501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die
501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die

Author: Ron Kaplan

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 2018-08-01

Total Pages: 567

ISBN-13: 1496209885

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Propounding his "small ball theory" of sports literature, George Plimpton proposed that "the smaller the ball, the more formidable the literature." Of course he had the relatively small baseball in mind, because its literature is formidable--vast and varied, instructive, often wildly entertaining, and occasionally brilliant. From this bewildering array of baseball books, Ron Kaplan has chosen 501 of the best, making it easier for fans to find just the books to suit them (or to know what they're missing). From biography, history, fiction, and instruction to books about ballparks, business, and rules, anyone who loves to read about baseball will find in this book a companionable guide, far more fun than a reference work has any right to be.

Babe Ruth Saves Baseball!
Babe Ruth Saves Baseball!

Author: Frank Murphy

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Published: 2008-02-26

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13: 0375841849

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

All across the country in 1919, people are throwing down their bats, and giving up America's national pastime, so it is up to Babe Ruth to win back fans and save baseball.

Behind-the-scenes Baseball
Behind-the-scenes Baseball

Author: Doug Decatur

Publisher: ACTA Publications

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 9780879463007

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

While many baseball fans have ambiguous feelings about the role statistical analysis plays in the game, Behind-the-Scenes Baseball shows how statistics and "sabermetrics" don't have to detract from the passion of the game, but rather can contribute to a better understanding of and love for baseball.

Baseball as a Road to God
Baseball as a Road to God

Author: John Sexton

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2013-03-07

Total Pages: 267

ISBN-13: 1101609737

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The president of New York University offers a love letter to America’s most beloved sport and a tribute to its underlying spirituality. For more than a decade, John Sexton has taught a wildly popular New York University course about two seemingly very different things: religion and baseball. Yet Sexton argues that one is actually a pathway to the other. Baseball as a Road to God is about touching that something that lies beyond logical understanding. Sexton illuminates the surprisingly large number of mutual concepts shared between baseball and religion: faith, doubt, conversion, miracles, and even sacredness among many others. Structured like a game and filled with riveting accounts of baseball’s most historic moments, Baseball as Road to God will enthrall baseball fans whatever their religious beliefs may be. In thought-provoking, beautifully rendered prose, Sexton elegantly demonstrates that baseball is more than a game, or even a national pastime: It can be a road to enlightenment.

I Love Baseball
I Love Baseball

Author: Wayne Stewart

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2024-12-03

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 1493085328

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

From zany mascots to the most beautiful ballparks ever, and from great traditions to humorous anecdotes from the game, I Love Baseball explores the many reasons we love baseball. It’s all here: the inspirational men and moments that enliven the sport players’ thoughts on the game they love so deeply quotes from sportswriters and from classic movies on baseball celebrities who have fallen in love with the game the lighter side of baseball from quirky ballpark features to the game’s rich humor even the oddities from baseball’s spectacular “sideshow" Based on assiduous research and the author's exclusive interviews with baseball legends past and present, this book will be a cherished keepsake for fans of the game everywhere.

The MVP Machine
The MVP Machine

Author: Ben Lindbergh

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 2019-06-04

Total Pages: 428

ISBN-13: 1541698959

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Move over, Moneyball -- this New York Times bestseller examines major league baseball's next cutting-edge revolution: the high-tech quest to build better players. As bestselling authors Ben Lindbergh and Travis Sawchik reveal in The MVP Machine, the Moneyball era is over. Fifteen years after Michael Lewis brought the Oakland Athletics' groundbreaking team-building strategies to light, every front office takes a data-driven approach to evaluating players, and the league's smarter teams no longer have a huge advantage in valuing past performance. Lindbergh and Sawchik's behind-the-scenes reporting reveals: How undersized afterthoughts José Altuve and Mookie Betts became big sluggers and MVPs How polarizing pitcher Trevor Bauer made himself a Cy Young contender How new analytical tools have overturned traditional pitching and hitting techniques How a wave of young talent is making MLB both better than ever and arguably worse to watch Instead of out-drafting, out-signing, and out-trading their rivals, baseball's best minds have turned to out-developing opponents, gaining greater edges than ever by perfecting prospects and eking extra runs out of older athletes who were once written off. Lindbergh and Sawchik take us inside the transformation of former fringe hitters into home-run kings, show how washed-up pitchers have emerged as aces, and document how coaching and scouting are being turned upside down. The MVP Machine charts the future of a sport and offers a lesson that goes beyond baseball: Success stems not from focusing on finished products, but from making the most of untapped potential.

Traded
Traded

Author: Doug Decatur

Publisher: ACTA Publications

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 189

ISBN-13: 9780879464127

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Few topics in baseball elicit the same passionate responses from fans as player trades. In attempt to bring some objectivity to such an emotional topic, Doug Decatur, a former statistical consultant for the Reds, Brewers, Cubs and Astros, uses Win Shares, a stat developed by the famous Bill James, to determine the best and worst trades in baseball history. He also provides red flags to look for when evaluating future trades.

EZ Does It
EZ Does It

Author: Edward M. Smith

Publisher: Inkwell Productions

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 524

ISBN-13: 9780974970134

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The true-life story of a young man's pursuit of his childhood dream. At an early age, Edward Smith played the games many boys do- baseball, basketball and football. It was apparent early on that he was blessed with talent. Not only the story of a sportsman, EZ DOES IT: The Journey of a Lifetime delves deep into his soul and allows you an inside look into a very private man. He also takes you behind the scenes of the professional sports world spotlight. It's not all peaches and cream and every athlete does not walk around with a silver spoon in his mouth. You will witness personal triumphs and tragedy, life-altering choices, loves created, lost and found again.

Bull Catcher
Bull Catcher

Author: Alden R. Carter

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks

Published: 2000-03-01

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 9780590509596

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Pete and Jeff continue their friendship and love of baseball as they progress from ninth grade through high school in their small Wisconsin town.

50 X 50
50 X 50

Author: 50 Cent

Publisher: Pocket Books

Published: 2007-10-02

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9781416544715

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

An illustrated fan's collectible volume of 50 Cent memorabilia contains lyrics, drawings, removable letters, album covers, and an audio CD with a previously unreleased track, in a tribute that also features rare photos and a CD of audio interviews about the hip-hop artist's personal life and professional achievements. 125,000 first printing.