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Sports Books Worth Reading And Giving From 2009

I will be the first to say I am not a strong critic, nor do I read every book out there. However I do read a great deal and try to figure out what are the books that teach me something, even of some of the most public of figures, that I didn’t know before and what can I take away from this that can apply to work, personal life or friends, colleagues or family. Also, what do I think are just really well written stories. So below I have highlighted a list of some of the books I have gotten to and enjoyed, and others may enjoy too. Some are on most people’s lists…some are a little more obscure, but all are well written and have great value. I also have to admit I have not read Bill Simmons’ book or Chris Ballard’s on the NBA, or the Agassi book or my friend Jon Wertheim’s book on tennis this year. That is my bad, but that’s what the holidays are for. These are also in no particular order, other than Marty Appel’s name started with A and thats the first one I thought of. Feel free to send along other suggestions to me at fatherknickerbocker1@yahoo.com

Munson, The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain by Marty Appel…Marty is a great publicist and a baseball lifer, and took the time to tell a story that gave fans insight into a tragedy years afterwards.

The Yankee Years by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci Again, not being a Yankee fan but a fan of good writing, Tom had amazing access and Joe spoke his mind to let people inside the Yankees…not as controversial as made out to be but plenty insightful.

Heart of the Game: Life, Death and Mercy in Minor League America By S.L. Price Scott Price tells the tragic story of another baseball lifer, Mike Coolbaugh, and all those around him…it is more a story of small town America and dreams than of baseball, but it is a great read.

Bowden: The Life and Legacy of Bobby Bowden By Mike Freeman With the legendary coach retiring, Mike Freeman gave us a great look back not just of his career, but of his family, his coaching sons and what makes a legendary coach just that. Not controversial but great insider info.

When The Game was Ours By Larry Bird (with Jackie MacMullan) This book takes us back to when Larry and Magic started and gives fans a great look inside the hearts and heads of two legends at the same time. Lots of anecdotes and really helps tell the story of where the NBA got to and how.

Shooting Stars By LeBron James (with Buzz Bissinger) Maybe we already know too much about the NBA’s dominant player today, but looking back at how he got to where he is today, and what went on in his high school career, helps us understand him a bit better. Anything with Buzz Bissinger is always worth reading as well.

Shooting For Tiger By William Echikson This book had nothing to do with Tiger Woods, girlfriends or wives. It is a very nice tale of the junior circuit in golf told by a man and his son, who is working his way up the Tour. Again great insight into the future stars of golf, and a very well written account.

We’ll Always Be Pals By Tom McManus Tom played several years in the NFL, and like other more famous recollections of father/son relationships, this one is a memoir that lets us see how a driven pro athlete gets to be who he is. Very nice story.

The First Fall Classic By Mike Vaccaro Another look back at how baseball got to be where it is today, written by a columnist who dazzles people every week in the New York area. Well researched and well told.

The Beckham Experiment by Grant Wahl In a year where soccer continued to rise and could explode in 2010, one of Sports Illustrated’s best writers takes us inside the how and why of David Beckham, soccer in the US and much more…even before the LA Galaxy made it to the finals of MLS this year.