(HARVEY FROMMER IS AT WORK ON A BOOK ON THE FIRST SUPER BOWL, 1967. ANYONE WITH CONTACTS, STORIES, SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH).

 

               “The Cracker Jack Collection Baseball’s Prized Players” and Other Sporting Reads

 

            All types of sports books with all kinds of approaches are available for your mid-summer reading. Not all are all stars, but all have something for everyone going for them.

            Leading off as an all star section is  “The Cracker Jack Collection Baseball’s Prized Players” by Tom Zappala & Ellen Zappala with John Molori & Jim Davis (Peter E. Randall Publisher, $30.00, 177 pages). It is a lavish coffee table tome. From the fabulous art work through the vintage Cracker Jack baseball cards to the organization and lively essays - the book belongs on every baseball fan’s sports bookshelf. It will stay on mine. HIGHLY NOTABLE

            From Dutton Publishers comes “Trading Bases” by Joe Peta ($27.95, 368 pages). The author was a Wall Street market maker and head trader for a long-short equity hedge fund. This book is an inside look at the almost $400 billion sports gambling industry. Funny, poignant, insightful, entertaining and educational, this is a work of baseball analysis and risk.  WORTH READING

            "18 in America" by Dylan Dethier (Scribner, $25.00, 258 pages) is all about the  game of golf and the youthful author's drive across America and his playing a round of golf in every state side from Alaska and Hawaii.

            "Growing Up Gronk" by Jeff Schober (HMH, $25.00, 201 pages) is as its sub-title proclaims about a family and its raising of champs. Three of the Gronks play in the NFL, another is an on the rise football player and another played pro football.

            "Speak English" by Rafael Hermoso (Kent State University Press, paper $19.95, 187 pages) is a small book with a big topic and hefty price tag - -the rise of Latinos in baseball.

            "Cleveland Indians Legends" by Russell Schneider (Kent State University Press, $29.95, 87 over-sized pages) is a delight to look at. It showcases 40 legends from the franchise in amazing paintings created by Tom Denny. My favorite is page 8 which features "Shoeless Joe Jackson" in words by Schneider and image by Denny. The book is a must have for fans of the Tribe.

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About the Author

Dr. Harvey Frommer received his Ph.D. from New York University. Professor Emeritus, Distinguished Professor nominee, Recipient of the "Salute to Scholars Award" at CUNY where he taught writing for many years, the prolific author was cited by the Congressional Record and the New York State Legislature as a sports historian and journalist.

His sports books include autobiographies of sports legends Nolan Ryan, Red Holzman and Tony Dorsett, the classics "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," "New York City Baseball: 1947-1957." The 1927 Yankees." His "Remembering Yankee Stadium" was published to acclaim in 2008. His latest book, a Boston Globe Best Seller, is "Remembering Fenway Park." Autographed and discounted copies of all Harvey Frommer books are available direct from the author. Please consult his home page: http://harveyfrommersports.com/remembering_fenway/