New Releases by Peter Golenbock

The incredible memoir from the man voted one of the “Best Umpires of All Time” by the Society of American Baseball Research—filled with more than three decades of fascinating baseball stories. Doug Harvey was a California farm boy, a high school athlete who nevertheless knew that what he really wanted was to become an unsung hero—a major league umpire. Working his way through the minor leagues, earning three hundred dollars a month, he survived just about everything, even riots in stadiums in Puerto Rico. And while players and other umps hit the bars at night, Harvey memorized the rule book. In 1962, he broke into the big leagues and was soon listening to rookie Pete Rose worrying that he would be cut by the Reds and laying down the law with managers such as Tommy Lasorda and Joe Torre. This colorful memoir takes you behind the plate for some of baseball’s most memorable moments, including Roberto Clemente’s three thousandth and final hit; the heroic three-and-two pinch-hit home run by Kirk Gibson in the ’88 World Series; and the nail-biting excitement of the ’68 World Series. But beyond the drama, Harvey turned umpiring into an art. He was a man so respected, whose calls were so feared and infallible, that the players called him “God.” And through it all, he lived by three rules: never take anything from a player, never back down from a call, and never carry a grudge. A book for anyone who loves baseball, They Called Me God is a funny and fascinating tale of on- and off-the-field action, peopled by unforgettable characters from Bob Gibson to Nolan Ryan, and a treatise on good umpiring techniques. In a memoir that transcends the sport, Doug Harvey tells a gripping story of responsibility, fairness, and honesty.

Written in collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Peter Golenbock, Larry Lawton''s true-life story is a Hollywood producer''s dream. Larry and Peter show the world a life of a straightforward, no excuses man who refused to let a broken system keep him down. Think Goodfellas, only better. Gangster Redemption tracks Larry''s life growing up in the Bronx, his connection to organized crime, and how he went on to steal over 15 million dollars in jewels, ultimately landing himself in one of America''s most brutal maximum-security prisons where he was exposed to unbelievable torture. Through reading this book, readers will discover: a vivid account of Larry''s crimes and how he managed to evade law enforcement and the FBI for nearly six years a secret life of corruption the truth about prison life, what is lost, how to avoid and dissolve bad associations, and how to turn ones life around how Larry developed the #1 program in the country designed to steer teens away from a life of crime Lawton''s Reality Check Program is nationally recognized and used by judges, law enforcement, government officials, attorneys, and parents all over the country. It has kept thousands of teens and young adults from going to prison. His success rate is incredible and well documented. So is Larry Lawton''s story.

No metropolis in America has more pure baseball spirit than St. Louis, Missouri. It''s a love affair that began in 1874, when a band of local boosters raised $20,000 to start a professional ball club, and the honeymoon still isn''t over. Now Peter Golenbock, the bestselling author and master of baseball oral history, has written another remarkable saga enriched by extensive and incomparable remembrances from the scores of players, managers, and executives who lived it. These pages capture the voices of Branch Rickey on George Sisler. Rogers Hornsby and his creation of the farm system. Hornsby on Grover Cleveland Alexander -- and Alexander on Hornsby. Dizzy Dean on -- who else? -- Dizzy Dean. And so many others including "The Man" himself, Stan Musial; Eldon Auker, Ellis Clary, Denny Galehouse, and Don Gutteridge on the 1940s Browns; Brooks Lawrence, the second man to cross the Cardinals'' color line; Jim Bronsnan, the first man to break the players'' "code of silence"; Tommy Herr, Darrell Porter, and Joe McGrane on Whitey Herzog''s Cardinals; and Cardinal owner Bill DeWitt, Jr., on the team today.

Baseball has a rich history-and a treasure trove of books, magazines, and newspaper accounts celebrating (or lamenting) what went down on the diamond. And some of the most amazing games happened when fall arrived and the boys of summer played for the championship. During those two weeks in October (now November), time stood still. Nothing else mattered. This anthology captures the best of times and the worst of times as teams battled for the glory-and will bring back memories to all who cherish Americas national sport. On these pages, youll find: o Casey Stengels inside-the-park home run 1923-Robert W. Creamer o Babe Ruths Called Shot 1932-Leigh Montville o The Catch: Willie Mays and Vic Wertz 1954-Arnold Hano o Dustys Moment, 1954 World Series-Stephen Jay Gould o Jackie Robinson Steals Home 1955-Carl Erskine o Dodgers Win 1955 (Sandy Amoros catch)-Tom Oliphant o Don Larsens Perfect Game 1956-Don Larsen o Mazeroskis Home Run Yankees vs. Pirates 1960-Lester J. Biederman o 1986 Mets vs. Red Sox-Roger Angell o St. Louis Cardinals 1964-David Halberstam o World Series cancelled 1994-Jack Curry o Cleveland/Atlanta series 1995-Tom Verducci

In this definitive history, bestselling journalist Golenbock focuses on a particularly dominant period of the Yankees'' past, when the Bronx Bombers won nine World Series titles on the strengths of such Hall of Famers as DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra, and Ford. Includes interviews of players and coaches, vintage photos, and a new introduction.

Dear Baseball Fan: I know what you’re thinking: Couldn’t he have come up with a better title? My mother agrees with you, but unfortunately Genius just doesn’t have the same ring. Let’s get something straight right away. I may be an idiot, but I’ve tried to do more in this book than just revisit the Red Sox’s Miracle Season. I want to give you a sense of what it’s like to grow up with baseball dreams, to spend long years climbing the ladder, and then over the course of three years to see the building blocks of those dreams fall into place. In this book, you’ll be reading about the son of an Army staff sergeant—a thrill-seeking Orlando kid who at age thirteen was gifted with a man’s body, including rare speed and reflexes. It was some straight talk from my brother that kept me from abandoning that talent, which led to my eventually catching on with the Kansas City Royals and later the Oakland A’s. Starting in 2002 with the Red Sox, I got to see what can happen when a determined front office decides to roll the dice and acquire players who, like me, leave the thinking out of it—who trust their instincts and play team baseball. Forget what you’ve read about the posse of long-haired rebels who eventually made up the 2004 Red Sox. I''ll give you the straight dope, including who''s got the biggest mouth (hint: his first name is Kevin); what Pedro Martinez was doing all those times when you couldn’t find him on the bench; what game David Ortiz should never play; and why I sometimes question Curt Schilling’s sanity. Memo to Curt: the statue of you is being erected. What’s it like being responsible for the hopes of millions? In the fall of 2004 my teammates and I got to find out. What I’ve tried to do in these pages is bring you inside, show you the black humor that erupted when it seemed we could do nothing right, and the immense joy that followed when 25 guys took turns picking each other up, and by sheer force of will reached baseball’s summit. Red Sox Nation (both natives and new arrivals), this one’s for you. —Johnny Damon, #18

It''s been over 50 years since they moved to Los Angeles, but the Brooklyn Dodgers remain ingrained in the fabric of our national pastime. Golenbock''s oral history of these "lovable losers" tells the team''s tale through the words of Pee Wee Reese, Leo Durocher, Duke Snider, and other Brooklyn greats.

Golenbock, the author and renowned sportswriter, returns to the territory he brought to life in "Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers" to offer a rich and revealing portrait of a vibrant place and the people who make it great. Bw photos throughout.

The biography of one of the most controversial figures in sports: New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner For 34 years, he berated his players and tormented Yankees managers and employees. He played fast and loose with the rules, and twice could have gone to jail. He was banned from baseball for life—but was allowed back in the game. Yet George Steinbrenner also built the New York Yankees from a mediocre team into the greatest sports franchise in America. The Yankees won ten pennants and six World Series during his tenure. Now acclaimed sportswriter and New York Times bestselling author Peter Golenbock tells the fascinating story of "The Boss," from his Midwestern childhood through his decades-long ownership of the Yankees–the longest in the team''s history. Draws on more than a hundred interviews with those who have known George Steinbrenner throughout his life to tell the complete story of "The Boss" and his long tenure as owner of the New York Yankees Gets inside Steinbrenner’s countless manager hirings and firings, from Billy Martin to Joe Torre; the legendary feuds and hard feelings involving famous figures such as Yogi Berra and Dave Winfield; and the ever-spiraling players'' salaries Covers the astute business deals that transformed the Yankees from a $10 million franchise into a powerhouse worth over $1 billion today Written by Peter Golenbock, one of the nation''s best-known sports authors and the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including Number 1 with Billy Martin and The Bronx Zoo with Sparky Lyle Packed with drama, insight, and fascinating front-office details, George is essential reading for baseball fans and anyone who loves a terrific story well told.

Biography.

The former "New York Times" bestseller is now available in trade paperback a quarter century after Golenbock''s detailed examination of the 1979 New York Yankees World Series championship became hailed as one of the best baseball books written.

A biography of the Hall of Fame baseball player who broke Babe Ruth''s career home run record.

Five-time New York Times best-selling author Peter Golenbock brings forth the definitive oral history of the Boston Red Sox. His focus is on the players, managers and owners who were the colorful characters and legends that guided their legion of fans. This isn''t some dusty, boring retelling of the franchise''s history; Golenbock goes back and forth from laying out the facts of a situation and then allowing the key players in each anecdote to offer their personal reflection, opinion, or commentary. Experience the entire history of the Red Sox, sit down with all the key people, and get the proper perspective on the Red Sox''s place in baseball history.

Jesus saves – but Espo puts in the rebound in this raucous, ribald memoir At a party marking the end of his third season with the Blackhawks, Phil Esposito told coach Billy Reay and GM Tommy Ivan that they had a great team, maybe even a dynasty, but that the two of them would screw it up. It was a classic Espo moment (and may have had something to do with his being traded to the Bruins): the big centre from the Soo who became one of hockey’s all-time leading scorers, has never been reluctant to speak his mind. In this rollicking hockey memoir, he reveals what it was like to play with other Hall of Famers like Howe and Hull and Orr. He recalls his acrimonious encounters with Allan Eagleson, the incredible intensity of the 1972 Canada-Russia series, the fabulous ride with the great Bruins teams of the early 1970s, and the tough years that followed with the New York Rangers. From being a player, Esposito went on to be a commentator, a coach, a general manager, and then founder and part-owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He saw it all: the booze, the drugs, the women, the wheeling and dealing, the good times and the camaraderie, the bad times and the back-stabbing. In telling what it was really like, Esposito takes readers into the boardrooms, back rooms – and even the bedrooms – of the men who make their lives in the NHL.

Examines one of baseball''s most interesting and frustrating franchises, the New York Mets, drawing on interviews with players, coaches, sportswriters, fans, and others to chronicle the history of the team from 1962 to the present.

Go Gators! takes the reader through every milestone of this legendary team, from their humble origins through their gradual rise to perennial New Years Day bowl-game contestants. Widely considered to be one of the dean of sportswriters, Peter Golenbock has authored six New York Times bestsellers including The Bronx Zoo, Personal Fouls, and Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes. 30 black-and-white photos and first-time interviews with over 60 Gators who played between 1946 and 2001 are offered.

Describes the racial prejudice experienced by Jackie Robinson when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first black player in Major League baseball and depicts the acceptance and support he received from his white teammate Pee Wee Reese.

A premier racer in NASCAR history drives his way into readers'' hearts with an inside story of his amazing recovery after a 1994 crash, his strong opinions of the racing world today, and a candid account of his personal life. of photos.

The commandments of hitting.

On t.p.: The bittersweet world of major league baseball as seen through the eyes of the men who played one more time.

Describes the racial prejudice experienced by Jackie Robinson when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first Black player in Major League baseball and depicts the acceptance and support he received from his white teammate Pee Wee Reese.

Bats is the autobiography of the man who built the New York Mets into the formidable force they now are. Focusing on the 1985 campaign, it is filled with the thrill of the pennant race including plenty of inside information about the players. In light of the 1986 Championship series, Bats is a can''t miss bestseller.

Explanatory photographs and instructional text describe the batting techniques and attitude that can make you a winner at the plate.