For one brief period in the early 1940s, Pete Reiser was the equal of any outfielder in baseball, even Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, but his penchant for running into outfield walls while playing defense prematurely ended his journey to Cooperstown. Pitcher Herb Score was a brilliant pitcher until a Gil McDougald line drive shelved his career. And Thurman Munson was one of the game's best catchers in the late 1970s until a tragic plane crash ended his life. These three players and fourteen others (Smoky Joe Wood, Vean Gregg, Kirby Puckett, Hal Trotsky, Tony Oliva, Paul Dean, Ewell Blackwell, David Ferris, Steve Busby, J.R. Richard, Tony Conigliaro, Johnny Beazley, Mark Fidrych, and Lyman Bostock) enjoyed brilliant careers--potentially worthy of the Hall of Fame--that were cut short by injury, illness or death. Some enjoyed several seasons of success only to see their playing days end just short of numbers worthy of Cooperstown; others enjoyed only a season or two of brilliance. The profiles concentrate on the players' accomplishments and speculate on how their careers might have developed if they had continued.

A treasury of Twin Cities baseball history packed with photos from the archives. Major League Baseball came to the Minnesota prairie in the spring of 1961, and ever since, the Minnesota Twins have held a cherished place in the hearts of sports fans throughout the region. With Hall of Famers like Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, and Kirby Puckett and beloved characters from Billy Martin to Kent Hrbek to Joe Mauer, the history of the Twins encompasses highs and lows, heroes and goats, but always nonstop excitement. Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History provides an in-depth and entertaining look at the team, its players, its stadiums, and the memorable moments through the years. Illustrated with photos from the Star Tribune’s archives, it is the ultimate celebration of a beloved franchise.

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Shortened Seasons recounts the stories of some of the baseball players who never made it back for the next game, who died with the suddenness of a walk off homerun. For them, there was no next year. From Hall of Fame caliber players such as Roberto Clemente, Thurman Munson and Ed Delahanty to players who were still finding their niche in the game like Ken Hubbs, Lyman Bostoc and Darryl Kile, Baseball's Shortened Seasons explores the lives and deaths of ball players of all categories and abilities, who were struck down at the height of their careers.

For numerous young athletes they are searching for a path to be pushed to become great. Each competitor has the ability to be great and greatness is a daily practice. A Competitor's Heart is developed through a consistent daily practice of development. Each day's message is built to develop a person's heart to compete and become the best person possible. Put A Competitor's Heart into your daily habit and routine and greatness will follow.

Captures the experience of growing up obsessed with baseball cards and explores what it means to be a fan of the game as the author marks the stages of his life through the cards he collected as a child.

The weekly source of African American political and entertainment news.