Hall of Fame third baseman and longtime player and broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers, Kell tells a simple and homey tale of his life. Kell's peak playing years occurred immediately after World War II, so some fans are more likely to recognize him for his television broadcasts than his diamond feats. Kell stresses the traditional family values he grew up with in his hometown in Arkansas. Detroit is his second home, and he has plenty of stories of Tiger greats.

Tigers fans have witnessed improbable feats, extraordinary achievements, and unmatched performances during the team's 100-plus seasons. Numbers Don't Lie: Behind the Biggest Numbers in Tigers History details the numbers every Tigers fan—from the rookie attending his first game at Comerica Park to the veteran who recalls Denny McLain's days on the mound—should know. Author Danny Knobler tells the stories behind the most memorable moments and achievements in Tigers history, including 2: the number of no-hitters Justin Verlander has in his career; .366: Ty Cobb's career batting average, the highest in MLB history; and 1,918: the number of games played together by Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker as a record-setting, double-play combination. Featuring over 50 entries that span more than a century of Tigers magic, this fan book is an engaging, unique look back at the history of one of baseball's most entertaining franchises.

In the tradition of Tuesdays With Morrie, Dan Ewald pens a memoir of his friendship with legendary Tigers manager Sparky Anderson, the man who taught him not only the nuances of baseball, but the importance of life's unwritten rules. Few sports figures, regardless of their position, have generated as much good will as Sparky Anderson, the legendary manager for the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. Sparky met author Dan Ewald, in 1979, and thus was born a lifelong friendship not likely ever to be seen again in baseball. Along the way, Dan never took for granted the front row seat he had to watch one of history's most memorable managers' absolute mastery of baseball's nuances and intricacies. But the most important things Sparky taught Dan were the "unwritten rules" of life, which he practiced meticulously. To Sparky, a real professional was as great away from the diamond as he was on it. His goal was for his players to be the best husbands, fathers, and community leaders they could be—he believed that was the mark of a winner, not the box score. Sparky had a gift for taking something as inane as the infield fly rule and turning it into a lecture on how to lead a more meaningful life. In 2010, the old friends had planned a get-together before the end of the year. But Sparky's health was taking a turn for the worse, so Dan arranged a three-day visit as quickly as he could. During their last days together, the friends recalled the memories of a lifetime as each prepared silently for their final good-bye. When that weekend came to a close, Dan had grown to appreciate Sparky more than he ever thought he could. In this heartfelt memoir, Dan imparts to readers his best friend's spirit through his unforgettable life lessons and stories only the two of them shared. "Like a wizard, Sparky Anderson was white-haired and wise, and sitting with him was like visiting with an oracle. Dan Ewald, who spent more time with Sparky than any of us, beautifully captures the magic of Sparky's wit, humor, and humanity in these pages. All baseball fans should read it." -- Mitch Albom, New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays with Morrie and Have a Little Faith "No one understood Sparky better than Dan Ewald. Managing people in a scope far broader than a pennant race is a rare quality, and Sparky understood people, their insecurities, their motivations. This is a great read, a great understanding of the humanity of playing baseball." –Peter Gammons, MLB Network "For decades, it seemed like everyone in baseball knew Sparky Anderson, and almost all of us considered him a friend. But few knew him as Dan Ewald did. Here, Dan provides a unique look at an endearing man who led a significant life both in and out of the game." –Bob Costas

A wide-ranging compilation of facts, statistics, stories, and entertaining speculation, this book will surprise even the most avid fan of the Detroit Tigers. Published in the wake of the Tigers' American League centennial, it pays tribute to the team of Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, and Hank Greenberg, to name but a few of Detroit's Baseball Hall of Famers. Here two longtime Tigers experts—journalist Mark Pattison and statistician David Raglin—have distilled a hundred-plus years of Detroit baseball history into more than four hundred lists. In this entertaining and fascinating collection, readers will find information not available elsewhere, such as the starting eight Mayo Smith used for all seven games of the 1968 World Series, or the 1987 "Showdown Series" where the Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays battled for the AL East pennant. "Inside this book," writes Dale Petroskey, "is the stuff that young baseball fans grew up on, and the stuff that older baseball fans get to relive their youth with."

The first complete biography of the Baltimore Orioles' Hall of Fame baseman Brooks Robinson, the greatest defensive third baseman of all time. Finalist for the 2014 Casey Award! Selected by the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the 2014 author's series Brooks Robinson is one of baseball's most transcendent and revered players. He won a record sixteen straight Gold Gloves at third base, led one of the best teams of the era, and is often cited as the greatest fielder in baseball history. Credited with almost single-handedly winning the 1970 World Series, this MVP was immortalized in a Normal Rockwell painting. A wholesome player and role model, Brooks honored the game of baseball not only with his play but with his class and character off the field. Author of The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych, Doug Wilson returns to baseball's Golden Age to detail the birth of a new franchise through the man who came to symbolize it as one of baseball's most beloved players. Through numerous interviews with people from every part of the legendary player's life, Wilson reveals never-before-reported information to illuminate Brooks's remarkable skill and warm personality. Brooks takes readers back to an era when players fought for low-paying yearly contracts, spanning the turbulent 60s and 70s and into the dawning of the free agent era. He was elected to the MLB All-Century Team and as president of the MLB Players Alumni, Brooks continues to influence today's baseball players. In the climate of astronomic salaries, steroids, off-field troubles, and heroes who let down their fans, Brooks reminds baseball fans of the honor and glory at the heart of America's favorite pastime.

The 1984 Detroit tigers roared out of the gate, winning their first nine games of the season and compiling an eye-popping 35-5 record after the campaign’s first 40 games--still the best start ever for any team in major league history. The tigers led wire-to-wire in 1984, becoming only the third team in the modern era of the majors to have done so. And Detroit’s determination and tenacity resulted in a sweep of the Kansas City Royals in the AL playoffs and a five-game triumph over the San Diego Padres in the World Series. And Tigers fans will tell you that the bottom of the eighth inning in Game Five was the first time Kirk Gibson hit an iconic home run in the Fall Classic. Detroit Tigers 1984: What a Start! What a Finish!, an effort by the society of American Baseball research’s BioProject Committee, brings together biographical profiles of every Tiger from that magical season, plus those of field management, top executives, the broadcasters--even venerable Tiger Stadium and the city itself.

One of the American League’s eight charter franchises, the Detroit Tigers baseball club was founded in 1894 and stands as the oldest continuous one-name, one-city franchise in the American League. Some of the greatest in the cunning and speed and was the first to play mind games with opposing players. Mickey Cochrane showed that it was possible to be a manager and player at the same time. Hank Greenburg became one of the greatest home run hitters of all time. In the modern era, Al Kaline, Norm Cash, Mickey Lolich, Jin Northrup, Willie Horton, Kirk Gibson, Cecil Fielder, and Alan Trammell brought the best of baseball to Tigers fans everywhere. Today, all stars such as Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Johnny Peralta, Prince Fielder, and Justin Verlander keep the club competitive, reaching to World Series just three years ago. The Tigers and Their Dens recalls these stories and plenty more in this official history of a beloved baseball franchise.