In this novel, the careers of a golden boy rookie hitter for the Cubs and a hard-hitting Mets pitcher take very different paths. The baseball is thrilling, but it is what happens off the field that makes this story a classic.

"The Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration has come to town, and even among local artisans, athletes, and marching bands, Hannah attracts fans of her own while serving lip-smacking pink lemonade desserts. But the mood sours when a body turns up, leading revelers to wonder if the festivities mark both the longest day of the year and the deadliest. A retired professional MLB player has met a terrifying end and, considering the rumors swirling about...

Think you know how the game of baseball began? Think again. Forget Abner Doubleday and Cooperstown. Did baseball even have a father--or did it just evolve from other bat-and-ball games? John Thorn, baseball's preeminent historian, examines the creation story of the game and finds it all to be a gigantic lie. From its earliest days baseball was a vehicle for gambling, a proxy form of class warfare. Thorn traces the rise of the New York version of the...

"In a small town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth 'Evvie' Drake rarely leaves her house. Everyone in town, including her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and she doesn't correct them. In New York, Dean Tenney, former major-league pitcher and Andy's childhood friend, is struggling with a case of the 'yips': he can't throw straight anymore, and he can't figure out why. An invitation from Andy to stay in Maine for a few months...

Think you know all there is to know about Josh Gibson? Well, did you know that Gibson made 75 home runs in 1931? Did you know that Gibson's home runs often soared more than 500 feet? In spite of his talent, Gibson never played for a major league baseball team? Josh Gibson is known to many as one of the best baseball players―and possibly the best hitter, of all time. For many years, baseball fans overlooked Gibson's accomplishments because he was...

On and off the field, Jackie Robinson never backed down from a challenge. The baseball legend broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, changing the sport forever. It was eight years later that a photo of him stealing home during the 1955 World Series became one of the most famous images from his historic career. The iconic photo of his daring base running seemed to sum up the way Robinson lived his life. He acted on his own, doing what...

Recounts the experiences of African-American professional baseball players who started their careers in the years immediately following Jackie Robinson. Discusses the continuing racial problems in the league and in America.

Vet school drop-out Tess Grasso dreams of having her own pet therapy business, but she meets one obstacle after another. There's no denying she has a way with animals, so in the meantime she puts her skills to use at a local no-kill shelter. Between helping her furry companions and a budding relationship with fellow dog lover Mason Redding, Tess begins to find fresh confidence. What Tess doesn't know is that Mason is recovering from an accident, hoping...

"When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda at her restaurant, it's love at first sight. While Amanda can't help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god-build, he doesn't have a chance of getting to first--or any other--base with her. A successful entrepreneur who's built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn't need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. And a curvy girl who likes to cook and eat isn't interested in being around...

Presents a collection of alphabetical poems celebrating twenty-two classic baseball players including Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Cy Young, and Lou Gehrig. Includes biographical information for each player.