Sports Publishing LLC: 2008

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Game of My Life: Chicago White Sox

Game of My Life: Chicago White Sox:

Memorable Stories of White Sox Baseball

Lew Freedman

ISBN: 1596702915
Retail Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

More than 20 former and current Pale Hose players share their fondest singlegame White Sox experience and memories with the Chicago Tribune’s Lew Freedman. Many of these moments have helped shape the team’s rich heritage in Chicago during their 107-year history. Billy Pierce, Scott Podsednik, Mark Buehrle, Greg Walker, Bobby Jenks, Turk Lown, and Gerry Staley are but a few of the legendary White Sox stars who discuss the games of their lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lew Freedman is a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune, where he has served as the newspaper’s outdoors reporter for more than five years. In addition, he contributes to coverage of Chicago’s many sports teams, including the White Sox, Bears, and local college basketball teams. The author of 24 books, Freedman has won numerous journalism awards. Freedman resides in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

2008 * 256 pp * b/w photos throughout6 x 9 inches hardcover

Game of My Life: St. Louis Cardinals

Game of My Life: St. Louis Cardinals

Matthew Leach

ISBN: 1596702737
Retail Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

Dating back to the “Gas House Gang” of the 1930’s, through the great Schoendienst- Musial teams of the ’40s, to “El Birdos” in the ’60s, “Whiteyball” in the ’80s, and all the way up to the club’s most recent world championship, this book allows some of the men who have worn the legendary Birds on the Bat to tell the stories of their most memorable moments in Cardinal red. Fans can read about current heroes like Jim Edmonds and Chris Carpenter, and the game in which utilityman and current third-base coach Jose Oquendo pitched four innings – and almost picked up the win. Broadcasters Al Hrabosky and Rick Horton share some memories of their own days in uniform; while Adam Wainwright, the newest Cardinal hero, tells of his experience closing out the memorable 2006 NLCS.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Leach has covered the Cardinals as the beat reporter for MLB.com since 2002, and has been with MLB Advanced Media since it was formed in 2000. In his time with MLB.com, he has covered three World Series, seven National League Championship Series, three All-Star Games, and every Winter Meetings since 2000. He previously worked at NASCAR.com as an editor and writer, and also turned in a brief stint with ESPN.com. Leach resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

2008 * 256 * b/w photos throughout6 x 9 hardcover

Break Point: The Secret Diary of a Pro Tennis Player

Break Point:

The Secret Diary of a Pro Tennis Player

Vince Spadea with Dan Markowitz

ISBN: 1596703245
Retail Price: $16.95

DESCRIPTION

At the start of the 2005 season, Vince Spadea was the only over-30 player besides Andre Agassi to be ranked in the top 20 on the world professional tennis circuit. Break Point is his highly-acclaimed account of the 2005 season, where he provides an inside look at the 11-month tour, including battling injuries, changing coaches and agents, a slight from Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe, and his improbable climb back up the rankings. Along the way, Spadea considers taking two months off to appear on “The Bachelor,” practices with a combative John McEnroe in New York, and prowls Hollywood with comedian Jon Lovitz trying to pick up actresses. Included are colorful, personal anecdotes about Andre Agassi, Venus and Serena Williams, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Martina Navratilova, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati, Tim Henman, and Marat Safin. This updated softcover edition includes Spadea’s response to criticism of his book voiced by others on the tour, including Lindsay Davenport and James Blake. He also briefly reflects on the 2006 and 2007 seasons, and updates readers on his personal life.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Vince Spadea was groomed to be a professional tennis player by his dedicated father and has gone on to play an unprecedented 15 seasons on the ATP tour during a career that began in 1993. He has been ranked as high as 18th in the world during his career and has won nearly 300 matches. Spadea currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida. Past titles include Break Point! The Secret Diary of a Pro Tennis Player (ECW Press, 2006 • ISBN: 1-55022-729-7).

Dan Markowitz’s writing career has led to articles printed in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Men's Journal, Tennis, Runner's World, The Village Voice, and Inside Sports. He has also co-authored books with former New York Knicks stars Walt Frazier and John Starks. Markowitz currently lives in White Plains, New York. Past titles include John Starks: My Life (Sports Publishing, 2004), The Game Within The Game (ESPN Books/Hyperion, 2006), and Break Point! The Secret Diary of a Pro Tennis Player (ECW Press, 2006).

2008 * 304 pp * b/w photo insert6 x 9 inches softcover

Memorable Stories of Phillies Baseball

Game of My Life: Phillies

Game of My Life: Phillies

Bob Gordon

ISBN: 1596702575
Retail Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

More than 20 former and current Philadelphia Phillies’ players share their fondest single-game Phillies’ experience and memories, many of which celebrate the extraordinary moments that have shaped the team’s rich heritage in the City of Brotherly Love. Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons, John Vukovich, Kevin Jordan, Mitch Williams, Greg Luzinski, Darren Daulton, and Del Unser are but a few of the legendary Phillies stars who discuss the games of their lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob Gordon weaves a fulltime writing life with a successful consulting business. In addition to writing restaurant reviews, business columns for foreign magazines, and a slew of humorous and provocative essays, he has written six sports books to date on baseball, football, and basketball. He is also a registered professional engineer who serves as a communication coach for executives and managers. Gordon resides in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Past titles include More Than Beards, Bellies and Biceps: The Story of the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies and the Phillie Phanatic Too! (Sports Publishing, 2003), The Team That (They Say) Had Nothing But a Championship: The 1960 Philadelphia Eagles (Sports Publishing, 2001), and Ed Pinckney’s Tales from the Villanova Hardwood (Sports Publishing, 2004).

2008 * 256 pp * b/w photos throughout

6 x 9 inches hardcover

Tales from the Colorado Rockies

Tales from the Colorado Rockies

Tony DeMarco

ISBN: 159670232x
Retail Price: $19.95

DESCRIPTION

Out of obscurity the Rockies charged to close the 2007 season, winning 21 of 22 games to capture the National League pennant and shock the baseball world. In just one month, an entire franchise was dramatically reincarnated and thrust into the national spotlight. This book captures that magical 2007 season, but also chronicles the entire 15-year history of the Mountain Time Zone’s big-league franchise. From that inaugural spring training, when the castoffs that formed an expansion team jokingly put name tags on their jerseys, to a surprising playoff appearance only three seasons later, to the wondrous exploits of the Blake Street Bombers, and lastly, the dawn of a new generation of home-grown and humble success stories. These are the stories of the players, managers, and executives themselves, told in their words.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony DeMarco has covered Major League Baseball for more than 20 years and currently serves as a baseball writer/columnist for NBCSports.com in addition to doing freelance writing. He covered the Texas Rangers for seven years before moving to Denver in 1994 to be the beat writer for the Denver Post covering the Colorado Rockies, a post he held for five years. DeMarco resides in Centennial, Colorado. Past titles include The Sporting News' 50 Greatest Sluggers (Sporting News, 2000), Larry Walker: Canadian Rocky (Sports Publishing, 1999), and Ed McCaffrey: Catching a Star (Sports Publishing, 1999).

2008 * 192 pp * b/w photos throughout5.5 x 8.25 hardcover

Kent Hrbek's Tales from the Minnesota Twins Dugout

Kent Hrbek's Tales from the Minnesota Twins Dugout

(softcover)

Kent Hrbek with Dennis Brackin

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ISBN: 1596702931
Retail Price: $15.95

DESCRIPTION

The former big first baseman for the Minnesota Twins was one of the game's true characters, a throwback whose personal tastes were every bit as Ruthian as the monstrous homers for which he is remembered. Hrbek, who shares stories about the World Series-winning teams of 1987 and 1991, and teammates like Gary Gaetti, Tom Brunanasky, and Kirby Puckett, played the game with a passion seldom seen in modern sports, and brought fun and humor into the Twins clubhouse. This was a place where a manager had to ban the cleaning of fish in the trainer's room, and where practical jokes were commonplace.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kent Hrbek is the classic hometown hero. He spent his entire major league career in Minnesota, helping the Twins to their first two World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. He batted .282 with 293 homers and 1,086 RBI before retiring at the age of 34 after 14 big-league seasons. He is one of only five Twins to have his number retired. Hrbek resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dennis Brackin has worked for more than 25 years at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, spending a good share of that time covering the Twins. His tenure as a Twins reporter coincided with most of Hrbek's career, including the 1987 and 1991 World Series championships. Brackin has won several national awards for investigative and enterprise sports reporting and is currently an assistant editor at the paper. Brackin resides in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

2008* 192 pp * b/w photos throughout5.5 x 8.25 inches softcover

Yankees World Series Memories

Yankees World Series Memories

Maury Allen

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ISBN: 1596702281
Retail Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

The most successful franchise in American sports history, the New York Yankees, have won 26 World Series. Now acclaimed author Maury Allen recalls the Yankees’ greatest Series events of the last 60 years – starting in 1947 and moving through the Bronx Bombers’ most recent appearance in the 2003 Fall Classic. The magical moments are captured through the eyes of the author, the players who made them happen, and other professional observers of baseball’s most electric scenes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maury Allen is one of the most successful and prolific baseball authors in the country, with more than 30 published books on the game. His works include bestsellers on Joe DiMaggio and Casey Stengel. He has been a working sportswriter for more than half a century, with time as a columnist for the New York Post, the Gannett Journal News, Sports Illustrated, and several other publications. Maury Allen resides in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

2008

256 pp

b/w photos throughout

6 x 9 hardcover

Rayzor's Edge: Rob Ray's Tough Life on the Ice

(softcover)

Rob Ray with Budd Bailey

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ISBN: 1596703555
Retail Price: $15.95

DESCRIPTION

Rob Ray was known as one of the NHL's toughest players of the 1990s. The right wing played 13 seasons for the Buffalo Sabres, earning the reputation as his team's enforcer. Ray was known for his unique, jersey-off fighting style, and during his years in Buffalo he starred on some of the greatest Sabres teams ever. Led by head coach Lindy Ruff and goalie Dominik Hasek, the Sabres advanced to the Stanley Cup finals in 1998-99. In this book Ray shares his many humorous and insightful behind-the-scenes stories from his Sabres career.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Ray played parts of 14 NHL seasons, 13 with the Buffalo Sabres. Known as an enforcer throughout his career, the NHL awarded Ray the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership and humanitarian contributions in the Buffalo and Western New York area in 1999. After his retirement in 2004, Ray returned to Buffalo where he currently works as a contributor to Sabres television broadcasts.

Budd Bailey is a graduate of Syracuse University who has worked for The Buffalo News for many years, including several seasons as the Sabres beat writer.2008 * 192 pp * b/w photo section8.5 x 5.5 in softcover

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

An Incredible Year:
07/08 Jayhawks

The Laurence Journal-World
(Officially Licensed by KU!)

(Buy Now!)

ISBN: 0974251364
Retail Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION
The 2008 Kansas Jayhawks brought home the school’s first national championship in 20 years. Led by head coach Bill Self and stars Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers, the Big 12 conference champions lost only three games all season. In the NCAA tournament, the Jayhawks breezed through the first three rounds before an Elite Eight nailbiter against Davidson to advance to the Final Four. In San Antonio, Self’s team throttled Roy Williams’ North Carolina team in the semis, then provided a comeback for the record books in the final against Memphis. This officially licensed full color book chronicles the incredible season of the Kansas Jayhawks and their march to the national championship. Enjoy 160 pages of outstanding photos and stories from the Lawrence Journal-World photographers and reporters. (Buy Now!)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Lawrence Journal-World is a daily newspaper published in Lawrence, Kansas — the home of Kansas University.

* 2008
* 160 pp
* color photos throughout
* 8.5 x 11 inches

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Game of My Life: New York Yankees

Memorable Stories of Yankees Baseball

by Dave Buscema

ISBN: 1596702966
Retail Price: $24.95

COMING SOON!

In Game of My Life: New York Yankees, everyone from stars to supersubs offers personal stories revealing the obstacles they had to overcome in order to succeed on sports’ biggest stage. Some of the biggest names to ever don the pinstripes are captured in personal portraits here, from Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera to Don Mattingly, Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, and all the way back to Yogi Berra and Tommy Henrich, the first Yankee to grow up dreaming of the big ballpark in the Bronx. Along with taking readers behind the scenes of the greatest moments in Yankees history—from Bucky Dent’s home run to David Wells’s perfect game—the book offers a glimpse of what helped the stars reach their peak. Jorge Posada made up for the dream his father lost as a political prisoner in Cuba. Ron Guidry hunted from the time he was a boy to help his hard-working father put food on the table. Mel Stottlemyre, who lost a son to leukemia, picked a seemingly meaningless regular-season game because “my boys didn’t think I could do it.” Joe Torre first started organizing games in the park as he took refuge from his “bully” of a father. Don Mattingly recounts the thrill of proving he could perform on the October stage and the decision to walk away from the game without a World Series ring so he could spend time with his family. Reggie Jackson details his difficulty in adjusting to the Yankees, from his battles with Billy Martin to his eventual triumph in making World Series history.

Award-winning writer Dave Buscema, who covers the Yankees on a regular basis, paints a personal picture of the Yankees’ biggest stars and captures the joy of those who rose from obscurity to history. The game accounts spark memories of the most exciting moments in Yankees history. The players’ personal stories show that, for many of them, the “Game of My Life” was often about more than just a game.

Game of My Life: Boston Red Sox

Game of My Life: Boston Red Sox

Memorable Stories of Red Sox Baseball

by Charles Scoggins

ISBN: 1596702958
Retail Price: $24.95

COMING SOON!

Having dominated the American League for much of the first two decades of the 20th century, the Boston Red Sox fell on hard times after the infamous sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. From 1922-32, they finished higher than last-place only twice, never coming close to enjoying a winning season and losing 100-plus games an incredible five times. The Red Sox hit rock bottom in 1932, losing 111 games, finishing 64 games out of first place, and attracting only 182,000 fans to a disintegrating Fenway Park.

Young multi-millionaire Thomas A. Yawkey resurrected the franchise when he bought it in 1933. Since that time, the Boston Red Sox have become one of the most popular - and valuable - sports franchises in existence. Although pennants and championships have been rare, the disappointments never diminished the passion of their devoted fans. If anything, those heartbreaking moments only heightened the desire that was finally rewarded in 2004 with the franchise´s first World Series championship since 1918.

Recalling some of the greatest players in Red Sox history and some of their greatest games, Chaz Scoggins´s Game of My Life: Memorable Stories of Red Sox Baseball traces back nearly 70 years, almost to the very start of the seminal Yawkey Era. Beginning with Bobby Doerr, the Hall of Fame second baseman who joined the team in 1937, the book touches on players and their most memorable games from every decade, right up to those who finally experienced the exhilaration of winning that elusive World Series. Among the many players who recount the most memorable games in their Red Sox careers are Johnny Pesky, Dominic DiMaggio, Mel Parnell, Frank Malzone, Bill Monbouquette, Rico Petrocelli, Fred Lynn, Butch Hobson, Wade Boggs, and Bruce Hurst. Their recollections and stories - linking eight decades of Boston Red Sox baseball and revealing many details unknown until now - will undoubtedly awaken fond but probably long-forgotten memories of life-long Boston fans themselves.