Batter up for a good book

July 05, 2008 11:05 pm

— Just as sure as April showers bring May flowers, and June ushers in thirty days of “I do,” July is one fine month for baseball. No matter whether you are playing it or watching it; baseball is one great true American pastime.
How long have we been into baseball? Well, today is the 75th anniversary of major league's first all-star game, which was held in Chicago's Comiskey Park. Babe Ruth led the American league with a home run, as they soundly defeated the National league with a final score of 4-2. Baseball great Hank Aaron speaking of Babe Ruth and the book about him, said: “…Babe Ruth has always been bigger than life-even in death. This book celebrates the Babe, the game that he popularized, and the home runs that he hit.” Check the book out; it is a wonderful collection of rare photographs that permit us to see moments in the life of the Babe.
In between watching your favorite team; you may want to read about the forces that created modern baseball. It's all in the book “Crazy '08” written by Cait Murphy. That was the year that baseball's anthem, “Take me out to the Ballgame,” became the hit that it still is today. Author Cait has chronicled many facets of American life in 1908; not to mention the fact that 1908 was the last time the Cubs won the World Series. This book is fun reading for fans of not only baseball but history too. Books about baseball greats are in abundance, read about Stan “the man” Musial in James N. Giglio's book titled “Musial.” Or read about Mark McGwire's historic season in “Celebrating 70” by Bernie Miklasz, Ron Smith, Mike Eisenbath, and Dave Kindred. Read “Juiced” and find out how Jose Canseco changed the very fabric of our beloved game with performance-enhancing drugs, and how he became known throughout the league as “the chemist.” Was it the pursuit of excellence that drove Canseco?
George F. Will's book “Men At Work” provides a glimpse into the complicated exacting discipline that produces great baseball players.
These are only a few of the exciting books available for your summer reading enjoyment.
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