass the time.I highly recommend it.

great book for coaches
This book is awesome !There are a large number of drills & by making games out of them you keep the competetive spirit & interest level of your players peaked.

The old days of practice being 9 players watching 1 player bat are over (thank goodness).Utilizing the drills/games in this text will keep the players interested in practice as the summer keeps going.All of the drills/games will utilize multiple skill sets.

The author broke them down into age groups & has added several drills for game situations (like the pickle).The drills/competitions are also divided into; defense/hitting/pitching, etc.

This is a valuable resource for baseball coaches.

Play Ball touches all the bases
Finally a book that teaches youngsters the skills and techniques of baseball without taking the fun out of the game. The author breaks the game down for every age, every skill level, every position. What's more, he takes advantage of kids' natural love of competition to prevent practice from turning into forced labor. Step-by-step instructions and helpful diagrams make this book useful for any baseball coach, whether beginner or veteran. If you're a coach, this book will help you. ... Read more

Product Description
A satirical fable with a rootless and helpless accountant as the protagonist. Alone in his apartment, he spends all his nights and weekends playing an intricate baseball game of his own invention. The author has won the William Faulkner Award and an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Book review
Classic novel.If you grew up pre-video game revolution, enjoy baseball, keeping statistics, and games that employ dice, then you'll love this one.

What distinguishes this book is that it evolves from a superficial layer of humor and athletics into a philisophical/theological realm by the book's end.It deals with issues like human connection and the "why are we here - what does it all mean?" questions as well.It certainly delves far deeper than your typical baseball novel.

Intellectually brilliant but humanly lacking
This book is an elaborate intellectual game.Coover brilliantly tells the story of another kind of creator, his main character, Henry Waugh who makes up his own major- leagues and creates the games through which they go through the season. It seems that the whole exercise has a large number of possible interpretations.
And in fact the work comes to read for me as largely an exercise more devoted to what literary critics will say, than what readers will feel.

The Boxscores Were Enough
I don't recommend this book for the faint of heart. While you can summarize the basic story of "The Universal Baseball Association" in a few words, the actual reading experience is far more intense than a summary would suggest. This book celebrates the myth of baseball as American creation in just about the darkest way imaginable.

The novel's set-up is an appealing one. J. Henry Waugh (whose initials read YAHWEH) took eight of the original post-Civil War major league franchises, populated them entirely with players of his own invention, and evolved his league through dozens of seasons via a tabletop, dice-activated baseball game of his own design. The league begins to consume his life in its 56th season -- and his 56th year. It sounds fun to take on a project like this. Indeed, on the Internet you can even find recreations of the UBA charts as J. Henry Waugh may have designed them.

As the book goes on, however, progressively fewer paragraphs are devoted to the point of view of our protagonist. Rather, Henry's players -- unaware of his very existence -- begin to do all the talking for him. The slide begins innocently enough: Henry leaves work a few minutes early one Wednesday afternoon so he can reread the boxscore of a perfect game one of "his" rookies pitched the night before. While reading, he imagines the past greats of his league telling stories about the early years. In one of the book's funnier moments, one of those old-time players is suddenly cut off in mid-quote when Henry realizes that the man in question is, in fact, dead.

Thus we learn more about Henry's league: His players live full lives after retirement from the playing field, and can even marry, have children, and die. The league structure involves politics, intrigue, romance, music -- sometimes all at once. One of the book's more gruesome in-jokes is retold in a ballad that Henry wrote to celebrate the exploits of one "Long Lew Lydell".

As the book progresses, Coover writes verbose yet carefully structured passages in which Henry vanishes entirely, replaced by the players taking increasing free reign over his subconscious. What the players say in Henry's head is a subtle distortion of what Henry's just been through. Henry's take on women is colored, for example, by the fact that his girlfriend charges by the hour; his players have dreams which mirror his own anxieties. It gets so that Henry can't even complete a conversation with the few acquaintainces in his life, without the players' voices intruding. This becomes progressively more disturbing, especially if you note what happens during Henry's final appearance in the book.

You can't blame Henry for leaving behind such a dreary accounting job; he is escaping into a richer world than did Bartleby, for example. In fact, you could put the book down after Chapter 7 and read it as a happy ending. In 2005, I'd almost venture to say that "Office Space"-type fantasies retroactively make Henry one of the first heroes of the so-called information age. One of the key questions at the end: are we meant to feel sympathy for Henry at the end? Empathy? Pity? Disgust?

What gives "Universal Baseball Association" its life is not the baseball scenes or the office scenes, but rather the depth and texture of Henry's increasingly complicated fantasy sequences. You can see the entropy in Henry's universe by comparing the player names in the final chapter to those in the first two chapters, before things started to go wrong. While difficult to get through -- this is certainly not a beach book, although that's where I read most of it -- "Universal Baseball Association" rewards repeated readings once you overcome the queasy feelings caused by entering Henry's subconscious.

You will also vow never to play Strat-O-Matic Baseball again.

Homo Ludens
When I was in middle school, I was perhaps a little too much in love with a Nintendo football game called Tecmo Bowl.The game was great.I played out an entire season of NFL games using the video game teams, recording wins, losses, which teams made the playoffs, and keeping a running total of the player's stats for the season.I would even pretend to be the announcer, and sometimes recorded my commentary (painfully inane if I ever listened to it afterwards).Then I would go out in the back yard and reenact the highlights from each game.In many respects, I was similar to the protagonist of Robert Coover's The Universal Baseball Association, Inc.: J. Henry Waugh, Prop., who devises an intricate version of simulated baseball that he plays in his kitchen with dice.The difference is that I was twelve.Henry is fifty-seven.

To escape from reality into a world of imagination is regarded as endearing and encouraging in children - in adults, it seems pathetic and disturbing.As the novel progresses, we see how far Henry has taken his obsession: he concocts life stories for the players, composes songs supposedly popular in the alternate reality inhabited by the UBA, conducts pretend interviews, writes newspaper articles, lines his shelves with record books, and even conflates events of his own life with the lives of the players - and vice versa.What could drive a man to do all this?Certainly not a love for the game.In fact, Henry admits that real baseball bores him.Possible explanations seem to be desire for control, intense boredom, overwhelming feelings of isolation, or simply inability to mature and face the problems of adult life.

However, we are not given a simple explanation for Henry's habit, nor are we led to believe that his actions are to be thought of in a negative light.In many ways, Henry's Association is an exemplification of mankind's drive to create.This issue - is Henry hiding or creating? - forms the most compelling theme of The Universal Baseball Association, as well of providing much of Henry's internal conflict.

But Coover isn't content to deliver a novel with a simple theme, or ask simple questions - and therein lays both the novel's greatness and its folly.We encounter lengthy stream-of-consciousness passages, during which Henry's mind loses the ability to distinguish creation from reality.We hear Henry presented as a god, complete with powers over life and death.We are treated to parallels between creation, destruction, war, and the curious relationship between omnipotence and impotence.The entire last chapter sounds like Absurdist Theater.As we near the end, there can be no doubt that Henry is an overt schizophrenic, and yet, like Humbert Humbert, Henry has a way of making sickness seem normal.

In the opulent extravagance of the novel lies a certain genius.The flights of fancy taken by Henry's supple mind suggest meaning on a wide variety of levels.Not all of it succeeds, especially when Coover digresses into the topic of sex.Still, the book succeeds overall, both as narrative and as commentary on the nature of man.By the end, the association becomes Henry's entire system of meaning - his way of exploring good, evil, purpose, and nihilism.Perhaps answering metaphysical questions using dice is absurd, but perhaps not.As Henry reflects, "You roll, Player A gets a hit or he doesn't, gets his man out or he doesn't.Sounds simple.But call Player A 'Sycamore Flynn' or 'Melbourne Trench' and something starts to happen.He shrinks or grows, stretches out or puts on muscle....Strange. But name a man and you make him what he is."

A Brilliant Allegory of Something or Other
The basic story of Coover's book is quite simple.Henry Waugh creates an intricate single-player baseball game that's played with dice.He plays entire seasons with his eight-team league; he keeps detailed statistics for every player and every game; he creates backstories and personalities for his players; he develops an administrative body for his league and imagines political debates among the players; and he acts as an official historian of the league, writing volumes of stories about the game and its players.When something shocking and unexpected occurs within the game, Henry gradually loses the ability to distinguish between reality and imagined events within the game.In the end, he is more or less consumed by his game.

As the synopsis above no doubt suggests, this story begs to be read as an allegory.One might read it as an allegory of God's relation to His creation.Henry, like God, is a creator who appears to have complete control over his creation, and yet, like God, his creation comes to take on a life of its own.When terrible things occur, he desperately wants to step in and set things right, but he also wants the game to retain its integrity.So Henry is like God in that he remains outside his creation even though it seems he could sometimes intervene to set things right.(Indeed, some of the game's players are said to have some sense of a higher power controlling their destiny.)One might also read Henry's relation to his game as an allegory of man's attempt to make sense of his world through art, religion, science, philosophy, etc.All that's really going on is the random event of rolling the dice, as, in some sense, all that's really going on in the universe is certain random physical events.And yet Henry imagines an entire alternate reality to make sense of the random events of his game.His player backgrounds and psychologies, his historical interpretations of the game, his imaginings of crowds and stadiums--all of this is intended to give the random throws of the dice some meaning, some significance to him.(This reading is also suggested by our one look at Henry at work in his job as an accountant.Rather than merely crunch the numbers, he reads a story of the operation of a business off his accounting books.He makes sense of the numbers by seeing them as evidence of something beyond themselves.)Finally, one might interpret Henry's relation to his game as an allegory of the artist's relation to his works.

These allegorical readings notwithstanding, it's also possible to read this book as a simple and moving story of one isolated man who gradually loses touch with reality.While Henry seems a decent enough chap, he has no family, only one friend (and not an especially close one), no real love interest, and no interests outside of his game.From what we learn in the novel, it seems his entire life consists in (occasionally) going to work at his mind-numbing job, stopping at the local bar to drown his sorrows, and sitting at his kitchen table playing his game.Since Henry's life is thoroughly dull and uneventful from the outside, the book focuses on what's going on in his mind.The focus of the book is his isolation and his attempts to create something important and lasting and to be a part of something larger than himself.The opportunity to create something important is what the game appears to provide him, and so it's not all that surprising that he ends up losing himself in his game.

This, of course, suggests that Henry can be understood as an example of the way in which alienated individuals can get lost in solitary pursuits that are made available to them by modern life.Because he lacks an community of people with which to identify, Henry ends up getting lost in his game in much the same way that others can get lost in books, television, the internet, etc.All of these things appear to provide their user with a connection to a world beyond himself, and yet total immersion in them brings you no closer to other people than you'd be without them.

I'd give this book 4.5 stars if I could; that seems a more accurate assessment.The reader should note that this isn't really a baseball book.It's more about the trappings of baseball--the statistics, the history, the players, the rites--than it is about the game itself.So this isn't a book for someone looking for a presentation of dramatic athletic feats; instead, it's a book for the baseball fan whose appreciation of the game is intellectual rather than visceral. ... Read more

Product Description

Sometimes you can change history . . . and sometimes history can change you.

Customer Reviews (5)

Pretty decent book.
I think this book is good for all ages. the only downside is it doesnt have anough pages and it had my son believing wild things

Stretched my suspension of disbelief thin.
My five-year-old son loves baseball.He loves it when we read him books in approximately the age range for which this book was intended.He was interested in finding out about Roberto Clemente.I am fascinated by time travel, and I love kids'/young adult books.I am a liberal and very much in favor of protecting the environment, cutting carbon emissions and use of petroleum products, etc.So this book should've been a hit with us on all fronts, right?
But to begin with, it wasn't very engaging.The first pages, instead of drawing us in, bored my son almost to the point that he didn't want to keep reading.Since we hadn't read the other books in the series, the characters weren't beloved to us, and they didn't do anything to become so.The focus of the book wasn't really on Clemente to any major extent.We had just read Lucky:Maris, Mantle, and My Best Summer Ever by Wes Tooke and enjoyed it.I imagined that Gutman's hero, Stosh, would get to know Clemente the way Lucky got to know Maris and Mantle, but in reality we barely saw Clemente in the book.So the giant word "Roberto" on the cover of the book was misleading; the book was about Stosh, first and foremost.
I was willing to suspend my disbelief that baseball cards could send Stosh back in time.One of my favorite kids' books features a talking blue moose as one of the major characters.If it makes sense within the flow of the story, that's fine with me.But the time-travel thing became ridiculous to me the moment Stosh landed himself in the middle of Woodstock.Not just the town, but the FESTIVAL.I had trouble buying the "he just happened to randomly show up in this place and moment out of all the places and moments in 1969" thing.And Jimi Hendrix was on the stage--how convenient!
Stosh got beaten up by hippies who thought he was trying to hurt Jimi, then joined a 1969 girl just about his age to make his way to where Clemente would be.Of course he managed to find Clemente (this time getting beaten up by a full-grown man in the process) and warn Clemente to stay away from the airplane on which he was destined to die.I won't post spoilers of that part of the story, but I did feel like Stosh could've learned something that he didn't actually learn.
So Stosh went back to his world.His mom didn't seem surprised or concerned at his appearance, despite the fact that he must've looked like he'd been hit by a truck by this point.The night of his return, his great-grandson showed up from the future.Surprise!So Stosh got to take another trip, this time to a post-apocalyptic future where tornados came every week, no one had electricity, and kids ran around the bases clockwise.The great-grandson, Bernard, still managed to have new baseball cards for Major League players even though there were supposedly no cities left.Bernard's parents managed to farm despite the weekly tornados and Dust Bowlesque landscape.Bernard wasn't sure the human race would last much longer--which you'd think would kill the market for baseball cards, but apparently not.
Stosh's great-grandson seemed to lay all the blame for the melting of the polar ice caps on Stosh.Bernard was adamant, even angry, about the fact that recycling and taking shorter showers weren't NEARLY enough.No, Stosh must stop the world from using petroleum.So this kid who couldn't even be legally employed yet, much less vote, was instructed to somehow get everyone to use alternative fuels.A worthy task, to be sure!
Frankly, I'm surprised that Bernard's terrifying world didn't give my son nightmares.Heck, I'm surprised that it didn't give ME nightmares.And I find it frustrating that Gutman suggested that the little things we do don't make a difference.Most of the kids in his target audience won't be able to convince their parents to buy solar panels, given the upfront cost of solar panels even after rebates.The parents may want an alternative electricity source but not be able to afford it.However, the kids MAY be able to influence their parents to recycle, switch to more efficient light bulbs and appliances, buy reusable things instead of disposable ones, use petroleum-free dish soap, etc.Any positive action is better than no positive action, and discouraging small efforts is not going to help anything.
Basically, I'm glad that authors like Gutman get sports-loving kids who maybe aren't interested in reading anything that isn't about sports to pick up books and, perhaps, broaden their horizons--but I found this book to be far-fetched and less than pleasant.

Exactly the kind of book I would want to read if I were a kid
Dan Gutman's Baseball Card Adventure books make for great reading, especially for those in the target audience of ages 10-14.I have to believe that most boys still entertain dreams of playing in the Major Leagues, so these books serve as a great hook for introducing the joy of reading to even the most reluctant of young readers.Not only do these books allow the reader to learn more about some true legends of the game, they also offer mini-history lessons on the times in which those players played.In this case in particular, readers are also exposed to an extraordinary role model who played the game the way it was supposed to be played and also devoted his life to making the world a better place.

Roberto Clemente has been called baseball's last great hero.He was a great hitter and a truly exceptional outfielder who left an indelible mark in the record books.He also helped pave the way for Latin American players in the Major Leagues.Above all else, though, he was a great humanitarian, which is why baseball's highest honor for community service is named for him.His life came to a tragic end on December 31, 1972, when he was killed in a plane crash attempting to deliver much-needed aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

After learning of a personal connection between his Spanish teacher and Roberto Clemente, Joseph "Stosh" Stoshack decides to go back in time and warn Clemente not to board the doomed flight.Stosh, you see, has the unique ability to travel through time by way of baseball cards.All he needs is to get his hands on a Clemente card, and he will be transported back to the year of the card.In this case, he ends up with more of an adventure than he bargained for when he is transported to Woodstock just in time to hear Jimi Hendrix's legendary performance.Hitching a ride with some hippies to Cincinnati, he learns about the anti-war movement and goes on his first date (with a girl who is rather hilariously clueless about the game of baseball) to see Clemente and the Pirates take on the Reds.But will he get a chance to meet Clemente?And can he convince # 21 not to board that fateful plane on New Year's Eve of 1972?

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I have to say I learned a lot about Roberto Clemente's life and legacy in the process.I have to admit that I was a little turned off when the author chose to introduce a wholly unrelated political agenda (complete with the standard scare tactics associated with it) toward the end of the story, but the rest of the book is too good for me to give it any less than five stars.I doubt that baseball cards are as integral a part of childhood these days as they were for me, but I have no doubt that many young boys - and more than a few young girls - will love this book and yearn to read more of the growing number of books in Gutman's Baseball Card Adventures series.

Dan Gutman hits a homerun with Roberto & Me!
I am 8 years old and have read almost all of Dan Gutman's Baseball Card Adventure books.Roberto & Me is awesome!It was really cool how Joey travels through time.I loved the book so much I read it all in one day.
Mom's turn-My son likes to put off his reading homework until the last minute.Dan Gutman's adventure books have changed his whole attitude towards reading.They are exciting to read, mixing baseball reality with baseball fantasy.What a fun way to combine history with adventure.Congratulations to Mr. Gutman as he hit another homerun with Roberto & Me!

Dan Gutman's best book
I have read almost everything by Dan Gutman and this was by far the best book of his. It was interesting to learn more about Roberto Clemente. I like the books in this series where Stosh tells people that he is from the 21st century and this one was especially good because the people believed him. It was so good that I had to reread it right after I finished it! ... Read more

Product Description

Successful seasons don’t begin on opening day. They begin long before, in the cages, gym, locker room, and practice field. There, consistency, execution, and teamwork form the foundations of powerhouse programs and championship titles. While most coaches understand the importance of practice, far fewer have perfected it year after year, team after team.

Product Description
Legendary sportswriter Bert Randolph Sugar offers stats, facts, and little-known nuggets about our national pastime.An addictive read that is sure to spark conversation wherever baseball is spoken, The Baseball Maniac’s Almanac is part reference, part trivia, part brain teaser, and absolutely the greatest, most unusual, and thorough compendium of baseball stats and facts ever compiled—all verified for accuracy by the Baseball Hall of Fame. In its pages, renowned sportswriter Bert Randolph Sugar presents thousands of fascinating lists, tables, data, and stimulating facts about:

• Individual players and teams
• Managers
• Player relatives
• The Hall of Fame
• Annual awards
• The World Series
• All-Star Games

Customer Reviews (3)

If You Love Baseball, You'll Love This
Think you've exhausted every possible angle on any imaginable statistic of our National Pastime?Think again.

Thanks to the meticulously comprehensive research provided by the legendary Bert Sugar, even the greatest baseball savant will find much more trivial - and vital - information at your disposal, to amaze, amuse and impress all your buddies; just in time for the long winter's postseason hiatus, which is fast approaching.

Just to give you a brief taste of what's in store for you, I found it astonishing that the two greatest sluggers for the fabled "Murderer's Row" squad the New York Yankees put together in the 1920's - Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig - are the only players in MLB history to have both 400+ home runs and at least 10 steals of home in their careers.To put this into perspective, one of the greatest basestealers of all time, Lou Brock, never stole home in his entire career.

There's stuff like this packed throughout this gem, so if baseball's your passion, this is another book you must add to your library; absolutely; positively!You'll wonder how you lived so long without it.Order today, while supplies last...

Good fun--for trivia lovers!
Not great literature, but a lot of fun! Baseball "figure filberts" will love this. Normally sane people will wonder why. Let's take some entries randomly from throughout the book to illustrate:

Page 37: Shortstops with at least seven consecutive 20-home run seasons (Cal Ripken, Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Tejada, Ernie Banks)

Page 83: Players with 400 home runs and 10 steals of home in a career (Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth)

Page 126: Pitchers with combined total of 500 strikeouts/walks in a season (Bob Feller, Nolan Ryan [four times])

Page 215: Players with both Little League and Major League World Series Teams (Boog Powell, Jim Barbieri, Rick Wise, Carney Lansford, Ed Vosburg, Charles Hayes, Dwight Gooden, Derek Bell, Gary Sheffield, Jason Marquis, Jason Veritek)

Page 227: Players born on Leap Year Day (Feb. 29) (Ed Appleton, Al Autry, Jerry Fry, Paul Giel, Bill Long, Terrence Long, Pepper Martin, Ralph Miller, Steve Mingori, Ray Parker, Dickey Pearce, Al Rosen)

The last part of the book features team-by-team histories.

All in all, a lot of fun if you dig baseball minutiae. . . .

Amazing Baseball Trivia
If your a baseball stat junkie, this is the book for you! An amazing collection of some of the oddest
MLB stats that you'll ever see, i.e.- The Fights Of Billy Martin.

Great stuff, hard to put down, highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
From the authority on baseballresearch and statistics comes a vastand fascinating compendium of uniquebaseball lists and records.

The SABR Baseball List & Record Book is an expansive collection of pitching, hitting, fielding, home run, team, and rookie records not available online or in any other book. This is a treasure trove of baseball history for statistically minded baseball fans that's also packed with intriguing marginalia. For instance, on July 25, 1967, Chicago's Ken Berry ended Game Two of a doubleheader against Cleveland with a home run in the bottom of the sixteenth inning -- Chicago's second game-winning homer of the day. The comprehensive lists include Most Career Home Runs by Two Brothers (Tommie and Hank Aaron have 768), Most Seasons with 15 or More Wins (Cy Young and Greg Maddux each have 18), and Highest On Base Percentage in a Season by a Rookie (listing every rookie above .400).

Unlike other record books that only list the record holders -- say, most RBI by a rookie, held by Ted Williams with 145 -- SABR details every rookie to reach 100 RBI. Other record books might note the last pitcher in each league to steal home; here SABR has included every pitcher to do it. The book also includes a number of idiosyncratic features, such as a rundown of every player who has hit a triple and then stolen home, or every reliever who has won two games in one day. Many of the lists include a comments column for key historical notes and entertaining trivia (Bob Horner hit four home runs in a 1986 game, but his team lost). This is a must-have for every fan's library.

Edited by Lyle Spatz, Chairman of the Baseball Records Committee for SABR ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Excellent Compilation Of Many Obscure Records
This fine book has been edited into eight sections: Batting,Pitching,fielding and base running records,as well as rookie and miscellaneous records. Also included are a list index and player index. Just about any unusual record one might imagine is included. Many are broken down as totals and then by right,left and switch hit batters as well as right and left handed pitchers. Several interesting illustrations are most career grand slam home runs
Lou Gehrig (23),best career strikeout to home run ratio Joe DiMaggio (1.02)most career home runs without ever hitting 30 in a season Al Kaline(389),most career shutouts Walter Johnson(110),most career strikeout by a pitcher Nolan Ryan(5714)most consecutive strikeouts Tom Seaver (10-1970), most RBI's in a season by a rookie Ted Williams(145-1939)most consecutive wins in a season by a time N.Y. Giants(26-1916,most career steals of home Ty Cobb(54). This list covers seasons 1876-2006. Many of the records are broken down between pre and since 1893. And don't think just the top players of a category are listed. In many cases the best forty or fifty are shown. All told there are 740 record categories. Tremendous job that should be in every serious baseball library.

Filling the Void in Baseball Reference Books
I immediately saw the value of this book when I received it as a SABR member. I claims to fill a void and it does.

I'm not the stat type that many SABRen are. I like the story more than the stats. But stats help tell the story. The stats in this book, help put stats in context.

This does not replace any other work. But it will definitely help to complete your baseball reference library.

baseball fanatic
a boring chore if you sit down to read from cover to cover.
like reading recipe after recipe.

it is great to check on a particular player, or a particular stat.

it's probably most fun just to open to a random page and read about a famous stat that you THOUGHT you knew about, a new stat you learn about, something new about a player you have known about for years, or a new player you see from a stat page, then try to learn more about him.

Neither here nor there
The book turned about 50 cool statistic lists into a couple of hundred by going by position and such.That turned out to be fairly numbing and repetitive.

I enjoy baseball statistics also, but I will sit on the fence on this one with 3 stars.

Talk about cool statistics!
For those who are figure filberts and love strange statistics, this book is for you!

This is a book produced by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).This is, as the book says (page vii), "intended to fill what we in SABR feel is a void in the reference publications that fans and media depend upon."It is not intended to replace standard sources of statistics, The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia.It provides other lists, not appearing in standard references.For instance, the Introduction remarks that some reference sources include records for most RBIs by a rookie, this volume lists "every rookie who batted in at least 100 runs."

The book covers the time frame 1876-2006.And comparing statistics across these periods is extraordinarily difficult!

Records are listed in numerical order from 001 to 740 (thus, there are 740 records examined).001 is Most career games played (Pete Rose is # 1 with 3562); 740 is "Families with 3 or more brothers who played in the major leagues" (the Delahanty's are # 1 with 5 brothers playing in the bigs).By the way, both records are in the The Baseball Encyclopedia, if memory serves.But what records are included in between!

Some random picks: Worst fielding average by a first baseman since 1946.One player dominates with 3 of the 4 crummiest fielding averages.Any guess?Dr. Strangeglove--Dick Stuart (1961, 1963, 1964).Here's something exotic: Pinch-hit home run and one other home run in a game:This has happened 26 times (all with 1), the most recent beingJeff Salazar (Chicago White Sox) in 2006.What about most homers in a season without winning the home run title?Sammy Sosa, of course, with 66 in 1998.

Another intriguing hitting record: Most career RBIs without a 100 RBI season.Pete Rose ranks # 1 here.Others in the top 10 include Eddie Collins, Craig Biggio, Sam Rice, and Julio Franco. And how's this?Game-ending extra-inning home runs (16th inning and later)?The most recent is Ramon Martinez in 2006; the earliest was Charley ("Old Hoss") Radbourne, in 1886.

One last tidbit.Best stolen base duo in a season?With 246 steals, Arlie Latham (129) and Charlie ("Old Roman") Comiskey (117) in 1887.From1898 to the present?Vince Coleman (110) and Willie McGee (56), for a total of166 in 1985.

Anyhow, this book is a hoot for those who like offbeat statistics.Despite the book's claim, you will find some of these statistics elsewhere.But there are some interesting off-the-beaten-path stats.
... Read more

Product Description
An All-Star lineup of former major leaguers remembers what baseball was like in the 1950s and 1960s. Whitey Ford, Duke Snider, Carl Erskine, Bill Rigney, and Ralph Branca tell stories about baseball in New York when the Yankees dominated and seemed to play either the Dodgers or the Giants in every World Series. By the end of the fifties, the two National League teams had relocated to California, as baseball expanded across the country. Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts, Braves mainstay Lew Burdette, home-run king Harmon Killebrew, Cubs slugger Billy Williams, and Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson share great stories about milestone events, from Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier on the field to Frank Robinson doing the same in the dugout. They remember the teammates and opponents they admired, including Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Warren Spahn, Don Newcombe, and Ernie Banks.

For anyone who grew up watching baseball in the 1950s and 1960s, or for anyone who wonders what it was like in the days when ballplayers negotiated their own contracts and worked real jobs in the off-season, this is a book to cherish. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Good But Not Great
The concept, the players involved, the era - all led me to eagerly look forward to this book. Quite honestly, I was disappointed. Players in their own words, and we're talking Berra, Mantle, Killebrew, Ford, Brooks and Frank Robinson, etc., all talking about the game during the 1950s and 1960s, their respective introductions to the game and the major leagues, experiences, players they found to be the best of their times.....a winning combination. However, I think Vincent does and inadequate job of editing to provide a smooth flow to the reader. The book was simply choppy throughout, in my humble opinion. It isn't a terrible book by any means, it just was not at all up to what I expected and wanted.

We Would Have Played for Nothing
I purchased this book at the request of my husband who absolutely loves it.I am waiting for another book by Fay Vincent to arrive.

Memories
This collection of interviews takes me back to my youth when there were sixteen big league teams, with 7 of them in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. These are the names I remember--their stories were enjoyable to read, and often pleasantly surprising. I especially enjoyed reading about Bobby Thompson's famous home run from people who were there at the time, including the guy who threw the pitch and the guy who didn't. Great fun.

That Good Old Plain Vanilla
This reviewer chose to read "We Would Have Played for Nothing" after finishing a particularly gritty true crime tale, "Darkest Night". Something easy on the psyche and soul was called for. This plain vanilla baseball tale filled the bill. Eleven former stars are featured here in a nice, easy, conversational tone.Those of us of a "certain age" have heard these tales before but who is counting?NYC natives like this reader will be pleased to discover that five chapters spotlight guys who played or managed here: Ralph Branca (Dodgers), Bill Rigney (Giants), Duke Snider (Dodgers), Carl Erskine (Dodgers) and Whitey Ford (Yankees). It has always impressed this reader what good press Branca and Erskine have received. Those guys must have had no enemies!This reviewer enjoyed learning about the Cubs' Billy Williams, who was a tad "current".A nice touch is the placement of old trading cards on the cover, recalling happy memories from halcyon days. One sore point is the lack of any player statistics. Their inclusion should have been easy, given that the author is a former Commissioner!That merits the deduction of a star. Beyond that minor rant" For Nothing" is a fine choice for amazoners of that certain age range wishing to visit with their heroes of the past. Younger readers will have a fine opportunity to appreciate the stars of the 50s and 60s. NYC baseball fans of virtually any age should pounce. "For Nothing" is an easy one to recommend.

They Almost Played For Nothing Anyway
Fay Vincent came up with a great idea; and the end result was a great book.Of course, his idea was to interview a bunch of baseball players from the '50s & '60s, and just let them talk about the days when they played the game.From Duke Snider to Billy Williams, we're treated to wonderful memories from some of the game's brightest stars.

In those days, even the great players were lucky to get much more than $10,000 a year, and even if they had great years, they would inevitably be informed by a tightwad general manager that it really wasn't so "great" after all.Of course, back then, the players were at the mercy of the front office, so their bargaining power was limited.

In essense, these guys certainly would've played for nothing; as it was, they played for little more than "nothing".Of course, most of the players had to work during the offseason just to make ends meet.With that type of harsh reality, it made the players respect the game much more than today's prima donnas, and it certainly made for a more exciting brand of baseball.

This book is a wonderful slice of baseball history, from a bygone era; certainly a gem for any fan of the game to cherish. ... Read more

Product Description
The Cam Jansen books are perfect for young readers who are making the transition to chapter books, and Cam is a spunky young heroine whom readers have loved for over two decades.Now the first ten books in the series have updated covers that bring new life to these perennial best-sellers.Old fans and new readers will love Cam's cool, modern look! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A book for the young fan of baseball or mysteries
This book will appeal to children interested in baseball or mysteries. Cam Jansen is a fifth grader with a photographic memory and she is at a hobby show with her friend Eric Shelton. An elderly man with a baseball exhibit shows them a baseball autographed by Babe Ruth and Cam demonstrates her ability to memorize a scene.
The baseball turns up missing and Cam and Eric are on the case, Cam recalls the images of the events and they track down the culprit. There is no hint of danger to the children and the clue to the solution is clearly presented. This is a simple story that young baseball fans with enjoy, even if they are not ordinarily fond of mysteries. Fans of mysteries will enjoy it even if they have no interest in baseball.

Baseball has never seen the likes of her memory before!
You have to love Cam Jansen.When you're a kid, you read all of these stories about magic powers, mystery, and adventure.But everyone tells you magic can't exist.Cam Jansen manages to solve every case without the use of magic... she's a real girl.That's what makes her special and what makes you want to read more and more.Cam Jansen is a real kid superhero, and the thought that a person like her could actually exist... makes her the best kid detective ever!Our family loves Cam Jansen!

The Baseball Mystery
Hi tI am an 8-year old boy and I am writing this for the people. What I is going to do is try to convince you to buy this book . Now I will tell you what I want to say. I think this was a great and wonderful book. David A. Alder is a kids books kind of person. The illustrations are great and pretty. I recommend anyone to read and buy this book Because it is a great and wonderful book, full of surprises and mysteries of all sorts that is only eight chapters long. Thank you and goodbye. ... Read more

Product Description
The Code is an indispensable guide to the inner workings of baseball's internal system of justice and sportsmanship, all described by the men who've enforced it. You'll never watch a game the same way again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Some great stories, a lot of repetition.
There are some great behind-the-scenes yarns in here that the average baseball fan would never know about. There are some 'codes' that are worth exploring ... reaction to a bunt late during a no-hitter, for example. But he spends the first 50 or 60 pages letting us know, from 20 or 30 people, that beanballs and brushback pitches are all about 'respecting the game.' After about 100 different quotes essentially repeating that thought, I was ready to throw the book at the wall. Some of the later stories are more enlightening and less repetitive. Also, the writer is a big Twins fan, and more than half those quoted are Twins/ex-Twins,etc. It gives the impression of a fan who is just giddy at the chance to talk to his heroes. Like I said, decent material, but I think it belabors its point early and misses the mark overall.

Surprisingly Good
Recommended by a friend, the first fifty pages of The Code were kind of disappointing. Then it caught fire! Great book from there on. Played and watched baseball for fifty years and found some stuff I didn't know!!!

Would have liked more.
Thought the concept of the book was interesting and decided to purchase on amazon after perusing it in a bookstore.Wish I had paid closer attention in the store as alot of the same players tend to get interviewed chapter after chapter.Also, I found the interview inserts in the middle of every chapter bothersome.Would have liked more current players interviewed.Overall, a tired read.

so-so baseball book
This book is a somewhat easy read, and somewhat enlightening when it came to beanballs and drilling batters in retaliation for violating the code.However, there are better baseball books out there on the other topics.For example, on cheating and steroids, check out "The Cheater's Guide to Baseball".

And to the previous reviewer - yes, the author had previously written a book on the hockey code, which is referenced several times in the book.

Chin Music, beanballs and beyond!
I am relatively new to understanding baseball and have been learning more about the game from my partner who loves it and has lived it her entire life.Baseball is a difficult game to ignore -- and with that in mind I wanted to learn more about the grit and grizzle of the game.I wanted to understand more about the psychology of baseball and why certain things are done the way they are.

Bernstein's "The Code" reads a lot like a documentary.You will find the pages splashed with gray boxes containing dialog from past and present players and coaches on such topics as retaliation, running hard into second base and beanballs (just to name a few).

As you read the book, you begin to understand some of hidden agenda and etiquette in baseball -- they call this "The Code" and it colors the way the game is played.You'll begin to watch your favorite team (for me, the Boston Red Sox) and understand why a player might run stone-faced around the bags after a home run with very little celebration.It's all part of the code.You'll understand why "pussy pads" can be frowned upon and how The Code has evolved throughout the history of the game.

I loved the book.I watch each BoSox game with a little bit more intrigue and understanding on why a certain action that looks retaliatory is done.It's all part of The Code.

If you love baseball and enjoy learning some of the inner workings regarding behaviors and etiquette, I think you'll enjoy this book just like I have.

Recommended! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Best Scorebook Available
I bought this scorebook for my husband and me, and we both think it's fantastic!There's space for 11 batters (each with 2 replacements) and 6 pitchers, and the score cards include 11 innings.It's also very legible and user-friendly.And, while this isn't necessary, the front of the scorebook contains a really nice brief history of baseball and a bunch of pitching and batting records, just in case you're interested!Now, it's true the binding isn't as flexible as some other scorebooks, but it's definitely not impossible to deal with, and I wouldn't have even thought twice about it except that some other reviews mentioned it.Overall, you're not going to find a better scorebook out there because this one is so accommodating for roster changes and extra innings.I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a good major league baseball scorebook.

Very Happy With this Scorebook.
For all of you fellow nerds out there who like to keep score while at a ball game, this is an excellent scorebook.I'm very happy with it.It has plenty of room in the blocks, etc.That's pretty much it.My title says it all.

okay scorecard. very bad packaging
The scorecard itself is fine, with enough room to show the progress of the players as they circle the bases and to indicate balls and strikes.However, the scorecards are contained in a binding that is very difficult to fold, which makes this scorebook unwieldy to use while you are at the ballpark.Spread out, which is the way the book is designed, the scorecard is too bulky to use easily on your lap.Also, the sections on the history of baseball and for autograph hunters are useless in a scorebook and simply add to the bulk.If you intend to use the scorebook to score games at home, with the scoresheets on a table or couch, this scorebook would be a good choice.If you plan on scoring at the ballpark, look elsewhere for a better packaged product.

excellent scorebook
I have used this scorebook 5 times so far, and am finding it to be a very good scorebook.My nephew and I always score the games we go to, and this year decided to buy a scorebook, rather than the Game Day scorecards sold at stadiums.I doubt we will use the entire book this season, as it has MANY pages!
The book is very easy to score in... it has large scoring spaces, and the lineup spaces are also large and have 3 spaces for lineup changes.It will accomodate almost any scoring system... I use a system I learned in the sixties (not the one described in the book) and it works great for that too!
The only negative (and it's minor) is that the hard cover doesn't bend back well (to flip from visitors to home team).On the other side of that is the cover gives a solid surface to score on, instead of the Games Days bending all over the place.
All in all, I'm very happy with this choice!

Baseball scorebook
This was a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law. She scores every televised game of the Cleveland Indians on a score sheet she makes herself. This scorebook is absolutely perfect for her. She was delighted to receive it and can't wait to use it. ... Read more

Product Description
Today's players are bigger, stronger, and faster than ever before. A focused conditioning program has become essential to on-the-field success. Complete Conditioning for Baseball features a comprehensive training approach that builds players' physical abilities as well as the baseball-specific skills their positions require.

Steve Tamborra, strength and conditioning coach for 60 AP Collegiate All-Americans, 16 first-round draft picks, and more than 100 athletes drafted by professional sports teams, provides exercises, drills, and programs designed to improve the essential elements of the sport--strength, power, speed, agility, and quickness. His programs will help you in these areas:

• Generate more power at the plate.
• Strengthen and protect your pitching arm.
• Increase the velocity of throws.
• Expand your range in the field.
• Improve quickness on the base paths.

In addition, the 45-minute DVD takes you onto the diamond and into the gym to demonstrate the same exercises and drills by the game's best.

With physical assessment tests, nutritional guidelines, and seasonal workouts, Complete Conditioning for Baseball is your guide to maximizing your talents and becoming a perennial all-star. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

GREAT!
THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY BASEBALL SOFTBALL PLAYER LOOKING TO TAKE THEIR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

COACH ED ... Read more

Product Description

Baseball was different in earlier days—tougher, rawer, more intimate—when giants like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb ran the bases. In the monumental classic The Glory of Their Times, the golden era of our national pastime comes alive through the vibrant words of those who played and lived the game.

Customer Reviews (84)

The Glory of Their Times - Simply Wonderful
Mickey Mantle said he never understood why grown men idolized him and why they would cry at times when they met him. I'm sure he knew why. Because baseball, the game of our youth, and the men who played it, take us back to that wonderful, simple time like nothing else. As our lives fly by baseball can always instantly transport us back to those carefree days. The Glory of Their Times does that with every page and every character. If you love baseball this is a must read. A simple pleasure that will make you smile, put a tear in your eye and let a sense of calm and nostalgia envelop you.

The best baseball book ever ....
Any and every true baseball fan deserves to know and read this book of 1st hand reminiscences from players in the early days of baseball. This book is a "bridge" to the 19th century, and anyone who harbors a belief that today's players are tougher, stronger, smarter or throw harder and faster than their earliest forebears is strongly advised to read this book carefully. Also strongly recommended -- the tape or CD collection of the actual interviews recorded in the early 60's by Lawrence Ritter and produced for audio release by Henry W. Thomas (grandson of Walter Johnson, the best and hardest-throwing pitcher of all time). This book is highly enjoyable.

Great baseball book
This is a great book for anyone interested in the early years of baseball. It is based on interviews with the actual players which took place in the 1960's. These were the days (1890's to 1930's) before televised sports, huge contracts, and inflated egos. It's a must read for anyone interested in early baseball lore.

Names & stats brought to life
Lawrence Ritter has taken names & statistics off dusty old pages of forgotten books and turned them into real, breathing men. I was struck by how normal, how completely human these men where. My favorite passage was Fred Snodgrass' explanation of Fred Merkle's actions in a game that was, and still is, widely misunderstood, and was the basis for the unfortunate man's (Merkle) name becoming something of a maladiction. My favorite picture - in a book full of great one's - was the casual shot of Walter Johnson sitting with his arm playfully draped around the neck of his teammate and friend Clyde Milan. It could have been shot yesterday.

If you love baseball, you have to read this book.

Glad I chose this book

I gave this book as a gift to my grandson..he was happy to have the book about ball players from th past..he is a big baseball fan . ... Read more

Product Description
Capturing the suspense and play-by-play action of nine major league plays and the personalities of the athletes that made them, a fan's treasury includes Willie May's 1954 World Series catch and Jim Abbott's no-hitter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Book Project
My son used this book for a non-fiction assignment. He enjoyed reading about the famous moments in baseball. Book was an easy read.

Courage Displayed on a baseball diamond

In Great Moments In Baseball History, you can learn a lot about some of the greatest players in major league history. Matthew Christopher, the author of this book, put together his view of a 9 tremendous, and courageous pitching performances, hitting clinics, catches, and life stories in this book. Some people who are in the book are strong, courageous, have stamina, but most of all, each person has their own little characteristic different than everyone else's. Anyone who asks me about this book, all I have to tell them is that it is a great read and a wonderful grouping of stories that any true baseball fan can enjoy time and time again.
All of these stories are incredible in their own special way. For example, there is a story about a pitcher who only had one hand and he threw a no hitter against a team who had in the previous week scored 7 runs against him, he showed to everyone that he had courage. Another story describes a pitcher who had cancer and was told that he would never pitch in the majors again, and it would be considered lucky to be able to play catch in the backyard with his son. Against all odds, after just 11 short months he was back in the majors and he was pitching great. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer again and had his arm removed but he is still alive and well. Finally there is my favorite story of Joe Nuxhall who pitched in his first ever major league game at the tender young age of just 15. Although he was nervous he pitched well and was signed to a contract with the Cincinnati Reds at 16 years old (he was the youngest player ever to play major league baseball).
Matthew Christopher added great little details to every story to kind of add some drama to each one. For example, he told the audience how even though Babe Ruth was old and out of shape he could still hit three homeruns in a baseball game and have fun doing so. Another example is in the story of the pitcher with cancer, Christopher added in the detail of how he "might" be able to play catch with his son in the backyard to add some drama to the already dramatic situation. There are also so great word usages in the stories and he places every one of them in the perfect spot to help the reader make sense of everything.
Great Moments In Baseball History is a great book about heart warming, funny, and enlightening stories and people. Every story is different and exciting in that one special way that you can always remember. Also the author describes everything very well and it is easy to understand every word that is being said. Finally you can learn a lot from every person in the book and a piece of their life that may reach out and touch your own life.

Good stuff
Matt Christopher is one of the best baseball writers for young readers out there. This is another notch in his belt. Pick this up.

great moments
I found this book to be very good. Its reading level is 9th grade or so but that didnt stop this 41 year old from enjoying it. The book talks about 9 great moments in baseball and shares a few interesting perspectives on the game. Every fan should know of these charming and touching moments. If you love the game check it out.

A must read for young ball players
My boys (9 and 14) have read many of Matt Christopher's books.All are good, some are great treats.I gave a copy of "The Kid Who Only Hit Homers" to each boy on my baseball team last year.They loved it! This year I am giving each player a copy of Christopher's "GreatMoments."I read this collection of great moments (an unassistedtriple play in the World Series for example) to my boys and enjoyed everypage.We re-read some of the stories they were so much fun.This is amust read for all young/new baseball fans. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

"Solid Throwback Piece of Work"
Great book, I actually read this book during the All-Star Break and it conjured up reminants of nostalgia from my own Little League days. Rader examines a "semi-comprehensive" look at Baseball's flucuating stages, touching economical and social issues, while recounting memorable games. Rader's compelling account of Ruth's "called shot" of the 1932 World Series made me feel as if I was at Wrigley! He also reminds us that American History and Baseball will forever remain synonomous, remembering the Great Depression and how the game once struggled as well. The "War Years" also serve as a testament to Baseball's effect on American society and how the game diverted many fellow Americans attention. Throughout the book, Rader illustrates graphs and charts, highlighting a club's attendance, realignment issues, and salary-cap/player income. Solid piece of historic literature on the development of the game and American history as well, his objective sold me completley, moreover, rekindled my passion for the game on all levels.
AllotofVision
-Marshall University-

THIS HISTORY IS ON THE BALL. AND, YES, IT SCORES. BIG.
Benjamin Rader's second edition of his definitive history of America's favorite national pastime continues to score. Big. The lively, compact history has been expanded, now including baseball in the 1990s, the Latino invasion, the building of retro parks, the dizzying race for home runs (think Sosa and McGwire), the return (again) of the New York Yankees and team dynasties. This may be a somewhat scholarly analysis of the sport, but it's also highly approachable and highly readable and rich in detail. Rader takes readers into the game both inside and outside the foul lines; he also corrects errors he made the first time 'round, most notably in chapters 14 and 15. (Readers of the first edition will know exactly what we mean, and can start whooping it up now.) As for the rest of you, all together now: Take me out to the ballgame ....

Baseball history the way it should be written
I am currently taking a course at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux,Louisiana, entitled: The History of Baseball. Thus far, Benjamin Rader'sbook has provided valuable insight into the complete early history of therise of baseball. Anyone seeking to explore the beginnings of the game, andwhat the game has become from its beginning, should use "Baseball: AHistory of America's Game" as the primary source. ... Read more

Product Description
An unsentimental anthology of poems based on the author's own childhood and adolescence chronicles the trials, adventures, joys, and struggles of growing up, from coping with a bully to getting in trouble with his parents to enjoying the exploits of his dog. Simultaneous. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Baseball, Snakes and Summer Squash: Poems about Growing Up
The poems in this book are wonderful.Reading them makes me remember my own childhood.

Wonderment of Childhood
Donald Graves' poetry book, "Baseball, Snakes, and Summer Squash" recants the follies and joys about growing up. While simple in thier construction, the poems express adequately all the dimensions ofbeing a kid; from school to hating squash. Graves claims he wrote some ofthe poems specifically for boys to identify with, but don't be fooled, thisgem is applicable to all. VERY usuable in the classroom and with children -a must read. ... Read more

Product Description

The latest and greatest in ESPN.com baseball guru Rob Neyer's
Big Book series, Legends is a highly entertaining guide to baseball fables that
have been handed down through generations.

The well-told baseball story has long been a staple for baseball fans. In Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Legends, Neyer breathes new life into both classic and obscure stories throughout twentieth-century baseball -- stories that, while engaging on their own, also tell us fascinating things about their main characters and about the sport's incredibly rich history. With his signature style, Rob gets to the heart of every anecdote, working through the particulars with careful research drawn from a variety of primary sources. For each story, he asks: Did this really happen? Did it happen, sort of? Or was the story simply the wild invention of someone's imagination? Among the scores of legends Neyer questions and investigates...

• Did an errant Bob Feller pitch really destroy the career of a National League All-Star?
• Did Greg Maddux mean to give up a long blast to Jeff Bagwell?
• Was Fred Lynn the clutch player he thinks he was?
• Did Tommy Lasorda have a direct line to God?
• Did Negro Leaguer Gene Benson really knock Indians second baseman Johnny Berardino out of baseball and into General Hospital?
• Did Billy Martin really outplay Jackie Robinson every time they met?
• Oh, and what about Babe Ruth's "Called Shot"?

Rob checks each story, separates the truths from the myths, and places their fascinating characters into the larger historical context. Filled with insider lore and Neyer's sharp wit and insights, this is an exciting addition to a superb series and an essential read for true fans of our national pastime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

A lot of scraps here
Neyer is good with stats and entertaining, but this is a collection of odds and ends that you can do without. Some of the legends are legends (stand-in playing for Gehrig). Others are minor inaccuracies in contemporary books (e.g., John Kruk reporting that Steve Garvey was thrown out of a game even though he did not say anything to the ump, despite the fact that he did).

He should have waited until he had more A (or even B) material.

Not Rob's best effort
Without a doubt, this book is Rob Neyer's weakest. Time is lost reading about how he did some research on baseball facts, and time and time again he share the same tale of research...
You may learn a thing or two in there but the reading is rather laborious.

Party Pooper
While i really enjoyed Rob's book on Baseball Blunders, this one was not nearly as engaging.It is organized like his other books in what seems to be a series of articles and it is an approach that works well.What didn't work well for me was the occasional use of profanity which seemed forced and out of place and that the whole book is about disproving people's baseball stories.As a history teacher, I understand the need to debunk myths.But in baseball, the myths are part of what makes the game great and a book that's only goal is to point out the fact that they are not true seems to be more of a party pooper than a party.

Rob Neyer Rules
My favorite ESPN writer - love his books as well.This book is broken up into short chapters - best to read them in small sections rather than all at once.I love the premise - looking at anecdotes and then seeing if the facts really are true.(My favorite tidbit so far was the revelation by umpire Ken Kaiser that when a pitcher requested a new ball - he'd simply return the same ball.Only Jim Palmer (one my all time favorite players) ever noticed and called him out on it - hysterical)

The only problem is the formatting on the Kindle.Because there are stories within the stories, the chapters sometimes get broken up and you find yourself reading a totally different story without finishing the current one.It's a little disruptive - they could have formatted it so these mini-stories come after the main one.

Overall - another great read from Neyer.

should be required reading
Should be required reading for all citizens to demonstrate what my mom always said "don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see". Tedious in some places, a really good dissection of stories, some a hundred years ago and some only a few months or years old. ... Read more

Product Description
Illus. in full color & photos. "Using a you-are-there approach, Gutelle tells about five special moments in the careers of baseball Hall-of-Famers Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Hank Aaron. The present-tense gambit brings immediacy to the narratives, and the drama of the moment will grab young fans. Solid reading for third-graders."--Booklist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Reviewed by Sylvia Rodriguez'Fifth Grade Class, Phoebe Hearst Elementary, Sacramento
Baseball's Best: Five True Stories is a book about baseball's greatest players, including Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Joe DiMaggio. All the players in the book had the most important facts about their lives included in the writing. These tremendous baseball players were the best of their time and continue to be well respected. From the book, a reader will learn many fascinating facts. One example, is when Babe Ruth called his own shot. He pointed to center field indicating where he would hit the ball. When the pitcher threw the ball, Babe hit it right to where he pointed.

The author, Andrew Gutelle, told each biography very well. He even included interesting and sad facts, such as when Roberto Clemente plunged into the ocean in a plane. The crash was caused by a bird getting stuck in the engine of his plane. Clemente was never found. The author used very descriptive writing. He included information on when Hank Aaron hit his 715th homerun and broke Babe Ruth's record of 714 homeruns. Aaron ended his career with 755 homeruns.

There were also great photographs and illustrations by Cliff Spohn. One great example was of Joe DiMaggio up to bat and striking out. This event ended his wining hitting streak. Spohn explained a lot of the events through his work. One really powerful picture was of Jackie Robinson, the first black player in baseball.

This is great book for everyone who loves baseball and its heroes and everyone who wants to learn about baseball and its heroes.

Reviewed by Sylvia Rodriguez'
Fifth Grade Class
Phoebe Hearst Elementary, Sacramento ... Read more

Product Description
In Peter Schilling's wonderful novel, the extraordinary baseball season of 1944 comes vividly to life. Bill Veeck, the maverick promoter, returned from Guadalcanal with a leg missing and $500 to his name, has hustled his way into buying the Philadelphia Athletics. Hungry for a pennant, young Veeck jettisons the team's white players and secretly recruits the legendary stars of the Negro Leagues, fielding a club that will go down in baseball annals as one of the greatest ever to play the game. Here are the behind-the-scenes adventures that bring this dream to reality, and a cast of characters only history's pen could create. The End of Baseball is the most rollicking, free-spirited baseball story in years, the unvarnished truth of that incredible season and the men who lived it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A definite five star read!
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for R[...] (06/10)

A few weeks ago I was in northern California talking to a close friend of mine who happens to be an Oakland A's fan. I remember mentioning to him that I had decided to read and review "The End of Baseball." He gave me a blank look until I explained the book's premise: a fictional novel about baseball starring Bill Veeck, the Philadelphia Athletics and an all black team set in the early forties. My friend sort of chuckled before asking if Eddie Gaedel was going to be in the story as well. Of course I had no idea who he was talking about and this prompted a Google search.

Learning about Gaedel caused me to do some serious research on Veeck. I have to give major props to Peter Schilling Jr., the book's author. Who better to fill the sizeable shoes of the maverick promoter in "The End of Baseball" than Bill Veeck; the very man who was probably best known throughout the league for his flamboyant publicity stunts and the innovations he brought to baseball during his ownership of the St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. I don't think the Schilling could have chosen a more suitable person than Veeck to help give this novel an authentic and realistic feel.

Continuing with the storyline; Veeck returns from Guadalcanal with a missing leg and five hundred dollars to his name. He manages to purchase the Philadelphia Athletics and gets rid of all the white players. In 1944 that was the entire roster. Unbeknownst to anyone except his business partner, Sam Dailey, Veeck secretly recruits the legendary stars of the Negro Leagues and signs them to play in the majors. In an era of war and racial segregation Veeck gambles everything on the hope that people's love of seeing great baseball will overcome the integration of a black man into the major leagues.

In summary, I must say that "The End of Baseball" was a joy to read. I definitely prolonged it for as long as possible. Over the years I have read my fair share of baseball novels but in my opinion none of them can hold a candle to this one. Schilling has a fantastic writing style. His words flow smoothly. His descriptions will make the reader feel as if he or she is actually in the dugout watching baseball greats like Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard or Josh Gibson in person rather than reading about them in a book. While "The End of Baseball" is a work of fiction the author has done such a fantastic job that, at times, his readers may have trouble separating fact from fiction.

A definite "must read" for anyone who loves a great book...

What If.....
Every baseball enthusiast enamored with its history has always imagined what it might have been like if the major leaguers of the old segregated white leagues had to play against the best players of the old Negro Leagues.Author Peter Schilling gives a highly entertaining fictional account of such an event.

Baseball maverick Bill Veeck purchases the Philadelphia Athletics and must turn them into a winner in order to retain ownership.But with a dirth of quality players due to WWII, Veech decides to replace all of the team's white players with the legendary stars of the Negro Leagues.Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, Roy Campanella, Martin Dihigo, Willie Wells, et al. become part of this fantastic collection of players. Against the backdrop of a racist America, this eclectic collection of players perform at their theatrical best. Enlightening is how Schilling characterizes each player's unique persona -Satchel Paige overly confident and self-centered; Josh Gibson with his demons; rising young star Roy Campanella's insecurities; the list goes on.

Lots of baseball action as well as a great storyline."The End of Baseball" is a tremendous what-could-have-been fictional account of what-should-have-been.Anyone who loves the game of baseball has to have this book as part of his baseball library.

A Wonderful Revision to Baseball History
It's a sad commentary of American history that the game of baseball - our National Pastime - kept some of its greatest players out of the limelight because of the color of their skin.In 1947, the gradual change began with Jackie Robinson breaking through in Brooklyn; it's no coincidence that the Dodgers became the National League's best team over the course of the next decade.

Even with Robinson's obvious talent manifested by his Rookie of the Year honors, along with frequent trips to the All-Star game; the fact of the matter is, he should've made it to the big leagues way before 1947.Sadly, players like Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell never even got there at all.

In a wonderfully poignant blend of fiction with real life characters, Peter Schilling has painted a picture of what would happen if the lilly white world of major league baseball had become integrated a tad bit earlier; while World War II was raging, and many of the game's players were spending the 1944 season fighting for our freedom.

That's an incredible backdrop to this fascinating story; throw in the antics of Bill Veeck pitted against the racist hierarchy of major league baseball, and you've got a bittersweet revision to the game's history.Whether you're a fan of the game or simply a person fascinated with our nation's history, you'll love reading this wonderful novel.

A compelling historical baseball novel
Peter Schilling, Jr. has written a first novel that furnishes an extra-base hit.Indeed, this novel wins the game!

The book is published by Ivan R. Dee, the well-known Chicago house which has issued a steady stream of fine books about the history of baseball.As I understand it, this is the first novel published by this house.

The author possesses a deeply rooted appreciation of mid-twentieth century baseball history.Indeed, I would recommend that readers of this novel also turn their attention to Jules Tygiel's masterful book "Baseball's Great Experiment:Jackie Robinson and His Legacy," expanded edition (Vintage, 2007).The two books -- one fiction and the other historical narrative -- fit together like hand-in-glove.

"The End of Baseball" focuses on the 1944 season.Bill Veeck -- a real-life figure -- has purchased the hapless Philadelphia Athletics.He transforms them -- this was a dream of his in real life -- into an all-black team, stocked with the likes of Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Ray Danridge, and Roy Campanella, among others.We also are provided with close-ups of Judge Landis, the baseball commissioner, and J. Edgar Hoover.One of the key dimensions of the novel is the role accorded to Campanella, who is real life seemed to tempermentally recede into the background because of the omnipresent of Jackie Robinson.In real life, it should be clarified, Veeck sought to acquire the Philadelphia Phillies and to stock his roster with the same players Schilling relies upon for his fictionalized Athletics.

Mr. Schilling takes us around the American League circuit during that season, explaining how the Athletics were received in cities as different as Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis.

All the while the baseball season is unfolding, which in and of itself Schilling masterfully narrates.Read it for yourself to discover the outcome.All that this reviewer will reveal is that the author had this reader hanging on each pitch, inning after inning.

What could have been
This is a very interesting fictionalized story about Bill Veeck and the great Negro League stars.If only things had been different and integration of the major leagues (not to mention society) could have taken place earlier.A good, fast-paced read. ... Read more

Product Description
Dillontown was built upon a gold mine. Yet for the villagers, life is about something even more valuable: baseball. Home to the Dillontown Nine, they would give anything to join the ranks of professional ballplayers—even their gold. Yet to make it, they will need to defeat the world champion Chicago White Stockings—and their crooked owner, willing to wager anything for the mine, and willing to do anything to avoid losing. Fortunately, Dillontown is home to two boys who know a little something about winning. One is young Jack Dillon, nephew to Dillontown founder Long John Dillon. The other? A boy on the run, in need of a second chance: none other than Billy the Kid.

One of the fi nest storytellers of our time, John H. Ritter brings the Old West to life in this prequel to his breakout success, The Boy Who Saved Baseball. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

"The Desperado" Strikes!
I am a 12-year-old baseball fan, and I think this is the best baseball book I have ever read. The adventure starts out when Jack Dillon heads to Dillontown, San Diego in the 1880s. On his way he meets a man who goes by the name of Billy the Kid. When they arrive, they get caught up in an all-or-nothing baseball game between the Dillontown 9, and the American champion Chicago White Stockings. Unfortunately, as excitement builds, there is less and less that I can tell you without giving away the story. You just have to read it for yourself!

This book is an overall great read ranging from late elementary school to middle school kids. If you read Desperado, you need to read The Boy Who Saved Baseball, which is the second book in the trilogy. I have read it. I am a big fan of the series, and am looking forward to the third book. I think all of John Ritter's books are great, and I think everyone should read them all like I have.

Storytelling at its best!
No one is writing better books about baseball (and life) for young readers (and oldsters lucky enough to find them) than John H. Ritter. His latest is a prequel to the popular "The Boy Who Saved Baseball," and takes place in 1881 in the "gold hills of San Diego."

Part tall tale, part historical fiction and COMPLETELY enjoyable -- think Mark Twain describing a showdown on a baseball diamond in a Wild West town where the "church" is in an abandoned gold mine -- "Desperado" is a fast-paced story starring young Jack Dillon and his new companion, Billy the Kid. Yes, that Billy the Kid, "wanted, dead or alive."

Jack heads west to follow his dream to play for the Dillontown Nine Baseball Club, led by his long-lost Uncle Long John Dillon, a black man. (Jack is merely dark-skinned, a minor detail he talks his way around. Jack is a VERY good talker.) African-Americans were barred from professional baseball until the mid-20th century (grrrrr), but in Dillontown, anyone can play the game - including Jack and Billy. John Dillon has challenged the National League champion Chicago White Stockings to a game with an enormous winner-takes-all jackpot. Jack and Billy are drawn into the contest with surprising - and enormously satisfying - results.

Can a baseball book steal your heart? This one does.

(A version of this review appeared in the Palo Alto Weekly.)

Hee-Yah! - Batter Up!
Upper elementary and middle school readers who love baseball will love John H. Ritter's latest novel.Even if you aren't a baseball (or wild west fan), you'll find that John's books are always bigger than baseball - they are really about life and relationships and justice and power.
This one is no different.An unlikely pair, fifteen year old Jake and Billy the Kid, join forces reluctantly and that's where the adventure starts."When the game ends, you either had a good life or a bad one or a hobgoblin of both.But it's over, right?You move on...Because Tomorrow -- and here's the best part -- tomorrow you are born again."

Not only is John's Desperado entertaining, but his tradmark "musicality of language" makes this book an excellent suggestion for classroom studies.Teachers can use Desperado to introduce the late 19th century West,African-American studies, social studies discussions of freedom, and certainly writing models of good word choice.

All in all, I'd say this one is another home run!If you like this book you'll enjoy the rest of John's books The Boy Who Saved Baseball][[ASIN:0698119312 Over the Wall, Under the Baseball Moon,and Choosing up sides.

"the Desperado" stole my heart.
I bought this book for a friend's son, and I thought I'd read a few pages to get a sense of it before I gave it to him...and now, I confess, "the Desperado" stole my heart.Before I even knew what was happening, I was caught up in the rip-roaring action, almost feeling as if I were the one escaping by my wits on horseback.The author has that rare combination of fast-paced plot, engaging characters, and lively language which can quickly transport you to another time and place, which in this case is the wild west of Southern California in the 1880's.Baseball is the pretext for concocting a tale of wild west miscreants who battle the corrupt but unbeaten Chicago baseball machine that will have you wanting to stomp your feet and whoop and holler along with the Dillontown 9.Author John Ritter follows in the path Mark Twain blazed a century ago in using local dialect and vibrant vocabulary to bring his characters to life. I expected a story for young readers, but the richness of the language as well as the colorful story line means that I will be buying my young friend another copy of the book, because my copy is now being passed on to my husband and other friends. This is a great book for any reader of any age! ... Read more

Product Description
Every year, hundreds of thousands of children play “Cal Ripken Baseball” in the largest division of Babe Ruth League, Inc. Play Baseball the Ripken Way is the ultimate guide to playing the game, by one of the sport’s living legends.

Baseball is America’s national pastime, but that doesn’t mean we’re all born naturals. Kids of all ages (and their parents) are eager to improve specific skills, and now they can learn from one of the most respected baseball families in history. Cal and Bill Ripken have written a thoroughly illustrated instructional book that clearly explains proper baseball fundamentals—hitting, fielding, baserunning, pitching, and much more.

Based on the teachings of the late Cal Ripken, Sr., a player, coach, manager, and scout in the Baltimore Orioles system for thirty-seven years, Play Baseball the Ripken Way shows players just what they need to do to be their best while maintaining a sense of fun and accomplishment with every new lesson. The Ripken Way consists of the following principles:

*Keep It Simple: Teaching that is too complicated is difficult to remember and can result in frustration.

*Explain Why: A teacher who cannot explain why is not truly teaching. Lessons that make sense will stick with players.

*Celebrate the Individual: No two players are alike, so why treat them as if they are?

*Make It Fun: The game gets serious enough quickly enough on its own. Drills and instruction should be structured so that players can enjoy themselves while learning.

The book also includes tips for parents and coaches, practice workouts, and drills for players of every level.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Play Baseball the Ripken Way: The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Fundamentals
Great book for those who are interested in coaching baseball - fundamentals are explained in detail!

Excellent book for little league
This is my second year managing my 11 year old son's baseball team.This book covers all of the basics (and more) from every position.It has helped me become a better coach by not only showing the boys what to do but to explain to them why they are doing it.

Outstanding
I also subscribe to Ripkins online program.This book is well written and full of good advice on coaching.

Good But A Little Repetitive!
Good effort by Cal and he adds some very good values when being a teammate.
I would like to have seen some of the hitting skills broken up to even more basic elements.












Youth Baseball Drills Also consider one of Amazon's top selling Little League books by Marty Schupak.

Same old, same old!
I don't know about you guys but I don't have access to the beautiful fields the Ripkens do. I'd like to have some more creative and realistic drills.
Disappointed! ... Read more