Baseball: A History of America's Favorite Game (Modern Library Chronicles)

One of the best books I've ever read. Well written & puntuated with humour. Started reading it as soon as the book arrived and couldn't put it down until it was finished. If you like to read about the history of the game I recommend this book.

When I was a kid, I couldn't get enough of the game of baseball . . . I watched games on TV and went to them, and I also read everything about the subject that I could. For some reason, I lost interest in it sometime around my teenage years . . . maybe it was when my mother threw out my collection of baseball cards (including one signed by Sandy Koufax!) or perhaps it's when I discovered that girls were frankly more interesting, but I also forgot many of my childhood memories . . . that is, until I came across BASEBALL: A HISTORY OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE GAME by NEW YORK TIMES sports columnist George Vecsey. What a joy it was to hear this book over the past several days as I drove to and from work . . . it reminded me of the days when I followed both the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers, but it also gave me a mini-history lesson about the Black Sox 1919 scandal (and why it happened), along with an appreciation of what it was like to have to play in the Negro Leagues. I also liked hearing about how baseball became popular in the United States . . . and learning that Abner Doubleday really had little to do with the game's development. It was fun hearing about Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, but equally interesting to learn about the role of such executives as Branch Rickey and my personal favorite, Bill Veeck. And I got a kick learning why Ricky Henderson had so many doubles in his career . . . it seems he could have stretched many of them into triples, but held off on doing so in order to then be able to steal third (and add to his all-time steals record). I don't know if BASEBALL will get me to return to the ballpark anytime in the near future . . . yet I'd still recommend the book to any fan--past, present or future. My only criticism is that the book is a bit choppy . . . it goes back and forth in history, whereas my preference would have been for a straight chronological approach.

An objective critique of baseball history separating truth from fiction. A well written and interesting book showing the unknown conflicts between owners and players. The owners reluctance to expose internal problems with star athletes. It also raises questions about the origins of America's game. Though provoking and insigtful. This writer knows his stuff.

Lennie, tell your dad to make sure it's an audible download! I'm on a streak of listening to baseball books--The Summer Game, Three Days in August--and I surely want to add your father's to the list. His interview on Imus this morning really whetted my appetite for the book. Sounds like one terrific book.

OK, even if the author were not my father, I would still highly recommend this book. And even though neither I nor Lenny Dykstra are ever mentioned by name, it is a thorough and insightful look at the history of our national pastime. Good work, Dad.