I've always been fascinated with the early days of baseball, and this classic book from 40 years ago, delves deep into the game's glorious past; pre-1900 baseball history, where a deaf mute by the name of Dummy Hoy initiated the hand signals still used by umpires today.

I discovered this book, along with several other new baseball releases, in the May/June edition of ForeWord magazine. Being a sucker for anything to do with my Cardinals, I could hardly wait to get my hands on it. It's classic!

This poignant look into the great Brooklyn Dodger team from the late '40s-early '50s shows how fragile the fame and glory was for many fine players after their retirement from the game.

One of baseball's truly good guys, Bing Devine, gives the reader a fascinating look into his long and very successful career in baseball; it also demonstrates that nice guys don't necessarily finish last.

As a bonafide baseball historian, this book is a treasure; capturing the splendor of the Great Bambino from his daughter, Julia.

If you love baseball, you'll love this book; filled with hundreds of quotes from players, baseball historians, sportwriters, and front office personnel. It's a wonderful journey through the game's glorious past with remarks made over 100 years ago that still hit home today, demonstrating that this great game is indeed, timeless.

As a huge fan of David Halberstam, this book isn't a disappointment, other than I wish it would've been longer; extra innings seems appropriate to recount the life and times of Ted Williams and his teammates from an era long ago.

Anyone who remembers the classic film "Field of Dreams", will remember the ghost of Doc Graham (played by Burt Lancaster), who at one time was a promising big league ball player, before hanging 'em up to become a country doctor. It was a good career move; still his story is poignant & compelling, & makes for a fascinating look into the game's glorious past.

Perhaps the greatest Cardinal team never to win a World Series; this account of the '85 Redbirds brings back many warm memories.

While the Giants & Dodgers battled it out on the West Coast, the Yankees were standing by on the East Coast, in preparation for what would turn out to be their last championship for 15 years; and the country was in the process of undergoing dramatic changes, all in 1 year.

This A-to-Z primer is a definite "must" for any fan of the game; especially Cardinals fan.

Jack Buck chronicles his life in broadcasting, sharing his wonderful memories throughout his long career behind the microphone; a truly great Hall of Fame broadcaster and a delightful man.

Everything you wanted to know about the long ball but didn't know to ask; this is a wild compilation of stats about home runs & home run hitters you never even knew existed, for even this triva whiz.

Everything you've wanted to know about the House that Ruth built---Yankee Stadium---is included in this wonderfully nostalgic masterpiece; a must have for any fan of the game.

The 1930s were a grim period in American history; but the St Louis Cardinals gave America something to feel good about. This was a wild & rollicking bunch of players who got together to form one of the most celebrated teams in baseball history---the Gashouse Gang.

This is a new addition to my list of favorites, and it's clearly a winner; a complete history of this wonderful franchise.

A fascinating biography of the man credited with pioneering the game of baseball; in reality, he probably had more to do with getting Hawaii tacked on as America's 49th State.

This fascinating look into the deep archives of the Baseball Hall of Fame is almost better than the real thing. A classic piece of Americana.

A fascinating look behind the scenes of the deal that Branch Rickey tried to implement in the late '50s-early '60s---adding the Continental League to MLB. It didn't happen, but helped set the stage for future expansion.

An in depth historical perspective into the inner workings of the deal that took the Dodgers & Giants to California, leaving New York all to the Yankees for several years; until the Amazin' Mets showed up in '62.