George Castle – författare

An authoritative look back at the decade that brought America's favorite game into the modern era.

The first book in the GAME CHANGERS sports series answers the questions: What were the 50 most revolutionary personalities, rules, pieces of equipment, controversies, organizational changes, radio and television advancements, and more in the history National Pastime? And how, exactly, did they forever change the game? Baseball’s Game Changers offers fascinating, detailed explanations along with a ranking system from 1 to 50 that is sure to inspire debate among baseball aficionados. Ranging from each sport’s beginnings to today and tackling on-the-field and off-the-field developments, the Game Changers series offers a history of each sport through their turning-points and innovations. Full-color, and including 60 photos plus pull-outs and sidebars, books within the Game Changers series are important and entertaining additions to every sports fan’s library.

Millionaires complaining to billionaires about more millions - too often that's how the general public perceives baseball players. When discussions of strikes don't involve a box from the knees to the shoulders, the game has strayed too far from its roots.Throwbacks: Old-School Baseball Players in Today's Game celebrates those roots and highlights those players today who play the game the same way our parents and grandparents watched it played. It's an ode to those who play hurt, who play smart, who go all out, who get blood and sweat and dirt on their uniforms and still treat their teammates and fans—and the game—with respect. To the hurlers, the hitters, the scrappers, and even the role players, you don't have to be a star to be "old-school"; you just have to know how to play the game right.George Castle focuses on a dozen current players who best personify the spirit of baseball's past. These players take their original talent—be it smarts, hustle, firepower, or muscle—and give it all for their team. While Kerry Wood blows people away with his fastball, Mike Morgan does whatever he's asked to stay in the game he loves. As Jim Thome muscles balls over the fence, Ellis Burks happily contributes the little things that can mean the difference between winning and losing.In addition to talking to the throwbacks themselves, Castle interviewed past and current teammates, opponents, and even announcers to get an insider's view of what drives them. It's one thing for Castle to call them old-school and quite another when the compliment comes from contemporaries. Come read about some of the best of what baseball has to offer—both on and off the field.

A journey throughout the world to track down former Cubs to update fans on their present-day lives and look back on their playing or managing careers. Once a Cub, always a Cub, and these former inhabitants of Wrigley Field won't soon forget their days in the Friendly Confines.

Sweet Lou and the Cubs chronicles from the inside-out Lou Piniella’s stirring and celebrated quest to reverse the team’s fortunes after a record 100 years without a World Series championship. Drawing on the story of Piniella’s Cubs debut in 2007 and his history as baseball’s ultimate firebrand, veteran Cubs reporter George Castle gives fans the real story behind the building of the best Cubs team in decades. In riveting detail he traces how the Cubs swept into the 2008 playoffs as the favorite to represent the National League in the World Series, but then went down in shocking defeat—leaving millions of fans to pin their wounded hopes on the prospects of their remade team finally turning the tide in 2009. . . . This is sports writing at its best, focusing on Piniella’s old-school style and baseball scientist’s mind; wild swings in the Cubs’ win-loss fortunes; the inside scoop on a Cubs’ front office that has been dramatically more aggressive than its predecessors; the byplay of daily clubhouse life and profiles of key players; and Piniella’s colorful proclamations and homespun philosophy, along with his interactions with his coaches, the team, ball-club executives, media, fans, and celebrity hangers-on.

The competition level in Little League has never been tougher, but the kids on the Jackie Robinson West team faced their own set of challenges on and off the baseball diamond. The Jackie Robinson West team takes their fans and followers on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs as each player shares a different part of the team’s history and experience, including a double-header with President Obama. Jackie Robinson West: The Story of the Youngest America’s Team leads readers on their harrowing path to the Little League World Series.