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25 Jan 2009 |
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| Baseball is not just a game of numbers, contrary to the beliefs of many a stat-head. It has a rich literary and historical legacy, and there are many, many wonderful books about the game and the people who played it. Watching the games and reading the box scores often only tells part of the story. Sometimes you need to dig deeper, in the way that only a great book allows.
For this article, we’ll stay away from statistical tomes like the Bill James Handbook, Hardball Times Annual and Baseball Prospectus, and instead focus on some of the true stories that make baseball such a great game. October 1964 by David Halberstam (1995). Halberstam, one of America’s great modern historians, wrote a number of fantastic baseball books (Summer of ’49 and The Teammates, among others) and it’s tough to pick just one. October 1964 stands out not only as the end of a Yankee era, not only as the end of a style of baseball the AL played at the time, but a reflection on the state of race in the middle of changing 1960’s America. The book is a fascinating study of the forces of establishment coming up against the forces of change and changing both the sport and the country. If that sounds too lofty, don’t worry: Halberstam’s skilled writing makes it all read more like a great novel. Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero, by David Marannis (2007). Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty: The Team, The Game and the Cost of Greatness by Buster Olney (2004). A surprising number of books have been written about the 2001 season, but Olney’s remains the best. Luis Gonzalez’s bloop single in Game 7 of the ’01 World Series officially ended the Yankee dynasty, but there were bigger factors at play, baseball dramatics played out on its largest stage. A whole book written about a single night, and it’s riveting. If you watched it, relive it and catch all the details you missed. If you’ve only seen the highlights, dig in. Living on the Black: Two Pitchers, Two Teams, One Season to Remember by John Feinstein (2008). Feinstein, an accomplished sportswriter, has written many great sports books (The Punch and The Last Amateurs among them, if you're into basketball). Feinstein followed Mike Mussina and Tom Glavine during the 2007 season, and the result is an amazing in-depth study of the art of pitching from two of the modern era’s most cerebral pitchers, two great hurlers playing on opposite sides of New York in the twilight of their respective careers. You’ll have new insight into all that goes into being a great pitcher. Moneyball, by Michael Lewis (2003). Forget about sabermetrics, scouting, Billy Beane and Bill James for a moment. Forget all the times you’ve heard the book title (usually grossly misinterpreted) thrown around like a slogan. Lewis not only takes you behind the scenes with Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s, but compellingly tells the underdog fringe players like Chad Bradford, Jeremy Brown and Scott Hatteberg. Moneyball is one of the best books about the modern game of baseball, its changing landscape and how teams make decisions. The Catcher Was A Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg by Nicholas Dawidoff (1994). Moe Berg was a catcher for the 4 AL teams, played 15 years in the majors and earned his place as an All-Star catcher– and a spy. The mix of baseball and espionage makes for one of baseball’s most bizarre true stories. Don’t let this book make you paranoid, though – next thing you know, you’ll be turning in your entire fantasy roster to the Department of Homeland Security. Love Me, Hate Me:Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero by Jeff Pearlman (2006). Love him or hate him, Barry is one of the most compelling modern figures in the game, and gut reactions and half-baked media analysis never tell the full story. Pearlman paints a riveting, nuanced portrait of one of the most polarizing, driven, talented baseball figures of all time. It’s a damning picture painted here, so there’s plenty for Bonds haters. Love Me, Hate Me makes a great companion book to Game of Shadows, but remains a great read in its own right. Cobb: A Biography, by Al Stump (1994). You think Barry Bonds has personality problems? Tyrus Raymond Cobb makes Bonds look like Bill Cosby. What really makes this book special is Stump's story as well, as he gets his revenge thirty years later after writing a highly sanitized and version of the story by telling the truth about Cobb's life and his tumultuous personal relationship with one of baseball's all-time greats. From his racist upbringing, to his dark family past, to the way he terrorized opposing players on the basepaths and all over the field, Cobb remains one of the most singular, tragic, despicable figures in baseball history, a truly tortured man. Read this, and then watch Tommy Lee Jones’ brilliant portrayal of the Hall of Famer in 1994’s Cobb. One could create an entire bookshelf of great books, fiction and non-fiction, written about the game, and these are just a few that I’ve enjoyed. Any of these books could also have interest for the non-baseball-fan in your life. If you can tear yourself away from the Internet and all its great resources for the baseball fan, there's a whole world of baseball lore waiting for you at your local public library or bookstore. What are some of your favorite books about baseball? Trackback(0)
Comments (14)
  written by Yogi, February 07, 2009
While not a "classic" per se - I received "Beyond Belief" the Josh Hamilton story for XMAS. All to casually it gets thrown around about his "personal demons". While I had a rough idea of his past, I was in no way prepared for the depths to which he went and the incredible climb back.
At times it was almost like getting punched in the stomach. Though I knew beforehand that the story would end up well, there were times you forgot that fact. A great story.
written by Boris From Downunder, January 27, 2009
"Ball Four" by Jim Bouton.
"Men at Work" by George Will. "If the don't win it's a shame - the year the Marlin's bought the World Series" - Dave Rosenbaum. All different, all enjoyable. I have read a couple of Halbertsan's books, I enjoyed October 1964 as u did. Will have to check some of the others out!
written by GabrielLundeen, January 25, 2009
Looks cool - I'll definitely check it out. This article was a lot of fun to write, but it's even more fun getting people's recommendations.
written by D Wrek, January 25, 2009
Good list, just wanted to throw out my personal fav.
The Last Best League. It followed a season of the Chathams A's of the Cape Cod League. Baseball at its purest form.
written by D Wrek, January 25, 2009
Not debating scouting v stats but I couldnt get through Scouts Honor. What a bore. The first half was bio's of the Braves scouts. I dont care about them, but rather what they do. It seemed there was too much of the former and not enough of the latter.
written by GabrielLundeen, January 25, 2009
All great suggestions, Mike. The only one of those books I've read is "I Had a Hammer," which I read a long time ago but remember being blown away by.
I wasn't even alive when Aaron broke Ruth's record, and even though it seems so long ago, that level of racism and hatred was only the blink of an eye historically. I want to go back and re-read that one now...
written by GabrielLundeen, January 25, 2009
I'll definitely add it to my personal reading list - it looks great.
written by GabrielLundeen, January 25, 2009
I hear the argument, Kevin, and I'm not a strictly "stats" guy either. I don't think you have to agree with everything in it, and in some ways the questions it brings up are more interesting than the "scouts vs. stats" argument, which oversimplifies things. I just thought it was an exceptionally well-written book that had a unique take on the game. Michael Lewis' other books, like "The Blind Side" (about football) and "Liar's Poker" (about Wall Street) are also really great reads.
I've always wanted to read that Schuerholz book, and I'll take a look at "Scout's Honor" too. Thanks for the recommendations.
written by GabrielLundeen, January 25, 2009
That book almost made the list - I agree it was great. The hardest thing about this list was narrowing it down...
written by MichaelMuschiano, January 25, 2009
"I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story"...one of my personal favorites. For some of you older guys, you understand what Hank Aaron went through when he was in pursuit of setting the home run record. For younger audiences though, people do not understand the amount of hate there was directed at Aaron.
"Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig"...can be dry at times but the story of Lou Gehrig itself has enough substance to be a great read regardless. For Yankee fans- "Birth of a Dynasty" by Joel Sherman...the book describes all the pieces that went into place to build the Yankee team in 96. Favorite quote from this book is from Gene "Stick" Michael: "Someone in the organization said we can't win with Jeter at shortstop. It turned out we couldn't win without him." Really a classic for Yankee fans and a good read for any baseball fans who don't have too much bitterness for the Yankees.
written by kevinorris, January 25, 2009
No offense to you Gabriel- but I've read Moneyball at least once, and I don't see the greatness in it. Maybe it's the Braves fan that I've grown up to be, or maybe it's the mass amount of Bill Shanks articles and books that I've read, but I'm not a fan. I understand them premise of the book, but there are very few things that I agree with in it.
Maybe it's because I'm 'old school'- I love scouting. I do think it is an interesting read, but I think if you read that book, you should also read one that differs it, like Built to Win by John Schuerholz or Scout's Honor by Bill Shanks. Other than that, this is a great list!
written by JoeLano, January 25, 2009
I loved "Three Nights in August". It showed the human element of the game that sabermetics seems to take out.
Showing how Tony La Russa uses not only the numbers, but his gut feelings and what he sees on the field also. Exactly the way I like to go about my fantasy drafts. Great book and in some ways, the anti-moneyball book.
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Tags: baseball books non-fiction David Halberstam David Marannis Jeff Pearlman John Feinstein Al Stump Nicholas Dawidoff Buster Olney Michael Lewis New York Yankees St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Diamondbacks 2001 World Series Ty Cobb Roberto Clemente race pitching Tom Glavine Mike Mussina Barry Bonds Moe Berg Moneyball Catcher Was a Spy Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty library
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picture of Clemente by sticking to the facts and avoiding the usual idolatry of one of baseball’s true legends. Clemente, baseball’s first Latin American Hall of Famer and the only player to have the 5-year waiting period waived, died in a plane crash on his way to deliver supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims in 1972. His huge influence on the game continues today, as Clemente was a powerful spokesman who inspired an entire generation in Latin America to play baseball. Without Clemente, many of today’s superstars may never have even picked up a glove.
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I agree with you Gabe on Clemente, I really thought that was a great book
I am a sucker for The Natural. I know it is only fiction but the book is better than the movie.
Fear Strikes Out by Jimmy Piersall is a great book about a tragic figure.
Maybe I'll Pitch Forever is about Satchel Paige and is a fun read.
The Triumph and Tragedy of Tony Conigliaro is one of the saddest books about baseball.
I read Three Days IN August and even being a Cardinal fan did not like that much. BTW, they are making this book into a movie