Stars Of All Time

This work uses practical measures to scientifically rank major league players, position by position, according to their offensive and defensive skills. The author has adjusted individual statistics for the era in which the player was active and for the “home park factor” in order to put all eligible players on a level playing field. For each position, the author has identified the top contenders for best offensive, defensive and all-around player, and provides a brief history of each of the candidates.

Let’s say you’re the manager of one of the most beloved franchises in Major League Baseball, with every past and current player available on your bench. Game time is approaching and the ump needs your line-up card. Who’s your starting pitcher? Fireballer Dwight Gooden, lights-out Tom Seaver, or run-stingy Jacob de Grom? Is Gary Carter behind the plate or Mike Piazza? Who’ll bat clean-up? Combining statistical analysis, common sense, and a host of intangibles, Brian Wright constructs an all-time All-Star Mets line-up for the ages. Agree with his choices or not, you’ll learn all there is to know about the men who played for and managed New York’s Amazin’ Mets.

The history of the NBA has been filled with superstars, names known to fans and non-fans alike. But while comparisons between athletes who competed against each other face-to-face is a common occurrence in the sports world, it is not quite as easy to compare players from different eras. How would Wilt Chamberlain stack up against Shaquille O'Neal? What about LeBron James and Larry Bird, or Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson? In Pro Basketball’s All-Time All-Stars: Across the Eras, Robert Cohen not only examines the best players from each era, but also ranks the five greatest players at each position in the history of the pro game. Dividing the history of professional basketball into five distinct eras, this book first describes the style of play that prevailed during each period. From the slow-paced, rough-and-tumble style of play that characterized the NBA during its formative years, to the up-tempo, high-flying style that currently prevails, Pro Basketball’s All-Time All-Stars gives an in-depth view of how the game has evolved. For each of the five eras, Cohen has selected the best players to man the five positions on the court, providing career bios for each. To determine the best of the best, Cohen considers the level of dominance each player reached during his time in the league, his individual statistics, the degree to which he impacted the fortunes of his team, and the extent to which he improved his teammates’ level of play. Individual honors and quotes from teammates and opponents alike are used to support the rankings. Covering NBA greats such as Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant, this book will appeal to basketball fans of all generations, and to any NBA fan interested in the history of the game.

It's time to play favorites! What's your favorite quilt block? Everybody has one (or maybe several, we're not telling). Discover which blocks the Moda All-Star designers love best with this collection of 14 exclusive quilt patterns. If you're a fan of the classics, you'll find several tried-and-true blocks featured, such as Churn Dash, Log Cabin, and Sawtooth Stars. If your enthusiasm is directed more toward uncommon blocks, discover a new-to-you favorite such as Economy, Dutchman's Puzzle, or Friendship blocks. But wait, there's more! The oh-so-creative Moda designers each share a list of things they love, from their go-to machine needle sizes and batting types, to binge-watching series and color combinations. It's a peek behind the scenes with the quilters we admire! What are you waiting for? Good things come to those who MAKE! Pick a favorite and let's quilt!

Let's say you're the coach of one of the NBA teams with the most championship banners hanging from its rafters, with every current and former player available on your bench. Game 7 of the Finals is approaching and it's time to put your team on the floor. Who's your starting center? Bill Russell, Robert Parrish, or Dave Cowens? Who's starting at guard? Bob Cousy, Jo Jo White, Tiny Archibald, Dennis Johnson, or Kyrie Irving? At power forward, are you playing Kevin McHale or Jayson Tatum? Is Larry Bird your small forward or John Havlicek? Combining statistical analysis, common sense, and a host of intangibles, long-time Celtics writer John Karalis constructs an all-time All-Star Celtics line-up for the ages. Agree with his choices or not, you'll learn all there is to know about the men who played for and coached the most successful franchise in NBA history.

Let’s say you’re the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, deciding which players should start in Game 7 of the World Series against the American League champs. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s 131-year history in your clubhouse. Who’s your starting pitcher: lefty John Candelaria, steady Bert Blyleven, Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, or crafty Rip Sewell? Who bats cleanup—hitting-machine Honus Wagner, home-run champ Ralph Kiner, Willie “Pops” Stargell, or the hugely talented Barry Bonds? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles, veteran sportswriter Dave Finoli imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Star Pirates lineup for the ages.

Let’s say you’re the manager of one of the oldest and most beloved franchises in Major League baseball, with every past and current player available in the dugout. Game time is approaching and the ump needs your line-up card. Who’s your starting pitcher? Three-hundred-game-winner Lefty Grove, lights-out Pedro Martinez, fireballer Roger Clemens, or the Sox’s first Cy Young winner Jim Lonborg? Is Carlton Fisk behind the plate or Jason Varitek? Who’ll bat clean-up, Ted Williams or David Ortiz? Combining statistical analysis, common sense, and a host of intangibles, Jeffrey Lyons constructs an all-time All-Star Red Sox line-up for the ages. Agree with his choices or not, you’ll learn all there is to know about the men who played for and managed the BoSox.

Let’s say you’re the coach of the Cleveland Browns, deciding which players should start in a Super Bowl matchup against the toughest team in the NFC. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s 75-year history in your locker room. Who starts at quarterback: Hall-of-Famer Otto Graham, steady Brian Sipe, deadly accurate Bernie Kosar, or dynamic Baker Mayfield? At kicker, do you play Hall of Famer Lou Groza or 14-year-veteran Phil Dawson? Which players get the start at wide receiver? Dante Lavelli, Paul Warfield, Braylon Edwards, Ray Renfro, or Jarvis Landry? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles, veteran sportswriter Roger Gordon imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Star Browns lineup for the ages.