New Release Books by Dan Ewald

An inside look at the University of Michigan's football program from the man who was the team's equipment manager for more than four decades Forty years ago, Michigan equipment manager Jon Falk began his legacy, becoming a living encyclopedia of Michigan football tradition and history. Hired by Bo Schembechler in 1974, the now retired Falk shares his firsthand, inside stories from in the locker room, on the sideline, and on the road with one of college football's most storied institutions. He may not be as well known as the Big House or the Little Brown Jug, but among coaches, players, and a good portion of the Michigan football faithful, Jon Falk has fashioned a lively legend of his own. Falk's recollections connect the past and present to highlight the importance of the relationships created during the best four years of any college player's life and it's those relationships that drive the Wolverines to success.

In the tradition of Tuesdays With Morrie, Dan Ewald pens a memoir of his friendship with legendary Tigers manager Sparky Anderson, the man who taught him not only the nuances of baseball, but the importance of life's unwritten rules. Few sports figures, regardless of their position, have generated as much good will as Sparky Anderson, the legendary manager for the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. Sparky met author Dan Ewald, in 1979, and thus was born a lifelong friendship not likely ever to be seen again in baseball. Along the way, Dan never took for granted the front row seat he had to watch one of history's most memorable managers' absolute mastery of baseball's nuances and intricacies. But the most important things Sparky taught Dan were the "unwritten rules" of life, which he practiced meticulously. To Sparky, a real professional was as great away from the diamond as he was on it. His goal was for his players to be the best husbands, fathers, and community leaders they could be—he believed that was the mark of a winner, not the box score. Sparky had a gift for taking something as inane as the infield fly rule and turning it into a lecture on how to lead a more meaningful life. In 2010, the old friends had planned a get-together before the end of the year. But Sparky's health was taking a turn for the worse, so Dan arranged a three-day visit as quickly as he could. During their last days together, the friends recalled the memories of a lifetime as each prepared silently for their final good-bye. When that weekend came to a close, Dan had grown to appreciate Sparky more than he ever thought he could. In this heartfelt memoir, Dan imparts to readers his best friend's spirit through his unforgettable life lessons and stories only the two of them shared. "Like a wizard, Sparky Anderson was white-haired and wise, and sitting with him was like visiting with an oracle. Dan Ewald, who spent more time with Sparky than any of us, beautifully captures the magic of Sparky's wit, humor, and humanity in these pages. All baseball fans should read it." -- Mitch Albom, New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays with Morrie and Have a Little Faith "No one understood Sparky better than Dan Ewald. Managing people in a scope far broader than a pennant race is a rare quality, and Sparky understood people, their insecurities, their motivations. This is a great read, a great understanding of the humanity of playing baseball." –Peter Gammons, MLB Network "For decades, it seemed like everyone in baseball knew Sparky Anderson, and almost all of us considered him a friend. But few knew him as Dan Ewald did. Here, Dan provides a unique look at an endearing man who led a significant life both in and out of the game." –Bob Costas

Jon Falk is a living encyclopedia of Michigan football tradition and history, and these firsthand, inside stories reveal the priceless experiences of the coaches and players who made it happen. He’s not as well known as the Big House itself or even the Little Brown Jug, but among coaches, players, and a good portion of the Michigan football faithful, Jon Falk has forged a colorful legend of his own. While games are won and lost on the field, it’s in the locker room where stories are told, friendships are made, and memories are created during the best four years of any college player’s life.

A biography of Detroit Tigers owner John Fetzer who owned the team for 22 years. It looks at baseball in a time before seven figure players and the influence of lawyers.

Bo Schembechler. A man synonymous with victory, hard work, and dogged determination. Bo gave us a glimpse of his Wolverine victories from the sidelines in Michigan Memories. The legacy continues in this expanded and updated edition entitled, Tradition: Bo Schembechler's Michigan Memories. From his beginning days when he hung this sign, "Those who stay will be champions," to 13 Big Ten titles later, Bo's vision continues. Bo's coaching extended far beyond the football field. It was coaching for life, with principals, beliefs and traditions that 14 years later, continue to positively affect generations of players and fans alike. Coauthor Dan Ewald follows Michigan Football's limitless legacy of passion for the game, from Ferry Field to Michigan Stadium and everything in between. With fantastic photographs and quotes, it's the ultimate Bo book for the ultimate fan. Bo's still the coach we know and love-outspoken, honest, controversial, and as always, he's running the football. It's a book destined to become a tradition among Wolverines everywhere.

Hall of Fame third baseman and longtime player and broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers, Kell tells a simple and homey tale of his life. Kell's peak playing years occurred immediately after World War II, so some fans are more likely to recognize him for his television broadcasts than his diamond feats. Kell stresses the traditional family values he grew up with in his hometown in Arkansas. Detroit is his second home, and he has plenty of stories of Tiger greats.

Sparky is candid, outspoken, provocative--and he's a winner. The only manager ever to win a World Series ring in both the American and National leagues, his name is synonymous with success in every major-league city in the country. He reveals the inside story of his abrupt dismissal from the Reds, his dramatic reemergence with Detroit, and how twenty years of managing finally took their toll. 20 photographs.

Celebrate over a century of Michigan Football tradition with legendary coach Bo Schembechler. Hundreds of historic images, in both color and black and white, help you relive some of the greatest moments in Michigan Football history. Remember the 1969 Ohio State game? How about the "Phantom Touchdown" that enabled USC to defeat Michigan in the 1979 Rose Bowl? Michigan Memories captures not only those heart-pumping moments, but also contains seldom-seen images from cobblers hand-tooling football cleats to Bennie Oosterbaan critiquing his team on the field from a helicopter. You won't want to miss this outstanding collection of images and the insightful commentary from Bo Schembechler, the symbol of the Michigan Football tradition.

While serving as guardian of his Tigers, the team of his boyhood passions, Fetzer was thought by many to be baseball's power behind the throne. Far from New York which now serves as the fuse box for all professional sports, Fetzer helped to guide the game through some of its most colourful and memorable times.

Sparky Anderson managed the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds through 26 seasons; he is the only manager to pilot World Series championship teams in each league, the only one to win 100 games during a season in each, and the only manager to lead two different franchises in total victories. Yet he remains a regular guy with simple tastes and unaffected values. This book alternates Anderson's first-person observations and bits of inspiration with the biographic narrative of longtime Tigers PR director Dan Ewald.