Like a powerful locomotive, Lou Gehrig slugged his way through 14 years as the pride of the Yankees. Never missing a game during his career, the six-time All-Star set the American League record with 184 RBI in 1931, hit a record 23 grand slams, won two Most Valuable Player awards, and won the 1934 Triple Crown. Refusing to see himself as a natural, Gehrig achieved greatness through an unwavering dedication to practice. Then suddenly, the Iron Man began to rust. The home runs ceased. The hits became misses. Gehrig had contracted amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Yet harnessing the...
Like a powerful locomotive, Lou Gehrig slugged his way through 14 years as the pride of the Yankees. Never missing a game during his career, the six-t...
Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson is one of the tallest players in Major League Baseball history, and his accomplishments on the diamond have taken the sport to new heights. Nicknamed the "Big Unit," the five-time Cy Young Award winner leads active players in strikeouts per nine innings (10.77) and is second in both strikeouts (4,544) and shutouts (37). And his achievements don't end there: Johnson holds the MLB record for consecutive seasons with 300 strikeouts (five) and ranks third all time in career strikeouts behind Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens....
Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson is one of the tallest players in Major League Baseball history, and his acc...
Before 1947, professional baseball was as segregated as the rest of American society: Black baseball players were forced to compete in the Negro Leagues, rather than in Major League Baseball. But on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and changed history by becoming the first African American to play in the Major League Baseball. Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and managed by the visionary Branch Rickey, Robinson spent 10 seasons in the major leagues, during which time the Dodgers won six pennants. Robinson was a six-time All-Star, the National League Rookie of the Year in...
Before 1947, professional baseball was as segregated as the rest of American society: Black baseball players were forced to compete in the Negro Leagu...
Considered too slow and a poor fielder by major league scouts, Mike Piazza was the last player drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 (the 1,390th overall pick). But by the time Piazza made his major league debut in 1992, he shocked his detractors by quickly rising through the ranks, becoming one of the best catchers in MLB history. A 12-time All-Star, Piazza holds the all-time record for home runs by a catcher with 419 and has twice finished as the runner-up for MVP. Remarkable full-color photographs, relevant career statistics, and insightful sidebars enhance this inspiring new...
Considered too slow and a poor fielder by major league scouts, Mike Piazza was the last player drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 (the 1,390th...
Minnesota Twins' center fielder Kirby Puckett emerged from the rough housing projects of Chicago to become the jewel of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1995. Better known by Twins fans as "Puck," number 34 is still considered by most to be the greatest Twin ever. During his 11-year career, Puckett was a six-time Gold Glove winner, a 10-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and led the Twins to their only two World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. But his remarkable career came to a shocking halt in 1995 when glaucoma caused irreversible damage to his right eye, and in 1997...
Minnesota Twins' center fielder Kirby Puckett emerged from the rough housing projects of Chicago to become the jewel of Major League Baseball from 198...
In 1990, the Yankees paid a signing bonus of $2,000 to acquire a young shortstop from an amateur baseball team in Panama. Mariano Rivera had never even considered a career in baseball until he became a Yankee. Now, he is considered the best postseason closer--and perhaps the best closer--of all time, as well as one of the main reasons the team won four World Series titles between 1996 and 2000. In close games, Rivera's clutch "saves" have secured wins with the Yankees' continued appearances in the postseason. Off the field, Rivera has been recognized for his philanthropic work in the United...
In 1990, the Yankees paid a signing bonus of $2,000 to acquire a young shortstop from an amateur baseball team in Panama. Mariano Rivera had never eve...
As a 19-year-old heading east to play for the Boston Red Sox, Ted Williams could be heard muttering over and over again, "All I want out of life is when I walk down the street, folks will say, 'There goes the greatest hitter who ever lived.'" Through a tumultuous, boisterous career that touched four decades, Williams worked tirelessly to perfect the science of hitting and accomplish his goal. Two-time winner of the Triple Crown, Williams hit an astonishing.406 in his 1941 season, a record that stands to this day. During his last ballpark appearance at the 1999 All-Star game, 80-year-old...
As a 19-year-old heading east to play for the Boston Red Sox, Ted Williams could be heard muttering over and over again, "All I want out of life is wh...
George Herman Ruth Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1895. A rebellious child, he was eventually sent to a reformatory boarding school where he never quite learned the discipline his parents hoped for, but he did learn something that changed his life: baseball. Later known as Babe Ruth, he became one of the most infamous, talented, influential, and iconic figures in baseball. Signed as a pitcher to the Boston Red Sox, he was then traded to the Yankees, where he ushered in one of the most thrilling eras in baseball history. Ruth was an exciting player, sending home runs over the wall to...
George Herman Ruth Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1895. A rebellious child, he was eventually sent to a reformatory boarding school where he ...
Hank Aaron broke into the major leagues in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves and spent the next 21 seasons making baseball history with the organization. He is perhaps best known for setting the MLB record for most career home runs with 755--a record that was only recently broken by Barry Bonds. Aaron owns the major league record for total bases (6,856), extra-base hits (1,477), and RBI (2,297). Aaron, who appeared in a record-tying 24 All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves for his play in right field and was the 1957 National League MVP. And in 1982, he was inducted into the National Baseball...
Hank Aaron broke into the major leagues in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves and spent the next 21 seasons making baseball history with the organization....
Widely regarded as one of the best baseball players of our time, slugger Albert Pujols started playing the game on the streets of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Often compared to such baseball legends as Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, he has thrilled fans with his exploits at the plate, and touched the hearts of millions with his tireless advocacy for people with Down syndrome and for the poor of his native Dominican Republic. From growing up poor to signing a $100 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, this devoted father of three has always been able to balance family time...
Widely regarded as one of the best baseball players of our time, slugger Albert Pujols started playing the game on the streets of Santo Domingo in the...