players - presents a treasury of baseball at its best and worst, weirdest and most amusing. In a series of penetrating anecdotes, statistics, and provocative opinions, you'll find the answers to such questions as: Which players, position by position, had the greatest influence on how the game is played? Who were the best players born in Europe? The best born west of California? Who were the youngest and oldest to play each position? Which players, in addition to Cal Ripkin, had the longest consecutive game streaks, from catcher to right fielder? What were the names of the nine players who died while still on a major-league roster?  (less)

are included, with a useful glossary at the end./P  (less)

offensive standouts, and even among these players batting statistics are more likely than fielding numbers to affect ranking. So what, historically, have been the expectations for major league catchers, and who stands as the greatest in a more balanced view of offensive and defensive contributions? In Part I of this book, the history of catching and catchers is discussed in detail, with attention to the most celebrated players of each era. In Part II, the author employs sabermetric formulas to rank the 50 greatest catchers since 1920, when changes to the rules, the parks, and the ball dramatically changed the way baseball was played. Also included is a chapter on catchers of the 19th century, deadball era, and Negro Leagues, whose career statistics are either incomplete, inaccurate, or produced under markedly different playing conditions and rules.  (less)

whimsical, fun, and sometimes poignant poems about little leaguers and their parents. Laugh or cry with Tears, Catcher, Sliding, and Around the Horn and maybe recognize someone you know with Chill out, Dad.I'm so happy to see a book that relates to kids and also conveys the message to parents that baseball is still just a game.  (less)

the answers to these questions and many others. Position-by-position, men who played all or the majority of their major league career in the nineteenth century are ranked. Hitting and fielding ratings are given for infielders and outfielders appearing in at least two-thirds of their teams games and all catchers appearing in at least one-half of the seasons games. Pitchers involved in 15 or more decisions are also included, with their ratings weighted so that those on weak teams can be fairly compared with hurlers on strong teams.a notable and intriguing compilation...a worthwhile addition--ARBA  (less)

years before joining the Office of Strategic Serives (OSS), at which point he became a spy for the United States during World War II. Berg's original notebook was the beginning of a treatise on the history of baseball. The notebook is dated Feb. 22, 1960. Author Neil Farkas provides the actual pages of the Berg notebook. Plates are FULL COLOR. Also available as Adobe Reader PDF and soft cover, http://stores.lulu.com/neiljfarkas. Work by Neil Farkas can be found in over 50 US public collections, including the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institutes, Washngton DC, as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, New York.  (less)

contributions have perhaps faded out of memory for most of us: Mary Baker, who played catcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1940s; Neil Piffles Taylor, one of the first stars of the Regina Rugby Club, the team that evolved into our beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders; Ethel Catherwood--The Saskatoon Lily--the only woman to have won an individual Olympic gold medal for Canada in track and field. Over the past century, these men and women have been a source of pride for Saskatchewan people. We have followed their struggles, rejoiced in their victories, and sorrowed in their defeats. Their stories of dedication, passion, physical skill, and mental discipline continue to encourage and inspire us--simply put, they have given us something to cheer for.  (less)