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Baseball Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Baseball
Why does a curveball curve? What is a “can of corn”? Why was Joe DiMaggio called the “Yankee Clipper”? “Who wrote “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”? How many times did Ty Cobb steal home?
In Baseball Miscellany, the fascinating history and lore of our national pastime is finally revealed! For example, the reason a curveball curves is that its spin drags a layer of air across one surface of the ball faster than it does across the opposite surface. A “can of corn” is slang for an easy-to-catch fly ball, the term originating from a general store clerk reaching up and dropping a can from a high shelf. Sportswriters dubbed Joe DiMaggio the “Yankee Clipper” because he glided about the outfield with beauty and grace, like a clipper ship on the ocean. The lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” were written in 1908 by vaudeville star Jack Norworth, who, while riding the subway, was inspired by a sign that said “Baseball Today—Polo Grounds.” And the great Ty Cobb stole home a whopping fifty-four times—fifty more than the career leader in total stolen bases, Rickey Henderson.
Packed with all manner of delightful surprises, beautiful illustrations and photographs, and delicious nuggets of information, Baseball Miscellany demystifies the origins and customs of America’s most celebrated game. From spring training through the World Series, you’ll be entertained with fun, little-known facts. Why do baseball players wear stirrup socks? Who invented the catcher’s mask? What Major League team passed up on signing eighteen-year-old Willie Mays in 1949? Settle into your favorite armchair, grab some peanuts or Cracker Jacks, and find out!
In Baseball Miscellany, the fascinating history and lore of our national pastime is finally revealed! For example, the reason a curveball curves is that its spin drags a layer of air across one surface of the ball faster than it does across the opposite surface. A “can of corn” is slang for an easy-to-catch fly ball, the term originating from a general store clerk reaching up and dropping a can from a high shelf. Sportswriters dubbed Joe DiMaggio the “Yankee Clipper” because he glided about the outfield with beauty and grace, like a clipper ship on the ocean. The lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” were written in 1908 by vaudeville star Jack Norworth, who, while riding the subway, was inspired by a sign that said “Baseball Today—Polo Grounds.” And the great Ty Cobb stole home a whopping fifty-four times—fifty more than the career leader in total stolen bases, Rickey Henderson.
Packed with all manner of delightful surprises, beautiful illustrations and photographs, and delicious nuggets of information, Baseball Miscellany demystifies the origins and customs of America’s most celebrated game. From spring training through the World Series, you’ll be entertained with fun, little-known facts. Why do baseball players wear stirrup socks? Who invented the catcher’s mask? What Major League team passed up on signing eighteen-year-old Willie Mays in 1949? Settle into your favorite armchair, grab some peanuts or Cracker Jacks, and find out!
- GenresBaseballSportsNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2011
12 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Silverman
35 books7 followersAuthor of
Out of a Dog's Mouth: A Novel (under pseudonym McNally Berry)
Shea Stadium Remembered
One-Year Dynasty
Swinging '73
Best Mets
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
100 Things Mets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die
New York Mets: The Complete Illustrated History
Mets Essential
Baseball Miscellany
--Co-Author of
Mets by the Numbers
Red Sox by the Numbers
Cubs by the Numbers
--Former associate publisher at Total Sports Publishing
--Managing editor of Total Baseball, Total Football and ESPN Baseball and Pro Football Encyclopedias
Out of a Dog's Mouth: A Novel (under pseudonym McNally Berry)
Shea Stadium Remembered
One-Year Dynasty
Swinging '73
Best Mets
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
100 Things Mets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die
New York Mets: The Complete Illustrated History
Mets Essential
Baseball Miscellany
--Co-Author of
Mets by the Numbers
Red Sox by the Numbers
Cubs by the Numbers
--Former associate publisher at Total Sports Publishing
--Managing editor of Total Baseball, Total Football and ESPN Baseball and Pro Football Encyclopedias
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 31, 2011
Very interesting! A little bit of something is mentioned somewhere in this book. Some of the most interesting stories, sidebars and quotes (at least to me) are: "Bat Boys Busted" tells why the minimum age to be a bat boy is 14.
"I always turn to the sports pages first, which record people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures." -- Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States (1953-1969)
The story about why teams start different pitchers each day. One of the most interesting statements is that due to pitch counts, innings limits, and the modern reliance on often unreliable relievers, Randy Johnson could be the last 300-game winner for some time.
Why is the number 42 on the wall at EVERY stadium? Ans: Story of Jackie Robinson; and as a sidebar, the story of Frank Robinson.
Ask today's kids (12 and under) what a Double Header is. They probably won't be able to tell you. This archaic term and the story behind it can be found on page 60.
What is a Met (and some other baseball team names)?
The story behind the Spitball!
And, finally the story behind "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".
"I always turn to the sports pages first, which record people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures." -- Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States (1953-1969)
The story about why teams start different pitchers each day. One of the most interesting statements is that due to pitch counts, innings limits, and the modern reliance on often unreliable relievers, Randy Johnson could be the last 300-game winner for some time.
Why is the number 42 on the wall at EVERY stadium? Ans: Story of Jackie Robinson; and as a sidebar, the story of Frank Robinson.
Ask today's kids (12 and under) what a Double Header is. They probably won't be able to tell you. This archaic term and the story behind it can be found on page 60.
What is a Met (and some other baseball team names)?
The story behind the Spitball!
And, finally the story behind "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".
April 8, 2013
Decent collection of baseball trivia (and smaller in size than others). This one was less about the statistics of the game, and more about the history, answering a few "whys" that I've had for awhile. The section on how teams got their names was interesting, and the information about the evolution of the shortstop position was something I hadn't thought about before. Smaller collection, but still informative.
April 13, 2011
If you're a fledgling baseball fan, this book is for you. It's filled with interesting and educational minutia.
January 16, 2012
Just a so-so collection of random trivia. Many of the points were disconnected and elaborated on at too much length.
April 1, 2013
This was a simple, if fun, book. Though I did not learn anything new, it got me ready for baseball season!
May 31, 2013
It was a nice little book that had a lot of random baseball trivia, but some points were disconnected at times and I had a hard time following because of that.
September 5, 2014
I didn't know I had so many questions about baseball. And I can't believe I read so much that I didn't care about. Must be the rainy day then
March 22, 2016
Decent easy to read baseball trivia...has a couple of really good questions answered...grest for beginners
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews