COVID Curveball


Book Description

A riveting inside account of the most unforgettable season in Los Angeles Dodgers history, from the COVID-delayed start through the incredible playoff run, by the broadcaster who saw it all. As America’s Pastime reeled from a global pandemic, the LA Dodgers rallied to win arguably the most difficult baseball season ever played. Amid strict new rules and Coronavirus outbreaks on other teams that wreaked havoc on the schedule, the Dodgers maintained a laser focus as a team and organization, and ultimately, won the first bubbled playoffs in the history of Major League Baseball. In COVID Curveball, author and Dodgers’ broadcaster Tim Neverett takes us through this unprecedented season, offering exclusive access and firsthand, edge-of-your-seat, play-by-play coverage of the surreal days and weeks that led up to the dramatic championship climax. It’s a highly entertaining, often humorous chronicle of the quirky nature of the season, the goings-on behind the scenes at the stadium and MLB at large, as well as the unique chemistry forged in the diverse and dynamic clubhouse. Along with insights into the potent lineup that produced jaw-dropping moments by Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Cody Bellinger, the book also celebrates the incredible achievements of Clayton Kershaw that cemented his Hall-of-Fame legacy, and the remarkable job done by Dave Roberts and the Dodgers’ executives and ownership. Highlighted by empty stands, remote broadcasts, and relentless testing, 2020 was perhaps the strangest baseball season ever…but it produced the most savored World Series celebration in the history of the game. Includes an in-depth foreword by Dodgers’ legend Orel Hershiser.




Chase's Calendar of Events 2021


Book Description

Find out what's going on any day of the year, anywhere across the globe! The world’s date book since 1957, Chase's is the definitive, authoritative, day-by-day resource of what the world is celebrating and commemorating. From national days to celebrity birthdays, from historical anniversaries to astronomical phenomena, from award ceremonies and sporting events to religious festivals and carnivals, Chase's is the must-have reference used by experts and professionals—a one-stop shop with 12,500 entries for everything that is happening now or is worth remembering from the past. Completely updated for 2021, Chase's also features extensive appendices as well as a companion website that puts the power of Chase's at the user's fingertips. 2021 is packed with special events and observances, including National days and public holidays of every nation on Earth The 400th anniversary of the Plymouth pilgrim Thanksgiving The 200th independence anniversary from Spain of its Central and South American colonies. The 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre Scores of new special days, weeks and months Birthdays of new world leaders, office holders, and breakout stars And much more! All from the reference book that Publishers Weekly calls "one of the most impressive reference volumes in the world."




Baseball Prospectus 2021


Book Description

The 2021 edition of The New York Times Bestselling Guide. PLAY BALL! The 26th edition of this industry-leading baseball annual contains all of the important statistics, player predictions and insider-level commentary that readers have come to expect, along with significant improvements to several statistics that were created by, and are exclusive to, Baseball Prospectus, and an expanded focus on international players and teams. Baseball Prospectus 2021 provides fantasy players and insiders alike with prescient PECOTA projections, which The New York Times called “the überforecast of every player’s performance.” With more than 50 Baseball Prospectus alumni currently working for major-league baseball teams, nearly every organization has sought the advice of current or former BP analysts, and readers of Baseball Prospectus 2021 will understand why!




A High Five for Glenn Burke


Book Description

A 2021 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020 A 2021 ALA Rainbow Book A Bank Street Best Book of 2021 A heartfelt and relatable novel from Phil Bildner, weaving the real history of Los Angeles Dodger and Oakland Athletic Glenn Burke--the first professional baseball player to come out as gay--into the story of a middle-school kid learning to be himself. When sixth grader Silas Wade does a school presentation on former Major Leaguer Glenn Burke, it’s more than just a report about the irrepressible inventor of the high five. Burke was a gay baseball player in the 1970s—and for Silas, the presentation is his own first baby step toward revealing a truth about himself he's tired of hiding. Soon he tells his best friend, Zoey, but the longer he keeps his secret from his baseball teammates, the more he suspects they know something’s up—especially when he stages one big cover-up with terrible consequences. A High Five for Glenn Burke is Phil Bildner’s most personal novel yet—a powerful story about the challenge of being true to yourself, especially when not everyone feels you belong on the field.




Baseball


Book Description

One of the great bards of America's Grand Old Game gives a rousing account ofbaseball, from its pre-Republic roots to the present day.




Play Baseball the Ripken Way


Book Description

Every year, hundreds of thousands of children play “Cal Ripken Baseball” in the largest division of Babe Ruth League, Inc. Play Baseball the Ripken Way is the ultimate guide to playing the game, by one of the sport’s living legends. Baseball is America’s national pastime, but that doesn’t mean we’re all born naturals. Kids of all ages (and their parents) are eager to improve specific skills, and now they can learn from one of the most respected baseball families in history. Cal and Bill Ripken have written a thoroughly illustrated instructional book that clearly explains proper baseball fundamentals—hitting, fielding, baserunning, pitching, and much more. Based on the teachings of the late Cal Ripken, Sr., a player, coach, manager, and scout in the Baltimore Orioles system for thirty-seven years, Play Baseball the Ripken Way shows players just what they need to do to be their best while maintaining a sense of fun and accomplishment with every new lesson. The Ripken Way consists of the following principles: *Keep It Simple: Teaching that is too complicated is difficult to remember and can result in frustration. *Explain Why: A teacher who cannot explain why is not truly teaching. Lessons that make sense will stick with players. *Celebrate the Individual: No two players are alike, so why treat them as if they are? *Make It Fun: The game gets serious enough quickly enough on its own. Drills and instruction should be structured so that players can enjoy themselves while learning. The book also includes tips for parents and coaches, practice workouts, and drills for players of every level.







Baseball Genius


Book Description

An average kid with an above average talent for predicting baseball pitches tries to help his favorite player out of a slump in this New York Times bestselling novel from authors Tim Green and Derek Jeter. Jalen DeLuca loves baseball. Unfortunately his dad can’t afford to keep him on the travel team. His dad runs a diner and makes enough to cover the bills, but there isn’t anything for extras. So Jalen decides to take matters into his own hands and he sneaks into the home of the New York Yankee’s star second baseman, James Yager, and steals a couple of balls from his personal batting cage. He knows that if he can sell them, he’ll be able to keep himself on the team. But like the best-laid plans—or in this case the worst!—Jalen’s scheme goes wrong when Yager catches him. But Jalen has a secret: his baseball genius. He can analyze and predict almost exactly what a pitcher is going to do with his next pitch. He can’t quite explain how he knows, he just knows. And after proving to Yager that he really can do this, using a televised game and predicting pitch after pitch with perfect accuracy, the two agree to a deal. Jalen will help Yager out of his batting slump and Yager won’t press charges. However, when he begins to suspect that the team’s general manager has his own agenda, Jalen’s going to need his friends and his unusual baseball talent to save not only Yager’s career, but his own good name.




The Year's Best Sports Writing 2021


Book Description

A must-read collection featuring the best in sports journalism Glenn Stout, founding editor of the Best American Sports Writing, has curated an essential anthology showcasing incredible feats and diverse perspectives across the world of sports. Selected from a wide range of newspapers, magazines, and digital publications during the previous year, these stories capture enduring moments while celebrating the craft of writing at its most sublime. This extraordinary collection reveals the fascinating stories behind the sports we love, the competitors who push their boundaries, and the cultures they are ultimately embedded in.




Texas Almanac 2020-2021


Book Description

The 70th edition in this long-running reference guide is filled to the brim with maps, statistics, full-color photographs, and fascinating information. You’ll buy a piece of Texas history in every Texas Almanac in your collection. Our features this year include: Everyone knows Texas is a big state, but we continue to grow, sometimes in unexpected ways. Learn more about population growth, shifts, and trends, and where we might be by 2050 in this feature, written by Steve H. Murdock, Ph.D., a former director of the U.S. Census Bureau and currently a professor at Rice University and Director of the Hobby Center for the Study of Texas, and Michael Cline, Ph.D., former Associate Director of the Hobby Center for the Study of Texas. A new entry in our series on Texas immigrants focuses on Asian Indians. From facing early anti-Asian immigration bans to becoming the fourth largest concentration of Asian Indians in the United States, Indian Texans have helped shape the state’s economy, public policy and cultural landscape. Learn about this rich immigration history and how the influence of Asian Indians can be felt across Texas. This feature is written by Ayshea Khan, Asian American Community Archivist at the Austin History Center. The entire book is revised with the latest information for every edition, including the 254 county maps and our population estimates for every Texas town. Chapters include: • Environment: Learn about the geology of Texas, as well as in-depth information about plants, wildlife, rivers, and lakes. • Weather: Highs and lows of the previous two years, plus a list of destructive weather dating from 1766. Also, a look at how our state has recovered since Hurricane Harvey. • Astronomical Calendar: Find the moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, moonrise and moonset times, and any eclipses and meteor showers expected for 2020 and 2021. • Recreation: The places to go visit in Texas, with details on state and national parks, landmarks, and wildlife refuges. • Sports: The results of championship games for sports in Texas, from high school through professional, and a list of all Texas Olympic medalists and the past ten years of Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductees. • Counties: An expansive section featuring detailed county maps, locator maps, and profiles of Texas’ 254 counties. • Population: Figures and the latest estimates from the State Data Center, plus an analysis of what has changed in the past 5-10 years and a comprehensive list of the population of Texas cities and towns. • Elections: Results and maps from the 2018 General Election and information on voter turnout. • Government: Historical documents and lists of governmental officials dating from our time under Spanish rule to today, as well as a recap of the 86th Legislative Session, information about state boards commissions, and lists of state, county, and local officials. • Culture and the Arts: Find museums, competitions and award winners, and cultural and artistic highlights from the past few years, along with maps and data about the variety of religious groups in Texas. • Business, Agriculture, and Transportation: Information about all aspects of our rich economy, and how we’ve faired as a state in the past few years, packed with tables about employment, prices, taxes, and more in a wide variety of industries. • And much more…