Gold Standard
Dominant. Few seasons in sports history better exemplify that term than the Golden State Warriors' road to the 2016-2017 NBA championship. After adding Kevin Durant to an already elite lineup, the Warriors stormed to a league-leading 67 wins in the regular season. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Durant were all NBA All-Stars, and the foursome played an awe-inspiring brand of basketball. And the Warriors overcame adversity -- from Durant missing 19 games late in the season due to injury to head coach Steve Kerr's health issues costing him much of the playoffs. Yet Curry, Durant and company avenged their 2016 NBA Finals loss with an unprecedented run through the postseason and a sublime NBA Finals destruction of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Packed with stunning photography and expert analysis from the Bay Area's largest newspaper publisher, Gold Standard takes fans through the Warriors' historic season, from Thompson's 60-point outburst to Durant's triumphant return to Oklahoma City to the final unforgettable minutes against the Cavaliers. This commemorative edition also includes in-depth profiles of Curry, Durant, Kerr, Thompson, Green and other Warriors stars.
Basketball on Paper
Before basketball analytics dominated draft rooms, coaching meetings, and sports debates, one man saw the future. Basketball on Paper is the definitive story of how Dean Oliver's groundbreaking ideas - from the Four Factors of Winning to the deeper truths of pace, efficiency, and shot selection - transformed the way we understand the game.Written in a vivid, story-driven style that blends the excitement of classic sports journalism with the clarity of modern nonfiction, this book takes readers on a thrilling journey through the data revolution that reshaped professional and college basketball forever. From the first skeptical front offices to the modern NBA's three-point revolution, from March Madness upsets to the new age of tracking data and machine learning, Basketball on Paper reveals how numbers made the beautiful game even smarter - and even more beautiful.This is not a dry math lecture. It's a fast, fun, and deeply human look at how innovation, stubbornness, brilliance, and heart collided to reinvent a sport we thought we already knew. Whether you're a coach, a player, a die-hard fan, or just someone fascinated by how ideas change the world, this is your court-side seat to the analytics revolution that continues to shape basketball's future.
Moneyball Revisited
Baseball didn't just stumble into the era of analytics - it was dragged there, kicking and screaming. Moneyball Revisited tells the riveting, behind-the-scenes story of how a handful of outsiders, led by Billy Beane's Oakland A's, turned baseball's traditions upside down - and how the revolution they sparked kept evolving in ways no one could have predicted. From the rise of WAR and PECOTA to the darker genius of the Astros and Rays, from player development labs to clubhouse culture wars, this is the epic, deeply human story of a sport that had to rethink everything in order to survive. With rich storytelling, real players and moments, and crystal-clear explanations of even the most complex ideas, Moneyball Revisited is a joyful, gripping ride through baseball's past, present, and future - and a love letter to the game's endless ability to change without losing its heart.
Baseball Like It Oughta Be
When Steve Schmitt committed to summer-collegiate baseball in a city that failed to support pro or college baseball, few expected him to succeed. Here's the inside story of how the Madison Mallards became summer-collegiate baseball's top draw, changed the face of the sport and brought new life to a downtrodden neighborhood and ballpark.Expected to fail in their inaugural 2001 season, the Madison Mallards soon became summer-collegiate baseball's most popular team. Since 2002, the Mallards have become the biggest box-office hit among hundreds of similar teams nationwide, drawing more than 4.3 million fans in team history. Baseball Like It Oughta Be is the phenomenal story of how owner Steve Schmitt, a rural Wisconsin shoe sales marvel, and his young, aggressive staff turned dust into gold. Celebrating their 25th year, the Mallards have an entertaining and hilarious history that combines marketing prowess, customer service and anything-goes promotions with stories ranging from Gary Coleman's outrageous appearance to slugger Pete Alonso's amazing season as a Mallard. Schmitt and team president Vern Stenman turned a downtrodden ballpark into a must-experience destination. The Mallards never went bananas on the field, churning out future pro players. Along the way, they've become one of America's most extraordinary sports teams.The Mallards story follows an owner's obsession; the dreamland of a young marketing director, who quit an NHL front-office job; relentless customer service for their fans; fresh promotions annually; belief in what many viewed as a struggling neighborhood; and the embracement of America's least likely renowned ballpark.
Unfit and Improper Persons
'A very funny book that tackles some serious football issues.'Gary LinekerEver dreamed of setting up your own football club?Join the team behind The Price of Football podcast as they start a (fictional) football club and discover what's really going on behind the scenes of the beautiful game. Buying a football club will set you back a few quid, but you've also got to pass the Premier League and EFL's 'fit and proper persons test'. That all seems like a bit of a faff to the team behind the award-winning podcast The Price of Football, so acclaimed comedy writer Kevin Day, football finance expert Kieran Maguire and producer Guy Kilty start an imaginary club instead. In Unfit and Improper Persons they take West Park Rovers on a hilarious journey from the lowest level of the FA pyramid right up to the English Football League, the Premier League and, if fortune favours the fictional, into the heart of Europe. At least that's the plan, but inevitably they face a few challenges along the way. Where to find a shirt sponsor? What should the mascot be - is a dog called Rover too obvious? Can they pay the women's team the same as the men's team? (Spoiler alert: hardly anyone else does.) And how can they get Messi to the Kleanwell Stadium next season, like they promised the fans? Unfit and Improper Persons is informed, funny and, thanks to exclusive interviews with those who've been there, done that, it lays bare the labyrinthine world of football finance.
The Unbelieveables
At the beginning of April 2015, newly-promoted Leicester City were seven points adrift at the foot of the Premier League. What happened next was truly extraordinary. Not only did Leicester pull off one of the great escapes to survive in the top flight but they continued their form into the following season. The manager who orchestrated Leicester's promotion and survival, Nigel Pearson, had left the club by then, replaced by the former Chelsea, Juventus and Roma manager Claudio Ranieri. The press gave 'The Tinkerman' no hope of staying the course and the bookies installed Leicester as one of the favourites to be relegated. They were priced at 5,000/1 to win the Premier League. Against all these odds, Leicester built up a lead at the top of the Premier League table that was, by stages, fanciful, improbable, extraordinary and finally insurmountable. On 2 May 2016 Leicester were crowned Premier League champions. The season would make stars of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. In November, Vardy broke Ruud van Nistelrooy's record by scoring in eleven consecutive Premier League games and he would later be crowned FWA Footballer of the Year. Mahrez's goals and assists, including magnificent solo goals against Chelsea and Manchester City, won him the PFA Player of the Year award. If Arsenal's unbeaten season in 2003/04 saw their team dubbed the Invincibles, then Leicester's exploits in 2015/16 have made them The Unbelievables. This is the story of their season as seen through the eyes of the supporters who have followed them up and down the country with an increasing sense of wonder.
England Expects
Fully revised and updated for the 2010 World Cup Finals, ENGLAND EXPECTS is the definitive history of the England Football team. From the inaugural international matches in the mid-nineteenth century to the advent of Fabio Capello's reign, it is an engrossing and graphic narrative history of the inside stories, dramas and shattered dreams of our nation's footballers. The second edition of ENGLAND EXPECTS is completely revised to include a new introduction, a new chapter detailing all the agonies of the 2006 World Cup and the contrasting fortunes of England's managers since then.
Chelsea: The Complete Record
Chelsea: The Complete Record is the definitive account of one of the world's most popular and powerful clubs, recounting every conceivable detail of its 110 year-long history. Encompassing five league titles, seven FA Cups and five European trophies, Chelsea are one of the most successful clubs in English football's modern history. Chelsea official historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton have spent years trawling through the archives to uncover every conceivable fact and figure about the club. In this monumental work they have painstakingly provided details of every game, line up, goalscorer, attendance and result, as well as a plethora of other facts and figures. Weighing in at 550 pages and with full appendixes detailing the careers of the hundreds of players to have turned out for the club as well as a season by season narrative account of Chelsea's history, this is the must-read book for every fan of one of European football's modern powerhouses.
West Ham: The Complete Record
West Ham: The Complete Record is the definitive account of one of English football's most loved clubs, recounting every conceivable detail of its 115 year-long history. Three times FA Cup winners and with a European Cup Winners Cup to their name, West Ham have been involved in some of the most enthralling cup runs in English football history. With names like Bobby Moore, Frank Lampard, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking and Geoff Hurst having turned out in the famous claret and blue, they are also synonymous with producing some of England's most talented footballers. Club historians John Northcutt and Steve Marsh have spent years trawling through the archives to uncover every concievable fact and figure about the club. In this monumental work they have painstakingly provided details of every game, line up, goalscorer, attendance and result, as well as a plethora of other facts and figures. With full appendixes detailing the careers of the hundreds of players to have turned out for the club and a season by season narrative account of West Ham's history, this is the must-read book for every fan of one of English football's most popular clubs.
Xabi Campe籀n
October 2022: Things look bleak for Bayer Leverkusen. The team struggles in the Bundesliga relegation zone, when a new coach, Xabi Alonso, takes over their fate. June 2024: Bayer Leverkusen concludes the 2023 / 2024 Bundesliga season as German champions and DFB-Pokal winners, securing the domestic double while losing only one game allseason. Shortly afterwards, Spain claims victory at the UEFA European Championship in Germany. What led to this remarkable transformation? What tactical innovations are behind Alonso's dynamic and dominant style? What influential methodologies from Spanish football form the foundation of his philosophy? And why do coaches from the Basque Country? In his book, Tim Stegmann weaves these influences into an engaging tactical portrait of Bayer 04 Leverkusen's championship-winning team and the exceptional leadership of their coach: Xabi Campe籀n!
Baseball in Pinellas County
A Florida Home to Baseball StarsPinellas County is known for hosting spring training for Major League Baseball teams, as well as the hometown Tampa Bay Rays. Yet there is another side to the county's baseball history--its local people and teams. Some made it to the Majors, such as Howard Johnson, Casey Kotchman and Toby Hall. Several coached or scouted in the pros, including Tom Kotchman, Tom Zimmer and Tim Wilken. Hundreds of Pinellas ballplayers have been drafted by Major League Baseball, forty-four alone out of Seminole High School. And then there is the tragic tale of Steve Georgiadis, whose life ended during routine surgery. Author Dan Hirshberg brings the heroes of Pinellas County baseball to the forefront.
We Are Liverpool
Liverpool Football Club's 2024-25 season was more than a campaign - it was a statement of resilience, reinvention, and triumph.We Are Liverpool: The Story of the 2024-25 Champions captures the journey from the emotional farewell of J羹rgen Klopp to the rise of Arne Slot's new era, chronicling every pivotal moment as Liverpool reclaimed their place at the summit of English football.Through richly detailed storytelling, tactical analysis, and behind-the-scenes insights, this book brings readers into the heart of the season that delivered Liverpool's 20th English title. From matchday drama to the roar of the expanded Anfield, from Mohamed Salah's relentless brilliance to the emergence of a new generation of stars, each chapter builds a vivid portrait of a team - and a club - reborn.Complementing the narrative is a stunning photo gallery featuring iconic images from the 2024-25 season, offering a visual celebration of Liverpool's extraordinary journey.We Are Liverpool is more than a history - it is a testament to belief, tradition, and the unbreakable bond between a team, its city, and its people.
Amazing football facts about Ronaldo, Zidane and Cruyef - Ages 6 to 14
Amazing football facts about Ronaldo, Zidane and Cruyef is a fun, inspiring, and educational football-themed chapter book for kids aged 6 to 14. This engaging read dives into the journeys of three legendary soccer heroes who changed the game forever: Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and Johan Cruyff.Packed with amazing stories, fun football facts, mind-blowing records, and interactive quizzes, this book is perfect for young football fans who want to learn while having fun.
The Soccer Book of Why
The Soccer Book of Why provides a slew of questions and in-depth answers concerning the traditions, rules, records, and history of soccer.
Baseball Research Journal (Brj), Volume 54 #1
The Spring 2025 issue of the Baseball Research Journal looks at baseball in many places, including the American prairie (Lawrence, Kansas), the Mexican border (the "Original Cactus League") and north of the border in Canada. We have a statistical look at what Negro Leaguer Josh Gibson's career might have looked like had he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, an examination of Gus Greenlee's "United States League," and how the Harrisburg Giants avoided the ban on Sunday baseball. We also examine how Walter Alston got the chance to manage the Dodgers--for 23 years, seven pennants, and one world championship--because Charlie Dressen wanted a multi-year contract that the Dodgers refused to grant, and we present profiles of this year's winners of SABR's Chadwick Award: Rob Fitts, Gary Gillette, and the late Richard Malatzky. ON THE COVER: The Harrisburg Giants joined the Eastern Colored League in 1924 with a powerful lineup centered around player-manager Oscar Charleston. With Rap Dixon and Fats Jenkins flanking him, Harrisburg had one of the best outfields in baseball history. Cover art by Gary Cieradkowsi. Ladies of the Night Game: Toronto's Lighted Diamonds and the Women Who Pioneered Playing Under the Stars by Stephen Dame "Despite Hanlan's Point Stadium being home to the Toronto Maple Leafs for 22 seasons, not a single ballgame was ever played at night there, though [temporary] floodlights [were used] whenever a rugby match, football game, or starlit opera required light. In 1930 Sunnyside Stadium... became the first stadium in Toronto to feature purpose-built, permanent floodlights. The 3,000-seat stadium was specifically designed for use by female athletes [and] had been the main women's softball facility in Toronto since 1925. From the day it opened, competitors in three different leagues played in front of huge paying crowds." Scoreboard Numbers vs. Uniform Numbers: The 1931-34 Detroit Tigers and the Letter of the Law by Herm Krabbenhoft "Unlike today, where players are assigned uniform numbers that very rarely change within a season, the ID numbers of players at Navin Field in Detroit could vary from game to game. As was the custom, the ID numbers reflected the batting order, giving the leadoff hitter number 1, the next batter 2, et cetera. A new scorecard had to be bought for each game--or at least for each series, since the scorecards could not be re-used from one series to the next--nor could the numbers be memorized. These constant changes were certainly not fan-friendly." The Impact of Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) on Major League Baseball Batting Performance by M.P. Geiss and David Portney "Some ophthalmology practices advertise LASIK as a means for improved athletic performance, but does LASIK improve performance for MLB players? Professional baseball players have been shown to have incredibly high visual acuity because exceptional visual function is required to succeed in the sport. A significant number of MLB players have publicly acknowledged their history of LASIK, increasing the potential sample size for analysis, and the extraordinary amount of statistical data on MLB player performance allows for direct analyses of consistent performance metrics." And many more articles of interest.
Deadbeats, Dead Balls, and the 1914 Boston Braves
The unlikely story of one of baseball's greatest comeback seasons The Boston Braves (the present-day Atlanta Braves) were a bunch of losers and alcohol-soaked whiskey swiggers, buried in last place as late as mid-July of 1914. This rough gang was led by their bullying, superstitious manager George Stallings and assisted by Johnny Evers, a nasty, egotistical captain who was despised by opponents and umpires alike. Deadbeats, Dead Balls, and the 1914 Boston Braves chronicles the team's misfortune, meteoric rise through the 1914 season, and audacious World Series run against the overwhelmingly dominant Philadelphia Athletics. Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem, a mainstay in the game for over 70 years, called the Braves "the most spirited team he ever saw"--but would their spirit be enough against one of the most powerful teams ever put together? Making use of extensive archival and primary source research, Martin H. Bush places the Braves' story within the larger controversies of dead ball-era baseball: greedy team owners, exaggerations of the "yellow" press, and blatant cheating tactics used to gain unfair advantage. Bush strips away the myths--but not the romance--that can obscure our understanding of how baseball evolved. Including anecdotes from heroes of the "dead ballers," like Ty Cobb, Hans Wagner, and "Cy" Young," Deadbeats, Dead Balls, and the 1914 Boston Braves is an unforgettable story--at turns painful, exciting, shocking, and funny.
Caddying on the Color Line
For most of the 20th century, tens of thousands of Black caddies worked the fairways and greens of the South's golf courses. From the famed links of Augusta and Pinehurst to the local country clubs and resorts across the region these African American men and boys carried bags, selected clubs, and read putts. They served a population of tourist golfers who wanted to get the "full southern experience." They fought for fair pay, fair treatment, while receiving neither. They fought for equal access to public courses when the laws of desegregation were largely ignored. And they tried to move into other jobs as the rise of the golf cart spelled doom for the Southern caddie. Meticulously researched and rigorously vetted, CADDYING ON THE COLOR LINE reveals how Southern Black caddies-young and old-navigated a world of racial tension, professionalized a job once seen as unskilled, became expert golfers in their own right, and helped to pave the way for the rise of Tiger Woods. Along the way, the history of Black caddies reveals the unexpected reasons for the rise of the golf cart and helps explain why there are fewer Black golfers on professional tours today than in the 1960s. The thousands of Southern Black men who called caddying their job over the course of the 20th century may not have lived extraordinary lives. But their daily struggles and triumphs abounded with resilience, pride, skill, and dignity. This book tells their story.
Junior Golfers
"Junior Golfers: The Parents Guide" by Glen Bowen is an indispensable resource for parents looking to cultivate their child's enthusiasm for golf. This all-encompassing guide delves into the essential combination of physical prowess and mental strategy that the sport requires, highlighting the importance of personal development, discipline, and a lifelong love for the game.Expert Guidance from a Certified ProfessionalGlen Bowen, a certified professional golf coach, shares invaluable insights on a wide range of topics, including how to choose the right equipment and navigate tournament regulations.Fostering Key Life SkillsDiscover effective strategies to encourage independence, resilience, and sportsmanship in your junior golfer while creating cherished family moments on the course.Balancing Fun and CompetitionWith practical advice on maintaining a healthy balance between competition and enjoyment, promoting physical fitness, and instilling life skills through golf, this book provides you with the essential tools to support your child's golfing journey both on and off the fairways.An Inspiring Journey TogetherWhether you are an experienced golfer or just starting out in the sport, "Junior Golfers: The Parents Guide" will motivate you to cherish every moment spent together in this fulfilling adventure.
Drive
Bob Harig's latest deep-dive into Tiger Woods' thrilling career, as seen through his iconic 2019 Masters comeback and win. In April of 1997, the world of golf was forever changed. At the age of 21, a young Tiger Woods won the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, the Masters, by a record of 12 strokes. Woods became the youngest golfer ever to win the Masters and the first African or Asian-American player to win a major. History had been made - and would continue to be made over the next 15 years. Woods transformed the game, turning golf geeks into keen observers, casual golf fans into ardent followers and even indifferent sports fans into curiosity mavens. He will undoubtedly be known for the raw numbers: 82 PGA Tour titles, 15 major championships, and according to Forbes, a billionaire who amassed more than $110-million in official PGA Tour earnings. Woods has proven to be a complicated figure through his decades in the spotlight. Plagued by marital scandal, a reckless driving arrest, and severe back injuries that resulted in what even he believed would be a career-ending spinal fusion surgery in 2017, Woods' career finally seemed to be coming to an end. That all changed through 2018 and into 2019 as Woods returned slowly from the surgery. In 2019, on the same course where he won for the first time in 1997, Tiger Woods made history once again, winning the Masters one final time. The 2019 Masters brought together all the qualities that ultimately make up someone who has been an enduring figure for 30 years. In this captivating and emotional portrait of one of the most famous figures in sports, Bob Harig brings readers the true story of the grit and perseverance of Tiger Woods in the final years of his career. Drive will show that Woods' true legacy is one of resolve and redemption.
The Boys of Riverside
The incredible story of an all-deaf high school football team's triumphant climb from underdog to undefeated, their inspirational brotherhood, a fascinating portrait of deafness in America, and the indefatigable head coach who spearheaded the team, by New York Times reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief, Thomas Fuller. "The Boys of Riverside is another example of how anyone can achieve their dreams, making what appears impossible, possible."--Marlee Matlin, Academy Award winner In November 2021, an obscure email from the California Department of Education landed in New York Times reporter, Thomas Fuller's, inbox. The football team at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, a state-run school with only 168 high school students, was having an undefeated season. After years of covering war, wildfires, pandemic, and mass shootings, Fuller was captivated by the story of this group of high school boys. It was uplifting. During the gloom of the pandemic, it was a happy story. It was a sports story but not an ordinary one, built on the chemistry between a group of underestimated boys and their superhero advocate coach, Keith Adams, a deaf former athlete himself. The team, and Adams, tackled the many stereotypes and seemed to be succeeding. Fuller packed his bags and drove seven hours to the Riverside campus. The Boys of Riverside looks back at the historic 2021 and 2022 seasons in which the California School for the Deaf chased history. It follows the personal journeys of their dynamic deaf head coach, and a student who spent the majority of the season sleeping in his father's car in the Target parking lot. It tells the story of a fiercely committed player who literally played through a broken leg in order not to miss a crucial game, as well as myriad other heart-wrenching and uplifting narratives of players who found common purpose. Through their eyes, Fuller reveals a portrait of high school athletics, inspiring camaraderie, and deafness in America.
2025 Official Rules of Major League Baseball
An important resource for umpires, coaches, leagues, and serious fans of Major League Baseball (MLB), this handbook lists the dos and don'ts of the national pastime. Fully up-to-date, this book contains the official and sanctioned MLB rules and their interpretations per the Playing Rules Committee, the sole group that determines baseball's regulations.
101 Reasons Why I Love the NBA
Around 800 million people follow hundreds of games played every year by teams in the NBA, making it the fourth most popular sporting competition in the world. It's a truly global league, with legions of fans in Brazil, China, Spain, Australia and South Africa. It's not hard to see what attracts them to the sport. For decades, the NBA has enthralled American sports fans. Bill Russell and other early superstars sealed the NBA's place as a national institution. Icons like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan wrote their names in the record books, and modern-day all-stars like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo have propelled the NBA into an international phenomenon. Now, the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers are among the most watched sports teams in the world, and the NBA leads the way in uniting a country that's fragmented on so many other levels. Discover 101 reasons why the NBA isn't just one of the most popular sports leagues in the world.
The Shot
From any and every angle the 1982 U.S. Open was pure alchemy, a dramatic turning point in the lives and fortunes of everyone involved. Watson underscored his status as the top player in the world. Nicklaus began to age before our eyes. Pebble joined the ranks of the most beloved golf courses on the planet.ABC Sports began its slow descent toward obsolescence, and ESPN took an enormous step toward its new-media manifest destiny. As one ABC Sports producer who worked that storied Open said, "After that week nothing was the same." New York Times-bestselling author Chris Millard takes you through every storyline, including all of the twists and turns of this seminal moment in golf history.
Legendary Ballparks
Take a grand-slam tour of North America's best-loved ballparks with this visually stunning, fact-packed book that includes 15 removable pieces of baseball ephemera. Featuring nostalgic images from across the country and throughout baseball history, Legendary Ballparks is a colorful exploration of the places where baseball history happens. From Fenway to Dodger Stadium, North America's legendary ballparks have been the scenes of some of the most unforgettable moments in sports. This definitive guide to Major League ballparks of the past, present, and future takes you inside the stadiums and gives you a front-row seat into baseball's greatest games. Imagine your ballpark bucket list. Even if you can't get to every park, this book takes you there with hundreds of photos, stories, and stats about: Storied parks such as Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Dodger StadiumFan favorites AT&T Park, Camden Yards, and PNC ParkForgotten treasures like Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, and all five parks of the Detroit TigersNew stadiums such as the Atlanta Braves' SunTrust Park (now Truist Park), the Minneapolis Twins' Target Field, and New York's Yankee Stadium and CitifieldMore than 40 other major league parks that tell the story of the national pastime through the lens of the fields the players call homeIn addition to this treasue trove of history and lore, this handsome edition includes 15 removable pieces of baseball memorabilia, including photos of historic ballparks, reproductions of World Series programs, and a printed ballpark bucket list. Perfect for fans of any MLB team, this book brings the colorful stories of America's ballparks to life.
Soccer Training Activities
Soccer Training Activities includes information to guide readers through the development of coaching philosophies, over one hundred activities and the tools to create one hundred more.
Vision Tennis
Learn how to play with a powerful vision that will elevate your game.
Test Match Special: How to Read Cricket
Do you know a grubber from a yorker? Can you identify the golden rules of slip and outfield catching? How does a batter recover from the dreaded royal duck? And where on earth do players find room for all those teas? In this official Test Match Special book, cricket legend and TMS commentator Ebony Rainford-Brent takes you on a whirlwind tour of the greatest game in the world. How to Read Cricket offers an entertaining and witty guide to everything from amazing stats and skills analysis to the game's uniquely joyous culture, its stand-out players, greatest grounds and dodgiest pitches. Along the way, there are plenty of anecdotes from Ebony's extraordinary career, as well as her top tactical and leadership tips. Whether you're new to cricket or a seasoned pro, How to Read Cricket has it all plus a story or two to tell.
Shadow Ball
In the steamy summer of 1919 Chicago, notorious owner Charles Comiskey and Andrew "Rube" Foster, the Father of the Negro Leagues, scheme to rock the baseball world by adding African American star shortstop John Henry "Pop" Lloyd to the White Sox's roster. It is a devil's bargain, as only the men's thirst for fame and fortune allows them to overcome their contempt for each other. Meanwhile, Comiskey's low pay and tawdry treatment of his ballplayers drive them towards the Black Sox scandal, while the clashes between blacks and whites grow hotter than Chicago's oppressive heat, setting the stage for what will explode into Chicago's Great Race Riots of 1919. As Comiskey's greedy tentacles extend further and further, he brings on young Sam Weiss to do his dirty work and be his go-between. Weiss and an aspiring nightclub singer, Kid Douglas, later to known as Memphis Minnie, find themselves tangled up in Comiskey and Foster's scheme, utterly powerless, of course, to alter a thing. Shadow Ball, originally published in 2001, is a work of great imagination, firmly grounded in genuine history. Author Peter Rutkoff takes readers down Chicago's dusty cobblestone streets, into smoke-filled back rooms, and elbow to elbow with two of baseball's true titans of the era.
In The Game
24 heart-warming, mind-boggling, and history-defining short stories of moments and players For generations, basketball has united people through the players' unwavering determination and the thrilling moments that define this sportHowever, there exists a realm of untold stories and experiences beyond the scores displayed on the scoreboard and the excitement of winning or losing that have greatly influenced the sport and the individuals who participate in it.These tales are the pieces to the whole puzzle of what makes basketball one of the greatest sports there are today.It keeps you on the edge of your seat and inspires you to achieve greatness, motivating you to always put your best foot forward.That's precisely why this must-have compilation of basketball short stories came to be!To bring you a collection of the best stories, carefully curated to take you on a journey that transcends the court and the field and into the lives of the greatest players and moments as they left their marks on history and forever changed the course of this sport we love.Inside this must-have inspiring and entertaining read, you will discover: The fascinating story of how basketball was invented and gradually became one of the most popular sports in historyThe rise of women in basketball with inspiring stories of some of the best female athletes that proved everyone wrongA closer look into basketball's greatest players of all time, their lives, and the almost-impossible-to-break records they setThe ugly side of sports at a time when color was used to exclude some of the most talented players and the brightest diamonds in the shadowsInspiring stories of players whose lives were forever changed - from rags to riches, from gangs to glory; basketball has proven to be powerful catalysts for change!Scandals and controversies surrounding this sport to show you the reality of what happens behind the scenesA compilation of this sport's most peculiar superstitions and rituals that players would perform to bring good luck to their team and themselvesAnd much more!
In The Game
24 heart-warming, mind-boggling, and history-defining short stories of moments and playersBaseball is a sport that has captured the hearts of millions of people around the globe.For generations, baseball has united people through the players' unwavering determination and the thrilling moments that define this sportHowever, there exists a realm of untold stories and experiences beyond the scores displayed on the scoreboard and the excitement of winning or losing that have greatly influenced the sport and the individuals who participate in it.These tales are the pieces to the whole puzzle of what makes baseball one of the greatest sports there are today.It keeps you on the edge of your seat and inspires you to achieve greatness, motivating you to always put your best foot forward.That's precisely why this must-have compilation of baseball short stories came to be!To bring you a collection of the best stories, carefully curated to take you on a journey that transcends the court and the field and into the lives of the greatest players and moments as they left their marks on history and forever changed the course of this sport we love.Inside this must-have inspiring and entertaining read, you will discover: The rise of women in baseball, with inspiring stories of some of the best female athletes that proved everyone wrongA closer look into baseball's greatest players of all time, their lives, and the almost-impossible-to-break records they setThe ugly side of sports at a time when color was used to exclude some of the most talented players and the brightest diamonds in the shadowsInspiring stories of players whose lives were forever changed - from rags to riches, from gangs to glory; baseball has proven to be powerful catalysts for change!Scandals and controversies surrounding this sport to show you the reality of what happens behind the scenesA compilation of this sport's most peculiar superstitions and rituals that players would perform to bring good luck to their team and themselvesAnd much more!These stories will take you on a journey through the evolution of this beloved sport, providing insight into the minds of the players, the struggles they faced, and the moments that defined their careers.Through them, you will gain a deeper appreciation for your favorite game and athletes.
Coaching Through Superiorities
What if tactical success in soccer isn't about finding the "right" system but seeing the game differently?In Coaching Through Superiorities, leading coach educator Ray Power unlocks a fresh framework for modern coaching, built around five key pillars: Numerical, Qualitative, Positional, Cooperative, and Dynamic Superiority. Rather than prescribing formations or rigid playbooks, this book invites you to explore football as a fluid, problem-solving game - one driven by players, shaped by context, and always in motion.Inside, you'll discover how to: Spot and create overloads in every area of the pitchDesign tactics that adapt to your players, not the other way aroundCoach with clarity in moments of chaos, transition, and momentumBlend principles like La Pausa, Positional Play, and Relationism into your own game modelDevelop your tactical eye through reflective "lightbulb" tasks and scenario planningWhether you're a grassroots coach or chasing elite standards, Coaching Through Superiorities arms you with the mindset, models, and questions that lead to smarter decisions, and draws on examples from innovative modern coaches like Pep Guardiola, Roberto De Zerbi, Fernando Diniz, and Thiago Motta. It's not about knowing all the answers - it's about asking the right questions before the whistle blows.About Ray Power: With almost two decades of experience working in soccer and education, coaching players from non-league to Premier League levels, and internationally, he is the author of Making The Ball Roll, Coaching Youth Football, and the five-book Deliberate Soccer Practice series. As a coach developer and educator, Ray has worked for, and consulted with, numerous national FAs, as well as governing bodies from other sports, including the NBA. He also works as a consultant - mentor - educator on a freelance basis, working with grassroots coaches all the way to professional teams.
12 Rings: Stories of the St. Louis Cardinals World Championships, Second Edition, Expanded and Updated
From St. Louis to Cooperstown: Legends Born and Made in the Gateway City
The Utilita Football Yearbook 2024-2025
'The definitive chronicle of changing times for so many who love the sport' Ian Herbert, Daily Mail 'The Yearbook stands for authority and integrity' Martin Tyler 'The first reference book you should turn to' Daily Telegraph The Utilita Football Yearbook 2024-2025 is the market-leading book of football statistics, featuring everything you need to know about domestic and international football. Since its first appearance in 1970, The Football Yearbook has heralded the start of each new season and served as the sport's book of record, faithfully chronicling decades of both tradition and evolution. Now in its 55th year of publication, the Yearbook celebrates that legacy and undertakes to do what it always does - to meticulously record the season just gone and look forward to the season about to start, all within more than a thousand pages of pure footballing facts and figures.
