Daniel Okrent's World Series Booklist by Nicholas ParkerOctober 27, 2015

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New grounds of the Metropolitan Baseball Club on Staten Island. Image ID: 809601

With the end of October comes the most exciting showdown of the baseball sesason: the World Series, which kicks off tonight as our New York Mets square off against the Royals in Kansas City. We asked acclaimed author, fantasy baseball innovator, and first public editor of The New York Times Daniel Okrent to share his Fall Classic themed booklist, perfect for any fan of America's pastime. Grab one of his recommendations, and check out Okrent's own book on the game, Nine Innings, to get pumped up for some thrilling baseball this fall.

The CelebrantThe Celebrant by Eric Rolfe Greenberg

 

 

 

 

 

Bill JamesThe New Bill James Historical Abstract by Bill James.

 

 

 

 

Prophets of the SandlotsProphet of the Sandlots: Journeys with a Major  League Scout by Mark Winegardner.

 

 

 

 

 

The Hero's Life
Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life by Richard Ben Cramer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

False SpringA False Spring by Pat Jordan.

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Innings

And of course, NYPL recommends Nine Innings by the author of this list himself. Daniel Okrent, inventor of fantasy baseball as it is best known today and one of the foremost experts on baseball, penned this detailed, loving play-by-play of a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Baltimore Orioles in June of 1982. A must-read for any baseball diehard, Okrent captures the essence of the entire sport through this illuminating account of a single game.

 

 

And another recommendation for literary buffs and baseball superfans—take our quiz on baseball books and see if you can top Daniel Okrent's score!

View all posts by Nicholas Parker

Comments

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baseball books

Submitted by Robert McCormick (not verified) on October 27, 2015 - 3:15pm

The novels of Mark Harris -- "The Southpaw," "Bang the Srum Slowly" and "Ticket for a Seamstitch" -- are particularly good.

Mr. Okrent's test and suggestions...

Submitted by Tim McGrath (not verified) on October 27, 2015 - 4:09pm

Nice program, NYPL! Glad Mr. Okrent's own book was listed...may I humbly add The Glory of Their Times, Great Time Coming, and Sandy Koufax: a Lefty's Legacy? One of the best quotes ever comes from Mr. Okrent when he compared babe Ruth's pitching and hitting skills to an artist being both Beethoven and Cezanne...wow.

Baseball Books

Submitted by Jerry Wiesenberg (not verified) on October 27, 2015 - 7:12pm

I have a copy of "My Greatest Day in Basball" which is now probably 70 years old. It told the stories of the greatest old time baseball superstars, including Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Tris Speaker and others of that caliber. I assume that it is well out of print but I am keeping my copy.