Baseball

by Society for American Baseball Research ( (Author)

by Thomas Wolf (Author)

Named Best Baseball Book of 2020 by Sports Collectors Digest
2021 SABR Seymour Medal Finalist

Author Biography

Thomas Wolf has written numerous articles on baseball history and is the coauthor of Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's Heartland and The Plea: The True Story of Young Wesley Elkins and His Struggle for Redemption.

by Society for American Baseball Research ( (Author)

by James Flerlage (Author)

Editorial Reviews

"The Baseball is written so fluently that I didn't want it to end. This story is built around family, the good times and the bad times, the happy times and the sad times. It's about how different people cope with pain differently and how good things can come out of things that may initially seem like the end of the world. I recommend this book for anyone who truly values family, making memories, and living life to the fullest." - Manhattan Book Review (5-Star Review)

" The Baseball is a brief novel by James Flerlage about family and the quality time we choose to spend with them. The irony of Landon's fate-an oncologist whose son develops cancer-could have turned the story into one of bitterness and regret. Instead, it is an opportunity to revisit a time in a man's life when he must choose his family or his work. The author delivers the heart-wrenching plot in simple and crisp prose and without judgment andgives readers the opportunity to re-examine their own priorities in life." - San Francisco Book Review (4-Star Review)

"An unusually affecting story. Overall, this is an earnest, unpretentious book that, despite overly deliberate grabs for the heartstrings, still manages to pluck them, all the same. A familiar tale, but one that has a melodramatic sincerity." - Kirkus Reviews

"The plot of The Baseball is a well-developed hybrid of family and sports drama. It hits familiar plot beats and framing devices, but the work develops smoothly and evenly with quiet style. The author has a clear handle on storytelling and the unveiling of mystery; the sports focus and the manner in which it is integrated into the characters' lives is alluring." - The BookLife Prize

From the Back Cover

Landon Myers is a retired pediatric oncologist who spends his days diagnosing the ills of his young grandchildren's stuffed animals while scheming up new ways to spend time with the older ones. When his thirteen-year-old granddaughter Lucy discovers an old Major League Baseball while cleaning his cellar, he faces the difficult task of exposing a family secret that has lain dormant for the past forty years.

Over a long lunch with Lucy, Landon reveals that he was previously married, divorced, and had a son, Alex. Two years after his parents' bitter divorce, sixteen-year-old Alex receives devastating news that derails the course of his life. In a captivating story about family, relationships, and reconciliation, The Baseball begs the question, "If life gave you a second chance, would you know what to do with it?"

by Molly Knight (Author)

With a new Afterword covering the 2015 season.

Author Biography

Molly Knight wrote about baseball for ESPN the Magazine for eight seasons. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Glamour, SELF, Baseball Prospectus, and Variety. A native of Los Angeles and lifelong Dodgers fan, she lives in LA. The Best Team Money Can Buy is her first book.

by Joe Maddon (Author), Tom Verducci (Author)

A book of lessons in baseball enlightenment from three-time MLB Manager of the Year, Joe Maddon.

Author Biography

Joe Maddon is a three-time Manager of the Year award winner. Among his 19 years managing, most recently with the Los Angeles Angels, he led the Tampa Bay Rays to their first World Series and the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years.

by Mike Berenstain (Author), Mike Berenstain (Illustrator)

The Berenstain Bears are ready to cheer on their favorite baseball team in this new action-packed addition to the classic New York Times bestselling series.

The family enjoys everything the ball game has to offer, from the seventh-inning stretch to catching a fly ball. Papa even takes a shot as the team's mascot!

The Berenstain Bears: We Love Baseball! is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.

Back Jacket

The Berenstain Bears love baseball! There's no better way to spend a beautiful day in Bear Country than watching a ball game with Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear.

Come along to the baseball diamond and watch the Berenstain Bears' favorite team pitch, catch, and bat their way to a great day with the family. Time spent with the Berenstains is always a home run!

Early readers will enjoy learning all there is to know about the Berenstain Bears' favorite pastime: baseball!

by Derek Zumsteg (Author)

Ever see Mike Piazza block the plate? Or Derek Jeter slide hard into second? Illegal. But it happens every game. Baseball's rules, it seems, were made to be broken. And they are, by the players, the front office, and even sometimes the fans. Like it or not, cheating has been an integral part of America's favorite pastime since its inception. The Cheater's Guide to Baseball will show you how cheating is really done. In this lively tour through baseball's underhanded history, readers will learn how to cork a bat, steal signs, hurl a spitball, throw a World Series, and win at any cost!
They'll also see the dirty little secrets of the game's greatest manipulators: John McGraw and Ty Cobb; Billy Martin and Gaylord Perry; Graig Nettles and Sammy Sosa; and, yes, even Barry Bonds. They'll find out how the Cleveland Indians doctored their basepaths to give new meaning to the term home field advantage. They'll delight in a hilarious examination of the Black Sox scandal, baseball's original sin. And, in the end, they'll come to understand that cheating is as much a part of baseball as pine tar and pinch hitters. And it's here to stay.

by Jeff Silverman (Editor)

As abundant and layered as the National Pastime itself, The Big Book of Baseball Stories takes the reader on a rich journey that circles the bases of the game's history and literature--its Giants, its dramas, its tragedies, and its laughs--as it rolls through the typewriters of some of the game's mightiest scribes, from Walt Whitman and Mark Twain to Grantland Rice and Ring Lardner, even Abbott and Costello. Rediscover the feats of Babe Ruth, Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, and Frank Merriwell; bask in the prose of P.G. Wodehouse, Paul Gallico, and Zane Gray; and dive into the very mystery of the meaning of the seventh-inning stretch.

If you love baseball, you'll love The Big Book of Baseball Stories. Whitman called baseball "our game . . . America's game." It was then. It still is. The words within these pages invite you to remember why.

Author Biography

Jeff Silverman, a former columnist for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, has written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and several national magazines. He is also editor of The Greatest Baseball Stories Ever Told, Lardner on Baseball, The Greatest Golf Stories Ever Told, Classic Golf Stories, Bernard Darwin on Golf, and The Greatest Boxing Stories Ever Told.

by Ron Darling (Author)

World Series champion, former All-Star, and award-winning television analyst Ron Darling gives readers a inside look at one of the most demanding and strategic positions in all of sports: the pitcher. Drawing on vivid situations from his playing days for the New York Mets and the Oakland Athletics, and from moments he has observed as a broadcaster, Darling offers an engaging look at the art, strategy, and psychology of pitching. Throughout, we get a glimpse of what it feels like to stand alone on the mound, the center of attention for thousands of fans. No other book examines the position in such compelling depth--The Complete Game will be an essential book for every fan and aspiring player.

Author Biography

Ron Darling was a starting pitcher for the New York Mets from 1983 to 1991 and was the first Mets pitcher to be awarded a Gold Glove. Since 2006 he has been SportsNet New York's game and studio analyst; since 2007 he has also been a game and studio analyst for TBS, for that network's game-of-the-week and postseason broadcasts. Darling won an Emmy Award for best sports analyst in 2006. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and attended Yale University, where he was a two-time All-American. He currently lives with his family in Manhattan.

by James Shaw (Author)

This book is a combination of a compelling fiction story and a self-help book for anger and anxiety.In 1968, 10-year-old Tom Mochina struggles to make friends, fit in with his classmates and control his far-too-frequent angry outbursts. He dreams wishfully of becoming a star baseball player, being a top student in his class and attracting the cutest girls in town.He lives in suburban Michigan with his immigrant single mother, who works hard to provide for Tom, so he often spends afternoons playing catch by himself and batting rocks into the nearby woods. One day, he takes a break from his diligent baseball practice to explore the woods behind his house.He follow a trail down to the lake and meets a friendly neighbor, who he comes to know as Gramps. Tom and Gramps talk about school, baseball and love but Gramps helps Tom to understand his anger and anxiety in a way no one else has.Gramps gains Tom's trust as the two spend more time together. Through vividly real troubles, Tom grows to rely on Gramps advice about how to overcome his fears, control his anger and become the boy he really wants to be.

Author Biography

James Shaw was born in southeast Michigan and lived there through high school. He attended Alma College in Michigan and earned an MBA before getting his doctorate degree in clinical psychology. He's now president of Genuine Anger Management Institute. He's also an adjunct professor and works in private practice. He enjoys boating and spending time with his grandchildren. This is his fourth book. Others include Defensive End, Throw a Good Pass, and I'm So Glad.

by Steve Rushin (Author)

An unorthodox history of baseball told through the enthralling stories of the game's objects, equipment, and characters.

No sport embraces its wild history quite like baseball, especially in memorabilia and objects. Sure, there are baseball cards and team pennants. But there are also huge balls, giant bats, peanuts, cracker jacks, eyeblack, and more, each with a backstory you have to read to believe. In The 34-Ton Bat, Sports Illustrated writer Steve Rushin tells the real, unvarnished story of baseball through the lens of all the things that make it the game that it is.

Rushin weaves these rich stories -- from ballpark pipe organs played by malevolent organists to backed up toilets at Ebbets Field -- together in their order of importance (from most to least) for an entertaining and compulsive read, glowing with a deep passion for America's Pastime. The perfect holiday gift for casual fans and serious collectors alike, The 34-Ton Bat is a true heavy hitter.

Author Biography

Steve Rushin has been writing for Sports Illustratedfor the last 25 years and was the 2006 National Sportswriter of the Year. His work has been collected in The Best American Sports Writing, The Best American Travel Writing, and The Best American Magazine Writing. He lives in Connecticut.

by Ken Melley (Author)

The Anatomy of Baseball Nicknames is filled with a selection of over seven hundred monikers given athletes, mostly in the game of baseball, that will make for an enjoyable read whether you are a fan of "America's Game" or not. Be it "the Left Arm of God" or "the Octopus" or "the Gooney Bird," all of these have been tagged to significant ballplayers in their major league careers. Besides the major leagues, which date back to the late 1800s, there is a wonderful parallel history of Negro Baseball teams, owners, and players and the powerful way in which nicknames were integral to the game. The integration of Major League Baseball, which began in 1947, when Jackie Robinson stepped on the field with the Brooklyn Dodgers, did not end the nickname era. There is also a revealing chapter on girls and women baseball players. The first game between two women's teams, where the players were paid for their play, dates back to the 1870s. Along with all the nicknames cited, there are over two hundred pictures of players categorized by their nicknames. The reader will recognize and identify with many of these nicknames, but one will find that far too many have been lost to the history of the game.

by Jonathan Fink (Author)

In this book, The Baseball Gods are Real: Volume 3 - The Religion of Baseball, I expand on my belief that the Baseball Gods do exist. As I did with the first two published books in my series about baseball, I take my readers with me as I chronicle the origins, history and religiosity of baseball. I cover a lot of ground, including detailed descriptions of famous baseball stadiums, which I call cathedrals, and well documented baseball miracles, some of which are extraordinary. This book also pays homage to many baseball saints, identifies many baseball sinners, and celebrates baseball zealots who are truly passionate about this great game.

This book also features many fascinating stories that clearly demonstrate the work of the Baseball Gods. Sometimes their work is revealed through baseball karma, which can be good or bad and can be immediate or deferred. It can materialize in the form of unexpected victories or good luck or, alternatively, as freak injuries, unfortunate events, or heartbreaking losses. These pages also chronicle the outrageous rituals and superstitions of baseball players in their attempt to avoid bad karma and describe many instances in which ballplayers and franchises create good karma and positive results with their good deeds and charitable and community work. Finally, this book explores the mysterious, paranormal world of baseball, including true stories of baseball ghosts, prophetic dreams, and even UFO's!

I sincerely hope that you enjoy reading this book. After you do, I also hope you conclude that the Baseball Gods are real!

by Joe Posnanski (Author)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Winner of the CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year

Author Biography

Joe Posnanski is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including The Baseball 100, Paterno, and The Secret of Golf. He has written for The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, and The Kansas City Star and currently writes at JoePosnanski.com. He has been named National Sportswriter of the Year by five different organizations and is the winner of two Emmy Awards. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his family.

by Jonathan a. Fink (Author)

This book is the story of the first part of my life and how I rediscovered myself. At the age of 38, a midlife crisis inspired me to explore a spiritual path. As I transformed myself through the practice of yoga and meditation, I was introduced to the Baseball Gods.

The Baseball Gods is a term that emerged over time to explain the mysterious and coincidental events that occur in the world of baseball. When fans, sports writers, players, managers and coaches witness these miracle moments, they reference this mysterious force in the universe as the work of the Baseball Gods.

Traversing through childhood, college, the music industry, Wall Street and, of course, the world of baseball, my story takes readers along for the ride as I experience synchronicity, winks from the universe, and divine guidance. While I grew up a self-proclaimed atheist, I now know from personal experience that the Baseball Gods are real.

by Jeffrey Powers-Beck (Author), Joseph B. Oxendine (Foreword by)

For many the entry of Jackie Robinson into Major League Baseball in 1947 marked the beginning of integration in professional baseball, but the entry of American Indians into the game during the previous half-century and the persistent racism directed toward them is not as well known. From the time that Louis Sockalexis stepped onto a Major League Baseball field in 1897, American Indians have had a presence in professional baseball. Unfortunately, it has not always been welcomed or respected, and Native athletes have faced racist stereotypes, foul epithets, and abuse from fans and players throughout their careers. The American Indian Integration of Baseball describes the experiences and contributions of American Indians as they courageously tried to make their place in America's national game during the first half of the twentieth century.

Jeffrey Powers-Beck provides biographical profiles of forgotten Native players such as Elijah Pinnance, George Johnson, Louis Leroy, and Moses Yellow Horse, along with profiles of better-known athletes such as Jim Thorpe, Charles Albert Bender, and John Tortes Meyers. Combining analysis of popular-press accounts with records from boarding schools for Native youth, where baseball was used as a tool of assimilation, Powers-Beck shows how American Indians battled discrimination and racism to integrate American baseball.

Author Biography

Jeffrey Powers-Beck is a professor of English and assistant dean of Graduate Studies at East Tennessee State University. He is the author of Writing the Flesh: The Herbert Family Dialogue. Joseph B. Oxendine is the author of American Indian Sports Heritage (Nebraska 1995).

by Coach Craig -. B. Ed (Author)

"The Baseball Game Is On!"- "The Eagles vs. The Sharks!" is Book-3 in the "Sports Action Kid Books"-

This exciting picture book story is portrayed with terrific baseball action between the Eagles and the Sharks.

A double play, a catch at the wall, a base runner sliding at home plate and another caught stealing second base, all create the drama and thrill of a live baseball game. Continuous action flows from each page leading to a dramatic ninth inning victory by the __________! The children have front row seats to this gripping baseball game and will not leave until that winning run is scored! Featuring great determination and effort with inspiring teamwork, all in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship!

- Special Bonus Literacy Page Format-

The picture book story includes a special literacy page format. It is designed to enhance a child's reading skill development, before, during or after sharing the exciting baseball story. The story is in a large black text, while the alphabet is shown in small red letters on the left margin, with story words in small blue text along the right margin, of each page. The format allows for reference at any time to reinforce and practice reading skills. ... letters make sounds! ... sounds make words! .... words make sentences!

The story includes.....

- full color play-by-play baseball action with a lively rhyming text

- a two page glossary of baseball terms

- a baseball player position glossary and pictorial

- the special page format to promote reading skill development

- A helpful chart at the end of the baseball story, shows the 4 Building Blocks of Reading, with tips and activities for parents and care givers reading with children. Each building block represents and explains a literacy skill, and offers tips and activities, for that skill development that contributes to a child's overall reading development.

by Danny Uribe Masep (Author)

THE ONLY SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY WORKBOOK THAT'S EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNED FOR BASEBALL PLAYERS TO BUILD MENTAL TOUGHNESS AND BOOST THEIR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Players hear it all the time...

"Baseball is 90% Mental, and 10% Physical"

"It's All in Your Head"

"The Only One that Can Stop You is You"

"You have to be Mentally Tough!"

But what exactly do those sayings mean Without something concrete, it's difficult for players to understand what it specifically takes to have a mental approach primed for success.

And rather than have a debate with someone who knows nothing about mental training or sports psychology... or read about theories and mental hacks that may or may not work off some random website...why not use a detailed, interactive, and engaging workbook that shows and teaches athletes how specific Sports Psychology concepts directly impact their performance on the baseball field?

That's exactly what you've found here!

Through 10 Dynamic Exercises... we take athlete's on a journey through the Most debilitating Mental and Emotional Obstacles faced by the Vast Majority of Competitors including:

-Decreased Levels in Motivation

-Lack of Goal-Setting Capability

-Suppressing Unwanted Thoughts

-An Inability to get "In a Zone"

-Experiencing Overwhelming Pre-Game Jitters, Nerves, and Anxiety

-Overcoming Serious and Debilitating Injuries

-Zero Formal Education of Necessary Mental Skills such as Mental Imagery and Self-Talk

-Playing without Confidence

-Not Being Able to Focus when it Matters Most

When Athletes Suffer and become Victim to one or multiple issues mentioned above...it becomes Incredibly Difficult for them to maintain a positive frame of mind not only in sports but in life in general. And unfortunately in society today all athletes are under the spot light as they are judged by many of their friends, family, and peers by the level of success they have on the field, which makes it absolutely crucial for athletes to be mentally tough and resilient.

Thus, after completing our workbook athletes will undoubtedly be equipped with the Mental Tools to:

1. Develop Supreme Confidence in their Skills and Abilities to Flourish

2. Build Mental Toughness and Resilience to Overcome Obstacles

3. Learn to Handle Intense Pressure and Paralyzing Adversity

4. Conquer their Crippling Fears and Severe Anxiety

5. Be Mentally Ready to Compete and Dominate their Competition

6. Come Back from Injury Better and Stronger than Before

7. Be Overflowing with Motivation and Surpass their Athletic Goals

Whether you're a male or female athlete looking for ways to improve your skills and ability (middle school, high school, or collegiate skill level)...A coach or trainer in search of avenues to improve your teams performance...or a parent trying to help your son or daughter accomplish their goals and dreams...THIS IS THE WORKBOOK YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR!

Choking Under Pressure During Crucial Moments of a Game, Sitting on the Bench Game after Game despite All your Hard Work and Effort, Becoming accustomed to Losing Over and Over, not Stepping Up when the team Needs it Most, and being Unable to see any Progress toward Improving and Reaching Success can be EXTREMELY PAINFUL, DISAPPOINTING, and DISCOURAGING. This STOPS TODAY! Fulfill your Potential, and Finally Play Great the way you've Always Envisioned.

Available in Kindle and Paperback Edition

by James Edward Miller (Author)

Major league baseball is more than pitching, defense, and three-run homers. It is a big business. In recent years at least as much fan interest has focused on the off-the-field activities of players and owners as on the games themselves. James Miller's The Baseball Business identifies the issues that have come to the fore during the commercialization of baseball since the 1950s:
-the changing relationship between the major and minor leagues;
-the evolution of one club's management from community to single ownership;
-increasingly complex and costly labor relations, especially free agency;
-the peculiar relationship of for-profit sports teams with local governments, especially the construction of public stadiums with tax dollars;
-racial discrimination.

St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck's 1953 decision to move his franchise to Baltimore was one of the first significant responses by major league baseball to the difficulties it faced in the years after World War II, and the move ushered in an era of franchise shifts and expansion. The new Orioles franchise went on to build a highly successful farm system at a time when minor league baseball was undergoing a series of fundamental changes and to caputre the American League pennant four times between 1966 and 1971. In the 1970s the club lost key players as a result of the introduction of "free agency." Later, the Orioles made large and disastrous investments in free agent players in an effort to remain competitive.

The ties between the Orioles and Baltimore's political and business elites have always been close, and the effort to attract and maintain major league baseball has been a critical part of the city's effort to refurbish its image and attract new industries. The nearly twenty-year debate over replacing Memorial Stadium with a more modern facility is a case study in the thorny relationship between sports businesses and state and local governments.

The Baseball Business is a history of the Baltimore franchise, not just the team. While Miller amply recounts the on-the-field exploits and achievements that have made the Orioles one of baseball's premier clubs, his focus is what happened in the farm system and the front office to make those achievements possible. Armed with a rich historical perspective gained from extensive research in Orioles records and the sporting press, Miller provides an invaluable analysis of the issues facing the sport of baseball. The Baseball Business will be essential reading for all fans who want to understand the business of pursuing not only pennants but also profits.

by Angelo J. Louisa (Editor)

Nebraska is not usually thought of as a focal point in the history of black baseball, yet the state has seen its share of contributions to the African American baseball experience. This book examines nine of the most significant, including the rise and fall of the Lincoln Giants, Satchel Paige's adventures in the Cornhusker State, a visit from Jackie Robinson, and the maturation of Bob Gibson both on and off the field. Also, recollections are featured from individuals who participated in or witnessed the African American baseball experience in the Omaha area.

Author Biography

Angelo J. Louisa is a researcher, writer, and community educator who lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

by Gary L. Watts (Author)

In the tradition of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Karate Kid, The Baseball Code is a story about the passing on of wisdom from generation to generation, from father to son, from teacher to student, from coach to player. It is a story about goodness; about why we tell the truth and why sometimes we don't; about always doing your best; about playing fair and putting the team first; about understanding that giving up what you want isn't the same as losing and that sometimes a sacrifice bunt is the right play.

Terry Richards is a retired math professor, struggling with grief and loneliness after the loss of his wife. Noah is a ten-year-old boy down the street whose father has recently moved away. When Noah's baseball rolls into Terry's yard, their friendship begins with a simple game of catch and conversation.

Terry also recalls his conversations with his wife, as with bittersweetness he remembers their first date, their first argument, and the rose garden they planted together in the back yard. He thinks about his father and the talks they had playing catch after dinner. He knows that his dad not only taught him baseball but also taught him right from wrong and what it meant to have honor. He passes that wisdom on to Noah as he shares with him his love of the game. He calls those values, "The Baseball Code."

Like a Field of Dreams (Shoeless Joe) and The Sandlot, The Baseball Code is a story about the love of the game; about the smell of a well-oiled glove; about the feel of the handle of the bat as you turn it in your hands; about running across an expanse of green grass on a hot summer afternoon, gazing up at the spinning red seams of a white baseball as it cuts its arc against a bright blue sky, timing your strides and the reach of your arm so perfectly that the ball drops into your mitt like a plum ripe from a tree.

Terry teaches Noah the fundamentals of the game: Always hustle, watch the ball into your glove, get to the bag early for the double play. Together, they build a field to practice on with their friends. They weather the ups and downs of the Summer League season-the disappointment of bad calls and unfair decisions, humorous incidents of coaches who can't play the game, and the exhilaration of making the winning play.

The Baseball Code is a story about the relationships that give life meaning and the beauty of the things that connect us. It is about the gardens that we plant and watch grow; about the fields that we build and play on; about the gifts that we give and the sacrifices we make as together we share the pain and joy of living.

by Lenzy Jr. Kelley (Author)

The genesis of this book is this author's viewpoint on how the game should be played. Some of the baseball theories cited in this book come from views stated by newscasters and radio and TV sports analysts. However, if anyone strongly disagrees with points in this book, feel free to contact me at Lenzyk@yahoo.com. If I concur with your assessment, I'll then make a change to be cited in my second edition. Also, because of baseballs evolving rule changes, there may be new rules or policy changes not incorporated in this book.

by Sharon G. Forman (Author), Lisa J. Teitelbaum (Illustrator), Ryan and Jon Daniels (Foreword by)

Why is this night different from all other nights of the year; and what does the game of baseball have to do with the Festival of Passover and the seder? Incorporating images and language from another springtime ritual, this baseball themed Passover Haggadah retells the story of the Israelites' Exodus from slavery in Egypt with faithfulness to the contours of a traditional seder. By holding up the Exodus next to the concept of a beloved national pastime, connections are made that cast light on the Passover story in new and unexpected patterns. This enchanting Haggadah with its vivid illustrations will capture the imagination of seder participants of all ages (from little leaguers to adults). By infusing an old ritual with thought provoking readings and new insights, this Haggadah may stand alone as the sole text at a religious school model seder or can be used as a supplementary Haggadah in traditional or liberal homes. Values taught at the seder, such as love of freedom, kindness to strangers, and concern for others, are celebrated in this user friendly text with particular sensitivity to gender equality and transliteration for non-Hebrew readers. With Moses as the team captain for the Israelites and Pharaoh heading up the Taskmasters, the lineups struggle for dominance. God throws the ultimate "splitter," making way for the Israelites to cross the Sea of Reeds. Each participant takes a turn up at bat as a reader. There is a 7th Inning Stretch, during which the children can go to the door to search for and welcome the presence of Elijah. Ultimately, there is praise and joy and celebration. Freedom has been won. The Israelites, have made it safely home, and springtime is renewed on a field of green.

by Noel Schraufnagel (Author)

This annotated bibliography covers approximately 400 novels published from 1838 through 2007. A substantial introduction to the history and development of the genre precedes the chronologically arranged entries, which provide bibliographic details and extensive annotations on plot, themes, and compositional strengths and weaknesses. Mainstream novels by writers such as Hemingway, Wolfe, Roth, and DeLillo are included.

Appendices provide historical overviews for the primary baseball subgenres, including mystery, fantasy, and science-fiction; lists for novels that foreground issues of race or ethnicity (or both, as in Winegardner's Vera Cruz Blues), gender (Gilbert's A League of Their Own), and class (Hay's The Dixie Association); and the author's rankings of great baseball novels overall and by subgenre.

Author Biography

Retired college English professor Noel Schraufnagel lives in Columbus, Georgia. He is also the author of From Apology to Protest: The Black American Novel.

by David Jenemann (Author)

The baseball glove is a ubiquitous item, a crucial piece of equipment in the game of baseball, and it offers the opportunity to examine the production of material culture and social practice at numerous levels. Where and how is a glove made, and how does its manufacture square with the narratives surrounding its place in American cultural life? What are the myths, superstitions, and beliefs surrounding its acquisition, care, use, and significance? How does a glove function as the center of a web of cultural practices that illustrate how individuals relate to a consumer good as a symbol of memory, personal narrative, and national identity? How do the manufacturers of baseball gloves draw upon, promote, and in some sense create these practices? How do these practices and meanings change in other national and cultural contexts?

The Baseball Glove offers students the opportunity to examine these questions in an engagingly written and illustrated book that promotes hands-on interaction with a quintessential item of material culture. At the same time, the book gives students the space for critical self-reflection about the place of material goods like sporting equipment in their lives, and it provides the chance to learn different methodological approaches to studying everyday objects.

Author Biography

David Jenemann is Associate Professor in the Department of English's program in film and television studies at the University of Vermont.

by Emma Bray (Author)

Baseball is my life. Not only am I good at it, but I'm determined not to end up like my father. That's why I don't allow myself to get too close to any woman.

But that all changes the day I see Brandy Lancaster. I'm drawn to her like a magnet, and there's no stopping the pull she has over me. One look and I'm already in too deep, but for the first time in forever, I'm not scared of drowning.

I'm obsessed, and I suddenly don't care because I'll do anything to make the pretty little pet shop owner with the midnight blue eyes and raven tresses mine.

by George W. Hilton (Editor), Ring W. Lardner (Author)

This is an annotated and copiously illustrated edition of 24 baseball stories by Ring W. Lardner, including the six classic stories later collected as You Know Me Al. Two-thirds of the stories describe real teams, real players, and real situations, and the annotation and illustrations serve to identify the references of early twentieth-century major league baseball that Lardner covered as a reporter.

Back Jacket

24 humorous and revealing baseball stories [are] collected in this beautifully illustrated volume. . . Offers photos of the real players mentioned in the stories and footnotes about real events. A gem.--San Francisco Chronicle
"Meticulous notes help the modern reader laugh all the harder at lines like 'Crawford got the luckiest three-base hit I ever see' by noting that Wahoo Sam Crawford of the Detroit Tigers was the most prolific triples hitter in baseball history."--New York Times Book Review

Author Biography

George W. Hilton is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been a baseball fan since 1936 when his father took him to his first game at Comiskey Park.

by Jonathan a. Fink (Author)

In the Baseball Gods are Real - Volume 2: The Road to the Show, I take my readers for another ride as I continue on my spiritual path. I describe how the daily practice of yoga and meditation, and a vegan diet, helped me out of a midlife crisis and led me to a new, better direction in my life, with baseball as my guide.

This book chronicles the path of Jon Perrin, my good friend and colleague at Satya Investment Management, the asset management firm I founded several years ago. I follow Perrin on his road to the show and recount several interesting and surprising adventures he experiences in his travels through baseball's minor league system. I introduce several other baseball personalities and events, some more well-known than others, as well as some ballplayers Perrin befriended on his baseball journey.

Additionally, this book follows the road to the show for Shohei Ohtani, a sensation as a rookie, and tells stories about baseball legends Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. My readers travel with me to cities, airports and baseball stadiums across the American landscape and share my experiences as an author and die-hard baseball fanatic. I hope my readers enjoy the ride as much as I did.

As you might have guessed, I use "the road to the show" as a metaphor for life. "The Show" is symbolic for achieving goals, whatever they may be. The road is not flat or straight. There will be ups and downs along the way. But whether you are a minor league baseball player, a musician, a financial advisor or whatever else you might aspire to be in life, you will learn from every accomplishment and setback, and keep moving forward on your own road to the show. May the Baseball Gods always be with you!

by Thad Mumau (Author)

This is a story about a kid who loves baseball and loves his granddaddy. Ten-year-old Luke has been abandoned by his mother and publicly disowned by his father. To top it off, he stinks at baseball. He is taken to be raise by a wonderful granddaddy who is both wise and loving. Ira teaches Luke how to live life to the fullest, helping him find the good in every day. He also gives his grandson the opportunity to learn how to play the game that is so much more than a game to both of them. All the while, the old man instills the idea that trust, confidence, and fairness provide a strong foundation for life and relationships.

by Craig Smith (Illustrator), Adam Osterweil (Author)

Brian has felt guilty ever since he destroyed his father's rare Honus Wagner baseball card at the age of four. When the opportunity to take another time-travel adventure presents itself, Brian and his best friend Paul jump at the chance. They send away for a TimeQuest 2 comic book--even more powerful than the one they used in The Comic Book Kid. But with more power comes greater adventure...and greater peril. Will they survive their harrowing journey through the space-time continuum and make Brian's father happy again?

Author Biography

Adam Osterweil grew up in Plainview, NY. He graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in Classics, and from Stony Brook University with a M.A. in Liberal Studies. He teaches junior high English at Springs School in Springs, New York. His hobbies include kayaking, video games, collecting comic books, historical research, and metal detecting.

by Wilf Pauls (Author)

Wilf loved playing ball with his older brother. Their family was too poor to buy good equipment so the boys played with floppy gloves and a baseball bat that gave splinters. On his way home from school, Wilf was surprised to see a beauty of a bat on the ball diamond in the farthest corner from the school. The temptation to take it created an unexpected dilemma. What would be the consequences? This true, heartwarming story shares the agony, the ecstasy, the battle for a clean conscience, and a story of redemption as a young boy learns a lifelong lesson in integrity.

by Gary Koca (Author)

On November 2, 2016, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians, 8-7, in the seventh game of the World Series, ending the longest drought in team sports history in the United States. It was in 1908 - 108 years earlier - that the Cubs last won a championship. Immediately, millions of people around the United States stood up and cheered, screamed, hugged whoever was near them, and generally lost themselves in sheer joy. The next day, many of them visited the gravesites of departed relatives and friends, just to let them know that the 108 year drought was over. One middle-aged man drove from North Carolina to his father's grave in Indiana just so he could listen to the game with his dad, a huge Cub fan who passed away in 1980. On Friday, November 4, the City of Chicago observed the Cubs' world series championship with a celebration in downtown Chicago. The Chicago police estimated the crowd to be about five million people, which would make it the seventh largest gathering of humanity in recorded history. Clearly, this was more than just another World Series win, it was an historic victory for the underdog and for Cub fans throughout the Chicago area, State of Illinois, United States, and perhaps the world. This book will examine the 2016 season in its entirety, what preceded this event, and the factors that led to this victory after 108 years of misery.

Author Biography

Gary Koca has had a love of baseball and the Chicago Cubs for as far back as he can remember. Professionally, he worked in human resources for 42 years, either as a Federal government employee or contractor. During that time, he wrote hundreds of position papers, proposals, articles for journals, letters, and many other written products. Now retired and able to devote more time to writing about his two favorite topics - baseball and old movies from the 1930's, 40's, and 50's - his major character flaw is being a life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs. And even that is no longer a flaw! Gary is married with two daughters and four grandchildren and lives in suburban Chicago and Central Florida. His previous books include Forgotten Movie Stars of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, (2013), Great Chicago Cub Baseball Players Since 1876 (2015), and Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Sidekicks in Western Movies (2016). All three are available on www.Amazon.com.

by Ron Kattawar (Author)

A premature baby is secretly given away to adoption. Four years later the famous mother dies a mysterious death. The housekeeper is the only one who knows the secret and must find a balance of keeping the man she loves while overcoming a whirlwind of adversaries on and off the baseball field.

by Billy D. Higgins (Author)

The St. Louis Cardinals were contenders in 1957 and '59, two of Hal Smith's best years as a Major League player. Smith, out of tiny Barling, Arkansas, had risen in the Minor Leagues, and even played in Mexico, Cuba, and the Asian circuit. Readers will be intrigued to learn key roles Smith played as baseball went through profound changes in the late 1950s. At the time, Smith was helping Bob Gibson grow into an All Star pitcher and Tim McCarver to become one of the great catchers. Smith, himself, played in the 1959 All Star Game--one of only two Cardinals to do so that year. The "Barling Darling" had a certain magic working for him, a quality readers will discover within the pages of this book. They will also observe the parallels between baseball's maturation during the 1950s and those of American society at the time. Higgins has crafted the story of a man who not only stood out in his time but also reflected its best hopes, its dynamic evolution in the postwar era, as well as the expansion of "America's game" onto the national stage, propelled in part by the medium of the day, television.

Front Jacket

The St. Louis Cardinals were contenders in 1957 and 59, two of Hal Smith s best years as a Major League player. Smith, out of tiny Barling, Arkansas, had risen in the Minor Leagues, and even played in Mexico, Cuba, and the Asian circuit. Readers will be intrigued to learn key roles Smith played as baseball went through profound changes in the late 1950s. At the time, Smith was helping Bob Gibson grow into an All Star pitcher and Tim McCarver to become one of the great catchers. Smith, himself, played in the 1959 All Star Gameone of only two Cardinals to do so that year. The Barling Darling had a certain magic working for him, a quality readers will discover within the pages of this book. They will also observe the parallels between baseball s maturation during the 1950s and those of American society at the time. Higgins has crafted the story of a man who not only stood out in his time but also reflected its best hopes, its dynamic evolution in the postwar era, as well as the expansion of America s game onto the national stage, propelled in part by the medium of the day, television."

Author Biography

Billy D. Higgins is professor of history at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and a member of the Society of American Baseball Researchers. His previous book, A Stranger and a Sojourner: Peter J. Caulder, Free Black Frontiersman in Antebellum Arkansas (University of Arkansas Press), won the Ragsdale Award for excellence in historical writing about Arkansas.

by Jonathan a. Fink (Author)

In the Baseball Gods are Real - Volume 2: The Road to the Show, I take my readers for another ride as I continue on my spiritual path. I describe how the daily practice of yoga and meditation, and a vegan diet, helped me out of a midlife crisis and led me to a new, better direction in my life, with baseball as my guide.

This book chronicles the path of Jon Perrin, my good friend and colleague at Satya Investment Management, the asset management firm I founded several years ago. I follow Perrin on his road to the show and recount several interesting and surprising adventures he experiences in his travels through baseball's minor league system. I introduce several other baseball personalities and events, some more well-known than others, as well as some ballplayers Perrin befriended on his baseball journey.

Additionally, this book follows the road to the show for Shohei Ohtani, a sensation as a rookie, and tells stories about baseball legends Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. My readers travel with me to cities, airports and baseball stadiums across the American landscape and share my experiences as an author and die-hard baseball fanatic. I hope my readers enjoy the ride as much as I did.

As you might have guessed, I use "the road to the show" as a metaphor for life. "The Show" is symbolic for achieving goals, whatever they may be. The road is not flat or straight. There will be ups and downs along the way. But whether you are a minor league baseball player, a musician, a financial advisor or whatever else you might aspire to be in life, you will learn from every accomplishment and setback, and keep moving forward on your own road to the show. May the Baseball Gods always be with you!

by Brent Mayne (Author)

An aspiring baseball catcher could do himself no greater favor than acquiring this manual. Whereas the techniques of hitting, pitching, and other baseball positions are well covered by valuable instruction books, the techniques of catching arguably the most difficult and most crucial position of all have not been covered well at all. Brent Mayne s The Art of Catching: The Secrets and Techniques of Baseball s Most Demanding Position changes all that in a single stroke. The book s lucid, concise but comprehensive, and highly readable approach puts at your fingertips the wisdom and skills of a successful pro. Brent Mayne played major league ball for sixteen seasons (1989 2004), most of them with the Kansas City Royals. He earned a reputation for his handling of pitchers, effective plate blocking, and strong arm. Enjoying success both behind the plate and at it, he batted .301 in two consecutive seasons (1999 2000). Mayne caught a no-hitter pitched by Bret Saberhagen in 1991, and he also has the distinction of being the only catcher in the twentieth century to have won a game as a pitcher. A hard-working, consummate pro, Mayne knows his position like the back of his hand and has a gift for communicating his knowledge and experience enthusiastically. The Art of Catching begins by sketching a quick, informative evolution of the position and its all-important glove, along with offering some illuminating personal history. After these preliminaries, Mayne turns his attention to the heart of the matter: the fundamentals of catching. Stressing the absolute importance of posture, he covers a variety of stances and body positions. Important techniques such as glove mechanics, blocking, throwing to bases, back picking, and pitchouts are also covered in detail. Mayne offers concise summaries of proper methods, such as: Pitchout footwork with a right-handed batter is: jab with right foot (before pitcher releases the ball), step left, catch the ball, then right step, left step, throw. By practicing such mechanics until they become second nature, catchers will master their craft. Subsequent chapters of The Art of Catching cover crucial topics such as calling games, working with pitchers, handling pop flies, making plays at the plate (without injuring one s self!), and drills. For Mayne, it is practice and experience, above all, that distinguish professional-caliber players from wannabes. As he points out: One trait common to all the players at the top is that they ve played a ton of baseball, more baseball in fact than about 99.9 percent of the population. For catchers, Mayne sees the bullpen as the best place for productive drills. Instead of viewing time there as tedious, catchers should use it productively to hone their skills and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their pitching staff. Mayne s overview of drills does, however, come with some wise cautionary words that, again, place the emphasis on correct mechanics: Practice does not make perfect; practice makes permanent. In other words, if you have poor technique when you practice, that is what you will take out to the game. Readers of this book will learn the right techniques. Each chapter of The Art of Catching concludes with a section of key points for handy reference. In addition, the book features numerous invaluable illustrations and photos, which clearly reinforce the teachings of the text, thought-provoking quotations, and a handy index. For coaches and those who want to distinguish themselves as baseball catchers, The Art of Catching: The Secrets and Techniques of Baseball s Most Demanding

by Sean Peter Kirst (Author)

The parents and widow of Lou Gehrig were so concerned about the potential desecration of his grave that they considered moving his ashes to the Hall of Fame. Officials embraced the idea of creating a mausoleum for baseball greats, but the idea was killed by Gehrig's wife--whose cryptic remarks leave us wondering to this day about the disposition of his remains. Kirst's essay on Gehrig's ashes and numerous other essays are put together from dozens of personal interviews with baseball characters.

Babe Dahlgren claims he was blacklisted for rumors of marijuana use; Babe Ruth sends a note to a child stricken with polio--a note nearly lost when the family moved, and the first physical confirmation obtained by the Hall of Fame of the slugger's legendary kindness to children; a black cat is brought to the ballpark as a gesture of contempt when Jackie Robinson plays against Syracuse, a team he felt treated him as badly as any in the International League. The collection contains new information about the father of baseball card collecting, about a bat company whose accomplishments were lost in baseball lore, and about the murder trial of the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. Beautifully written, filled with fresh facts and revelations, these essays will appeal.

Author Biography

Sean Peter Kirst, a columnist and sportswriter, lives in Syracuse, New York.

by Wilf Pauls (Author)

Wilf loved playing ball with his older brother. Their family was too poor to buy good equipment so the boys played with floppy gloves and a baseball bat that gave splinters. On his way home from school, Wilf was surprised to see a beauty of a bat on the ball diamond in the farthest corner from the school. The temptation to take it created an unexpected dilemma. What would be the consequences? This true, heartwarming story shares the agony, the ecstasy, the battle for a clean conscience, and a story of redemption as a young boy learns a lifelong lesson in integrity.

by Jonathan a. Fink (Author)

This book is the story of the first part of my life and how I rediscovered myself. At the age of 38, a midlife crisis inspired me to explore a spiritual path. As I transformed myself through the practice of yoga and meditation, I was introduced to the Baseball Gods.

The Baseball Gods is a term that emerged over time to explain the mysterious and coincidental events that occur in the world of baseball. When fans, sports writers, players, managers and coaches witness these miracle moments, they reference this mysterious force in the universe as the work of the Baseball Gods.

Traversing through childhood, college, the music industry, Wall Street and, of course, the world of baseball, my story takes readers along for the ride as I experience synchronicity, winks from the universe, and divine guidance. While I grew up a self-proclaimed atheist, I now know from personal experience that the Baseball Gods are real.

by Jonathan Fink (Author)

In this book, The Baseball Gods are Real: Volume 3 - The Religion of Baseball, I expand on my belief that the Baseball Gods do exist. As I did with the first two published books in my series about baseball, I take my readers with me as I chronicle the origins, history and religiosity of baseball. I cover a lot of ground, including detailed descriptions of famous baseball stadiums, which I call cathedrals, and well documented baseball miracles, some of which are extraordinary. This book also pays homage to many baseball saints, identifies many baseball sinners, and celebrates baseball zealots who are truly passionate about this great game.

This book also features many fascinating stories that clearly demonstrate the work of the Baseball Gods. Sometimes their work is revealed through baseball karma, which can be good or bad and can be immediate or deferred. It can materialize in the form of unexpected victories or good luck or, alternatively, as freak injuries, unfortunate events, or heartbreaking losses. These pages also chronicle the outrageous rituals and superstitions of baseball players in their attempt to avoid bad karma and describe many instances in which ballplayers and franchises create good karma and positive results with their good deeds and charitable and community work. Finally, this book explores the mysterious, paranormal world of baseball, including true stories of baseball ghosts, prophetic dreams, and even UFO's!

I sincerely hope that you enjoy reading this book. After you do, I also hope you conclude that the Baseball Gods are real!

by Gary L. Watts (Author)

In the tradition of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Karate Kid, The Baseball Code is a story about the passing on of wisdom from generation to generation, from father to son, from teacher to student, from coach to player. It is a story about goodness; about why we tell the truth and why sometimes we don't; about always doing your best; about playing fair and putting the team first; about understanding that giving up what you want isn't the same as losing and that sometimes a sacrifice bunt is the right play.

Terry Richards is a retired math professor, struggling with grief and loneliness after the loss of his wife. Noah is a ten-year-old boy down the street whose father has recently moved away. When Noah's baseball rolls into Terry's yard, their friendship begins with a simple game of catch and conversation.

Terry also recalls his conversations with his wife, as with bittersweetness he remembers their first date, their first argument, and the rose garden they planted together in the back yard. He thinks about his father and the talks they had playing catch after dinner. He knows that his dad not only taught him baseball but also taught him right from wrong and what it meant to have honor. He passes that wisdom on to Noah as he shares with him his love of the game. He calls those values, "The Baseball Code."

Like a Field of Dreams (Shoeless Joe) and The Sandlot, The Baseball Code is a story about the love of the game; about the smell of a well-oiled glove; about the feel of the handle of the bat as you turn it in your hands; about running across an expanse of green grass on a hot summer afternoon, gazing up at the spinning red seams of a white baseball as it cuts its arc against a bright blue sky, timing your strides and the reach of your arm so perfectly that the ball drops into your mitt like a plum ripe from a tree.

Terry teaches Noah the fundamentals of the game: Always hustle, watch the ball into your glove, get to the bag early for the double play. Together, they build a field to practice on with their friends. They weather the ups and downs of the Summer League season-the disappointment of bad calls and unfair decisions, humorous incidents of coaches who can't play the game, and the exhilaration of making the winning play.

The Baseball Code is a story about the relationships that give life meaning and the beauty of the things that connect us. It is about the gardens that we plant and watch grow; about the fields that we build and play on; about the gifts that we give and the sacrifices we make as together we share the pain and joy of living.

by Robert Santelli (Author), Jenna Santelli (Author)

No sports fans are more in touch with the history and ephemera of their game than baseball fans. Hitting the sweet spot of our national pastime, The Baseball Fans Bucket List presents a list of 162 absolute must things to do, see, get, and experience before you kick the bucket. Entries range from visiting Elysian Fields in Hoboken, NJ (site of the first pro baseball game), to starting a baseball card collection; experiencing Opening Day; attending your favorite teams Fantasy Camp; reading classic books like Ball Four, and much more! Each entry includes interesting facts, entertaining trivia, and practical information about the activity, item, or travel destination. Also included is a complete checklist so the reader can keep a running tally of their Bucket-List achievements. With todays tabloid stories of steroid abuse and off-the-field shenanigans encroaching on baseballs idyllic charm, this unique guidebook encourages readers to celebrate all thats good about being a fan.

Author Biography

Robert Santelli is Executive Director of the Grammy Museum, and Co-Chairman of "Woody at 100"-- a partnership between the Grammy Museum and the Woody Guthrie Archives producing numerous events celebrating Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday throughout 2012 across America and internationally. He lives in Los Angles, California. Please visit the "Woody at 100" website at woody100.com.

by Jerry Butters (Author), Jim Henle (Author)

The Baseball Mysteries: Challenging Puzzles for Logical Detectives is a book of baseball puzzles, logical baseball puzzles. To jump in, all you need is logic and a casual fan's knowledge of the game. The puzzles are solved by reasoning from the rules of the game and a few facts.

The logic in the puzzles is like legal reasoning. A solution must argue from evidence (the facts) and law (the rules). Unlike legal arguments, however, a solution must reach an unassailable conclusion.

There are many puzzle books. But there's nothing remotely like this book. The puzzles here, while rigorously deductive, are firmly attached to actual events, to struggles that are reported in the papers every day.

The puzzles offer a unique and scintillating connection between abstract logic and gritty reality.

Actually, this book offers the reader an unlimited number of puzzles. Once you've solved a few of the challenges here, every boxscore you see in the papers or online is a new puzzle! It can be anywhere from simple, to complex, to impossible.

• For anyone who enjoys logical puzzles
• For anyone interested in legal reasoning
• For anyone who loves the game of baseball.

Jerry Butters has a BA in mathematics from Oberlin College, and an MS in mathematics and a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago. He taught mathematics for two years at Mindanao State University in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer. He taught economics for five years at Princeton University. For most of his career, he worked on consumer protection cases and policy issues at the Federal Trade Commission. In his retirement, he has become a piano teacher and performer. He enjoys hobbies ranging from reading Chinese to practicing Taiji. This book is an outgrowth of another of his hobbies - his love of designing and solving puzzles of all sorts.

Jim Henle has a BA in mathematics from Dartmouth College and a PhD from M.I.T. He taught for two years at U. P. Baguio in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer, two years at a middle school as alternative service, and 42 years at Smith College. His research is primarily in logic and set theory, with additional papers in geometry, graph theory, number theory, games, economics, and music. He edited columns for The Mathematical Intelligencer. He authored or co-authored five books. His most recent book, The Proof and the Pudding, compares mathematics and gastronomy. He has collaborated with Jerry on puzzle papers and chamber music concerts.

Author Biography

Jerry Butters has a BA in mathematics from Oberlin College, and an MS in mathematics and a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago. He taught mathematics for two years at Mindanao State University in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer. He taught economics for five years at Princeton University. For most of his career, he worked on consumer protection cases and policy issues at the Federal Trade Commission. In his retirement, he has become a piano teacher and performer. He enjoys hobbies ranging from reading Chinese to practicing Taiji. This book is an outgrowth of another of his hobbies - his love of designing and solving puzzles of all sorts.

Jim Henle has a BA in mathematics from Dartmouth College and a PhD from M.I.T. He taught for two years at U. P. Baguio in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer, two years at a middle school as alternative service, and 42 years at Smith College. His research is primarily in logic and set theory, with additional papers in geometry, graph theory, number theory, games, economics, and music. He edited columns for The Mathematical Intelligencer. He authored or co-authored five books. His most recent book, The Proof and the Pudding, compares mathematics and gastronomy. He has collaborated with Jerry on puzzle papers and chamber music concerts.

by David &. Madalon Wilson (Author)

Baseball Kitchen provides recipes for each Major League Baseball team. Each recipe is from an area of the United States and Canada where the teams are located. Use for baseball theme nights while you enjoy the game with friends and family.

by David W. Gue (Author)

True baseball fans love connecting with others who share their passion for the game. Baseball, cherished for over 150 years as "The National Pastime," has inspired countless new ideas, friendships, and memories. Cooperstown should be a top destination for fans to celebrate this beloved sport. The Baseball Hall of Fame needs to be a gem for those passionate about the game's history. Baseball uniquely spans generations, allowing today's youth to connect with their fathers, grandfathers, and even great-grandfathers. A program highlighting Baseball and American Culture would offer fun historical insights for dedicated fans. The Hall of Fame should refine its induction criteria with a "Hall of Fame Point System," ensuring the greatest players are promptly recognized based on their achievements. This system would fairly differentiate between superstars, great players, and "Hall of Very Good Players," providing a transparent process for induction. Players, managers, and coaches should be assessed with rigorous statistical standards, leveling the playing field and honoring those with significant postseason success. This approach would address the current system's shortcomings, which have overlooked deserving individuals like Thurman Munson and Don Mattingly. Cooperstown, America's most famous small town, is perfect for fans to gather and share their love for baseball. Our national pastime holds a special place in our hearts, cherished from a young age. What could be better than celebrating that love together? The BBWAA plays a crucial role in Hall of Fame decisions, but the process has become complex and divisive, especially with "Steroids Era" players. This book proposes a statistical framework to identify "no doubt" players for induction and those who should be elected by the BBWAA. Players meeting criteria but violating the "Character Clause" should have their statistics displayed separately, without a Bust and Plaque. The BBWAA should be supported by statistical history, legitimizing decisions for individuals like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. This system would prevent retroactive application of new rules to past players. The BBWAA should present decisions transparently, using fact-based arguments and thorough player contexts, fostering a balanced understanding with the public. The Baseball Hall of Fame should remain unbiased, showcasing only the facts and truths of the game. Baseball connects the past, present, and future of both the game and the United States. Cooperstown can become a destination for extended stays, offering an enriching experience for generations to come.

by Stephen M. Bratkovich (Author)

Why do modern-day sluggers like Aaron Judge prefer maple bats over the traditional ash bats swung by Ted Williams and others? Why did the surge of broken bats in the early 21st century create a crisis for Major League Baseball and what steps were taken to address the issue? Are different woods being considered by players and manufacturers? Do insects, disease and climate change pose a problem long-term?

These and other questions are answered in this exhaustive examination of the history and future of wooden bats, written for both lifelong baseball fans and curious newcomers.

Author Biography

Stephen M. Bratkovich is a retired forester and wood products specialist with the U.S. Forest Service in St. Paul, Minnesota and Dovetail Partners, Inc. in Minneapolis. He lives in Medina, Minnesota.

by John McCollister (Author)

Why do we sometimes refer to a left-handed pitcher as a "southpaw"? Why are major league pitchers normally limited to 100 pitches per game? Why was Jack Roosevelt Robinson the first African-American ever to play as part of an official lineup for a team in Major League Baseball? Why is a baseball field sometimes referred to as a diamond?

This book provides over 100 questions and detailed answers concerning the traditions, rules, and history of the national pastime. Organized by the sport's five eras-Dead Ball, Live Ball, Golden Age, Expansion, and Steroid Era-it answers questions about hitting, pitching, fielding, base running, managing, scouting, and ownership that vex even the most ardent fans of the game. Moreover, this book is an appreciation of how baseball's traditions began.

Author Biography

John McCollister is a life-long baseball fan and author of 24 books, including histories of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. In addition to being a licensed pilot, federal arbitrator, and former Lutheran pastor, McCollister has had the honor of singing the national anthem before baseball games in Minneapolis and Detroit. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

by Bert Randolph Sugar (Editor), Ken Samelson (With)

Part reference, part trivia, part brain teaser, and absolutely the most unusual and thorough compendium of baseball stats and facts ever assembled--all verified for accuracy by the Baseball Hall of Fame.

• Highest batting averages not to win batting titles
• Home-run leaders by state of birth
• Players on last-place teams leading the league in RBIs, by season
• Most triples by position, season
• Winners of two "legs" of triple crown since last winner
• Oldest pitchers with losing record, leading league in ERA
• Career pitching leaders under six feet tall
• Managers replaced wile team was in first place
• Hall of Famers whose sons played in the majors
• Players with palindromic surnames
• And so much more!

Author Biography

Bert Randolph Sugar established himself as one of the world's foremost sports historians. He was the former editor in chief of The Ring and Fight Game magazines and the author of more than eighty books, with over a dozen books on baseball. Past titles include The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists, Bert Sugar's Baseball Hall of Fame: A Living History of America's Greatest Game, and Fight or Die: The Vinny Paz Story. Sugar passed away in 2012.

by Paul O'Neill (Author), Jack Curry (Author)

This fun and fiery New York Times bestselling memoir tells the life story of All Star Yankee and five-time World Champion, Paul O'Neill, like you've never seen him before.

Author Biography

Paul Andrew O'Neill played seventeen seasons in the major leagues. He played for the Cincinnati Reds (1985-1992) and the New York Yankees (1993-2001). O'Neill accumulated 281 home runs, 1,269 runs batted in, 2,107 hits, and a lifetime batting average of .288. He won the American League batting title in 1994 with a .359 average. He was a five-time World Series champion and a five-time all-star. After retiring from playing baseball, O'Neill became a broadcaster for the Yankees on the YES Network. He currently works on the network as a game analyst.