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| Chicago's Wrigley Field (Image Credit) |
As Spring Training
comes to an end and the 2021 baseball season begins, we look forward to
seeing our favorite players and teams, and reflect back on past favorites.
We will miss the ones who have retired (like Mariano Rivera, the marvelous
'closer' on the pitching staff for the Yankees). If you're like me, you
find the lives of these men as fascinating and interesting as their
baseball careers have been and might wonder what their stories were.
Luckily for us, there are a wealth of baseball books available, written
by and about pitchers, position players, managers and sports announcers
which put all the excitement of their careers in baseball on printed pages
between the covers! I'm reading one right now about 'retired' St. Louis
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. The book (One Last Strike) focuses on just a small section of Tony's career (specifically his
final season of 2011 and the magical comeback of a team that refused to
give up). Once you get interested in reading about a specific player, you
find all sorts of fun 'tidbits' of information. For instance, I bet you
didn't know that Tony La Russa became a vegetarian – and why.
As a
baseball fan
I'm looking for reviews of baseball books you have read and recommend for
all us 'fans' who want to learn more about these 'Boys of Summer'. If you
write a review, leave me a link in the comments and I may feature it in an
upcoming post.
The Science of HittingCheck Price
Books such as
"The Science of Hitting" by Ted Williams. Did you know that in 1935, Lovell
Haskins Peirce, a physics professor at San Diego State University, had Ted
in his physics class where the professor gave a lesson on
the physics of hitting a baseball? Ted Williams went on to
become
the
last hitter to top a .400 batting average in a season.
The Science of Hitting
The Science of Hitting
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(c) Elf - My treasured baseball signed by Joe Torre |
Now that Spring Training has ended, let's get ready to Play
Ball.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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So it seems college is not a waste after all. :-) Enjoyed that hitting tidbit. What an exciting time of year. By this time of the season, I would have already been pitching in the cage for three months. Come March, I was ready to be uncaged and hit the field. I found one of the books on your list at my library. You can count on a review. The book you are reading sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your book review, Diana. I've got about 3 I'm planning to write as soon as I finish Tony La Russa's book. :)
DeleteAhhh Baseball season! What a wonderful time of the year. Elf, I always enjoy your baseball articles and I will check out your list of books. I have really enjoyed spring training this year...two game to go now! It should be a great season. The Cards should give us a fantastic ride! GO CARDS!
ReplyDeleteGlad you've enjoyed the Cardinals Spring Training, Mary Beth. I'm having a blast 're-living' their magical 2011 season through Tony La Russa's play-by-play in his book "One Last Strike". All the excitement of those final weeks in September 2011 and on through the World Series is coming back through this story. Baseball books are the next best thing to Baseball games!
DeleteAlthough I enjoy baseball, I'm not a major fan of the sport like you are. However, my book arrived yesterday so I'll be ready to play ball with my review linked up with you in a week or so (after my house guest leaves.)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your baseball review for 'children', Ruthi. Who knows, you may become a major fan through books about baseball, at least from a child's point of view. :)
DeleteThough I don't follow Baseball as avidly as you do, your enthusiasm sure does come through this post, and it is something that brings joy to so many:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claudia. I have been a huge baseball fan my whole life.
DeleteI have to agree with Claudia, your enthusiasm for baseball really does shine through in this post. I found myself humming "take me out to the ballgame....." I do have so many wonderful memories associated with baseball and the games.
ReplyDeleteI DO get very enthusiastic about baseball, Mouse. It's my favorite subject and the one I'm most passionate about. :-)
DeleteOK, we have the running joke between football and baseball, but summer is for baseball! And I did know that Tony La Russa is vegetarian, but not why. The stories behind the players are fascinating.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you can only be a football fan when baseball season is over. LOL. Thanks for your kind comment.
DeleteI have been meaning to check out your baseball info but with games and practice 7 days a week for the 13-yr-old, I never seem to have time. He is looking forward to opening day (and if you don't tell him, so am I). I will make the time to check out the books. Anything baseball is his favorite thing to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Ann. Always fun to hear from fellow baseball fans.
DeleteAlright! You know Tim is very excited for the season to start! Soon it will be baseball on all televisions since March Madness did not include his alma mater this year, LOL. He went to the Reds Fest in a town near us a few weeks ago and got jazzed for the season. I do believe you and Tim could have a days long conversation about baseball and have a blast doing it!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to 'talk baseball' with Tim, Mandee. It's one of my favorite things to do. My son says I relate 'everything' to baseball, no matter what the subject is -- and I do. :)
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