The New Baseball Catalog [Hardcover]

Dan Schlossberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

It's all here: from the origins of the game through the advent of divisional play, wildcard champions, interleague competition, and realignment. Every aspect of the game is covered - from the hot dog to the hot corner: nicknames, famous quotations, origins, superstitions, traditions, big moments, big shots and little shots, spring training, trades, rules, umpires, ushers, legal "tricks" by groundskeepers, and more. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

What a feast for baseball lovers! In this update of a 1980 work, sportswriter Schlossberg (The Baseball Book of Why, 1984) examines virtually every aspect of the game, from the top brass to the fans. Did you know that broadcaster Ernie Harwell was traded for a catcher, or have you forgotten the art of keeping a scorecard? Read this book, and you'll learn these things and much more. There are, however, some problems. Schlossberg writes: "In 1927 Ty Cobb achieved a level of excellence that may never be exceeded when he smashed his 4,000th hit." Ask Pete Rose, who bested Cobb, about that one. He also writes that in 1926 Tony Lazzeri finished second in the league to Babe Ruth in both home runs and RBIs. Actually Al Simmons edged Lazzeri out of second place in home runs by one. But the sheer magnitude of this work invites some errors and oversimplifications, and this is recommended for all baseball collections.AJim G. Burns, Ottumwa P.L., IA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A true feast for baseball lovers!" -- Library Journal

"The most informative baseball book I have ever read." -- Ralph Kiner

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Jonathan David Pub (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824604075
• ISBN-13: 978-0824604073
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,987,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fact-filled, entertaining. Great book for long trips., January 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The New Baseball Catalog (Hardcover)

Schlossberg expands on his original version of 1989 with more of the tidbits and fun facts baseball fans love to recall. Every aspect of the game is covered, from the hot dog to the hot corner; nicknames, famous quotations, unforgetable moments, spring training, trades, superstitions, legal tricks by groundskeepers and much more. It chronicles baseball from other lands, such as Japan and the Dominican Republic, as well as establishing of the game's minor league systems. How war effected the game is also discussed. Chock full of action photos and cartoons that jog the memory. Schlossberg, who penned "The Henry Aaron Story,'' among many baseball books, provides solid documentation but never forgets the game should be fun. Did you know New York Giants outfielder Red Murray was knocked unconscious by lightning as he caught a game-ending fly ball? That Germany Schaefer, a star early in the century, would steal bases in reverse. He'd single, steal second, then steal first again. Fans loved it, but executives passed a rule that the bases be run in only one direction. Get a hot dog, smear on some mustard, pour yourself a beer and enjoy. The New Baseball Catalog is a keeper.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much information...so little time!, November 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The New Baseball Catalog (Hardcover)

I tip my hat to the author for doing such an outstanding job in compiling the information for this book. How in the world did you sift thru all this information and manage to pull out the best, most interesting pieces of information. Great job! A sure gift for all the baseball lovers on my Christmas list.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An OK book but not what I like, June 1, 2001

By 

Kirk Allen (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Baseball Catalog (Hardcover)

In my opinion, this book isn't so great. I am more interested in statistics, and this book focuses primarily on the game's history. That's not bad, but I felt like I already knew most of the information.

The book also contains many typos, especially in the sidebars. The sidebars usually contain info that is also contained in the main text.

If you already know alot about baseball, you probably don't need this book. If you're just learning or getting into the game, this book would be a good starting point. I don't recommend it for devout fans..