Change Up: An Oral History of 8 Key Events That Shaped Baseball [Hardcover]

Larry Burke (Author), Peter Thomas Fornatale (Author), Jim Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2008

Change Up is every fan’s box-seat ticket to a remarkable baseball event: a round-table conversation among the participants themselves about pivotal developments that changed the game, from the 1960s to today. Here, through the eyes and words of star players like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Ichiro Suzuki, baseball legends like Cal Ripken, Earl Weaver, and Jim Bouton, and award-winning writers like David Marainiss, Bob Lipsyte, and Robert Whiting who reported the stories, are vivid and very personal accounts of some of the most important happenings in the history of the sport.

How did the game change with the creation of the players union, the hiring of Frank Robinson as the first black manager, the rise of Latin and Japanese players? From the return of National League baseball to New York to the publication of Ball Four, these are fascinating stories viewed from a unique perspective. Even the most rabid and informed fans will find much that is new in these pages—and they will emerge with a greater understanding and appreciation of the game they love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Just when you think you know it all, along comes Change Up, brilliantly hitting all the high points of baseball's last half-century."—Rob Neyer, ESPN columnist and author of Rob Neyer’s Big Book of Baseball Blunders

"Change Up is a great idea well executed, just like its namesake pitch. Any fan of baseball, from the casual to the most rabid, will be entertained and informed by its many voices."—Tom Verducci, senior writer, Sports Illustrated

"Serious fans of the game will find this one of the most eye-opening and fascinating baseball books of the year." - Booklist

"Talking baseball has rarely been so enlightening." - Sports Illustrated

About the Author

Larry Burke is a senior editor at Sports Illustrated. He is the author of four books, including The Baseball Chronicles: A Decade-by-Decade History of the All-American Pastime. He lives in Connecticut.

Peter Thomas Fornatale is an author and writer whose work has appeared in many places, including ESPN.com and the New York Times. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Jim Baker is an author at Baseball Prospectus and a frequent contributor to ESPN.com, and has contributed to baseball books by Bill James and Rob Neyer. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; First Edition edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594861897
• ISBN-13: 978-1594861895
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,269,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting historical perspective, May 1, 2008

By 

Barry Sparks "freelance writer" (York, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Change Up: An Oral History of 8 Key Events That Shaped Baseball (Hardcover)

Baseball today is a different game than it was 50 years ago. And, even though it has changed drastically in some ways, we have a tendency to forget the impact the changes have had.

Authors Larry Burke and Peter Thomas Fornatale compile an interesting oral history of eight key events that shaped modern baseball. The selected events are:

The Latino Wave
The 1962 Mets (expansion)
Ball Four
Birth of the Players Union
The Designated Hitter
The First African American Manager
Cal Ripken's Streak
Ichiro Comes to America

Some could argue whether or not these are the eight most important changes, but none of them can be readily dismissed.

Even if you have lived through the changes (as I have), you will find the chapters informative, insightful and interesting. The authors interview a good mix of players, executives and sportswriters. Change Up is a book all baseball fans should read.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book from some veteran sportswriters, January 24, 2009

By 

Joseph C. Sweeney (Portland, Maine) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Change Up: An Oral History of 8 Key Events That Shaped Baseball (Hardcover)

Though not great writing, and not the first tome I would suggest reading on the subject matter, "Change Up" is worth the time. No new ground is broken on such events as the publishing of "Ball Four" and the emergence of Latino players, yet I found myself engrossed still. A solid effort that focuses on the last half of the 20th century.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting viewpoint of one of baseball's critical times, June 24, 2008

By 

R. C Sheehy "deadsox" (Foxboro,MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Change Up: An Oral History of 8 Key Events That Shaped Baseball (Hardcover)

I have to say I enjoyed this book as it put names and voices to one of the most interesting and tumultuous times in baseball history. Everything from the emergence of Latin players, to the players union to the current import of players from Asia is well covered. Some of the voices are quite interesting such as Marvin Miller who is always a fascinating man and is someone who should be in the Hall of Fame.

The only downside that I see to this book is the format. I do not believe that the personal history is the best format. I believe a number of short paragraphs would be more ideal. Otherwise, any baseball fan with a love of the game would like this book.