Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts

My Personal Best : Life Lessons from an All-American Journey Review

My Personal Best : Life Lessons from an All-American Journey
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My Personal Best : Life Lessons from an All-American Journey ReviewA little background on John Wooden: he coached the UCLA Bruins to 10 national basketball titles in 12 years . . . even if you're not a hoops fan, imagine any team--high school, college or pro--ever doing that, and you'll realize that it's virtually an impossible task . . .yet Wooden managed to accomplish it, at times with such great players as Kareem Abdul Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) and Bill Walton; at other times with guys you probably never even heard about.
So that's why I jumped at the chance to read MY PERSONAL BEST:
LIFE LESSONS FROM AN ALL-AMERICAN JOURNEY that Wooden wrote with Steve Jamison . . . it was excellent and a "must" read for any sports fan, coach or parent of an athlete . . . adding to my enjoyment were rare, never-before-seen pictures from Wooden's private collection.
You might not learn anything that you haven't heard before, but that's much of what made Wooden such a great coach--and man . . . he stuck to the basics, believing that if his players practiced them, they would succeed . . . no detail was considered insignificant; for example, he
planned practices down to the exact minute on three-by-five inch cards and in notebooks "so there was never any standing around waiting for something to happen."
He also was a big believer in the use of maxims and mottos, tacking them on the bulletin board . . . among them:
Discipline yourself and others won't have to,
Respect every opponent but fear none,
The best way to improve your team is to improve yourself,
Do not mistake activity for achievement,
It is amazing how much we can accomplish when non one cares
who gets the credit, and
Time spent getting even would be better spent getting ahead.
As Wooden notes, "Some might say these are corny expressions, but I believe the messages they contain are true and have a positive impact on those who read them."
My Personal Best : Life Lessons from an All-American Journey Overview
NATIONAL BESTSELLER

For John Wooden's millions of fans--a heartfelt and revealing self-portrait about the people and events that shaped his life

Sports Illustrated declared: "There has never been a finer coach in American sports than John Wooden. Nor a finer man." ESPN selected him as the "Greatest Coach of the 20th Century." From his birth on an Indiana tenant farm, to All-American honors at Purdue, to his historic record-setting UCLA dynasty, John Wooden is a towering figure in 20th-century sports, and his experience and wisdom an American treasure. In My Personal Best, Coach Wooden tells how he did it and the lessons he learned on his remarkable journey.

Pairing never-before-seen photos from Coach Wooden's private collection with his personal stories and affirmations, this book encompasses the dramatic arc of Wooden's larger-than-life achievements and experiences. As he did in his perpetual bestseller Wooden, Coach offers a wealth of biographical details, personal reflections, and a lifetime of lessons. His millions of fans will cherish this definitive pictorial history of a living sports legend.

"John Wooden is a living legend because he practiced what he preached--the code of ethics which created America's strength."--Phil Jackson, head coach, Los Angeles Lakers

"Most of what I know, what's made me a smart man, has come from John Wooden."--Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer

"A man of John Wooden's accomplishments and integrity would stand out in any era, but now, almost three decades after he coached his last game, he is in some ways an even more striking figure."--Bob Costas


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The Fab Five: Basketball Trash Talk the American Dream Review

The Fab Five: Basketball Trash Talk the American Dream
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The Fab Five: Basketball Trash Talk the American Dream Review"What scares you Jalen? Death, said Jalen,... because I can't imagine a world without me in it." The cockiness that was the Fab Five is captured perfectly by Mitch Albom in his book the Fab Five; Basketball, Trash Talk and the American Dream. Like Albom's other books Tuesdays with Morrie and 5 People You Meet in Heaven, his story telling engulfs the reader and transforms a normal story into a legendary tale. Albom recognizes the important interaction between people in their actions and conversations and captures that in his writing. This story, the Fab Five, was a great book and one of the best for any sports fan. The "Greatest Class Ever Recruited", as Albom called them, is a great story that is told from behind the scenes, during the Fab Five's historic career at the University of Michigan. The Fab Five by Albom is the finest sports book because Albom's humorous and stylish writing brings to life the events surrounding five freshmen that transformed college basketball.
The Fab Five is a book about Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson, the fabulous five freshmen at the University of Michigan. A group assembled in many different ways, each contributing a unique story to what brought them to Ann Arbor. Albom takes his first few chapters describing the intricate lines that connected each player to Ann Arbor. Jalen and Chris were from Detroit and went to UofM because they were always best friends. Ray Jackson and Jimmy King are from Texas. Ray Jackson was noticed accidentally while scouts were in Texas recruiting other players. For Jimmy King, he came to UofM because Juwan Howard, his roommate on a recruiting trip, was going. And to put it all together, Juwan became a Michigan Wolverine because his recently diseased grandmother wanted him to go to UofM. Together they became the Fab Five and marched their way on campus and took the college basketball world by storm making it to back-to-back NCAA men's national championship appearances.
The caliber of talent that sounds this book is one for the history books. However, the Fab Five would not be the book it was without the writing and story telling ability of Mitch Albom. Albom has been voted the number one sports writer an unprecedented seven times by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He has hosted a TV show on ESPN and written many famous books as well as a sports column for the "Detroit Free Press". His ability to touch every reader regardless of background is rare. He makes people cry reading Tuesdays with Morrie and people stand up in cheer for the `91 Michigan basketball team in the Fab Five. Undoubtedly, Albom is one of the best writers in American and is writing about one of the best sports teams America has ever witnessed.
Albom accurately describes the sequence of events leading five high school seniors to main-stream college freshman superstars. But one of the things that makes this story one for the ages is that while on many teams today it is rare to see two freshmen starting a game, in 1991 the Fab Five were five freshman players who all started on a team that made it to the NCAA men's Championship basketball game. Having five freshman start a national championship game is unheard of and still to this day, unmatched. Albom predicts, "There will never be another group like the Fab Five." Through what brought them to Michigan, through every behind the scenes event, through every exciting and electrifying game, this book comes to life in front of the readers' eyes. As the book progresses the plot thickens for these young athletes as if Albom himself wrote the story. Every big game and tournament game was commentated as if live from the radio. Albom writes, "And with 21 seconds left, Michigan lead by just a basket, 71-69. `No three-point-shots,' fisher yelled." The games brought a sense of involvement for the reader taking them back in time to the game. With writing style that is clear and descriptive, and while combined with the dazzling games provided by the Michigan Basketball team, this leads to a suspenseful, well illustrated book that makes the heart pump and adrenaline rush. While watching the suspenseful games, Albom knew greatness at the very moment it happened and was there to preserve ever moment of history in his book; a book about kids who became "The Greatest Class Ever Recruited."
They had become the most popular names and faces in college basketball. In Ann Arbor, they sold jerseys and shorts for a hundred and fifty dollars total; "They sold out in a heartbeat," Albom wrote. Stories like these make this book different than any other sports book, a book written while the events occurred with detailed stories nobody else could get. He also wrote about that one game they all walked onto the court with their fashionably baggy shorts, black socks and black shoes revolutionizing college basketball, and he was there to catch every story and detail. Black socks, black shoes and baggy shorts all surprised people watching college basketball. Later looking back, people would contribute these five freshmen as revolutionizing basketball and creating its image today. Albom knew this and felt it was necessary to capture their uniqueness in this book. Mitch Albom, like the rest of the world knew greatness while it was happening and the passion and enthusiasm that he wrote with to illustrate that greatness he was witnessing is another example of why this book is so fabulous.
Albom also included inside stories, taking the reader to a place only a few were able to see. Inside the games, inside the practices and inside the family that was the Fab Five. When Jalen walked in the first day as a freshman and announced, "Freshmen verse ya'll," everyone in the gym was stunned. Where most freshmen come in to find themselves at the bottom of the barrel, these freshmen came in and ran right to the top. After saying, "Freshmen verse ya'll," the five freshman went on to win three scrimmages against the upper classmen. Albom wrote, "The Fab Five has been born." While many people could watch the televised games and see for themselves the spectacle surrounding these freshmen, he took this audience backstage and incorporated these stories that give the reader more than they could otherwise see. Stories about crazy pranks to trash talking rants and bizarre interviews to the baggy shorts and black socks and shoes, is why Fab Five gives the reader more than a sports book. It gives the reader a legendary, and even though no previous knowledge is necessary a substantial amount of time is essential because putting the book down once the readers starts if difficult.
The Fab Five is a humorous, entertaining and well written book, but furthermore, it is an inside look at one of the greatest college basketball stories. Mitch Albom, as one of America's most heralded writers, gives one of his best writing performances for his perfectly illustrated, historical tale of "The Greatest Recruiting Class Ever." He captivated my attention and sparked my interest in Michigan Basketball because of his urban style humor and story telling ability. While most other historical accounts tend to be boring, Mitch Albom captivates his readers and provides one of the best books about sports; a must read for any sports fan. Albom quoted Jalen Rose, "they'll be talking about us for 20 years." This is true about the Fab Five and the Fab Five will be talked about for many years to comeThe Fab Five: Basketball Trash Talk the American Dream OverviewRecounts the remarkable story of University of Michigan basketball players Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson, and chronicles their success in the NCAA tournaments of 1992 and 1993.

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Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption, and Baseball's Longest Game Review

Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption, and Baseball's Longest Game
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Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption, and Baseball's Longest Game ReviewThe opening of this book sets the stage perfectly for what is to come. It begins by stating that a baseball game that started on Holy Saturday, which is the "pause between joy and sorrow", has surrendered to the first hour of Easter. The rest of the book talks about this amazing game and the joy and sorrow faced by those at the game.
As a baseball fan who never made it past little league I envy those who get paid to play professional ball at any level. Yet for many at the game playing Triple A ball is bittersweet because the players are so close to their dream and for most they will always be one stop short of playing major league ball. For many Triple A is the place where "sweet romance meets bitter reality."

While Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken went on to greatness and a number of other players like Bobby Ojeda, Bruce Hurst and Rich Gedman had good careers, most of the players in this game never made it to the majors. Some were on the rise and hit their peak and others were on the way down and just trying to stay in the game. It is their stories that make this book so successful.

Yet, Dan Barry also talks about the game itself. This is another great thing about this book. Baseball is the amazing game that it is because it has no time limits. There are no clocks. Three outs are the only limits to an inning. A scheduled nine inning game will last until the bottom of the 33rd if that is what it takes to have a winner, even if the game has to be started again on another day.
Dan Barry does a good job of talking about the lives of these players, as well as the lives of the coaches, bat boys and team owners, in the context of the 33 inning game. He manages to talk about those involved in the game while at the same time talking about baseball itself.
Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption, and Baseball's Longest Game Overview

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A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants Review

A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants
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A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants ReviewMy main apprehension was that this book was going to be a terrific book but one that I had already read. With all the terrific coverage that we as Giants fans get from Andrew Baggary on in his Mercury articles and his blog Extra Baggs, I was wondering if he had any stories, antidotes, or related stories that had yet to be covered. Luckily for the devoted Giants fan there is tons of extra insight into the magical Giants season that was 2010. It almost makes me wonder if every year Baggs holds some stories out just in case they win the big one and he has to write a book. (you better not be!!!) To the average reader it is a perfect introduction to a team in a championship season that rivals very few, "The Bad Guys Won" about the 86 Mets and their inspiring run comes to mind. Anyway, its a terrific book for a Giants fan or for a baseball fan in general. It's such a great story that I would read it even if it was about the Dodgers....... (maybe not)
Anyway for more on Baggarly's amazing writing check out his blog Extra Baggs
A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants OverviewThe 2010 San Francisco Giants were the most unlikely World Series champions of all time. Sure, they had some quality pitchers, but the Giants roster consisted of a rag-tag group of castoffs, oddballs, rookies, and old-timers who seemed a lot more entertaining off the field than on it. After 53 years of futility, San Francisco was hungry for a baseball championship...but the 2010 Giants? Then, as the season waned, some type of magic descended on the Bay Area and enveloped the club, leading them to the most miraculous of championships. How the Giants came together as a team and shocked the country all the while, doing things in their own offbeat fashion is one of baseball s all-time great stories.In Band of Misfits, Andrew Baggarly longtime Giants beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News shines a light on the colorful characters (lovingly labeled the Dirty Dozen by manager Bruce Bochy) who became stars during San Francisco s crazy ride to the top, including Aubrey Huff and his now-legendary Rally Thong; clean-cut rookie extraordinaire Buster Posey; and laissez faire Tim Lincecum, whose laid-back personality is a perfect fit for the City by the Bay. Behind every madcap misadventure there was also an unquenchable drive to succeed and prove the naysayers wrong. Too young, too old, not good enough? This team never bought into those excuses. Every baseball fan will love Baggarly's inside stories of The Misfits run to the title.

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Green Bay Packers: The Complete Illustrated History - Third Edition Review

Green Bay Packers: The Complete Illustrated History - Third Edition
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Green Bay Packers: The Complete Illustrated History - Third Edition ReviewMy 88-year-old father grew up in Wisconsin. He's a lifelong Packer fan. I haven't seen or read the book, but he's absolutely enthralled by it. We talk frequently, and he brings the book up often. Every page has a memory for him.
So, don't take my word for it: take the word of a man who watched Don Hutson catch passes on blustery Green Bay Sundays.Green Bay Packers: The Complete Illustrated History - Third Edition OverviewThePackers are world champions once again, and Green Bay Packers: The Complete Illustrated History is the ultimate, authoritative look at this storied and beloved sports franchise. In addition to offering a comprehensive history of the team and in-depth profiles of its greatest stars, the book features more than 200 rare and iconic photographs as well as chalkboard diagrams of key plays from team history. It tells of the legends who have defined the Packer legacy for more than 80 years, from Bart Starr to Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, Ray Nitschke to Reggie White to Clay Matthews, Curly Lambeau to Vince Lombardi to Mike McCarthy.

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What It Means to Be a Jayhawk: Bill Self and Kansas's Greatest Players (What It Means to Be...) Review

What It Means to Be a Jayhawk: Bill Self and Kansas's Greatest Players (What It Means to Be...)
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What It Means to Be a Jayhawk: Bill Self and Kansas's Greatest Players (What It Means to Be...) ReviewWhether it is the preface by Bill Self or the countless stories from athletes who have graced the fields at KU, any fan of college sports will enjoy reading about Kansas sports history. Most interesting for me was the early days of KU and the athletes who loved KU just as much as the recent athletes. This book is a great trip down memory lane and clearly makes any Kansas grad or fan proud of OUR school. Rock Chalk.What It Means to Be a Jayhawk: Bill Self and Kansas's Greatest Players (What It Means to Be...) OverviewMaybe you heard about Gale Sayers's graceful elegance on the football field from your father. Perhaps the larger-than-life presence of Wilt Chamberlain on the basketball court was mentioned by a television commentator. It could have been that you saw Jim Ryun's famous stride on the track in person. Regardless of your vantage point, you'll learn firsthand the stories of these and other University of Kansas greats in What It Means to Be a Jayhawk.

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The Kansas City A's and the Wrong Half of the Yankees: How the Yankees Controlled Two of the Eight American League Franchises During the 1950s Review

The Kansas City A's and the Wrong Half of the Yankees: How the Yankees Controlled Two of the Eight American League Franchises During the 1950s
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The Kansas City A's and the Wrong Half of the Yankees: How the Yankees Controlled Two of the Eight American League Franchises During the 1950s ReviewI grew up as a Yankee fan in the 1950s and it was obvious that this was going on. Kansas City never had a good ball club but whenever they got talent they traded the player to the Yankees for very little in return. Sometimes it was just cash. The biggest gain was when KC got Roger Maris from Cleveland and after one strong year with KC he was tradedf to the Yankees where he hit 39 home runs in 1960 and 61 in 1961. The As were essentially a farm system of the Yankees but instead of being sent down to the minors a Yankee who needed seasoning was traded to KC where he could face major leaguers including the Yankees. When the Yankees thought the player was ready they brought him back. Here are some of the Yankees that went back and forth: Norm Siebern, Bob Cerv, Irv Noren Marv Throneberry, Hector Lopez. The Yankees got Bud Daley and Bobby Shantz in addition to Maris from the KC As. Billy Martin was traded to KC but only because the Yankees thought he was a bad influence on Mantle. They didn't plan to ever bring Martin back.
Of course the Commissioner ignored the obvious as he let the iwners do whatever they wanted. I never could understand why Kansas City wuld do this. This book explains it all as the KC owner seemed to share outside business interests with Topping and Webb, the Yankee owners.The Kansas City A's and the Wrong Half of the Yankees: How the Yankees Controlled Two of the Eight American League Franchises During the 1950s OverviewDuring the second half of the 1950s, folks derisively referred to the Kansas City A'sas a 'farm team" of the New York Yankees. Trades between the two-often lopsided-were commonplace, and it seemed every time the Yankees needed that one final piece for yet another pennant run, the A's filled the gap.While most knew that A's owner Arnold Johnson was somewhat affiliated with Yankee owners Dan Topping and Del Webb through his joint ownership of Yankee Stadium, The Kansas City A's and the Wrong Half of the Yankees digs into the deeper business entanglements among the three. In addition to the questionable trades and his earlier purchase of 'The House that Ruth Built," Johnson's purchase of the then-Philadelphia A's shows signs of Yankees clout.Through periodicals,letters, conversations with contemporary players and executives, and an analysis of player records, author Jeff Katz has compiled a chronological account of how, through the hands of a friend and business partner, the Yankees controlled two of the eight American League teams during the second half of the 1950s.A publication of Maple Street Press, distributed by Potomac Books, Inc.

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