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Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey
by Jason Borte Kelly SlaterThe inspiring autobiography by the eleven-time world champion and star of The Ultimate Surfer—includes many personal photos.From Beach Blanket Bingo to Baywatch to Blue Crush, surfing has fascinated people, and Kelly Slater is arguably the greatest surfer of all time. He has won more world championships than any other competitor, and he continues to change peoples’ minds about what can and can’t be done on a surfboard. His wild ride has included fame, fortune, and a high-profile relationship with Pamela Anderson. Not bad for a skinny kid from a broken home in Cocoa Beach, Florida.In Pipe Dreams, Kelly journeys to oceans around the world to take on thunderous walls of water and shares the outrageous stories, solemn moments, and undeniable spirit that have made him a superstar—and taught him how to triumph over adversity.“Slater has many lively stories to tell, about his friendships with the many great surfers at the famous ‘Pipeline’ area of Oahu, his run-ins with surfing groupies and his ill-fated role in the TV series Baywatch.” —Publishers Weekly
Piper Morgan Makes a Splash
by Stephanie Faris Lucy FlemingPiper Morgan tries her hand at acting in the fourth book of the charming Piper Morgan series.Piper’s mom is helping out at a local pool shop, and the owner wants to shoot a commercial for his store. Piper thinks it’s the PERFECT opportunity to get in front of the camera and experience a little bit of show-biz. But will Piper’s contribution to the TV commercial make a splash—or will it go belly-up?
Piper the Puppy Learns to Swim (First Experiences #3)
by Pat-a-CakeIt's time for Piper Puppy's first swimming lesson! She's a bit worried about how it will go but ends up having a great time blowing bubbles and splashing about with her friends. This reassuring story is perfect for sharing with young children.Poor Piper is a bit nervous about her first swimming lesson, but she cheers up when she sees all her friends at the pool and realises that she can take things at her own pace. She paddles, blows bubbles with Mummy and makes big splashes before using a float to swim all the way across the little pool. The story breaks down the different aspects of learning to swim, helping with a very common childhood worry and aiming to allay the fears of all fearful little swimmers.With a picture glossary at the beginning to introduce new vocabulary and a fun activity at the end to encourage children to come back to the story time and time again.Also available: Piper Puppy Starts School, Piper Puppy Visits the Dentist
Pippa Funnell: The Autobiography
by Pippa FunnellPippa Funnell is the golden girl of the British equestrian scene - but it hasn't always been so. She seemed doomed to be a 'misser' in the really big competitions, lacking that special ingredient that makes a true champion. Everything began to change for her in 1999 when her results, including her first European title, were excellent, but it was at the Sydney Olympics that she really came of age, winning a silver medal.Since Sydney, Pippa went from strength to strength. She completed the double of European Championships in 2001, she won Badminton in 2002, and in 2003 won the Rolex Grand Slam and was awarded Sportswoman of the Year by the Sunday Times.In 2004 Pippa was a double Olympic medallist in Athens, and this autobiography includes her Olympic diary, as she records the ups and downs of the competition, the triumph of the dressage, her cross-country round and the showjump down that cost her a gold medal. As if all this were not enough, there was the controversy of the medals being reallocated on appeal, meaning Pippa won both a silver and a bronze.
Pippa Funnell: The Autobiography
by Pippa FunnellPippa Funnell is the golden girl of the British equestrian scene - but it hasn't always been so. She seemed doomed to be a 'misser' in the really big competitions, lacking that special ingredient that makes a true champion. Everything began to change for her in 1999 when her results, including her first European title, were excellent, but it was at the Sydney Olympics that she really came of age, winning a silver medal.Since Sydney, Pippa went from strength to strength. She completed the double of European Championships in 2001, she won Badminton in 2002, and in 2003 won the Rolex Grand Slam and was awarded Sportswoman of the Year by the Sunday Times.In 2004 Pippa was a double Olympic medallist in Athens, and this autobiography includes her Olympic diary, as she records the ups and downs of the competition, the triumph of the dressage, her cross-country round and the showjump down that cost her a gold medal. As if all this were not enough, there was the controversy of the medals being reallocated on appeal, meaning Pippa won both a silver and a bronze.
Pippa Park Raises Her Game (Pippa Park #1)
by Erin Yun&“Pippa is a magnetic heroine, funny and good-hearted.&”—Booklist Readers will cheer on Pippa Park in this wonderful middle school book about friendships, bullying, crushes, and family. In this relatable story, Pippa reinvents herself and discovers who she really is on and off the basketball court.Life is full of great expectations for Korean American Pippa Park. It seems like everyone, from her family to the other kids at school, has a plan for how her life should look. When Pippa gets a mysterious basketball scholarship to Lakeview Private, she jumps at the chance to reinvent herself. At school, Pippa juggles old and new friends, a crush, and the pressure to get As and score points while keeping her past and family&’s laundromat a secret from her elite new classmates. But when Pippa begins to receive a string of hateful, anonymous messages via social media, her carefully built persona is threatened. As things spiral out of control, Pippa wonders if she can keep her old and new lives separate, or if she should even try. NEW! Get the companion book, My Journal About Life, to extend the story with awesome quizzes, listicles, and writing activities! (Sold separately) GREAT FOR READERS AGES 9–12 Now an AR Quiz! Bonus Content in the Book includes: Discussion Questions, Author Q&A, and Korean Language Glossary with Pronunciation Guide Perfect for the School Classroom or Library! A Contemporary Reimagining of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Use as an AAPI Pick in May Complimentary Common Core Language Arts Guide for Teachers on our website Tween Book Club with printable activities on our website. Includes word games, make-your-own-book playlist, fortune teller, and discussion questions.
Pirate Hunters
by Robert KursonA thrilling new adventure of danger and deep-sea diving, historic mystery and suspense, by the author of the New York Times bestseller Shadow Divers Finding and identifying a pirate ship is the hardest thing to do under the sea. But two men--John Chatterton and John Mattera--are willing to risk everything to find the Golden Fleece, the ship of the infamous pirate Joseph Bannister. At large during the Golden Age of Piracy in the seventeenth century, Bannister should have been immortalized in the lore of the sea--his exploits more notorious than Blackbeard's, more daring than Kidd's. But his story, and his ship, have been lost to time. If Chatterton and Mattera succeed, they will make history--it will be just the second time ever that a pirate ship has been discovered and positively identified. Soon, however, they realize that cutting-edge technology and a willingness to lose everything aren't enough to track down Bannister's ship. They must travel the globe in search of historic documents and accounts of the great pirate's exploits, face down dangerous rivals, battle the tides of nations and governments and experts. But it's only when they learn to think and act like pirates--like Bannister--that they become able to go where no pirate hunters have gone before. Fast-paced and filled with suspense, fascinating characters, history, and adventure, Pirate Hunters is an unputdownable story that goes deep to discover truths and souls long believed lost.Advance praise for Pirate Hunters "A great thriller full of tough guys and long odds . . . and: It's all true."--Lee Child "Action and adventure on land and sea--you can't ask for more. But Robert Kurson raises the ante in Pirate Hunters with an array of mystery and a fleet of colorful characters spanning four centuries. This is a great summer read!"--Michael Connelly "Pirate Hunters is a fantastic book, an utterly engrossing and satisfying read. It tells the story of the hunt for the rare wreck of a pirate ship, which had been captained by one of the most remarkable pirates in history. This is a real-life Treasure Island, complete with swashbuckling, half-crazy treasure hunters and vivid Caribbean settings--a story for the ages."--Douglas Preston "A terrific read. I was pulled in from page one. Kurson brings us face to face with some of the most swashbuckling pirates ever to sail the Caribbean, even as he takes us underwater on a high-tech quest to discover the relics they left behind."--Daniel James Brown "There's nothing in the world like buried treasure--and people hungry and obsessed enough to risk their lives for it. Pirate Hunters isn't just a good story--it's a true one. Searching for the souls of its explorers, it takes you to the far tip of the plank and plunges you deep to the bottom of the ocean."--Brad Meltzer "Pirate Hunters is a gripping account of two courageous divers' quest to uncover the shipwrecked vessel of Joseph Bannister, one of history's most infamous pirates. Robert Kurson will keep you on the edge of your seat in this high-stakes journey around the globe that ultimately teaches these explorers about much more than an old ship."--Sen. John McCain "Kurson's own enthusiasm, combined with his copious research and an eye for detail, makes for one of the most mind-blowing pirate stories of recent memory."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)From the Hardcover edition.
Pirates By the Numbers: A Complete Team History of the Bucs By Uniform Number
by David FinoliWhen the National League decided on June 22, 1932, to place numbers on the backs of uniforms to make it easier for fans to follow their favorite players, no one knew at the time just what a landmark decision it would turn out to be. In fact, when the Pittsburgh Pirates donned numbered jerseys eight days later against the St. Louis Cardinals at Forbes Field, the uniform numbers were so unimportant on the team’s list of priorities that it was second billing to the main event of that day: the first Ladies Day in Pirates history.The secondary event would turn out to be an iconic moment in baseball history, as players are now closely associated with their uniform numbers. For example, two Hall of Famers for the Pirates wore the number 21: Arky Vaughan and Roberto Clemente. Both ironically died young while trying to help others, and 21 has become the most sacred number in Steel City sports lore.Pirates by the Numbers tells the tales of these players and more in a format that will include the greatest players to wear a specific number, the worst, and the most unique. The book highlights the first players to wear particular numbers and how they performed in their inaugural games, the first to hit home runs, and the first pitchers to win games. You’ll also find a list by year of every player and the numbers he’s worn that fans have used to identify him over the past eighty-four years.The players of the Pittsburgh Pirates have worn eighty-one different numbers. This book tells each player’s stories in a unique and compelling way that every Pirates fan will love.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports-books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
Piri - Straight Up: Cups, Downs And Keeping Calm
by Heather KiddPiri Weepu?s story is one of the most fascinating New Zealand rugby stories ever told. Born into a strong rugby league family ? Piri?s brother Billy actually played for the Kiwis ? Piri has risen to the very pinnacle of rugby union, while at the same time never losing his great love of the 13-man code. At 28, and in the year of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Weepu was finally given his opportunity . . . . and didn?t he take it well. For years he had been in the shadows of Jimmy Cowan (not to mention a number of other first-choicers) but on the world stage, Piri stepped up to the mark and won the hearts of a nation. He kicked the goals for the All Blacks, he kicked for position and, in the absence of the incomparable Dan Carter, he ran the backline. His man of the match performance for the All Blacks in the quarter-final against Argentina and then another superb display against arch-rivals Australia in the semi-final cemented his place in New Zealand rugby folklore. This is more than a rugby story, though. This is a story of a little battler who has struggled with serious injury and fitness for a number of years, who has struggled to express himself because of an innate shyness, but who finally won over a nation on the greatest sporting stage.
Pisgah Inn (Images of America)
by Marci SpencerAround 1919, George Weston left New York to return to his boyhood home in the Arden-Fletcher area of Western North Carolina. The US government had recently established Pisgah National Forest by purchasing 80,000 acres from Edith, George Vanderbilt's widow; lands deserted by logging companies; and other tracts. While superintendent of farms at the Biltmore Estate, Weston had admired those mountainous landscapes. About two miles from Mount Pisgah and a mile from Vanderbilt's private Buck Spring Lodge, Weston constructed Pisgah Inn on property leased from the US Forest Service. Visitors came from across the country and around the world to stay and dine at Pisgah Inn. By the 1940s, the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway brought drastic changes across the narrow, isolated Pisgah ridgeline. Today, a more modern 1960s lodge welcomes guests to its grand views and preserves the history, charm, and natural setting of the original Pisgah Inn.
Pissants
by Brandon JackNothing like this has ever happened at a footy club. Honest. The embittered fringe players of an unnamed football club follow rules of their own. Kidnapping a teammate&’s dog for a gag. Taking potent painkiller suppositories to get through the living nightmare of a sponsors&’ event. Ticking off their Pissants bingo cards to survive the weirdness of meetings with the club psych. Fangs, Stick, Squidman and Shaggers speak in a cryptic code of inside jokes and WhatsApp exchanges, chained to each other by their place on the outskirts of the team. Together, these characters present a jaw-dropping snapshot of life within the chaotic world of a professional sports club. The psychotic rituals. The dementing cliches. The adulation. The pressure. The broken staff. The despair. The towering egos. The flatlining sexual encounters. The life-saving friendships.Trainspotting gets munted with A Visit from the Goon Squad in Ted Lasso&’s Front Bar in this brutally hilarious, unhinged and at times surprisingly moving insider&’s glimpse into one anonymous footy club – and what might happen behind the headlines, off the field and out of sight.
Pistol: A Biography of Pete Maravich
by Mark KriegelPistol is more than the biography of a ballplayer. It's the stuff of classic novels: the story of a boy transformed by his father's dream -- and the cost of that dream. Even as Pete Maravich became Pistol Pete -- a basketball icon for baby boomers -- all the Maraviches paid a price. Now acclaimed author Mark Kriegel has brilliantly captured the saga of an American family: its rise, its apparent ruin, and, finally, its redemption. Almost four decades have passed since Maravich entered the national consciousness as basketball's boy wizard. No one had ever played the game like the kid with the floppy socks and shaggy hair. And all these years later, no one else ever has. The idea of Pistol Pete continues to resonate with young people today just as powerfully as it did with their fathers. In averaging 44.2 points a game at Louisiana State University, he established records that will never be broken. But even more enduring than the numbers was the sense of ecstasy and artistry with which he played. With the ball in his hands, Maravich had a singular power to inspire awe, inflict embarrassment, or even tell a joke. But he wasn't merely a mesmerizing showman. He was basketball's answer to Elvis, a white Southerner who sold Middle America on a black man's game. Like Elvis, he paid a terrible price, becoming a prisoner of his own fame. Set largely in the South, Kriegel's Pistol, a tale of obsession and basketball, fathers and sons, merges several archetypal characters. Maravich was a child prodigy, a prodigal son, his father's ransom in a Faustian bargain, and a Great White Hope. But he was also a creature of contradictions: always the outsider but a virtuoso in a team sport, an exuberant showman who wouldn't look you in the eye, a vegetarian boozer, an athlete who lived like a rock star, a suicidal genius saved by Jesus Christ. A renowned biographer -- People magazine called him "a master" -- Kriegel renders his subject with a style that is, by turns, heartbreaking, lyrical, and electric. The narrative begins in 1929, the year a missionary gave Pete's father a basketball. Press Maravich had been a neglected child trapped in a hellish industrial town, but the game enabled him to blossom. It also caused him to confuse basketball with salvation. The intensity of Press's obsession initiates a journey across three generations of Maraviches. Pistol Pete, a ballplayer unlike any other, was a product of his father's vanity and vision. But that dream continues to exact a price on Pete's own sons. Now in their twenties -- and fatherless for most of their lives -- they have waged their own struggles with the game and its ghosts. Pistol is an unforgettable biography. By telling one family's history, Kriegel has traced the history of the game and a large slice of the American narrative.
Pitch Black: A Dci Lorimer Novel (William Lorimer Series #5)
by Alex GrayInternational Bestselling Author: A killer appears to be targeting a football club in this police procedural by a “master of Scottish crime writing” (Scottish Daily Express).When DCI Lorimer returns from his holiday on the island of Mull, he feels a welcome sense of calm. But it doesn’t last long. Kelvin Football Club’s new star midfielder is found brutally stabbed to death in his own home. When his wife is apprehended trying to leave the country, it appears to be a seemingly straightforward new case.But the grisly murder of a referee after a Kelvin match throws light on some dark secrets. And when the newest player signed to the club becomes the latest victim, Lorimer and his psychological profiler know there’s a serial killer on the loose—one who’s only beginning to show his true colors.Praise for the series“Excellent . . . does for Glasgow what Ian Rankin did for Edinburgh in the annals of crime fiction.” —Kirkus Reviews“Gray’s series should appeal to fans of both procedurals and psychological dissections of crimes.” —Publishers Weekly“Warm-hearted, atmospheric.” —Ann Cleeves, author of the Vera Stanhope series “Immensely exciting.” —Alexander McCall Smith, author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series
Pitch Like a Pro: A Guide for Young Pitchers and Their Coaches, Little League Through High School
by Leo Mazzone Jim RosenthalLeo Mazzone was one of pro baseball's premier pitching coaches. In his years with the Atlanta Braves, he trained several Cy Young Award winners and helped lead his team to the World Series.In Pitch like a Pro, Mazzone and coauthor Jim Rosenthal offer step-by-step instructions for players and coaches in Little League through high school. They teach all of the pitching basics and give athletes advice on how they can use the right training techniques to grow stronger and stay healthier. Contents include:Mazzone's between-starts throwing programHow to grip different pitchesProper mechanics and delivery techniquePitching strategies and tacticsField the positionPitch like a Pro offers contributions by such well known pitchers as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smotz, and Denny Neagle, along with black-and-white instructional photographs.
Pitch by Pitch: My View of One Unforgettable Game
by Bob Gibson Lonnie WheelerPitch by Pitch: My View of One Unforgettable Game gets inside the head of Bob Gibson on October 2, 1968, when he took the mound for game one of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers and struck out a record seventeen batters.With the tension rising in the stadium, an uproarious crowd behind him, and the record for the for the most strikeouts thrown in a World Series game on the line, Gibson, known as one of the most intimidating pitchers in baseball history, relives every inning and each pitch of this iconic game. Facing down batter after batter, he breaks down his thought process and recounts in vivid and candid details his analysis of the players who stepped into the batter's box against him, his control of both the ball and the elements of the day, and his moments of synchronicity with his teammate Tim McCarver, all while capturing the fascinating relationship and unspoken dialogue that carries on between pitcher and catcher over the course of nine critical innings.From the dugout to the locker room, Gibson offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the players, the team's chemistry, and clubhouse culture. He recounts the story of Curt Flood, Gibson's best friend and the Cardinal center fielder, who would go on to become one of the pioneers of free agency; shares colorful anecdotes of his interactions with some of baseball's most unforgettable names, from Denny McLain and Roger Maris to Sandy Koufax and Harry Caray; and relives the confluence of events, both on and off the field, that led to one of his—and baseball's—most memorable games ever.This deep, unfiltered insider look at one particular afternoon of baseball allows for a better understanding of how pros play the game and all the variables that a pitcher contends with as he navigates his way through a formidable lineup. Gibson's extraordinary and engrossing tale is retold from the unique viewpoint of an extremely perceptive pitcher who happens to be one of baseball's all-time greats.
Pitcher Perfect: A Novel (Big Shots #4)
by Tessa Bailey#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back with an all-new enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating sports romance about a playboy hockey rookie and the disciplined softball pitcher completely immune to his charms.Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow “orgasm donor” is his roomie—and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone’s bull…and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him.When he discovers she’s carrying a serious torch for her brother’s best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can’t seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong?Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control. But it’s all just pretend…right?
Pitchers' Duel (Chip Hilton Sports Series #7)
by Clair Bee Cynthia Bee Farley Randall Bee FarleyDuring his senior year at Valley Falls High School, Chip pitches in the state championship baseball tournament, runs for student mayor, and fights a drive to force Coach Rockwell to retire.
Pitching around Fidel
by S. L. PriceA true story outlining a journalist's two visits to Cuba to investigate sports in the country.
Pitching in a Pinch: Baseball from the Inside
by Red Smith Chad Harbach Christy MathewsonAn inside baseball memoir from the game’s first superstar, with a foreword by Chad Harbach Christy Mathewson was one of the most dominant pitchers ever to play baseball. Posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of the "Five Immortals,” he was an unstoppable force on the mound, winning at least twenty-two games for twelve straight seasons and pitching three complete-game shutouts in the 1905 World Series. Pitching in a Pinch, his witty and digestible book of baseball insights, stories, and wisdom, was first published over a hundred years ago and presents readers with Mathewson’s plainspoken perspective on the diamond of yore-on the players, the chances they took, the jinxes they believed in, and, most of all, their love of the game. Baseball fans will love to read first-hand accounts of the infamous Merkle’s Boner incident, Giants manager John McGraw, and the unstoppable Johnny Evers and to learn how much-and just how little-has really changed in a hundred years. .
Pitching to the Pennant: The 1954 Cleveland Indians (Memorable Teams in Baseball History)
by Steve Johnson Bill Nowlin Joseph Wancho Rick Huhn Leonard LevinThe 1954 Cleveland Indians were one of the most remarkable baseball teams of all time. Their record for most wins (111) fell only when the baseball schedule expanded, and their winning percentage, an astounding .721, is still unsurpassed in the American League. Though the season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the New York Giants in the World Series, the 1954 team remains a favorite among Cleveland fans and beyond.Pitching to the Pennant commemorates the ’54 Indians with a biographical sketch of the entire team, from the “Big Three” pitching staff (Mike Garcia and future Hall of Famers Bob Lemon and Early Wynn), through notable players such as Bobby Avila, Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and Al Rosen, to manager Al Lopez, his coaches, and the Indians’ broadcast team. There are also stories about Cleveland Stadium and the 1954 All-Star Game (which the team hosted), as well as a season timeline and a firsthand account of Game One of the World Series at the Polo Grounds. Pitching to the Pennant features the superb writing and research of members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), making this book a must for all Indians fans and baseball aficionados.
Pitino: My Story
by Rick Pitino Seth KaufmanOn September 26, 2017, the biggest recruiting scandal in college basketball history sent shock waves through the world of sports. Caught up in a massive FBI and NCAA investigation—and the intense media spotlight—was Rick Pitino, the Louisville Cardinals&’ Hall of Fame coach. Here, from Pitino himself, comes the real story of the ongoing case and the hard truth about how college hoops has been pushed to the brink of disaster by greed, bad actors, and shoe company money. Rick Pitino has spent a lifetime in basketball. He is the recruiting and coaching maestro behind Final Four appearances with three different teams, and National Championships at two of them. He worked the early days of the legendary Five-Star camp and scouted players without the influence of agents, runners, or shoe companies. And he has run today&’s recruiting gauntlet of sports apparel marketing, corrupted assistant coaches, unethical youth coaches, and powerful organizations hellbent against him. Rick Pitino has seen it all, dealt with it all, and now tells it all.Pitino is the story of an epic coaching career and the evolution of NCAA basketball to the multi-billion-dollar enterprise it is today. It is also a master&’s course on the arts of coaching and recruiting. And in the telling, the one and only Rick Pitino lays all his cards on the table in addressing scandals of his past and the current headline-grabbing investigation that led a packed Board of Directors at Louisville to derail his career.
Pittsburgh Sports Firsts (Sports)
by Alliance of Esteemed Duquesne ScribesCountless groundbreaking moments in the nation's sports history were made on the gridirons, courts, fields, ice rinks and ballparks of Pittsburgh. Duquesne's Chuck Cooper was the first African American player drafted by the NBA. Beloved local radio station KDKA produced the first-ever broadcast of a Major League Baseball game. The Pittsburgh Stars were the first NFL champions in 1902. The first nighttime World Series game was played in the Steel City, and the only game seven World Series walk-off homerun happened there too. The city boasts compelling claims as the birthplace of pro hockey, pro football and college basketball. Some of the most preeminent authors and sports historians of Western Pennsylvania capture the vivid moments that make Pittsburgh a city of historic sports firsts.
Pittsburgh Sports in the 1970s: Tragedies, Triumphs and Championships (Sports)
by David Finoli Tom Rooney Frank Garland Chris Fletcher Tim RooneySports in the Steel City has never reached the highs and lows that fans in Pittsburgh experienced in the 1970s.Most remembered may be the multiple championships celebrated in city during the era, including two World Series titles, four Super Bowl victories and a NCAA football championship. Despite those successes, fans still recall major tragedies such as the deaths of Bob Moose, Roberto Clemente and others. Local authors present essays on the triumphs, tragedies and championships that defined the 1970s for the city of Pittsburgh and Steel City sports.
Pittsburgh Steelers Glory Days (Glory Days)
by Dale GrdnicThe Pittsburgh Steelers rank as one of the NFL's truly legendary franchises, and this book, written from the fan's perspective, provides readers with unique stories about the players and coaches who took part in many of the greatest and most euphoric victories in the team's history. Among the games covered are Franco Harris's "Immaculate Reception" that beat the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs, the four Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game victories in the glorious decade of the 1970s, and the incredible 2005 playoff run that was capped by the team's fifth Super Bowl title. Grdnic notably delivers credit to Chuck Noll and acknowledges his remarkable talents in draft selections; taking Hall of Famers from 1969-1972 and finally in 1974 selecting four Hall of Famers in one draft year. The Pittsburgh Steelers 1974 draft year, to this day, has not yet been surpassed. Among other games reviewed are Bill Cowher's first victory as Steelers head coach in 1992, a stunning overtime win against rival Cleveland Browns in 1976 under rookie quarterback Mike Kruczek and Ben Roethlisberger's first win as a starting quarterback in Miami. This newly revised edition examines the Steelers' most recent Super Bowl win in 2009 as well as their agonizing defeat in 2010. This is not just a book about one team but a highly detailed examination of an American legacy through the eyes of its devoted fans.
Pittsburgh's Greatest Athletes: A Decidedly Subjective Ranking Of The Greatest Athletes To Ever Play On Pittsburgh's Diamonds, Gridirons, Rinks, Rings, Courts, Tracks And More (Sports)
by David FinoliAuthor and sports historian David Finoli's inside look at the 50 greatest male and female athletes in Pittsburgh history.Greatness in sport is both undefinable and immediately recognizable. Though it is rare, Western Pennsylvania has been graced with a long history of athletes who embody the essence of greatness. They have proudly represented the region in sports such as boxing, golf and track; carried their collegiate teams to victory; and worn the black and gold of the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. Pittsburghers still recall how Mario Lemieux glided effortlessly through an opposing defense before befuddling the goalie or Arnold Palmer's unique swing that made the everyday duffer feel like he was one of them. Fans debate whether Terry Bradshaw or Ben Roethlisberger is the better quarterback and what the legacy of Barry Bonds is, while keeping Roberto Clemente among their most cherished icons. Take a deep dive into all of that and more and re-discover the best of the best in Pittsburgh sports history.