Baseball season is finally back on, and that means now is the perfect time to stock up on all your favorite books about the sport. Whether you are a die-hard fan, a casual observer, or a curio collector just looking to add to your library, you can find a variety of titles that center on baseball’s history, its players and its culture. To help you find the books that are right for you, here is a list of the best books to welcome back baseball.
- The National Pastime: A Review of Baseball Literature, 1871-2011
This book is an update to the original version published in 1991. Editors Joseph Johns and G. Richard McKelvey have reviewed and fully revised their list of baseball literature, with more sources and references to the changes and advancements of the sport. The National Pastime provides an overview of the history of baseball before and after the 1920s, as well as its status in years to come. For fans hoping to learn more about the sport, this book is a must-read.
- Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
Michael Lewis’s non-fiction book follows the 2002 Oakland Athletics season and its attempt to win the American League West in spite of its limited financial flexibility. Introducing quantitative analysis (‘sabermetrics’) to the game of baseball, Moneyball is a captivating narrative that sheds light on the sociocultural and economic obstacles imposed on the small-market franchise.
3.Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero
This compelling biography from author David Maraniss details the extraordinary life of Roberto Clemente. As one of the first Latin-American superstars to reach international fame, Clemente dedicated his life to the service of others both on and off the field. As a ballplayer, he was a sure-handed player with a strong respect for fairness and justice. Clemente’s story is an amazing and sometimes heartbreaking look at a man whose impact remains with us nearly forty years after his untimely death.
- The Glory of Their Times
This wonderful compilation of stories from seventeen former Major League Baseball players from the early 1900s is the perfect read for the baseball fan in all of us. The book follows the players’ lives both on and off of the field. From hard work and dedicated striving to make it to the big leagues to the tales of clubhouse jokes and games of pranks, The Glory of Their Times is a must for any baseball fan.
- The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
This updated version of the original Bill James’s Historical Baseball Abstract from 2001 includes the latest standings, team stats, player stats, award listings, etc. It’s an essential source of baseball reference and is the ideal book for a historian looking to get back into the game or a young fan just learning the sport.
- The Baseball Fan’s Guide to Spring Training
This book by Paul Sullivan provides readers with an inside look at what goes on during the annual rite of passage known as spring training. From destination spots throughout the United States to the best minor league parks and recommended teams, Sullivan provides baseball fans a comprehensive look at the inner workings of America’s pastime.
- Crazy ‘08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History
This chronological and detailed look at the 1908 Major League Baseball season proves great stories always find a way to stand the test of time. Author Cait Murphy delves into overlooked stories involving legendary teams, memorable players and oddball characters, placing them in the context of the National and American leagues.
- The Art of Fielding
Author Chad Harbach’s debut novel is an exploration of the game and an affirmation of the lives it has touched throughout its history. The Art of Fielding follows the story of Henry Skrimshander, a college ball player who finds himself thrust into the limelight when a scout takes an interest in his prowess. Told “you can do anything on the field if you focus,” Henry and his teammates must confront the difficulties of trying to become the best they can be.
- The Bad News Baseball Club
This novel was written by acclaimed sports writer Bob Wolff, who himself spent 79 years in the business of baseball. The story is set in the summer of 1909, when a young batboy named Jimmy takes a job with a minor league team known as the Bad News Baseball Club. His experiences grow to span not only the team’s rocky season, but also his lessons in life outside of baseball.
- The Yankee Years
Journalist Tom Verducci and former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre teamed up in this book to tell the unique and complete version of the team’s 1996-2007 years from both on- and off-the-field perspectives. “The Yankee Years” looks at one of the most popular teams in sports history, as well as the personnel both professional and personal, who helped to create one of baseball’s most successful teams.
Whether you’re looking for a classic or modern narrative, a factual reference book or a work of fiction, these classic reads can all provide sweet sustenance for baseball fans as the season goes on. Whether you’re a rookie, veteran, or in between, these books will help feed and nurture your baseball obsession. So grab your favorite book, settle in your seat and celebrate the return of summer’s favorite pastime. Welcome back baseball!
