SPORTS BOOK REVIEW: “Steinbrenner,” “Children’s Sports Books from Pengun” and more.

“Steinbrenner” by Bill Madden (HarperCollins, $26.99, 480 pages, 16 pages of photographs) is a mother lode of information on the man they used to call “the Boss.” Madden, has been on the scene for more than 30 years covering the Yankees and Major League Baseball for the New York Daily News and is the 2010 recipient of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s J.G. Taylor Spink Award.

There is a lot that is known about Steinbrenner and that is all over the book. There is also a lot not widely known and that gives the book its hook and its anchor like when George’s personal friend Barbara (Walters) was evicted from his suite when George’s wife made a surprise visit to a World Series game, how George threatened to “take care of” Mickey Rivers’ wife courtesy of the Black Musilms, the fact that Steinbrenner’s original investment of $8.5 millions to purchase the Yanks consisted of just under $200,000 of his own capital.

Part gossip, part sports reporting, part inside information, all Bill Madden at the top of his game – that is “Steinbrenner – the Last Lion of Baseball

“What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports” by George Allen (Regnery Publishing, $27.95, 200 pages) is an intriguing and interesting book by the son of the famed former NFL coach and a man with no small athletic and political accomplishments in his own right. Themes include: “Government should regulate fair play not take over,” “A locker room divided cannot survive,” “Government like sports should reward hard work, achievement and excellence.”

“Let’s Ride” by Sonny Barger( William Morrow $23. 99, 268 pages) is a true guide to motorcycling that proclaims "How To Ride The Right Way For Life." Sensibly written and a safety stressser - this is a book for all those who ride or want to. REQUIRED READING by a founding member of the Oakland Chapter of the Hell's Angels.

BACKLIST BEAUTY: “Nice Guys Finish Last” by Leo Durocher with Ed Linn (University of Chicago Press, $18.00, 488 pages, paper) is the classic outspoken book by the “Lip.” They don’t make them like him any more and they don’t write great books like this any more either. HIGHLY NOTABLE
Baseball books from Penguin Young Readers:

“ALL STAR” by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Jim Burke (Philomel Books, $17.99), is all about Honus Wagner and the most famous baseball card ever. It is about the true grit of one of the greatest shortstops of all time and his card. Perfect for ages 6-8. TRUE GRIT.

“NO EASY WAY” is the story of Ted Williams and the 1941 season, the last one any player ever hit .400. Fred Bowen with words and Charles S. Pyle with images team up to homer with this worthy read from Dutton for ages 6-8. WORTHY

“PLAY BALL CORDUROY!” with lift-the-flaps by B.G. Hennessey with pictures by Lisa McCue (Viking, $11.99, ages 3-5) is a loving look at learning to play baseball. Corduroy and Blue Mouse practice together showing that baseball is all about winning and teamwork. TERRIFIC.

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Harvey Frommer is in his 34th consecutive year of writing sports books. A noted oral historian and sports journalist, the author of 41 sports books including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed Remembering Yankee Stadium, an oral/narrative history (Abrams, Stewart, Tabori and Chang) was published in 2008 as well as a reprint version of his classic "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball." Frommer's newest work CELEBRATING FENWAY PARK: AN ORAL AND NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE HOME OF RED SOX NATION is next.
FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.

Baseball Names - and How They Got That Way! Part XVI (I)

The words and phrases are spoken and written day after day, year after year - generally without any wonderment as to how they became part of the language. All have a history, a story. For those of you who liked Part I, Part II, Part III, X and all the others and wanted more, here is more, just a sampling. As always, reactions and suggestions always welcome

"I LOST IT IN THE SUN" Billy Loes was a Brooklyn Dodger pitcher in the 1950s. Possessed with a great deal of natural athletic ability, Loes never achieved the success experts predicted should have come to him as a matter of course. At times he was quicker with a quip than with his glove. During the 1952 World Series, Loes ingloriously misplayed a ground ball hit back to the pitcher's mound. Later he was questioned by a reporter who wished to learn what had been the problem. Loes responded, "I lost it in the sun."

"I NEVER MISSED ONE IN MY HEART" Long-time major league umpire Bill Klem's phrase was his attempt to explain how difficult the job of umpiring was and how objective he always attempted to be. Klem retired in 1941—according to him, after the first time he pondered whether he had correctly called a play.

“IDIOTS ” Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona explained the name his players gave to themselves in 2004: "They may not wear their hair normal, they many not dress normal, but they play the game as good as you can."

"IF IT'S UNDER W FOR 'WON,' NOBODY ASKS YOU HOW" As a player and a manager, Leo Durocher could invent more ways to tease and taunt and beat the opposition than virtually any other figure in the history of baseball. His was an aggressive, no-holds-barred approach to the National Pastime. The quote attributed to him reflects his attitude toward the game.

“THE IGNITOR" Paul Molitor had a long and distinguished career primarily with the Milwaukee Brewers and could be counted on to make things happen for his teams.

"IN THE CATBIRD SEAT" Red Barber beguiled Brooklyn Dodger fans for years with his Southern voice, narrative skills, honest manner, and down-home expressions. His pet phrase to describe when someone was pitching, hitting, fielding or just functioning well was a reference to that individual as being in the "catbird seat." Barber also used the phrase to characterize a team ahead by a comfortable margin and virtually assured of victory.

“IN THE HOLE” On the infield at a location nearly exactly between fielders, describes location of batted balls.

“IRON HORSE” Lou Gehrig, a.k.a. Larrupin' Lou and Pride of the Yankees, earned his main nickname for playing in 2,130 consecutive games—a major league baseball record that stood until Cal Ripken, Jr. came along. Day in and day out for 14 years, like a thing made of iron, Gehrig was a fixture in the New York Yankee lineup. He led the league in RBI's, 5 times and 13 years he drove in more than 100 runs a season. The man they also called Columbia Lou—a reference to his Columbia University student days—was admitted to the Hall of Fame in 1939.

IRON MAN Joe McGinnity pitched in the majors from 1899 to 1908. He started 381 games and completed 351 of them. He had a lifetime earned-run average of 2.64. McGinnity could pitch day in and day out like a man made of iron. In 1903 he pitched and won three doubleheaders. Winner of 247 games—an average of almost 25 a year—McGinnity was admitted to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1946.

"IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER" This phrase, attributed to Yogi Berra, underscores the former Yankee great's long experience in the wars of baseball. Berra, as player, manager, and coach, has seen the game of baseball from many levels. A victim and victor of late-inning rallies, of curious changes in the destinies of players and teams, his stoical attitude to the National Pastime is the view of a pro, even though it is expressed in perhaps not the most appropriate syntax.

"IS BROOKLYN STILL IN THE LEAGUE?" At the beginning of the 1934 baseball season, New York Giant manager Bill Terry teasingly asked reporters that question about his team's subway rivals. It was a natural if uncomplimentary query. The Dodgers were still in the league, but they had not done much in the past few years. The final two games of the 1934 season saw the Dodgers still in the league but long out of the pennant race. On the other hand, the Giants were tied for first place with the St. Louis Cardinals. Brooklyn's last two games were with the Giants. Brooklyn won those last two games, while St. Louis swept its final two games from Cincinnati to take the National League pennant. And Giant manager Bill Terry learned the virtues of letting sleeping dogs sleep. Van Lingle Mungo, the Dodgers' star pitcher of that year, remembers the way it was: "Because of Terry's taunt, we wanted to win just a little more each time we played them that year. The fans were even more so; they'd boo Terry every time he'd stick his head out of the dugout." Mungo pitched more innings than any other hurler in 1934, but he especially remembers the last game he pitched and won against the Giants. "It was like a World Series to me. I never wanted to win a game as much. I think it was one of the best games I ever pitched and I pitched it for Bill Terry."

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Dr. Harvey Frommer is in his 34th consecutive year of writing sports books. A noted oral historian and sports journalist, the author of 41 sports books including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed Remembering Yankee Stadium, an oral/narrative history (Abrams, Stewart, Tabori and Chang) was published in 2008 as well as a reprint version of his classic "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball." Frommer's newest work CELEBRATING FENWAY PARK: AN ORAL AND NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE HOME OF RED SOX NATION is next. FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.

SPORTS BOOK REVIEW: The T206 Collection and other Sporting Reads

If you are into baseball cards and into beautiful baseball books,the T206 Collection by Tom Zappala, et al (Peter E. Randall Publisher, $38.00, 203 pages, oversized) is one tome terrific you should check out. The legendary T206 set of cards is all yours for the grazing, studying, in this remarkable book that tells the stories, sad and soaring, of the players in Tobacco Trust’s ‘white border’ set.

SPECIAL INTEREST: “Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu”($15.00) by the 28-year-old John Updike in a special 50th anniversary deluxe collector’s edition is the account of Ted Williams and his final at bat at Fenway Park. The little book contains an autobiographical preface and a substantial afterword prepared by Updike just months before his death.

Nice sports books from Clerisy Press are available for your reading pleasure – all from the prolific John Snyder. “365 Odd Ball Days in Chicago Cubs History” and “365 Odd Ball Days in Los Angeles Dodgers History” are both in paper, both 377 pages and both priced at $14.95. If you are into baseball trivia/nostalgia - -these tomes are for you. “Angels Journal” and “Twins Journal” (($29.95, 448 pages) cover year by year and day by day with the franchises since 1961.

Another look at Mr. October? Yes, that’s what Dayn Perry (Morrow, $25.99, 326 pages) serves up in “Reggie Jackson.” Perry points out that both Reggie and his agent were uncooperative in the project but there was plenty of help from print, internet and interview sources. The book is billed as the first full tome on the old showhorse in a quarter century.

Flip Bondy’s “Chasing the Game” (Da Capo, $25.00, 312 pages) is highly recommended for soccer zealots as in depth and with accuracy it documents the American quest for the World Cup. Most interesting are the ups and downs of the USA in World Cup clashes.

From Pantheon we have “The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron,” by Howard Bryant ( $29.95, 600 pages). The author’s master work previously was “Shut Out: A Story of Race and Baseball in Boston.” This book with all its depth, insights, passion, and heart is now Bryant’s master work providing as it does a full portrait of a baseball legend who never seemed to come out from behind the mask and the headlines.

BACKLIST GEMS: “Early Innings” and “Middle Innings” edited by Dean A. Sullivan (Bison Books, paper) are documentary histories of baseball, one from 1825-1908 and the other from 1900-1948, told from the viewpoint of primary writings, many from unexpected sources, all serving up insights and sidebars to many aspects of the richness of our national pastime.

Fascinating “Tennis and Philosophy” edited by David Baggett (University Press of Kentucky, $35.00, 294 pages) is as its sub-title proclaims about “what the racket is all about” told from the perspective of scholars, philosophers, writers. An interesting read.

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Dr. Harvey Frommer is in his 34th consecutive year of writing sports books. A noted oral historian and sports journalist, the author of 41 sports books including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed Remembering Yankee Stadium, an oral/narrative history (Abrams, Stewart, Tabori and Chang) was published in 2008 as well as a reprint version of his classic "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball." Frommer's newest work CELEBRATING FENWAY PARK: AN ORAL AND NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE HOME OF RED SOX NATION is next.
FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.

SPORTS BOOK REVIEW: Terrific Tomes from Triumph and other Interesting Reads

　
Out of Chicago Triumph Books is a purveyor of all kinds of sports books especially baseball. Out this spring is a collection of worthies for all interests and all kinds of fans.

"Of Mikes and Men" by Pete Van Wieren with Jack Wilkinson (Triumph,$24.95, 224 pages) is as its sub-title proclaims all about his lifetime of Braves baseball. Anecdotal, enjoyable, insightful this book is a must for Braves fans and others will like it, too.

"Straight Talk from Wild Thing" by Mitch Williams with Darrell Berger (Triumph, $19.95, 208 pages) is an outspoken read by one of the more outspoken hurlers in baseball history, one of the more enjoyable current day broadcasters. The former fireballing lefty lets it all hang out.

"Stan the Man" by Wayne Stewart (Triumph, $24.95, 256 pages) is a bouquet of red roses to Stan Musial, Cardinal legend, one of the great players of all time. From the cloth-covered rock that was his first baseball to the Brooklyn Dodger fans who hung the name "the Man" on him through many interviews providing insights into "Stash," this is a winning read.

"Al Kaline: the Biography of a Tigers Icon" by Jim Hawkins (Triumph, $24.95, 288 pages) is all about the Hall of Famer written by the scribe who in 1970 as a 25-year-old first began covering his subject. We are there through the many triumphs on and off the baseball field including Kaline's career as Tiger commentator from 1975 to 2002.

"Scooter" by Carlo DeVito (Triumph, @4.95, 384 pages) is all about the wonderful Phil Rizzuto. Lengthy, detailed, created with loving devotion for the late and great Yankee shortstop and announcer this book has a lot to offer.

From Penguin/Gotham comes "Homer Kelley's Golfing Machine" (paper, $16.00) a title that is full of secrets revealed behind the art and science of the perfect swing.

"The Game From Where I Stand" by Doug Glanville (Henry Holt/Times Books, $25.00, 304 pages) is quick reading but also an unsatisfying work by this ex MLB outfielder and multi-featured media figure on many outlets. He set out to offer insights into the human side of the game. Sophomoric stuff.

"Swinging from My Heels" by Christina Kim and Alan Shipnuck (Bloomsbury, $25.00, 240 pages) is the tale with all kinds of behind the scenes gossip and insight of Kim, one of the most popular LPGA players since she was a 19-year-old in 2003. Warts and all - this is a moving read.
　
MOST NOTABLE: "JEWISH MAJOR LEAGUERS, 2000-2009," Deck of the Decade, produced by Jewish Major Leaguers, Inc.("JML"), a not-for-profit organization. You don't have to even be Jewish to want to buy these cards available at $36 via the JML web-site www.jewishmajorleaguers.org.　
　

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Harvey Frommer is in his 34th consecutive year of writing sports books. A noted oral historian and sports journalist, the author of 41 sports books including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed Remembering Yankee Stadium, an oral/narrative history (Abrams, Stewart, Tabori and Chang) was published in 2008 as well as a reprint version of his classic "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball." Frommer's newest work CELEBRATING FENWAY PARK: AN ORAL AND NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE HOME OF RED SOX NATION is next.
FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.