Louisville Slugger Presents Batting Around

by Myers, Doug; Dodd, Brian

• ISBN13: 9780809225194
• ISBN10: 0809225190
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-03-01
• Publisher: Contemporary Books

Summary

Batting Around is a comprehensive history of more than a century's worth of major-league hitting in a lively narrative, not just a listing of names, dates, and numbers. This collection of greatest hits includes such topics as the 25 best hitters ever, the mammoth home runs, and the evolution of the bat. No sport is more suited to statistics and to the telling of stories, and this book offers both in an irresistible combination.
-- The major leagues are in the middle of a golden age for hitters, and this is the first book of its kind dedicated entirely to hitting
-- Baseball fans love to recite statistics and argue about the superiority of hitters. This book presents the names, dates, and numbers in an informative and entertaining manner
-- Batting Around, backed by the prestigious Louisville Slugger "RM" brand name, makes a great gift for the rabid baseball fan

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	VII
Introduction	IX
PART 1 THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST	1	(182)
Darwin at the Bat: The Evolution of Baseball	3	(10)
Mount Olympus: The 25 Greatest Hitters of All Time	13	(44)
From Murderers' Row to Harvery's Wallbangers: The Greatest Hitting Teams	57	(26)
Greatest Hitting Moments---Regular Season	83	(26)
Greatest Hitting Moments---Postseason	109	(40)
Coming Through in a Pinch: The Best Pinch Hitters	149	(8)
Choosing Up Sides: The Greatest Hitters by Position	157	(26)
PART 2 THE NOTABLE AND THE MEMORABLE	183	(110)
Hitting the Ground Running: Great Rookie Seasons	185	(12)
1-2 Punches: Great Hitting Tandems	197	(20)
Everybody Bats: The Most Productive Games and Innings	217	(22)
The Most Impressive Season and All-Time Records	239	(24)
All in the Family: Fathers, Brothers, and Sons	263	(8)
What Might Have Been: Great Hitters Whose Careers Were Cut Tragically Short	271	(22)
PART 3 THE HOW AND THE WHY	293	(62)
Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick: The Evolution of the Bat	295	(6)
Newton at the Bat: The Science of Hitting	301	(4)
From the Baker Bowl to the Green Monster: The Effect of the Ballpark on Hitting	305	(12)
1930 and 1968: When Everyone Hit and No One Hit---and Why	317	(16)
Different Strokes for Different Folks: Hitting Styles and the Gurus Who Taught Them	333	(6)
The Impact of Expansion on Offense	339	(6)
The Left-Hander's Advantage and Switch-Hitters	345	(10)
Appendix: Hitting Leaders and Highlights, 1901--99	355	(18)
Bibliography	373	(2)
Index	375