Players Books

I think this book is a good one because it's talking about
how Ken Griffy Jr. played baseball. His old teamates Alex Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez and Tino Martinez really wanted him to stay in Seattle.
Now he's meeting new teammates like Barry Larkin,Sean Casy,
and Pokey Resse. He's still getting in the playoffs.His father
wanted him in Cincinati. Ken said the Yankees are so easy to beat. He still misses the Mariners.

This book is a good one to read if you like to read about the Seattle Mariners. They list Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Edgar Martinez and how they got their victory and got into the playoffs. It talks about when Ken Griffey, Jr. was a kid and how he grew up with his father, who played for the Cincinnati Reds. He practiced with his dad sometimes in Yankee Stadium, until his dad couldn't strike him out anymore. It says who he got married to, his likes, his dislikes. All in all, I rate this a 5 star book.

On a 1 to 10 scale I would give this book a 10 because it is a funny, family sports book. Ken Griffey Jr.'s dream was to play in the major Leagues like his father, and he achieved it.

This is one of the most informative(from the player perspective) books on baseball I've ever seen. Good narrative riddled with excerpts from interviews and autobiographies of the players who've made this the most beautiful sport around. Highlights include Willie Stargell's harrowing brush with Texas racism in the minors, psychological terrorism tips from Ty Cobb, playing through agony with Gary Carter and Roberto Clemente, what if's from Judy Johnson and Monte Irvin and dealing with the loneliness of language barriers in a strange land by Juan Marichal.
Humor comes from a bit on illegal pitches featuring Gaylord Perry and Burleigh Grimes, as well as Joe Sewell's innovative way to deal with a bunt down the third base line...that one led to an overnight rule change. There is also an amusing debate over who threw the first curve ball and how corn cobs made Paul Waner a better hitter.
There is also tragedy. The Carl Mays fastball that killed Ray Chapman is dealt with in these pages.
The oral history is striking and wonderful, but the rare photos are even better. Clear photos grace nearly every page, many of which I have never had the pleasure of seeing. If you love baseball with even half the passion that I embrace it , you must own this book. It's time to see what was going on before sportscenter.

Despite claims to the contrary by previous reviewers there are no stories related by Barry Bonds and this book is not in chronological order. It is, however, made to order. Slip off the dust jacket and enjoy.

This book is a unique approach to examining the
national pastime of the USA. It is a picture book
that visits various eras of the game in chronological
order, along with quotes from the era's greatest stars,
many of whom are enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown, New York. You get to see the quotes of some
great players. The photography alone makes the book a
treasured keepsake. If you love baseball history, this
book is for you. The photography mixed with comments

about the game itself from those who participate in it
is a great concept in itself.

This is a different sort of "best" book and takes the concept of oral history to a new level. Previously the players in such collections shared a common theme, like a team or time frame. But Wallace wonders what it would be like to sit down old-timers with contemporary players for a discussion of their craft. Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds . . . Bob Feller and Greg Maddux . . . brothers of the diamond shooting the breeze. Using excerpts from old interviews, Wallace seamlessly blends the generations as they regale us in tales about the pressures a rookie faces, the joy of the cheers, and the heartbreak of realizing it's time to hang 'em up. The choice of illustrations works extremely well in enhancing the stories.

Fun to read and great pics. Too bad there was whining about the home run record for one season...face it Maris beat the Babe

This is a wonberful book for all who are nostolgic for the time when there were genuine, larger than lfe sports heroes. This wonderful reflection on Babe Ruth includes numerous photyographs. It is not an in depth biography. Rather, it is an evocative collection of pictures and anecdotes that he;p us feel as though we were there when the Babe was in his prime. Great book!!!

Baseball fans with an affection for the sports history will relish the renewed examination of Babe Ruth's life and career, which packs in almost a hundred photos to supplement anecdotes from those who knew him. Readers will find here an affectionate examination of Babe Ruth's life and times along with a fine visual coverage of baseball history.

Babe Ruth
The book I have read is called babe Ruth. This book was written by Art Berke. I have chosen this book because it's about one of my favorite baseball player's Babe Ruth. This book has122 pages. It has 9chapters in it. The book includes. Table of contents, notes, further reading, and the index. Babe Ruth is what the called him that because
When he was around10 to 11 he was an orphan. At the orphanage played baseball.
That's when he hit the ball out of the orphanage then they wanted to come up with a name so they called him babe Ruth which stands for baby Ruth.He was also a left handed pitcher.

ANDREW SMITH

BABE RUTH
BY, ART BURKE

THE BIOGRAPHY BABE RUTH IS THE TRIUPHRATE STORY OF A BOY THAT CAME FROM NOTHING THE STRIVED TO BECOME THE BEST BASEBALL PLAYER EVER AND ACHIEVED THAT GOAL. YOUNG GEORGE WAS A FANOMINAL BASEBALL PLAYER IN HIS EARLY YEARS WHEN HE STARTED TO GET INTROUBLE BECAUSE HE HAD NO FATHER FIQURE IN HIS LIFE. HE ATTENDS THE BOYS SCHOOL OF ST. MARYS WHERE HIS BASEBALL CAREER IS STARTED.
THIS BOOK IS A IS A VERY GOOD STORY FOR THE FAMILY. IT IS ALSO VERY INSTRUCTIVE. IT SHOWS GOOD MORALE LESSONS IN LIFE AND WHEN MADE BAD DECISSIONS AND HOW TO LEARN FROM THEM. IN THIS BOOK THEY DIDNýT REALLY GO INTO THE FAMILY LIFE OF BABE RUTH WHICH I THOUGHT THEY COULD HAVE A BIT MORE. THIS BOOK ALSO NAMES MANY OF THE ýGREAT BAMBINOýSý NICKNAMES. THIS BOOK AFFECTED ME IN MANY WAYS. IT SHOWED ME WHAT TO DO IN LIFE AND WHAT NOT TO DO. IT ALSO TAUGHT ME THAT YOU CANT ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE UNLESS YOU WORK HARD.

By, A.S.

Art Berke's biography of Babe Ruth is an excellent transitional biography between the introductory books written for young readers and the more scholarly biographies written by sports writers and other historians. Berke begins with the argument that Babe Ruth was simply the best there ever was in the history of baseball. Ty Cobb might have been a better overall hitter, Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio were five-tool stars who could do everything, and Walter Johnson was a better pitcher, but there is only one Babe Ruth. Berke lets Ruth's former teammate Waite Hoyt explain that somebody could come along and hit more than 60 home runs in a single season (as Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds have done) or end up with more than 714 home runs in a career (as Hank Aaron did), but doing those things would not make anybody any Ruth. By the time they finish reading this book young readers will understand why that is the case. But Berke also provides the other side of the story, telling how Ruth had little discipline, an enormous appetite for food and alcohol, caroused off the field, and was a reckless driver. Of course, any youngster who keeps up with the sports page will be well aware of how being a great player does not translate into being a great human being.

The story of the Babe also resonates because George Human Ruth came from an underprivileged childhood in Baltimore, Maryland, to become the greatest sports hero the country had ever known in one of the great rags to riches stories. If Ruth could start at St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys and end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame then all sorts of things are possible. Berke covers all of Ruth's milestones, from his remarkable pitching exploits with the Boston Red Sox to his revolutionary home run prowess with the New York Yankees after the infamous sale that altered the balance of power in the American League. There is also the way his deep affection for children and his less than admirable excesses added to his legendary persona.

Ruth was the most photographed man on the planet when he was alive and the book is illustrated with almost two dozen black & white photographs and Douglass Corckwell's painting of Ruth's "Called Shot." In addition to the career batting and pitching statistics in the back of the book Berke has boxes in most of the chapters that have Highlights and Key Statistics for a particular period, putting the numbers into context (e.g., in the 1916 season Ruth we know he was first in E.R.A. and shutouts because those stats are in boldface in the back of the book, but Ruth was tied for second in the number of wins and innings pitched, and was third in winning percentage and strikeouts). But in addition to the numbers are the stories that Berke tells that flesh out the Babe's legend. There are more such stories out there and interested readers can turn to Robert W. Creamer's "Babe: The Legend Comes to Life" or other adult biographies of Ruth to find out even more. This version of the "Babe Ruth" story provides a solid foundation for going to that next level.

the Yankees are my Team,but Barry Bonds is the Greatest Baseball Player that I have Ever seen.two things I always keep up with during baseball season: first how my Yankees did&then how Barry Bonds is doing.this is another cool Book about the Baddest Player in the game.a easy read but also on Point about the Greatest.

Prospective buyers should know that F. J McCormack, a friend of a rival sportwriter, is pushing misinformation. Jeff Savage and not that other fellow (who engages in enough self promotion that he shouldn't need to resort to having friends step all over Savage's work) is the author of this book.

Let's repeat: Jeff Savage, and no one else, is the author of this book.

As he has established a reputation for doing, Jeff Savage has put together a well-written, easily-readable and always interesting book about a star athlete. Readers young and old will enjoy this book - which was written by JEFF SAVAGE and no one else.

This insightful, well-written book is a must-read for the sports fan interested in a personal, inside view of the multi-faceted personality of the immensely talented Barry Bonds.

Bonds has provided few people with the access and insight he provided Steve Travers, the author. History will prove it to be the definitive work on one of baseball's greatest players.

Frank McCormack

Baseball America's Almanacs are a great resource to revisit the past season from MLB, minor/independent leagues, and college baseball. Also has the MLB draft picks by teams. Overall, a nice book/almanac to have around!

I get this book every year and study it cover to cover. Baseball America does a fantastic job covering all the little things about the past baseball season. It has a great year in review section and compiles its own first and second team all stars. It also has a comprehensive listing of the minor league, college and high school season. There is an incredible amount of stats in this book that one could study for hours upon hours. This is a must have for any baseball fan and stat-head like me.

There are several good sports almanacs available including the Sports Illustrated and ESPN almanacs. They both give comprehensive coverage to all major sports. This almanac, however, is a must if your major interest baseball because it not only gives in depth coverage of the major leagues, it also covers the minor leagues, college and even high school. The beginning of the book includes historical stats and records. Then, each individual team is covered in depth. This is a great resource and since, the media do not cover the minor leagues in baseball as they do colleges in football and basketball, this almanac is a great reference as to who the up and coming young stars are.

Though this book comes in encyclopedia format listing all 1560 players alphabetically who appeared in the major leagues during the 1950's it's a great read. I went thru the more than 440 pages finding great pleasure in seeing pictures of these players and reading anecdotes about them. I grew up with early to mid 50's baseball and this really brings back the memories. Superb work!!

Over 150 years ago, John James Audubon published his classic book, "The Birds of America". In it, he cataloged the feathered creatures inhabiting the United States by painting exquisite portraits of every species of wild fowl he could find.

Each painting - whether that of a majestic eagle, or that of a common crow - was a work of art. At the same time, each painting conveyed far more than just a photographic image of its subject matter: They each conveyed the essence of its subject.

Taken as a whole, Audubon's work is nothing less than an encyclopedic portrait of America's myriad feathered inhabitants, and it continues to be appreciated and enjoyed throughout the world to this day.

What Audubon did for North American ornithology in paint, Rich Marazzi and Len Fiorito have done in words for baseball (as constituted by the players from the "golden age" of baseball) in their recently published book with the unassuming title of "Baseball Players of the 1950s".

Whether writing about a famous hall-of-fame baseball god, or a marginal journeyman who did nothing more than show up sober for a couple of innings in the "big leagues" between January of 1950 and December of 1959, Marazzi and Fiorito have breathed life into each of the 1,560 (!) biographies that make up their tome. And remarkably, Marazzi and Fiorito have somehow managed to find fresh and engaging things to say about players whose careers have been written about and analyzed in countless books and articles over the last 50 some odd years. At the same time - even more remarkably - they've also managed to come up with wonderfully readable and insightful blurbs on players whose brief time in the major leagues was not only short, but virtually invisible. And everyone in between is covered and accounted for in equally expert fashion.

Without a doubt, Marazzi and Fiorito's achievement - in its own way - is just as impressive as Audubon's, and "Baseball Players of the 1950s" is a book that baseball fans everywhere - as well as fans of good writing in general - will love and enjoy.

I was so happy to see this book come out! I still have a dog-eared copy of the original version of this (Aaron to Zuverink) published about 20 years ago- talk about fascinating stuff!

I recently embarked on a project of my own to try and obtain the autographs of some of my boyhood idols- I'm 52 now- and this book has proven to be an invaluable source in terms of tracking these gentlemen down. The exhaustive research and amusing tidbits that Messrs. Marazzi and Fiorito have chosen to share give a true insight into the world of baseball at the time- 'Golden Age' indeed!

Hi, I am biased because I am the author, but this is a hilarious book about baseball's all-time great characters from Casey to Yogi and everyone in between. There are so many great characters in baseball that this book had me laughing from beginning to end during compilation of this book. If you would like more information about this book or any of my books, contact me at glennliebman.com. Thank you for your time.

This is the funnest baseball book I have ever read! With quotes on every thing for fielding "First I pray to God that nobody hits a ball to me. Then I pry that nobody hits the ball to Steve Sax." Pedro Guerrero. To autograph signings "It was fun until a kid came up to me and said, 'my dad says you're getting old, you're going to die, and your autograph will be Valuable.'" Warren Spahn, on autograph shows. With all the funny quotes in this book you will have a stomach ache for days. Buy it now!

As a longtime baseball fan I felt that I had to comment on Mr. Liebman's tome. I have received countless hours of enjoyment from reading the quotes. I have also given the book as a gift to many baseball buddies of mine and they have been equally impressed. Well done Mr. Liebman - Casey salutes you!

Beat the Players by Bob Nersesian, a Nevada lawyer who represents advantage players against the casinos, starts his preface with three stingingly dramatic words, "Nevada hates you...." - and the rest of the book attempts to prove why those three words have the ring of truth.

The casinos of Las Vegas, and by extension, the casinos throughout the United States have a love-hate relationship with their players. Most casino players don't realize this since most casino players are only thinking about one-half of the casino equation - the half they are on.

The casinos love the losers - who make up maybe 99.99+ percent of all the players, whose towering losses make casino gambling a multi-billion dollar industry - but the casinos hate the advantage players, those Davids who by skill and intellect have found ways to turn the tables on the casino Goliaths, beating those monstrous Goliaths at their own games. Goliaths don't like to lose to slingshot carrying Davids - that is for sure.

Nersesian's book goes through many of his cases, as well as other cases, where advantage players were mistreated and at times abused by casino security and even law enforcement personnel - even though these players were doing nothing illegal. Sadly casinos can ask players to stop playing and/or leave their properties even though the players are doing nothing illegal but the casino personnel are often not content to just do this - as the book brutally shows.

You'll read about phony charges of players cheating which are totally discredited by the security cameras; phony "eye-witness" reports that are totally discredited by the security cameras; and depositions where the security personnel and the police offer explanations that would be very funny in a National Lampoon movie, but are downright terrifying when you realize these are being made to hurt honest America citizens doing nothing wrong. Imagine a hero who fought for America in our wars; or one who rushed into the World Trade Center in New York after the terrorist attack to save those poor souls trapped therein, being told he can't play in an American casino because "you are too good" or, worse, being escorted to or being dragged into the "backroom" to be illegally detained. Disgraceful but it has happened - far too frequently.

The book is an eye-opener and a page-turner from start to finish. If you are a card counter, a shuffle tracker, a hole card catcher, or dice controller; even if you are only a smart casino gambler taking your best shot at the house - this book makes for enlightening and frightening reading.

Nersesian has done all of us who love to play the casino games a great service by showing us what has happened to some of our unfortunate fellows who have the temerity to be "too good."

Casinos use mathematics and intelligence in trying to beat the players. Their games are normally fair, but mathematically skewed so that they will win over the long run. Yet, may casinos abhor players that try to use their own intelligence and legal skills to win at the games of chance that the casinos offer. Some casinos take it way too far and illegally abuse these players. This is when attorney Bob Nersesian steps in. Nersesian represents players who are playing legally who have been unfairly and illegally treated by the casinos, casino security and possibly the police force as well. In Beat the Players, Nersesian writes about some of these situations and cases, many showcase the amazing stupidity of casino security forces and the police force. He also gives advice to players on how to act and what to expect in the casino security offices (the backroom), including when it is appropriate or inappropriate to use an alias. This book should be read by all smart gamblers simply to prepare themselves for what could happen.

This book should also be read by casino personnel and cops. Along with giving advice to players on their rights and what to expect, Nersesian also gives advice to the casinos and cops on what not to do and the misconceptions that they may have. Card counting is legal. Hole carding due to dealer's mistakes is legal. Abusing, illegally detaining and illegally searching patrons is not legal. In the short run, the bully casino security force may get some satisfaction, but in the long run, the casinos (and in these corporate days, their shareholders as well) suffer in paying out losses in court cases.

Although I am not a lawyer and much of this book deals with the law, I still found it very readable. This is due to the way Nersesian wrote the book. Anyone will find it readable and easy to understand. I recommend this book to all gamblers who play in casinos, and especially those that think they can win.

"The casino hates you."

That's the first sentence of the first chapter. Direct. Powerful. Compelling. Unambiguous. Authoritative. Easy to understand.

Just like the rest of the book.

This 320-page book should be read by everyone who patronizes, or is in any way associated with casinos in Las Vegas. A fascinating read by a Las Vegas attorney who is THE authority on the tactics and abuses casinos apply towards blackjack players they think is winning too much of "their" money.

The chapter titles are:

Your Money or Your Liberty;
Scary Cop Statements;
They'll Take Your Liberty Anyway;
Gaming Agents Speak;
The Take of the State;
Rules for Casino Patrons;
Gambling at the Legal Limits;
Cops Hate Card Counters;
Griffin Investigations;
Casinos Cheat With Impunity;
A Judicial and Government Overlay;
Finding a Nickel Brings Trouble;
Names and Aliases;
The Security Office and Surveillance Functions,
Casinos and Cops.

Learn your rights and what a casino can and cannot do to you and what you can do to do to protect yourself and substantiate your claims if you initiate a future lawsuit.

Learn of the cozy relationships between the casinos, the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and the Las Vegas Metro Police Department.

If you work in casino management or security or Surveillance, the NGCB, or Metro, learn the law (!) and how to protect yourself from those pesky lawsuits.

It's all here. It's scary. It's real. You need to know it.

Memories from my 2007 summer reading list:

I really enjoyed the biography of one of the greatest evangelists of our time. While much of the story is triumphant, I was struck by the somber notes of family discord. The eveangelist seemed to sacrifice the spititual upbringing of his sons in favor of the spiritual conditions of the world around him. His story serves as a good encouragement to strike a healthy balance between family and ministry.

Billy Sunday is another title in the "Heroes of the Faith" series on various Christian figures over the years.

Phillips summarizes Sunday's life, accomplishments, and death in a succinct manner and covers areas such as:

1. Early life in Iowa.
2. Being shipped off with his brother to a Soldier's Home when their mother could no longer take care of them.
3. Major League baseball career.
4. Eventual conversion and call to go into the gospel ministry.
5. Long and happy marriage to Nell, his beloved wife.
6. Results of various crusades throughout the country.
7. Pain experienced over the waywardness of his sons.

Again, the book is a good and smooth-flowing narrative and is easy to read. Recommended for anyone who wants to know more about the life of Billy Sunday.

Read and enjoy.
.

This book was a biography of one of America's greatest evangelists. From his childhood growing up in Iowa to his becoming one of the best baseball players at the end of the 19th century & ultimately showing his love & passion for not only Christ but for every unsaved soul in America & beyond. He not only was a great preacher, he was a great American & showed it by helping & providing for troops & other gov't. establishments. This is definately a book that will keep your interest & attention from start to finish!!! Very inspirational; enjoy!!