Review
The 896-page 'Orioles Encyclopedia' will remind any longtime fan of their own personal memories.
(Krystina Lucido
PressBox 2009)
Not just a reference book, this tome is essential reading for Oriole fans. Consider it the bible of Birdland... It's a far-reaching and fascinating document of a legendary baseball franchise, and, for that, Gesker deserves a heartfelt 'Thank you-u-u-u.'
(John Lewis
Baltimore Magazine 2009)
The Orioles Encyclopedia celebrates more than 50 years of Baltimore Oriole baseball from Scrap Iron to the Iron Man. It will inspire marvelous memories filled with celebration and heartbreak, fun-filled visions of pennant races, outstanding pitching, sublime defense, and a colorful blend of characters and charisma.
(Brooks Robinson, Hall of Fame Third Baseman with the Baltimore Orioles (1955–77) 2009)
The Orioles Encyclopedia has much more to offer than facts and statistics. It's the story of a beloved franchise composed of heroes and stories from our past and its unbroken connection with a town, regardless of wins or losses. For any Oriole fan, The Orioles Encyclopedia is a must read.
(Ronald F. Barbagallo, Jr.
Maryland Historical Magazine & MHS Publications 2010)
Mike Gesker, the Baltimore baseball fan and Emmy award winner who wrote this book and will never recoup anywhere near what he put into it. But as he and so many thousands of authors for whom their masterwork is a labor of love know, that's not the point, is it?
(Steve Goddard
History Wire - Where the Past Comes Alive )
This encyclopedia was painstakingly assembled and clearly represents a labor of love. The wealth of history and anecdotes is very impressive and makes for enjoyable reading... The Orioles Encyclopedia should be an essential purchase in the Baltimore region and would be a welcome in any baseball collection.
(John Maxymuk
American Reference Books Annual )
The Orioles Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive and thorough book about the Orioles ever written. As a 50 year fan of the orioles... this book is by far the best reference source I have ever seen or read. Mike Gesker made a near superhuman effort in collecting and researching the data as well as the amazingly thorough job of gathering some rare, behind the scene photographs of the Orioles over the last several decades. I heartily endorse this book as a must have for any Oriole fan, and really, for any baseball historian.
(Roy Firestone, Sports Commentator and Journalist )
About the Author
Mike Gesker is a local baseball fan and Emmy award winner who produced, directed, and wrote Baseball, the Birds on 33rd for Maryland Public Television. He is a writer-editor for Catholic Relief Services and freelance writer whose work has been published in the Baltimore Sun, Sport magazine, and the Army Times.
(2010)
