The Devil's Snake Curve

The Devil's Snake Curve PDF Author: Josh Ostergaard
Publisher: Coffee House Press
ISBN: 1566893461
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 282

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Book Description
The Devil's Snake Curve offers an alternative American history, in which colonialism, jingoism, capitalism, and faith are represented by baseball. Personal and political, it twines Japanese internment camps with the Yankees; Walmart with the Kansas City Royals; and facial hair patterns with militarism, Guantanamo, and the modern security state. An essay, a miscellany, and a passionate unsettling of Josh Ostergaard's relationship with our national pastime, it allows for both the clover of a childhood outfield and the persistence of the game's service to those in power. America and baseball are both hard to love or leave in this, by turns coruscating and heartfelt, debut. Josh Ostergaard holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Minnesota and an MA in cultural anthropology. He has been an urban anthropologist at the Field Museum and now works at Graywolf Press.

The Devil's Snake Curve

The Devil's Snake Curve PDF Author: Josh Ostergaard
Publisher: Coffee House Press
ISBN: 1566893461
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 282

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Devil's Snake Curve offers an alternative American history, in which colonialism, jingoism, capitalism, and faith are represented by baseball. Personal and political, it twines Japanese internment camps with the Yankees; Walmart with the Kansas City Royals; and facial hair patterns with militarism, Guantanamo, and the modern security state. An essay, a miscellany, and a passionate unsettling of Josh Ostergaard's relationship with our national pastime, it allows for both the clover of a childhood outfield and the persistence of the game's service to those in power. America and baseball are both hard to love or leave in this, by turns coruscating and heartfelt, debut. Josh Ostergaard holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Minnesota and an MA in cultural anthropology. He has been an urban anthropologist at the Field Museum and now works at Graywolf Press.

The Not So Subtle Art of Caring

The Not So Subtle Art of Caring PDF Author: Phillip Kane
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing
ISBN: 1789049091
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 307

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Book Description
Virgin’s Richard Branson, Zappos’ Tony Hsieh, and Tesla’s Elon Musk, apart from their obvious success, all share another thing in common. Each utilizes storytelling to maximize their effectiveness as leaders. Many of the most influential leaders of our and all time, including arguably the most influential leader in history, used storytelling whenever they had a particularly important point to make. Encouraged by these influences, a father who was a known storyteller and a Nigerian priest who used stories to bridge a language barrier, author, and successful businessperson, Phillip Kane used stories each Friday throughout his career to help business associates relate to key issues facing the organizations he had the privilege to lead. These weekly letters had less to do with what was going on in the business than how people thought about what was going on in the business. By helping shift and align his teams’ point of view, Kane and the teams he led were able to accomplish more and win more often. All because of the stories he told. Many of them are assembled here in one place for the first time. Organized around key themes like encouragement, trust, and gratitude, Kane also provides additional insights for existing or aspiring leaders looking for a different, better way to appeal to those who should be following them. Featured twice in Kouzes’ & Posner’s, The Leadership Challenge (Wiley), first-time author, Phillip Kane’s storytelling technique and the leadership lessons he imparts are key for any leader seeking to create winning teams built on a fundamental foundation of caring and service to others.

George Toma

George Toma PDF Author: George Toma
Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC
ISBN: 9781582616469
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
This is the story of George Toma, who climbed from his roots in a poor coal-mining town in Depression-era Pennsylvania to the top of his profession as a groundskeeper. Toma has become the authority in his profession, preparing the field for every Super Bowl that has ever been played. Toma was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2001.

The Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, 2007-2008

The Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, 2007-2008 PDF Author: William M. Simons
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786453311
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 279

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Book Description
This anthology gathers selected papers from the 2007 and 2008 meetings of the Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, the long-running academic conference held annually at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Essays included employ the national pastime to comment on issues transcending the playing field, and are divided into six sections: "Cultural Perspectives on the Game," "Literary Baseball," "Baseball at the Movies," "Minority Standard Bearers," "New Leagues," and "The Business of Baseball."

100 Things Royals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

100 Things Royals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die PDF Author: Matt Fulks
Publisher: Triumph Books
ISBN: 1633195562
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
The history of the Royals in Kansas City may not be a long one—the team first played in Kansas City in 1969—but it is a proud one. Embraced by a loyal fan base and boosted by small-market spunkiness, the team was a constant threat in the 1970s and 1980s, making multiple playoff appearances before beating the St. Louis Cardinals for the World Series in the "I-70 Series." Now, this all-new guide explores all of the things every true fan should know about the Royals and what they should do to celebrate their favorite team. This updated edition highlights the Royals' back-to-back World Series appearances and features current starts Lorenzo Cain, Yordano Ventura, Wade Davis, and more. The listings are ranked in importance from one to 100, and feature such legendary players, places, and moments as George Brett, Kaufmann Stadium, Denny Matthews, Game 6 of the 1985 Series, Dick Howser, and a certain infamous, pine-tar-covered bat. Packed with personalities, places, events, and facts, this fun and informative book is the perfect tool for any fan looking to take his love for the Boys in Blue to a whole new level.

Catfish

Catfish PDF Author: Bill Libby
Publisher: Garrett County Press
ISBN: 1939430119
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
On New Year's Day, 1975, Catfish Hunter left the Oakland A's for a $3,000,000 contract with the New York Yankees, becoming, at the time, the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history. This is the story of the beginning of the modern sports superstar, told by veteran journalist Bill Libby (Parnelli). Libby follows Catfish from his days with the 3-peat Oakland A's to the auction that made him a multi-millionaire. With cooperation from Hunter, Reggie Jackson and numerous players and management, Catfish: the Three Million Dollar Pitcher is a thrilling insider account, an invaluable piece of sports history.

The 34-Ton Bat

The 34-Ton Bat PDF Author: Steve Rushin
Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316200948
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
An unorthodox history of baseball told through the enthralling stories of the game's objects, equipment, and characters. No sport embraces its wild history quite like baseball, especially in memorabilia and objects. Sure, there are baseball cards and team pennants. But there are also huge balls, giant bats, peanuts, cracker jacks, eyeblack, and more, each with a backstory you have to read to believe. In The 34-Ton Bat, Sports Illustrated writer Steve Rushin tells the real, unvarnished story of baseball through the lens of all the things that make it the game that it is. Rushin weaves these rich stories -- from ballpark pipe organs played by malevolent organists to backed up toilets at Ebbets Field -- together in their order of importance (from most to least) for an entertaining and compulsive read, glowing with a deep passion for America's Pastime. The perfect holiday gift for casual fans and serious collectors alike, The 34-Ton Bat is a true heavy hitter.

Rozelle

Rozelle PDF Author: Jerry Izenberg
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
ISBN: 0803266979
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 381

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Book Description
Rozelle chronicles the life and times of the architect of the modern National Football League, Pete Rozelle, who transformed football into arguably the most successful sports league in the world. While he was never considered a serious candidate for the job of NFL commissioner early on, the position ultimately catapulted Rozelle into the role through which he transformed the NFL and became a trailblazer for all sports in the second half of the twentieth century. When he became commissioner in 1960, the league had twelve teams playing to half-empty stadiums and was mired in an outdated business model. Rozelle introduced revenue and television profit sharing to guarantee the success of small-market teams and brought every NFL game to national television. Rozelle’s monumental achievements include the introduction of the Super Bowl in the ’60s followed by the NFL’s most rapid expansion and the establishment of Monday Night Football. The ’80s saw Rozelle presiding over drug scandals, labor struggles, and the league’s legal battles with team owners such as Oakland’s Al Davis, who famously won a lawsuit to move his Raiders to Los Angeles. Jerry Izenberg chronicles the iconic life of Rozelle, who revolutionized the culture of sports in America and is responsible for turning the NFL into the preeminent sports league in the world.

One Base at a Time

One Base at a Time PDF Author: David R. Mellor
Publisher: Post Hill Press
ISBN: 1642932531
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 259

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Book Description
On July 10, 1981, David Mellor was just a baseball-crazed kid, a star high school pitcher preparing to go to college and dreaming of one day taking the mound in Fenway Park for his beloved Boston Red Sox. His dream was derailed as he crossed the parking lot of a McDonald’s. He heard the racing engine, but couldn’t defend himself against the car coming straight at him. It sent him flying through the air and into a wall, where it hit him again and pinned him, severely damaging his knee and destroying his hope of ever being a Major League pitcher. In the wake of the accident, even as he reached the major leagues as a groundskeeper, David was tortured by the aftermath of his injuries and additional traumas, including being struck by a car again, this time in the outfield of Milwaukee’s County Stadium while he was working on overhauling the field for the Milwaukee Brewers. He suffered terribly from anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks, completely unaware that he was experiencing the debilitating symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD. One Base at a Time recounts in vivid detail his subsequent twenty-nine-year struggle with PTSD. This harrowing but inspiring story, documents the remarkable journey of a man debilitated by physical and psychological injuries who refused to give up even when everything seemed hopeless. After a fortuitous event, he admitted to needing help, sought effective treatment and turned his life around. It’s a powerful, helpful outline of the steps one needs to take to overcome the powerful hold PTSD has on one’s life. One Base at a Time is a must read for anyone suffering in silence or anyone who knows someone suffering in the wake of severe traumatic events. Those who seem broken can be fixed and live a happy, fulfilling life. “Dave is a truly unique person. His passion, hard work, creativity, and love for baseball gives life to Fenway Park. It gives intensity to us as ball players and pushes us to put on a show night after night. Dave is as much a part of the Red Sox team as anyone and his life and the adversity he has overcome is really inspiring.”—David “Big Papi” Ortiz “The true star of Fenway Park is not one of the Red Sox players; it is the esteemed groundskeeper David Mellor. This is a powerful memoir, taking David from his days as a potential big league pitcher through the time when, after his dreams came to a traumatic halt, he battled PTSD and eventually returned to the diamond after conquering his demons. It is an inspiring story, and I encourage all baseball fans to read this motivating book.”—Tom Werner, Chairman of the Boston Red Sox “Every now and then someone really special comes into your life. David Mellor is one of those special people. Whether he’s hand cutting the infield grass or making it possible for 30,000 people to run across the plate at Fenway you know you are in the presence of greatness. If you feel the need for inspiration or motivation, read his book, get up off the couch and get back in the game.”—Lenny Clarke, Comedian/Actor “David’s long battle with PTSD and chronic debilitating pain, all while he worked a demanding job full time, is a powerful story that will help many who suffer silently with these conditions. You cannot help but be captivated and inspired by his road to recovery, fueled by a determination to never give up, never give in.” —Padma Gulur MD, Professor of Anesthesiology, Vice Chair, Operations and Performance, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University “The reality is that PTSD is not only found in men and women returning from battle. It rears its ugly head in all aspects of our society, from those abused as children to people scarred from having observed a terrible crime…. If you have PTSD or know someone who does, read this book!”—Jeff Arle, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon, Harvard Medical School

The Funniest Baseball Book Ever

The Funniest Baseball Book Ever PDF Author: Peter Handrinos
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN: 1449400329
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 354

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Book Description
A treasury of witty quotes and wild stories covering decades of baseball history. Baseball is a funny game. No other sport can compare to the national pastime’s vast catalog of silly quotations, unforgettable characters, memorable nicknames, and inventive pranks. Alphabetized by topic, The Funniest Baseball Book Ever captures the game in all its humorous glory. It’s simply the most complete, contemporary resource for over a century of the sport’s history. Also included are short profiles of such colorful characters as Casey Stengel, Bill Veeck, Jim Bouton, and Bill Lee. With over ninty percent of its material never before collected in a single volume, The Funniest Baseball Book Ever will entertain and surprise everyone from casual fans to diehards, from newcomers to veterans.