No comments about Native Sons: Philadelphia Baseball Players Who Made the Major Leagues.

1 comments about And the Skipper Bats Cleanup: A History of the Baseball Player-Manager, with 42 Biographies of Men Who Filled the Dual Role.

1. Fred Stein has written a superb book on the player-managers, an interesting aspect of baseball when the economics of the game were different. As a younger fan watching today's busy managers, I find it fascinating to imagine what it was like when managers had to do double duty -- playing the game while running it.

No comments about That Was Part of Baseball Then: Interviews With 24 Former Major League Baseball Players, Coaches & Managers.

3 comments about Lost in the Sun: Roy Gleason¿s Odyssey from the Outfield to the Battlefield.

1. Roy Gleason tells his story to Wallace Wasinack and Mark Langill in Lost In The Sun: Roy Gleason's Odyssey From The Outfield To The Battlefield, an account of one who was the only person to serve in Vietnam and play at least one game in the major leagues. Roy was the only player from his era to be drafted and sent to war: Lost In The Sun tells why, and also provides both wartime and game insights in a 'you are there' gripping autobiography.



2. Roy grew up living next door to me and my family in Garden Grove Calif. He and my oldest son used to play catch in our front yard.
   We are still in contact with his family. His mother,Molly recently passed away, but we still have dinner with his sister, Cathy and her husband John. We live in Oakhurst Calif. an Cathy and family live in Bass Lake Calif. which is about 5 miles away.
   Sothe book was very nostalgic for me....



3. Lost in the Sun is told by Gleason, whose family left their Midwestern roots for postwar Garden Grove, California in the 1950s. The story weaves together remembrances of Gleason's love for baseball as a young boy inspired by his paternal grandfather; his natural agility for the game that drew the attention of team scouts and mentors like Ted Williams; the ultimate fulfillment of his boyhood dream as a Los Angeles Dodger; the pain and grief of his Vietnam service; and his promising baseball career interrupted by the military draft.
   
   The book is an inspiring read for adults, even non-baseball fans like myself. The book also exudes with admiration and tribute to the memory of fallen military personnel and especially for those overseas in the present day War.
   
   I am so inspired by the strength of Mr. Gleason, who endured so much disappointment and heartache, and who is the only major league baseball player to have served in Vietnam, to survive an ambush, and be awarded with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

2 comments about The 500 Home Run Club : Baseball's 16 Greatest Home Run Hitters from Babe Ruth to Mark McGwire.

1. I have always dreamed of meeting the 16 baseball players that have hit over 500 home runs. Now I realize that meeting Ruth, Ott, Mantle and Matthews would be impossible that's why I'm glad to have a copy of this book.

   Along with those listed earlier you read about Aaron, Schmidt, Jackson, Foxx, Killebrew, Mays, Robinson, Williams, McCovey, Banks, Murray and the newest member McGwire.

   The book is new and updated and the 16 players are listed alphabetically and no ranking system is used. I like this concept as it gives the reader the choice as to which they consider the best of this very special and elite group.

   Each chapter is written to not only discuss the career of the player but also let others who knew them talk about the person as well. The book also includes photos of each of the players. This is for every baseball fan young and old - excellent work and well done!!




2. Right now there are sixteen players who have hit over 500 home runs. Each one has a nice write-up and stories that are very enjoyable to read. Fifteen are retired or deceased and one is still playing.

No comments about Cal: Celebrating the Career of a Baseball Legend.