Favorite baseball book? Card or historical focused.

[chalupacollects]

This one is great!

The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book. 1973. Lots of little fun stories about marginal players and good ones too!

And on the downer side… Operation Bullpen…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

This one is great!

The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book. 1973. Lots of little fun stories about marginal players and good ones too!

As a collector, this is the one that set me off after classic Topps cards as a kid.



"In 1955, there were 77,263,127 male American human beings. And every one of them in his heart of hearts would have given two arms, a leg and his collection of Davy Crockett iron-ons to be Teddy Ballgame."

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

As a collector, this is the one that set me off after classic Topps cards as a kid.



"In 1955, there were 77,263,127 male American human beings. And every one of them in his heart of hearts would have given two arms, a leg and his collection of Davy Crockett iron-ons to be Teddy Ballgame."

Your post gave me a big smile, Adam. When I purchased and read that book around 1980, I also just HAD to get THAT card. So many great cards in the book but that one stood out to me. So I sent $20 away for one listed in a hobby publication (don't recall which one). And the '55 design is still my favorite by Topps from that decade.

[egri]

I don't think I've seen it mentioned yet, so I'll throw out "Wait 'Till Next Year", by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

[Tabe]

My selections would go something like this:

59 in '84 by Ed Achorn - Hoss Radbourn's incredible 1884 season plus lots of detail on baseball in that era in general

The Pitch That Killed by Mike Sowell - tremendous book on the death of Ray Chapman

Crazy '08 by Cait Murphy - Wonderful book on the 1908 season. A must-read.

The Bird by Doug Wilson - Incredible biography of Mark Fidrych that captures the essence of Mark and the undying love that Detroit fans have for him. If you are a Tigers fan, this should be #1 on your list, it's that good.

Never Give Up by Ruppert Jones - Powerful autobiography by Jones about dealing with a traumatic brain injury. It's harrowing, powerful, and uplifting all at once.

Any books by Tim Hornbaker. Tim's baseball books are all top-shelf, best-in-class: War on the Basepaths (Ty Cobb), Fall From Grace (Joe Jackson), and Turning the Black Sox White.



If you're not already a member, I highly recommend joining the "Baseball Books" group on Facebook. 10k members and lots of discussion about many books.

[FrankWakefield]

The past few months I've had recurring thoughts about that thread about who was the best / greatest left handed pitcher ever. Most of the discussion was about Koufax and Spahn. I saw Spahn pitch, once, as a kid. And Koufax, once. When I saw them I had no sense of past seasons and all time records. Spahn seemed to labor on the mound, Koufax flowed with power. As a kid I thought Koufax the best.

Then Bill James' Historical Baseball Abstract comes along, an enlightening book, even for folks that think they know about old ball players. It was then that I decided that the best left hander I saw pitch wasn't S Carlton, R Johnson, T Glavine, Jim Kaat, Andy Pettite, nor Mr. Koufax... it was Warren Spahn.

Here's why. If I owned a MLB franchise and could pick any one left handed pitcher to win one game for my team, Sandy Koufax may well be that guy. But if I owned a MLB franchise and I could pick any left handed pitcher to play not just one game, nor a season, but instead an entire career for my franchise, that left hander would by Warren Spahn. (And with that said, you should be able to see why Kaat was in my little list above.)

With all of that said, (and no, this isn't in the wrong thread, I'm just tying them together) I have found myself wanting to read a book about Sandy Koufax.

So Dan, thank you for starting this thread. Jeremy, Bob, and anyone else who recommended Jane Leavy's book about Koufax, thank you; I've placed an order for that book (although I think I have a copy in a box in an upstairs closet). When this one arrives, I'll read it before I misplace it!

[cardsmemro]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

So Dan, thank you for starting this thread. Jeremy, Bob, and anyone else who recommended Jane Leavy's book about Koufax, thank you; I've placed an order for that book (although I think I have a copy in a box in an upstairs closet). When this one arrives, I'll read it before I misplace it!

Happy to have started this thread! Most fun one I've done in awhile.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

The past few months I've had recurring thoughts about that thread about who was the best / greatest left handed pitcher ever. Most of the discussion was about Koufax and Spahn. I saw Spahn pitch, once, as a kid. And Koufax, once. When I saw them I had no sense of past seasons and all time records. Spahn seemed to labor on the mound, Koufax flowed with power. As a kid I thought Koufax the best.

Then Bill James' Historical Baseball Abstract comes along, an enlightening book, even for folks that think they know about old ball players. It was then that I decided that the best left hander I saw pitch wasn't S Carlton, R Johnson, T Glavine, Jim Kaat, Andy Pettite, nor Mr. Koufax... it was Warren Spahn.

Here's why. If I owned a MLB franchise and could pick any one left handed pitcher to win one game for my team, Sandy Koufax may well be that guy. But if I owned a MLB franchise and I could pick any left handed pitcher to play not just one game, nor a season, but instead an entire career for my franchise, that left hander would by Warren Spahn. (And with that said, you should be able to see why Kaat was in my little list above.)

With all of that said, (and no, this isn't in the wrong thread, I'm just tying them together) I have found myself wanting to read a book about Sandy Koufax.

So Dan, thank you for starting this thread. Jeremy, Bob, and anyone else who recommended Jane Leavy's book about Koufax, thank you; I've placed an order for that book (although I think I have a copy in a box in an upstairs closet). When this one arrives, I'll read it before I misplace it!

Frank, agree with your assessment. And lest us not forget that Spahn was the winningest left handed pitcher of all time, surpassing Eddie Plank.

[benge610]

"The Iowa Baseball Confederacy" - W.P. Kinsella
I love Kinsella anyway but they are often, "shorts". I became totally immersed in this one and could not put it down; it helps to be a Cub fan and lover of baseball history but in spite of that, a beloved piece for me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618340807...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[campyfan39]

Agree.
Also the book simply titled “Campy” is awesome as is his biography “It’s Good to be Alive”

I wrote a book about cards myself called “Buying Back Dad’s Cards” https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/dr-c...e=1&pageSize=4

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

This one is great!

The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book. 1973. Lots of little fun stories about marginal players and good ones too!

And on the downer side… Operation Bullpen…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jpop43]

'How Baseball Happened' by Tom Gilbert

'Baseball in the Garden of Eden' by John Thorn

And, while it a bare bones history and OLD, Peverelly's 'Book of American of Pastimes' published in 1866 is a must for researchers.

JP
www.dugouttreasures.com

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

The Year Babe Ruth Hit 104 Home Runs by Bill Jenkinson.
As long as there is an earth George Herman Ruth will still best the greatest.

[carlsonjok]

I really loved Howard Bryant's "The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron" Very well written.

[tedzan]

The Year They Called Off The World Series

By Benton Stark

This book is an excellent read of a very significant year in Baseball History, for there was no Major League WORLD SERIES played in 1904.
Mgr. John McGraw of the NY Giants (NL Champs) refused to play Boston (AL Champs). Boston beat the NY Highlanders in a play-off series
at the end of the season. It appeared that the Highlanders would face the Giants in the 1st NY subway Series but a famous Pitcher blew it
in the 9th Inning of the last game of the season.

You T206 guys will really love this true-life story. Approx. 70 - T206 players come alive in your minds as you read this book's 217 pages.


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[FrankWakefield]

Non Fiction

The Glory of Their Times, Ritter a prerequisite for even looking at this board
Basball When The Grass Was Real, Donald Honig a good followup to TGOTT
The Unforgetable Season, GH Fleming well written about 1908 pennant race
The Dizziest Season, GH Fleming about the 1934 pennant races
July 2, 1903, Mike Sowell Delehanty dies, origin of leagues and reserve clause
The Fix is In, Daniel Ginsburg MUST read to understand
The Pitch That Killed, Mike Sowell need to read this to understand Chapman Mays
Now Wait A Minute Casey, Allen Maury the 1962 Mets, and their troubles
Ball Four, Jim Bouton everyone here's read it

those are a good start


Fiction

The Celebrant, Eric Greensberg

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Non Fiction

The Glory of Their Times, Ritter a prerequisite for even looking at this board
Basball When The Grass Was Real, Donald Honig a good followup to TGOTT
The Unforgetable Season, GH Fleming well written about 1908 pennant race
The Dizziest Season, GH Fleming about the 1934 pennant races
July 2, 1903, Mike Sowell Delehanty dies, origin of leagues and reserve clause
The Fix is In, Daniel Ginsburg MUST read to understand
The Pitch That Killed, Mike Sowell need to read this to understand Chapman Mays
Now Wait A Minute Casey, Allen Maury the 1962 Mets, and their troubles
Ball Four, Jim Bouton everyone here's read it

those are a good start


Fiction

The Celebrant, Eric Greensberg

I never read The Dizziest Season or The Celebrant, but this is an awesome list. The best baseball reading list I ever saw

The only book(s) I would add is/are The Fireside Book of Baseball any volume they are all great. It is all short stories fiction and non-fiction from the time period. Some of my favorites are Casey Stengal's Testimony before The US Senate, Vin Scully's call of the Sandy Koufax perfect game, Fiction by Ring Lardner including Horseshoes and Alibi Ike, a Heywood Broun newspaper article from 1923 about Babe Ruth in the World Series, and biographies about Satchel Paige and Peter Reiser.

[FrankWakefield]

Non Fiction

The Glory of Their Times, Ritter a prerequisite for even looking at this board
Basball When The Grass Was Real, Donald Honig a good followup to TGOTT
The Unforgetable Season, GH Fleming well written about 1908 pennant race
The Dizziest Season, GH Fleming about the 1934 pennant races
July 2, 1903, Mike Sowell Delehanty dies, origin of leagues and reserve clause
The Fix is In, Daniel Ginsburg MUST read to understand
The Pitch That Killed, Mike Sowell need to read this to understand Chapman Mays
Now Wait A Minute Casey, Allen Maury the 1962 Mets, and their troubles
Ball Four, Jim Bouton everyone here's read it

those are a good start


Fiction

The Celebrant, Eric Greensberg

This book is the most enchanting, enjoyable fiction book anyone could find to read, especially if they're a fan of baseball circa 1910ish... an amazing book. If you think I'm wrong, read it, then explain to me what fiction book is better.

[cardsmemro]

This is awesome. Thanks everyone and looking forward to any additions!

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Non Fiction

The Glory of Their Times, Ritter a prerequisite for even looking at this board
Basball When The Grass Was Real, Donald Honig a good followup to TGOTT
The Unforgetable Season, GH Fleming well written about 1908 pennant race
The Dizziest Season, GH Fleming about the 1934 pennant races
July 2, 1903, Mike Sowell Delehanty dies, origin of leagues and reserve clause
The Fix is In, Daniel Ginsburg MUST read to understand
The Pitch That Killed, Mike Sowell need to read this to understand Chapman Mays
Now Wait A Minute Casey, Allen Maury the 1962 Mets, and their troubles
Ball Four, Jim Bouton everyone here's read it

those are a good start


Fiction

The Celebrant, Eric Greensberg

This book is the most enchanting, enjoyable fiction book anyone could find to read, especially if they're a fan of baseball circa 1910ish... an amazing book. If you think I'm wrong, read it, then explain to me what fiction book is better.

Strong lists Frank and core baseball knowledge. Thank you for the suggestions.

[luciobar1980]

Originally Posted by campyfan39

Agree.
Also the book simply titled “Campy” is awesome as is his biography “It’s Good to be Alive”

I wrote a book about cards myself called “Buying Back Dad’s Cards” https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/dr-c...e=1&pageSize=4

Hmm, this looks cool! Do you happen to offer it in Kindle/Ebook format?

[FrankWakefield]

Alright,

As I read along, I see I forgot to mention Mr. Nemec's books, The Beer And Whiskey League and his encyclopedia on 19th century ball. Kevin is right about those.

I REALLY enjoyed October 1964, but I'm such a biased Cardinals fan that I didn't mention it initially.

Alibi Ike. David up there mentions Ring Lardner. The guys who wrote about baseball for the first 30 years of the 20th century were MASTER WORD SMITHS. A way to get a glimpse of this would be to read Ring Lardner. I suggest You Know Me Al as a starting point. It's funny! It's amazing, and it's educational. Alibi Ike is a joy in movie form. It's dated, but I really enjoy it. Joe E Brown stars. William Frawley plays the manager. Frawley was Fred Mertz in the old I Love Lucy shows, he was a huge baseball fan, he had a clause in his contract with I Love Lucy that allowed him to not have to show up at the studio to work on the show if the Yankees were in the World Series. And in the 1950's the Yankees were in it quite often. That's why Fred Mertz is occasionally absent from the script. But I digress, for those of you wanting to read fiction, read The Celebrant first, then find a Ring Lardner book. Hopefully it's You Know Me Al.

And I agree with Huck, above, about The Politics of Glory. I think the original version of that is best. Think about wondering how hot dogs and sausage is made, and what's in it. Then imagine that approach to how a HOF ball player got in. It's a bit ugly sometimes. As a Cardinals fan I'm a bit hurt over how is seems Frankie Frisch (great, smart ballplayer) put his finger on the scales, maybe, as some old ballplayers were considered or reconsidered.

[campyfan39]

No, sorry. Just paperback but it is in full color. God bless

Originally Posted by luciobar1980

Hmm, this looks cool! Do you happen to offer it in Kindle/Ebook format?

[robw1959]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

This one is great!

The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book. 1973. Lots of little fun stories about marginal players and good ones too!

And on the downer side… Operation Bullpen…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1 . . . Good night, Sibbi Sisti, wherever you are.