Players and fans love him or hate him, so it's surprising that people know very little about St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa's life; this biography goes behind the scenes of one of the most iconic figures in baseball today to show the influences behind his intensity and uncompromising focus, why winning every game possible is important to him, and why he often puts the game ahead of his private and personal life. Including interviews with past and current players, managers, execu...

Written by veteran sportswriter and Cardinals insider Rob Rains, Taking Flight answers two basic questions – what makes the Cardinals different from other organizations, and why are they so successful? Perhaps the most important man in the history of the organization was George Kissell. Among the future managers who came under Kissell's tutelage were Sparky Anderson, Joe Torre, Tony La Russa and the Cardinals' current manager, Mike Matheny. Kissell's imprint is still everywhere on...

An inside look at the faith that guides the all-stars.The St. Louis Cardinals have long been one of the most successful franchises in the major leagues. They have won 11 World Series titles and some of the most famous players in the history of the game have worn the storied "Birds on the Bat" uniform.While that on-field success has been well documented, Intentional Walk is the first book which goes beyond the story of what happens on the field to t...

Former MLB umpire Dave Phillips was at the center of some of baseball's most unforgettable moments—Comiskey's infamous Disco Demolition Night, Gaylord Perry's spitball ejection, Albert Belle's confiscated corked bat and George Brett's pine tar bat debacle—and he shares with baseball fans the untold stories behind those incidents and many others, giving baseball fans a complete perspective on the life of an umpire.

Foreword by Mike Krzyzewski, Duke’s Men Basketball CoachA celebrated coach reveals the secrets to building a fierce competitorAt age 26, Joanne P. McCallie, a.k.a. Coach P, began her career at Maine, where in the span of eight years, she elevated the women's basketball program to a very competitive team that outdrew the men's crowds, a rarity in college sports. Over her tenure, she created the Choice Not Chance (CNC) philosophy, training ki...

Kevin Kernan looks at Bernie Williams' upbringing in Puerto Rico, and how the New York Yankees' star is able to appreciate all of the good things that have happened in his life because of baseball. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Williams' career up to now is that he has been able to maintain a low-key approach to baseball and life. Kernan shows how important that has been for him in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of New York City.

It seems unlikely that James Naismith, who grew up playing “Duck on the Rock” in the rural community of Almonte, Canada, would invent one of America’s most popular sports. But Rob Rains and Hellen Carpenter’s fascinating, in-depth biography James Naismith: The Man Who Invented Basketball shows how this young man—who wanted to be a medical doctor, or if not that, a minister (in fact, he was both)—came to create a game that has endured for over a century.James Naismith reveals how Na...

The third in the Diamond Communications series, this little paperback offers insight, wisdom and humor tailored especially for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals.

In Baseball Samurais, take a look back at Ichiro Suzuki's sensational rookie year...from the top spot in Japan to the Seattle Mariners' right field.Seven-time batting champion for Japan's Pacific League, he was a paradoxical combination of modesty and ego, calling himself simply "Ichiro." But when the Seattle Mariners signed him to a fourteen-million-dollar contract, scoffers said the 5-foot-9 inch, 156-pound Ichiro wasn't even in the ballpark. He proved t...

A biography of Mark McGwire, one of baseball's hottest sluggers, following his quest for the all-time single-season home run record.The powerhouse player who's revolutionizing the game...In 1998, Mark McGwire made baseball history by breaking the legendary 61-home-run record set by Roger Maris in 1961. Not only did the outstanding Cardinals player break Maris' mark, he surpassed it by hitting 70 in one season!Find out all the facts on McGwire, from hi...

Mark McGwire made 1998 a season to remember for baseball fans all over the world when he blasted a record 70 home runs. Before turning himself into one of the most revered hitters in the game, though, he had to overcome poor eyesight and a variety of injuries. Rob Rains looks at how McGwire quickly became a legendary figure in St. Louis, and how hitting a home run in his first Little League at-bat changed his career aspirations.

The St. Louis Cardinals are a team steeped in history and a winning tradition. For proof look no further than the epic 2011 World Series! The secret to their success? It’s those special players who have been lucky enough to don the Birds at Bat. But whatever happened to those players once the bright stadium lights were dimmed and the cleats were hung up for good?St. Louis Cardinals: Where Have You Gone? provides the fascinating answer as the authors catch up with over thi...