Babe Ruth: A Superstar’s Legacy, by Jerry Amernic

A longtime writer of both fiction and non-fiction, Jerry Amernic explores the legacy of Babe Ruth on a number of fronts, both in and beyond baseball. It’s a legacy that involves sport, culture, business, the arts and humanity.

Unlike any book ever written about the remarkable icon who captured America and the world, A Superstar’s Legacy serves as a testament to Ruth’s enduring appeal.

A Season in the Sun: The Rise of Mickey Mantle, by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith

An essential work for fans of the game and anyone interested in 1950s culture, A Season in the Sun recounts the defining moment of Mickey Mantle’s legendary career: The 1956 season, when he overcame injuries and critics to become the most celebrated athlete of his time. Taking us from the

action on the diamond to Mantle’s off-the-field exploits, historians Roberts and Smith depict the legendary Mantle as a complex man and character.

 

Ballpark Mysteries: The Cardinals Caper, by David Kelly
Prolific author David Kelly’s latest presents the story of a special day in St. Louis, with a pregame celebration full of Clydesdale horses making their way around the stadium. Our fictional heroes, Mike and Kate, meet the horses and the Dalmatian that rides along with them. Then during the game, they find out the Dalmatian is missing. They rush to investigate and find a ransom note, which says that the criminal will return the dog in exchange for one of St. Louis’ World Series trophies.

 

Tinker to Evers to Chance: The Chicago Cubs and the Dawn of America, by David Rapp
Author David Rapp explores the careers of Hall of Famers Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance, who came together in rough-and-tumble early 20th century Chicago and formed the defensive core of the most formidable team in big league baseball. Led by the three infielders, the Chicago Cubs won four National League pennants and two World Series championships from 1906 to 1910. At the same time, baseball was transforming from small-time diversion into a nationwide sensation. Tinker to Evers to Chance examines this pivotal moment in American history, when baseball became the game we know today.

 

The Presidents and the Pastime, by Curt Smith
The latest from award-winning author Curt Smith chronicles the historical relationship between the most American of sports and the United States presidency. Drawing on Smith’s extensive background as a former White House presidential speechwriter, the book charts how baseball cemented its reputation as America’s pastime in the 19th century, when presidents Lincoln and Johnson played town ball and gave employees time off to watch.

 

Davey Johnson: My Wild Ride in Baseball and Beyond, by Davey Johnson and Erik Sherman
Prolific author Erik Sherman examines the career of Davey Johnson, onetime star with the Baltimore Orioles who gained even more fame as the manager of several teams, including the Orioles, New York Mets, and Cincinnati Reds. A true Renaissance man, Johnson – who will be attending the Authors Seriesevent – has also found success as a land investor, pilot, scratch golfer, scuba diving teacher and mathematician, pioneering the use of Sabermetrics in the big leagues.

 

The Funniest Man in Baseball, by Audrey Vernick
Geared toward children, Audrey Vernick’s latest book offers insight into the life of Max Patkin, a professional ballplayer turned legendary baseball clown. This amusing picture book recounts the story of how Patkin faced Joe DiMaggio in a military game. After DiMaggio hit a Patkin pitch out of the park, Max threw down his glove and proceeded to chase the Hall of Famer around the bases, making faces and imitating every move of “Joltin’ Joe.” And thus, a baseball clown was born.

 

 

Mark Littell

A onetime closer with the Kansas City Royals, Mark Littell recounts his personal story, growing up in poverty in Missouri, his struggles in the minor leagues, and his emergence as a standout reliever in Kansas City. Although best known as the pitcher who surrendered Chris Chambliss’ pennant-winning home run in 1976, Littell has a story of perseverance that runs far deeper.

 

Lawrence Baldassaro

A leading historian on Italian-American baseball, Larry Baldassaro brings together the memories of Italian major leaguers whose collective careers span almost a century. In these first-person accounts, fans will meet at an intimate level the players they cheered, as well as coaches, managers, front-office executives, and umpires.

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