Wayne Stewart - Böcker

This brief but readable biography tells the story of the most recognized figure in baseball—Babe Ruth. Besides vividly describing the highlights of Ruth's career, author Wayne Stewart examines the unprecedented impact Ruth had on the nature and future of the game. Ruth's ability to hit the long ball and the flamboyance of his off-field persona infused the game with a new excitement that rescued baseball from the negative effects of the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Making extensive use of interviews conducted by the author with members of Ruth's family and with players who knew Ruth, this biography is an engaging exploration of how Ruth helped shape modern baseball.Babe Ruth is the most recognized figure in baseball and a true American icon. In this brief but readable biography, author Wayne Stewart engagingly describes the highlights of Ruth's career and deftly examines the reasons for the unprecedented impact Ruth had on the game. Ruth's ability to hit the long ball and the flamboyance of his off-field persona infused the game with a new excitement that rescued baseball from the negative effects of the 1919 Black Sox scandal. The author draws new insights into Ruth's life and career through interviews he conducted with members of Ruth's family and with other baseball players who knew him.Readers are also provided with a quick reference chronology to Ruth's career, a bibliography of important print and non-print information resources on Ruth, a statistical appendix summarizing Ruth's on-field production by season, and a discussion of how Ruth has been depicted in books, movies, plays, and other media since his death. This biography will both explain and satisfy the continuing curiosity about Ruth among young basbeball fans who never had the opportunity to see him play.

Most sports watchers' projections for Alex Rodriguez's final stats rank him with men such as Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, and Hank Aaron. A veritable baseball wunderkind, this Dominican-American ball player has broken records from the moment he stepped on the diamond. In this engaging biography author Wayne Stewart describes the highlights of A-Rod's record-setting career and examines the reasons for the unprecedented impact he has had on the game.Recruited right out of high school in 1993, his first year in pro ball was a whirlwind with Rodriguez making not only his minor league debut, but getting his first taste of big-league ball as a Seattle Mariner—all by the age of just 18. Fast forward to 2000 when A-Rod signed a 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers calling for a total salary of $252 million, the most lucrative deal in baseball. In 2003 he became the youngest player ever to reach the 300 home run circle. Just two years later became the youngest player ever to reach the 400 home run strata. If baseball history is any indication, A-Rod's days of record-breaking performances are far from over. This fair-minded and well-researched biography traces A-Rod from his childhood growing up in Miami to his career with the New York Yankees. Personal interests, such as his donations of both time and money to such causes as the Boys and Girls Club, are covered in detail. Also included is a timeline, photographs, and career statistics, which will give the reader insight into Rodriguez's place in the history of the game as well as how he stacks up against baseball's all-time greatest players.

The 1950s and 60s was a golden age for professional football. It was perhaps the toughest and roughest era for the sport, before rules were created to better protect the players, but it was also a time when legends were born. To many football fans this era remains the Glory Years of the NFL, when the stars that roamed the gridiron included the likes of Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, Jim Brown, and Raymond Berry.In Remembering the Stars of the NFL Glory Years: An Inside Look at the Golden Age of Football, Wayne Stewart tells the story of professional football in the ‘50s and ‘60s through the words of the players themselves. Chapters cover Hall of Famers on both sides of the ball, players who made a lasting impression on the game, and the toughest players on the gridiron. Stewart intertwines profiles of these iconic players with the athletes’ own memories, observations, and anecdotes, including their impressions of teammates and opponents. Two additional chapters consist of humorous quotes and the players’ thoughts on how the game has changed since their heyday. Featuring exclusive interviews with players from the 1950s and ‘60s, Remembering the Stars of the NFL Glory Years provides an inside look at this distinct time in professional football. With a wide range of topics and insights included throughout, this book will both entertain and inform football fans and historians alike.

Why is a football field sometimes called a gridiron? Who are some of the best left-handed quarterbacks ever? Who was the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl? Why do players form a huddle when plays are called? When did quarterback sacks become an official statistic? What is the record for the most passes thrown by a quarterback in a game? This book provides a slew of questions and in-depth answers concerning the traditions, rules, records, and history of pro football (and more). From the early days of football to the hugely popular game seen today, Wayne Stewart answers questions even the most knowledgeable fan may have pondered. Whether the topic is quarterbacks or coaches, famous “firsts” or memorable moments, if a Who, What, When, Where, Why, or How? question is on your mind, this is the book for you.

This inspirational keepsake for lovers of the game of baseball will contain quotes, quips, memories, and milestones from 100 years of baseball in America. Organized in sections on the great players, the dynasties, incredible individual performances, and even the experience of going to the ballpark, it will celebrate the sport from many voices and perspectives. Quotes from great baseball writers such as Roger Angell, Red Barber, Bernard Malamud, and George Will will be included, as well as excerpts from the farewell speeches of such icons as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. And then there are the celebrities who are devoted to baseball (and in some cases to individual teams), such as Alyssa Milano, Jay-Z, Ben Affleck, Bill Murray, Billy Crystal, Charlie Sheen, Tom Hanks, and Kevin James. As Yogi Berra once said, "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too."

Calling all Yankee and Red Sox fans! Dodgers and Giants fans! Blue Jays, White Sox, and Cubs fans! Fans everywhere! Do you have what it takes to be Major League umpire? Well, now you can test your baseball knowledge.Divided into three sections, this unusual handbook, now in its third edition, offers Routine Calls, which deal with scenarios and rules that typically come up in games and deal with clear-cut rules—fair and foul, strike zone questions, and the like.The next section, Basic Situations, deals with umpiring matters and rules that are just a bit more unusual or, for the casual fan, obscure. Interference and obstruction calls, for example, don’t come up too often, but they remain standard stuff involving rules that umps and many fans know quite well.In the final section, Obscure Rules and Situations, you will be presented with what many baseball people call “knotty” problems. Here, you will be asked questions involving the complex infield fly rule and other arcane matters. This section, then, is the ultimate test of your umpiring skills and knowledge.Most of the situations in You’re the Umpire come from real games, such as the time a fastball from Randy Johnson killed a bird in flight and what the umps did regarding that pitch, but some scenarios are made up to illustrate specific points or rules. Test yourself against your friends or against the iconic baseball rulebook. It’s a challenge and it’s fun.

The NFL in the 1950s and 1960s was full of iconic players and legendary coaches. Future Hall of Famers battled it out on the gridiron and roamed the sidelines, making for incredible games and memorable moments. In Remembering the Greatest Coaches and Games of the NFL Glory Years: An Inside Look at the Golden Age of Football, Wayne Stewart tells of the men and events that made this era unforgettable. Through dozens of interviews with players such as Tom Matte, Mike Ditka, Raymond Berry, Don Maynard, Chuck Mercein, and Rick Volk, Stewart shares the players’ unique perspectives on the Greatest Game Ever Played, the Ice Bowl, the Heidi Game, and Super Bowl III. The second part of the book features profiles of the Hall of Fame coaches who led their teams to victory—including George Halas, Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, and Don Shula—with the players reflecting on the impact these coaches had on and off the field.Remembering the Greatest Coaches and Games of the NFL Glory Years not only shares anecdotes that reveal the warm and humorous sides of the Hall of Fame coaches but also includes breakdowns of the key decisions they made during the featured games. With exclusive insight provided by the players, this book offers readers a deeper understanding of professional football during this era directly from those who lived it.

Throughout the twentieth century, baseball has been blessed with a slew of colorful characters, funny men, and “flakes.” And though many fans lament the apparent vanishing of such players, there are still plenty of characters in the game today.In Wits, Flakes, and Clowns: The Colorful Characters of Baseball, Wayne Stewart brings to life the funniest, craziest, and cleverest men ever associated with the game. From the hilarious but unheralded Casey Candaele and the witty Andy Van Slyke to All-Stars Jimmy Piersall and Bryce Harper, this book shares many never-before-heard stories about some of the most entertaining men in baseball. In addition, this book features quotes from personal player interviews with the author that span decades, providing a personal, inside look at these zany stars. Wits, Flakes, and Clowns is packed with rich and colorful characters and plenty of humor, as well as unexpected insights into the national pastime. It is a celebration of those unique players who keep fans and teammates on their toes, those known for their wit, their pranks, or for doing just about anything for a laugh. Any baseball fan, but especially those who love the humor of the game, will be entertained by the exploits of the game’s most comical players.

An entertaining and illuminating inside look at Major League Baseball through the words of the players themselves.Imagine you had the opportunity to sit down with ballplayers such as Hank Aaron, Greg Maddux, Joe Torre, and Nolan Ryan. You might ask them about their star teammates and hated opponents. You might talk about the obstacles they overcame and the strategies that led to their success. Or you might just talk about life in the majors.In Talking Baseball with Major League Stars, Wayne Stewart provides readers with all that and more. Featuring over 45 years of interviews, Stewart details the history, tactics, and inside stories of the national pastime with unique perspectives that only the players, coaches, and managers could provide. They discuss the most difficult pitchers they faced, the unwritten rules, the game’s wildest characters, cheating, intimidation, the players they most admire, racism in and around the sport, and their fears and doubts, along with candid stories never heard before.Including exclusive insight from more than fifty Hall of Famers and countless award winners, and covering nearly one hundred different topics, Talking Baseball with Major League Stars is a fascinating behind-the-scenes journey into the world of professional baseball.

Here’s what former Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck had to say about baseball: “This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There’s time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings.” That’s just one of the thousands of quotes gathered in this gigantic collection, and they include some of the wisest, wittiest comments made on America’s national pastime. Edited by Wayne Stewart, a sports writer with almost 30 years of experience and 20 books to his name, and with a Foreword by Roger Kahn, who wrote the seminal book on baseball, The Boys of Summer, this anthology includes observations from players, managers, owners, writers, fans, and more. Among the greats whose thoughts are here to savor: Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Babe Ruth, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Derek Jeter, Don Zimmer, Roger Angell, Red Barber, George Will, and countless others. This is a great gift book for any baseball fan!Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

A small area of western Pennsylvania around Pittsburgh has produced almost 25 percent of the modern era quarterbacks enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That percentage is wildly disproportionate to the number of superstar quarterbacks any one state might claim, let alone a mere sliver of a state—an area representing just one-fifth of one percent of the total country.The list of the greats starts with George Blanda, the “old man” of the game, and continues with the incomparable Johnny Unitas, followed by “Broadway” Joe Namath, Joe “the Comeback Kid” Montana, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly.Their stories, feats, and statistics are brought to life in America’s Football Factory through riveting anecdotes, extensive research, and exclusive interviews with their coaches, friends, family, and peers. Readers will appreciate getting to know these athletes as people, not merely as football heroes. Stewart also explores the many theories as to why one part of the nation has churned out so many greats.Hall of Famers Raymond Berry and Mike Ditka lavished praise on the first edition of this book. “Any fan of my era, of my friend Johnny Unitas, or, for that matter, any fan of football in general should enjoy Wayne Stewart’s book,” said Berry. Ditka, himself a Western Pennsylvanian, wrote in the book’s introduction, “You can’t get much better than the primary six men featured in this book.” He’s correct—upon their retirement, all six of the book’s featured quarterbacks were in the top 12 for touchdown passes, and five of them were in the top 10.America’s Football Factory also features other greats from the Pittsburgh vicinity, including Johnny Lujack, Babe Parilli, and Marc Bulger, and the area’s best high school programs for producing quarterbacks are also discussed.

Baseball Dads is a heartwarming collection of notable major league players’ favorite baseball-related memories about how their relationships with their fathers shaped them, not only as players, but as the men they are today. From superstars like David Wright, Josh Hamilton, CC Sabathia, Adrian Gonzalez, Chipper Jones, and Kevin Youkilis, to journeyman big leaguers like Adam LaRoche, J. D. Drew, Shelley Duncan, Barry Zito, and Jeff Francoeur, this inspiring book reveals, through its fifteen vivid profiles, the profound impact fathers can have on the lives of their children on and off the diamond. An ideal Father’s Day gift, Baseball Dads offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the private lives of some of the game’s best players.

With a Foreword by Roger Kahn, author of the legendary baseball book The Boys of Summer, here are words of wisdom and whimsey by players, managers, writers, and sportscasters, that will entertain and educate any baseball fan.The Little Red Book of Baseball Wisdom unearths a treasury of quotes reflecting more than a century’s worth of history from our national pastime. Featuring contributions from:Hank AaronWalt WhitmanLeo DurocherTy CobbTed WilliamsYogi BerraJohn UpdikeDizzy DeanLou GehrigCasey StengelAnd many more!Novelist W. P. Kinsella, author of Shoeless Joe which became the movie Field of Dreams, wrote that baseball is “a game where little gems of wisdom or whimsy can be created in the dugout, the bullpen, or the press box during long, hot afternoons and evenings of baseball.”

A comprehensive trivia book that enables readers to compete as they answer questions!In The New Book of Baseball Trivia, experienced baseball author Wayne Stewart includes 500 fun and engaging questions and answers on everyone's favorite former and active players and coaches. Readers are awarded a single, double, triple, or homer based on the difficulty level of the question, with the goal to score as many runs as possible by the end of the book. They are kept on their toes by answers head-scratchers such as:Which team became the first one ever to have three of its players hit 40+ homers in a season?Who was the shortest man ever to appear in a big-league game?Which two brothers combined for more lifetime home runs than any other brother act?When Shane Bieber won the 2020 Cy Young Award, he became the fifth Cleveland Indian to capture that honor. Name three of the other four men to accomplish this.Which two men bashed more home runs while teammates than any other teammate combo?And many more!This book makes the perfect gift for the baseball-loving fan!