New York Yankees And The Meaning Of Life

Love ’em or hate ’em, the New York Yankees have long been a dominating presence on the baseball diamond for decades. And everyone has something to say about them, especially some of the franchise’s own sages, like Casey Stengel, who “couldn’t have done it without my players.” Or the inimitable Yogi Berra, quoted so often that he felt compelled to say, “I didn’t really say everything I said.” From Stengel and Berra and Babe Ruth to Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, and Reggie Jackson, the Yankees have had more than their share of wise-cracking characters and eloquent gentlemen over their long and distinguished history. And the Bronx Bombers have gotten as well as they’ve given, inspiring memorable remarks from everyone from Ernest Hemingway and Joe E. Lewis to James Thurber, Jimmy Breslin, and George W. Bush. Gathered here are the wittiest, pithiest, and most philosophical writings, quotes, sayings, and quips ever brought to bear by the Yankees. Illustrated with a lavish collection of photographs and images from today and yesterday, the book will delight not only the Yankees’ legions of ardent defenders and detractors, but any fan of baseball and the bon mot.

The knuckleball—so difficult to hit but also difficult to control and catch—has been a part of major league baseball since the early 1900s and continues to be used to this day. This remarkable and unusual pitch is the instrument of a special breed of pitcher, a determined athlete possessing tremendous concentration, self confidence, and a willingness to weather all kinds of adversity. In The Knuckleball Club: The Extraordinary Men Who Mastered Baseball's Most Difficult Pitch, Richard A. Johnson provides an informal history of the wildest, weirdest, most mesmerizing pitch of all time. Beginning with an examination of the invention of the knuckleball, Johnson then briefly touches upon the science and psychology of the pitch before profiling the game’s great knuckleballers. Rich in anecdotes and interviews, this book shares the unique stories of Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Niekro, Jim Bouton, Tom Candiotti, Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, and many others. Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from Bob Uecker and Doug Mirabelli to Rick Ferrell and Paul Richards. While knuckleballers today are an anomaly, decades ago a surprisingly large number of major league pitchers used the knuckler. The Knuckleball Club is the first book to provide a comprehensive survey of the pitch and the players who used it, offering a deep understanding of how the knuckleball has fit into the fabric of the game over the past one hundred years. Anyone wanting to learn more about this unusual pitch, from baseball historians and fans to current and former players, will find this book an entertaining and enlightening read.

The 1923 Yankees started the dynasty. With stars like Babe Ruth, Wally Pipp, Joe Dugan and Bob Meusel, they won the pennant by 16 games before claiming the franchise's first World Series title. Five Yankee pitchers won 16 games that year, led by Sam Jones (21-8), and the team finally defeated McGraw's Giants after losing to them in the Series two years in a row. This book covers that first Yankees championship team in great detail, taking the reader through the entire season, game-by-game.

This is a story of a man who basically grew up poor in the streets of New York City, who is one of five children, and his struggle to create a better life for himself. He quit high school but got his GED, and later he was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. It tells of his war time adventures and how he managed to survive. After leaving the army, he met and married his wife, Mary Anne, and with her strong support went to college and earned a bachelor of science in accounting while working a full-time job. It is a story of a man who overcame many difficulties to achieve a happy life.

Re­flecting on the early and adolescent years of his life, Rev. L.D. Ervin had many questions and doubts about Jesus the Christ, God and other biblical teachings. After years of study, life experiences, extensive theological study and ministry, he realized that many youth and adults of today wrestle with similar doubts. Since biblical and other spiritual teachings can be difficult to understand, the writings and commentaries by Rev. Ervin offer simple language and details to explain the messages of God and Jesus the Christ. Meditations and Re­flections, in providing a clear understanding of Scripture, will result in a greater desire to grow and serve in a relationship with God.

"I don't want to go to heaven. Not that I'm lobbying for the other place . . ." —Michael Wittmer This planet is more than just a stopover on your way to heaven. It is your final destination. God wants you to enjoy your earthly existence, and to think otherwise is to miss the life he intends for you. Exploring the book of Genesis, Heaven Is a Place on Earth gently but firmly strips away common misconceptions of Christianity and broadens your worldview to reveal the tremendous dignity and value of everyday life. Taking you from creation, to the fall, to redemption, and to glimpses from the book of Revelation, Michael Wittmer opens your eyes to a faith that encompasses all of life--baseball games, stock reports, church activities, prayer, lovemaking, work, hobbies . . . everything that lies within the sphere of human activity. To be fully Christian is to be fully human, says Wittmer, alive and responsive to the kingdom of God in all that you are and all that you do. Discover the freedom and impact God created you for. It starts with a truly Christian worldview. And its fruit is the undiluted gospel, powerful not only to save souls, but to restore them to a life that is truly worth living. Includes discussion/reflection questions after each chapter.

An examination of the unique parallels between New York City's evolution and that of the New York Yankees, How the Yankees Explain New York illustrates how the storied history of the Bronx Bombers mirrors that of the Big Apple itself. The oldest professional sports franchise in the city, the Yankees have played in front of sold out crowds in the Bronx for nearly a century, and this work explores the relationship between Wall Street high-rollers and the Yankees' record-setting payroll, describes the “city that never sleeps” through the nighttime antics of Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, revisits the healing effect of the Yankees' World Series run in the aftermath of 9/11, and much more. Entertaining and insightful, this book is sure to be popular amongst one of sports' most passionate fan bases.

Keep Chopping Wood is an engaging and inspirational book that tells the colorful life story of Lawson H. (Mike) Hardwick, III, one of the most well-known businessmen and philanthropists in Nashville, Tennessee and around the country. He tells his story with passion and heart, from growing up as the son of a pastor, who founded a church in Nashville that grew to roughly 8,000 members during his tenure of over sixty years, to building many successful businesses, surviving depression and creating a corporate culture dedicated to serving others. His compelling story is also filled with life lessons on how toachieve a better and happier life which he shares in a lively and interesting manner. Readers from all walks of life will enjoy and learn from his many experiences and reflections as well as his captivating storytelling.