- Table View
- List View
Larry Doby: The Struggle of the American League's First Black Player (Dover Baseball)
by Paul Dickson Joseph Thomas MooreThoroughly researched and beautifully written, this inspiring tale chronicles the life of the second black player to reach the Major Leagues. In 1947 Larry Doby joined the Cleveland Indians, integrating the American League eleven weeks after Jackie Robinson's first appearance with the Brooklyn Dodgers. A seven-time All Star, Doby hit 253 home runs, drove in nearly 1,000 runs, and performed with distinction in the 1948 World Series. While achieving those remarkable statistics, he faced the same prejudices that plagued Robinson — but with far less media attention and support.The story of Doby's struggles constitutes a critical chapter in African-American history and the Civil Rights movement.
Las 1001 anécdotas de millonarios
by Jorge Mario Neira NiñoEl libro que todo hincha de Millonarios debería tener. El objetivo del libro Las mil y una anécdotas de Millonarios, es reunir en un solo tomo la rica historia del cuadro capitalino. Además, como gancho se utiliza el título de un clásico de la literatura para atraer al lector albiazul y tenga impacto en el marketing del producto. De otro lado, como la hinchada azul tiene un alto componente de niños, jóvenes y adolescentes, que ignoran los detalles de la gloria pasada del equipo, el libro pretende crear un sentido de pertenencia para que las nuevas generaciones conozcan su historia y la disfruten.
Las Estrellas Orientales
by Mark Kurlansky"Este es un clásico de Kurlansky: erudito, impredecible, compasivo, y se lee compulsivamente. . . . Una reveladora meditación sobre el deporte, la nación, y también sobre el mundo". -Junot Díaz, autor de La breve y maravillosa vida de Oscar Wao "¿Qué tienen en común Rico Carty, Alfredo Griffin, Pedro Guerrero, George Bell, Julio Franco, Juan Samuel, Sammy Sosa, Alfonso Soriano, y Robinson Canó? Que todos proceden de San Pedro de Macorís, la pequeña ciudad azucarera en la República Dominicana. ¿Una coincidencia? Difícilmente". -National Public Radio Al final de la temporada de 2010, más de ochenta y seis jóvenes y hombres de la empobrecida ciudad de San Pedro de Macorís jugaban en las Grandes Ligas -lo que significa que uno de cada seis dominicanos de las Grandes Ligas vinieron de los mismos equipos locales de los ingenios azucareros, y acudieron en masa a los Estados Unidos en busca de oportunidades, de riqueza, y de una vida mejor. Pero este viaje es también una crónica del racismo en el béisbol, de la necesidad de cambiar las costumbres sociales del deporte en la República Dominicana y en los Estados Unidos, y de las historias personales de los hombres que han buscado escapar de la pobreza jugando béisbol. En Las Estrellas Orientales, Mark Kurlansky revela el amor de dos países por un deporte, y descubre unos significados más profundos sobre lugar y identidad, tenacidad y supervivencia, colonialismo y capitalismo, pero especialmente sobre el béisbol. .
Las montañas de la mente: Historia de una fascinación
by Robert MacfarlaneRobert Macfarlane nos invita a subir la mirada hacia las montañas, en este apasionante viaje cultural por la historia de nuestra fascinación por ellas. Galardonado con The Guardian First Book Award y libro del año según The New York Times. «Hay muchos libros sobre montañismo y montañeros, pero este es uno de los mejores y menos convencionales que he leído.» The Times ¿Cómo y cuándo las montañas pasaron de ser barreras peligrosas e infranqueables, habitadas por bestias y dragones, a suscitar los anhelos más aventureros de quienes se atreven a conquistarlas, incluso poniendo en riesgo sus vidas? Las montañas de la mente es un apasionante viaje cultural a través de la historia de nuestra fascinación por estas moles de piedra y hielo. Robert Macfarlane nos brinda interesantes referencias literarias e históricas que acompaña con las evocadoras descripciones de sus propios ascensos, investiga los descubrimientos geológicos y los fenómenos naturales que atrajeron a los primeros exploradores, e intenta comprender el irrefrenable deseo por lo desconocido, el poder de las alturas y las cimas a través de las ideas de aquellos personajes que, a lo largo de las décadas, contribuyeron a forjar el actual imaginario colectivo. Este libro, que es ya un clásico para los amantes de la montaña y la naturaleza, no trata, en palabras del autor, «de nombres, fechas, picos y alturas, como los libros al uso sobre la montaña, sino de sensaciones, emociones e ideas. En realidad, no es un libro sobre montañismo sino un libro sobre la imaginación». La crítica ha dicho...«Maravillosamente iluminador [...] Una estimulante combinación de aventura y academia, que demuestra una erudición deslumbrante del autor, sus agudos poderes de análisis, un pulido sentido de la historia cultural y una demostración apasionada de la dedicación con la que trata el tema.»Los Angeles Times «Fascinante, con una premisa inteligente.»The New York Times Book Review «Los montañeros de antaño se quedaron sin palabras para describir el esplendor de las montañas, pero Robert Macfarlane las encuentra.»The Times Literary Supplement «De todos los libros que se publicaron para conmemorar el 50 aniversario del ascenso al Monte Everest, Las montañas de la mente , de Robert Macfarlane, destaca por ser el libro másinteligente e interesante de lejos... con un estilo que demuestra que puede ser poético y osado a la vez.»The Economist «Un trabajo fascinante de historia y, a la vez, una meditación bellamente escrita sobre cómo la memoria, la imaginación y el paisaje de las montañas se unen en nuestras mentes y bajo nuestros pies.»Forbes «Una nueva manera de escribir sobre la exploración, supone quizá el nacimiento de un nuevo género, que no solo desafía la clasificación, si no que demanda toda una nueva categoría en sí misma.»The Telegraph
Las reglas del juego
by Sarah AdamsUna comedia romántica autopublicada que TikTok convirtió en un fenómeno superventas. Ligereza y diversión para las lectoras de la romántica del momento. Bree Camden está perdida y secretamente enamorada de su mejor amigo (y también estrella de fútbol americano) Nathan Donelson. Pero ese no es el único problema que tiene. Después de un accidente que pone fin a su sueño de ser bailarina, Bree se dedica a llevar su propia escuela de danza... mientras pueda pagar el alquiler, claro.Cuando Nathan acude al rescate y compra el edificio en el que se encuentra su negocio, la orgullosa Bree no se lo toma del todo bien. Tras un par (bueno, quizá más) de chupitos de tequila, se va de la lengua delante de una periodista y el mundo entero termina creyendo que ella y Nathan están destinados. Con la superbowl a la vuelta de la esquina, estos dos «nada más que amigos» se ven obligados a fingir una relación ante las cámaras durante tres semanas. Tres semanas enteras.¿Habrá llegado el momento de que Bree revele sus sentimientos? Y... ¿podría Nathan estar ocultando los suyos también?
Lassen Volcanic National Park
by Mike WhiteThe guide to the hikers' paradise of Lassen Volcanic National Park - with its still-active geologic wonders and view-packed summits - has been completely updated and expanded, with new trips, photos, and maps to complement the user-friendly design of the popular National Park series. Revamped by veteran author Mike White, this guide features 95 dayhike and backpack trips to popular sites such as Lassen Peak and Bumpass Hell, as well as little-known backcountry gems. Also included are trips into regions surrounding the Park, including the Hat Creek Recreation Area, greater Susanville-Chester area, Warner Valley, Butte Lake, and Drakesbad regions, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, plus the Thousand Lakes, Caribou, Ishi, and Bucks Lake wilderness areas.
Last Block Standing! (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
by Nick EliopulosThe only official chapter book series based on Minecraft comes to an epic conclusion with Book 6--Last Block Standing! As the world of Minecraft falls under the Evoker King's control, Morgan, Ash, and their friends get ready for the final showdown. But with their enemy now in possession of the most powerful building block in Minecraft, do they really stand a chance of defeating him? And meanwhile, in the real world, the kids deal with the devastating news that Ash and her family may be moving away! Will both worlds come to an end, or is this just a new beginning? Find out in Last Block Standing! the sixth book in the Woodsword Chronicles! © 2021 Mojang AB and Mojang Synergies AB. MINECRAFT and MOJANG are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mojang Synergies AB.
Last Boy of ’66: My story of England’s World Cup winning team
by Sir Geoff HurstAnd here comes Hurst. He's got... Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over. It is now. It's four!Geoff Hurst's extraordinary hat trick turned him into a global superstar overnight. There is no player in the history of the game so universally identified with a single match.But the full story of the nation's biggest ever sporting victory is about much more than those final moments. Here Geoff remembers his teammates, the times they spent on and off the pitch, the extraordinary journey they went on together, what football meant to each of them, their work ethic, their culture of team loyalty, their continued bond over the decades.The enormous salaries paid to today's Premier League stars means that when they finish playing, few will ever have to work again. The 1966 team never had that option. They were payed £60 per match, and received a £1,000 bonus for winning. Most tried, and failed, to become successful managers, with Jack Charlton being a notable exception. Twenty years after they scored the England goals in the final, Geoff and Martin Peters were selling motor insurance. Ray Wilson was an undertaker.Yet all remained aware they achieved something on 30th July 1966 which may never be repeated, and did so staying close to their roots. The day after the final Alan Ball stopped at a motorway cafe on the M6. One or two people asked to see his winner's medal, then left him to his egg and chips. Geoff mowed the lawn. 'That's what you did on a Sunday'.In Last Boy of 66 our 1966 hat-trick hero takes us back to those very different days. A definitive and important eye-witness account, to be treasured by fans and historians for generations to come.
Last Call: Memoirs of an NFL Referee
by Alan Steinberg Jerry MarkbreitDrawing on his more than thirty years of experience (including a record four Super Bowls) as the NFL's top referee, Jerry Markbreit describes the hard-hitting, fast-paced NFL action from a perspective few others can match. Filled with humorous anecdotes as well as his opinions on controversial subjects and players and coaches, this book is the first comprehensive look at pro football officiating from the official's point of view -- and Markbreit's homage to the sport he has helped define.
Last Chance Rodeo: A Blackfeet Nation Novel
by Kari Lynn Dell"Dell takes you on a fun, wild ride!" —B.J. DANIELS, New York Times Bestselling AuthorHe came to Blackfeet Nation looking for his missing horseAnd found the heart he'd lost along the way.One thoughtless moment cost David Parsons everything—his irreplaceable horse, his rodeo career, and his fiancée. After four long years he's finally tracked his horse to the Blackfeet Reservation and is ready to reclaim his pride.It should be the happiest day of his life. But the troubled young boy who's riding Muddy now has had more than his fair share of hard knocks, and his fierce guardian Mary Steele will do whatever it takes to make sure losing this horse isn't the blow that levels him. David finds himself drawn to both woman and child, and is faced with a soul-wrenching dilemma: take his lost shot at rodeo glory…or claim what could be his last chance to make his shattered heart whole?Author Kari Lynn Dell is a Blackfeet descendant who lives with her family on the reservation and brings a lifetime of rodeo experience to this touching family drama.What People Are Saying about Kari Lynn Dell:"Look out, world! There's a new cowboy in town." —CAROLYN BROWN, New York Times Bestselling Author"An extraordinarily gifted writer."—KAREN TEMPLETON, author of Wed in the West series"Real Ranches. Real Rodeo. Real Romance."—LAURA DRAKE, author of Sweet on a Cowboy series"A sexy, engaging romance set in the captivating world of rodeo."—Kirkus"Illuminating...a standout in western romance."—Publishers Weekly
Last Chance for Baby (Having the Boss's Baby)
by Julianna MorrisTo: Maggie, Sharon, Jen, Lauren From: Julia Date: 1/02RE: Due Date: 2 monthsHelp! I need advice on how to un-seduce a sheik. Apparently my brief affair with Sheik Raoul Oman left a lasting impression on him. And now that he's working in our office, he seems more determined than ever to continue what we started. I've tried to discourage him from pursuing me-despite my heart telling me not to-but nothing has scared off the charming sheik. Wonder what'll happen when he finds out that I'm pregnant...?
Last Chance: The stunning new thriller from the legendary SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author (The Spider Shepherd Thrillers #22)
by Stephen LeatherA GLOBAL CABAL OF HITMEN. ONE MAN STOOD IN THEIR PATH.'Two things to make a Summer afternoon great: a Stephen Leather novel, and a cold beer' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Spider keeps getting better and better' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The best series I have ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A group of professional killers, known as The Office, are carrying out hits for the Iranian government across the European continent, hitting targets amongst the wealthiest and most privileged.After a slew of murders in London, MI5 decide that enough is enough. The Office must be destroyed, root and stem.Dan 'Spider' Shepherd, the secret service's most dangerous weapon, is tasked with infiltrating the organisation and unmasking its leader. But just how far is he willing to go in the name of justice . . . ?A hundred-mile-an-hour whirlwind of a novel from one of the world's most gifted thriller authors.PRAISE FOR STEPHEN LEATHER'Let Spider draw you into his web, you won't regret it' Sun'He has the uncanny knack of producing plots that are all too real' Daily Mail'Leather knows the inner workings of the security services. But beyond the enthralling storylines he also asks some tough questions about contemporary Britain' Financial Times'A master of the thriller genre' Irish Times'Stephen Leather writes really exciting action thrillers. It's like being there yourself' Chris Ryan
Last Chance: The stunning new thriller from the legendary SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author (The Spider Shepherd Thrillers #22)
by Stephen LeatherA GLOBAL CABAL OF HITMEN. ONE MAN STOOD IN THEIR PATH.'Two things to make a Summer afternoon great: a Stephen Leather novel, and a cold beer' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Spider keeps getting better and better' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The best series I have ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A group of professional killers, known as The Office, are carrying out hits for the Iranian government across the European continent, hitting targets amongst the wealthiest and most privileged.After a slew of murders in London, MI5 decide that enough is enough. The Office must be destroyed, root and stem.Dan 'Spider' Shepherd, the secret service's most dangerous weapon, is tasked with infiltrating the organisation and unmasking its leader. But just how far is he willing to go in the name of justice . . . ?A hundred-mile-an-hour whirlwind of a novel from one of the world's most gifted thriller authors.PRAISE FOR STEPHEN LEATHER'Let Spider draw you into his web, you won't regret it' Sun'He has the uncanny knack of producing plots that are all too real' Daily Mail'Leather knows the inner workings of the security services. But beyond the enthralling storylines he also asks some tough questions about contemporary Britain' Financial Times'A master of the thriller genre' Irish Times'Stephen Leather writes really exciting action thrillers. It's like being there yourself' Chris Ryan
Last Chance: The stunning new thriller from the legendary SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author (The Spider Shepherd Thrillers #22)
by Stephen LeatherA GLOBAL CABAL OF HITMEN. ONE MAN STOOD IN THEIR PATH.'Two things to make a Summer afternoon great: a Stephen Leather novel, and a cold beer' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Spider keeps getting better and better' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The best series I have ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A group of professional killers, known as The Office, are carrying out hits for the Iranian government across the European continent, hitting targets amongst the wealthiest and most privileged.After a slew of murders in London, MI5 decide that enough is enough. The Office must be destroyed, root and stem.Dan 'Spider' Shepherd, the secret service's most dangerous weapon, is tasked with infiltrating the organisation and unmasking its leader. But just how far is he willing to go in the name of justice . . . ?A hundred-mile-an-hour whirlwind of a novel from one of the world's most gifted thriller authors.PRAISE FOR STEPHEN LEATHER'Let Spider draw you into his web, you won't regret it' Sun'He has the uncanny knack of producing plots that are all too real' Daily Mail'Leather knows the inner workings of the security services. But beyond the enthralling storylines he also asks some tough questions about contemporary Britain' Financial Times'A master of the thriller genre' Irish Times'Stephen Leather writes really exciting action thrillers. It's like being there yourself' Chris Ryan
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
by Richard Louv“The children and nature movement is fueled by this fundamental idea: the child in nature is an endangered species, and the health of children and the health of the Earth are inseparable.” —Richard Louv, from the new edition In his landmark work Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv brought together cutting-edge studies that pointed to direct exposure to nature as essential for a child’s healthy physical and emotional development. Now this new edition updates the growing body of evidence linking the lack of nature in children’s lives and the rise in obesity, attention disorders, and depression. Louv’s message has galvanized an international back-to-nature campaign to “Leave No Child Inside.” His book will change the way you think about our future and the future of our children. “[The] national movement to ‘leave no child inside’ . . . has been the focus of Capitol Hill hearings, state legislative action, grass-roots projects, a U.S. Forest Service initiative to get more children into the woods and a national effort to promote a ‘green hour’ in each day. . . . The increased activism has been partly inspired by a best-selling book, Last Child in the Woods, and its author, Richard Louv.” —The Washington Post “Last Child in the Woods, which describes a generation so plugged into electronic diversions that it has lost its connection to the natural world, is helping drive a movement quickly flourishing across the nation.” —The Nation’s Health “This book is an absolute must-read for parents.” —The Boston Globe Now includesA Field Guide with 100 Practical Actions We Can Take Discussion Points for Book Groups, Classrooms, and Communities Additional Notes by the Author New and Updated Research from the U.S. and Abroad
Last December
by Matt BeamWritten in the form of a suicide note from a teenaged boy to his unborn sister, this tells the story of how a ninth-grader comes to accept his less than ideal life after witnessing the struggles of a friend with serious depression.
Last Gamer Standing
by Katie ZhaoReady Player One meets the action of battle royale video games in this middle-grade sci-fi perfect for fans of Fortnite.In twelve-year-old Reyna Cheng's world, gaming is everything. Professional esports teams are the mainstream celebrities. Kids begin training from a young age, aspiring for the big leagues.Reyna is the up-and-coming junior amateur Dayhold gamer, competing in a VR battle royale against AI monsters and human players. But despite Reyna's rising popularity and skills, no one knows who she is. Gaming is still a boys' club and to protect herself against trolls and their harassment, she games the mysterious TheRuiNar.When Reyna qualifies for the Dayhold Junior Tournament, she knows she's got what it takes to win the championship title and the $10,000 prize. It's a chance to make a step forward towards her professional esports dreams and to help her family with the costs of her mother's hospital bills.But when she's blackmailed and threatened to be doxed by an anonymous troll, Reyna has to confront the toxic gaming community head-on.With her dreams and the cash prize on the line, it's game on!
Last Man Out (Mike Lupica Collection)
by Mike LupicaFrom the #1 bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team and Fantasy League comes a story of heroes, family, the thrills of skateboarding, and football.When the Brighton Bears suit up on game day, 12-year-old Tommy Gallagher is the toughest kid on the football field. And the bravest. After all, his father Patrick is a Boston firefighter--one of Boston's bravest. Tommy's dad taught him everything he knows about football--and life.Yet even Tommy isn't strong enough for what happens when the sirens ring and, for the first time, they're racing away from the fire. "First man in; last man out" had always been his dad's motto . . . yet he never said anything about leaving in an ambulance. What kind of risk had his dad taken? Now Tommy's biggest battle has nothing to do with football. And the kid who always had such respect for risk on the gridiron finds himself drawn to it off the field.Set in New England, home of the Patriots' football dynasty, Mike Lupica shows off his trademark knack for spinning a tale that's equal parts sports action and heart. Last Man Out is a thoughtful tribute to the bravery of firefighters and the need we all have to live up to the level of our heroes.Praise for Last Man Out"Lupica stirs equal quantities of grief and gridiron action into his latest outing. Lupica effectively puts readers into the center of the action . . . [I]n the best traditionsof sports writing, this will leave readers both breathless and thoughtful."--BooklistFrom the Hardcover edition.
Last Man Standing: Book 5 (Total Football #2)
by Alan GibbonsThe Rough Diamonds are a close knit team. Kev McGovern, their captain, makes sure they work hard and play hard. Right now, John O'Hara feels he's on the verge of losing everything. His family is about to break up. He's dumbstruck when he finds out that his Mum is seeing his teacher, and Dad...well the less said the better. John feels lonely and insecure; none of this is helping his street cred with the lads, and worse still his form on the pitch is really suffering.
Last Night Was Fun: A Novel
by Holly MichelleYou’ve Got Mail meets The Hating Game! Vying for a promotion against a bitter rival as the only female data analyst for a professional baseball team, Emmy finds solace in the text-flirting relationship that started as a wrong number exchange—unaware that the man she’s texting is the one she’s fighting for the promotion.Emmy Jameson lives by three rules: no dating, no sharing personal news at work, and baseball above everything. As the only female data analyst for a professional baseball team, Emmy is constantly trying to prove herself.Especially when she’s put up for a senior analyst position against her arrogant, infuriating coworker Gabe Olson. Sure, he’s gorgeous and smart and he was a baseball star in college who knows the sport inside and out, but so does Emmy. She is not going to lose to him again. There will be no distractions this summer. Not even her sister’s pending destination wedding in Mexico for which she needs to find a plus one.But then she receives a text from an unknown number with a simple message: “Last night was fun.” When she strikes up a conversation with the mystery texter, they realize that he was given a fake phone number after a bad date that just so happened to be Emmy’s. Despite her rules, Emmy can’t deny the instant connection she feels and soon finds herself falling for the stranger on the other side of the screen…and inviting him to her sister’s wedding.Emmy’s world turns upside down when her mystery man turns out to be none other than Gabe Olson. They are left having to travel to the wedding together while trying to sort out which version of their relationship is real: their in-person rivalry or the deep connection they found in their messages.
Last One In Is a Rotten Egg
by Leonard KesslerAfter Freddy is pushed into deep water by a couple of toughs, he decides to learn to swim.
Last Pick (Lorimer Sports Stories)
by David StarrGrowing up with a developmental condition that left her clumsy in both movement and speech, Jazz was teased and never had the chance to play team sports. Now rid of her symptoms, Jazz is ready to play basketball at her junior high, but the reappearance of an old bully makes her question herself and tempts her to let down the team that is counting on her. Last Pick emphasizes teamwork and countering bullying with fairness and forgiveness and how determination can help overcome obstacles. Distributed in the U.S by Lerner Publishing Group
Last Ride of the Iron Horse: How Lou Gehrig Fought Als to Play One Final Championship Season
by Dan Joseph"Last Ride of the Iron Horse" tells the tale of Lou Gehrig's final year in the Yankee lineup, as he dealt with early effects of the deadly disease ALS. For much of the 1938 season, Gehrig -- dubbed the Iron Horse for his strength and reliability -- struggled with slumps and a mystifying loss of power. Fans booed and sportswriters called for him to be benched. Then, as the Yankees battled for the pennant in August, Lou began pounding home runs like his old self -- a turnaround that in retrospect looks truly miraculous. It may have been a rare case of temporary ALS reversal. Using rare film footage, radio broadcasts, newspapers and interviews, author Dan Joseph chronicles Gehrig's roller coaster of a year. The story begins in Hollywood, where the handsome "Larrupin' Lou" films a Western that would be his only movie. As the year unfolds, he holds out for baseball’s highest salary, battles injuries that would sideline a lesser man, wins his sixth World Series ring, and enters the political arena for the first time, denouncing the rising threat of Nazism. Joseph also answers questions that have long intrigued Gehrig's admirers: When did he sense something was wrong with his body? What were the first signs? How did he adjust? And did he still help the Yankees win the championship, even as his skills declined? 1938 would be Gehrig's last hurrah. With his strength fading, he ended his renowned consecutive games streak the following May. A few weeks later, doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed him with ALS. On July 4th, the Yankees retired his number in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium. All along, Gehrig showed remarkable courage and grace, never more so than when he told the stadium crowd, "I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for."
Last Seasons in Havana: The Castro Revolution and the End of Professional Baseball in Cuba
by César BriosoLast Seasons in Havana explores the intersection between Cuba and America’s pastime from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, when Fidel Castro overthrew Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. César Brioso takes the reader through the triumph of the revolution in 1959 and its impact on professional baseball in the seasons immediately following Castro’s rise to power. Baseball in pre‑Castro Cuba was enjoying a golden age. <P><P>The Cuban League, which had been founded in 1878, just two years after the formation of the National League, was thriving under the auspices of organized baseball. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, players from the Major Leagues, Minor Leagues, and Negro Leagues had come to Cuba to play in the country’s wholly integrated winter baseball league. <P><P>Cuban teams had come to dominate the annual Caribbean Series tournament, and Havana had joined the highest levels of Minor League Baseball, fielding the Havana Sugar Kings of the Class AAA International League. Confidence was high that Havana might one day have a Major League team of its own. <P><P> But professional baseball became one of the many victims of Castro’s Communist revolution. American players stopped participating in the Cuban League, and Cuban teams moved to an amateur, state‑sponsored model. Focusing on the final three seasons of the Cuban League (1958–61) and the final two seasons of the Havana Sugar Kings (1959–60), Last Seasons in Havana explores how Castro’s rise to power forever altered Cuba and the course of a sport that had become ingrained in the island’s culture over the course of almost a century.
Last Shot (Final Four Mystery #1)
by John FeinsteinSteven Thomas is one of two lucky winners of the U.S. Basketball Writer's Association's contest for aspiring journalists. His prize? A trip to New Orleans and a coveted press pass for the Final Four. It's a basketball junkie's dream come true! But the games going on behind the scenes between the coaches, the players, the media, the money-men, and the fans turn out to be even more fiercely competitive than those on the court. Steven and his fellow winner, Susan Carol Anderson, are nosing around the Superdome and overhear what sounds like a threat to throw the championship game. Now they have just 48 hours to figure out who is blackmailing one of MSU's star players ... and why.