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Who Got Game?: Baseball: Amazing but True Stories!
An illustrated sports book for middle grade readers,
How Sports Rocked the World: Baseball
collects the coolest, zaniest sports facts, uncovers the people and events that changed sports history, and shows how the sport shaped our culture and changed the world. Play ball!
172 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2020
23 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Derrick Barnes
28 books252 followersWhere I come from, no one dreams of becoming an author.
I didn’t know any famous African American male authors. I didn’t actually meet one until I attended college. I wanted to be a football player, the next Sean Combs, or a rapper; anything that would instantly provide me with the riches I would need to “move my mama off of the block”. I was raised in a single parent household by my mother, the lovely Miss Catherine Barnes, along with my big brother, Anthony, in Kansas City, MO.
My first attempt at writing a real story was in the fifth grade. I think it was about a group of stray dogs trekking across the country to find a magic bone or something. I can’t remember. But I do remember what it felt like when I finished and read it. It felt powerful to create characters, places, and stories that began and ended the way I wanted them to. After that I wrote songs, poems, plays, and short stories. I also read like crazy. I remember tying a shoestring around a flashlight, hanging it on the bar in my closet, and sitting in there reading encyclopedias. My brother thought I was the weirdest kid ever, but that was my way of traveling, of flying, and dreaming.
When I graduated from high school, I worked a couple of part time jobs and attended a local community college. I received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. I went on to Jackson State University, a historically black college in Jackson, Mississippi, where I obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing. It was there that I experienced life altering events and met people that changed me forever. I met my then college sweetheart and now beautiful wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes. I met life long friends (big up to my brothers JG, Killa Don, and Noir). I also became a campus newspaper advice columnist. All three of those occurrences and acquaintances changed my life vividly, but the column, entitled Brown Sugar, gave me the confidence to write with purpose. I also felt like, for the first time, that I had something to say and that people would listen. Who wouldn't listen to a guy with the pen name "Hershey Brown"?
Upon graduation, I moved back to Kansas City with no intentions of using my brand new, shiny Marketing degree in a drab, corporate environment. With the urging of my wife, I sent a writing portfolio to Hallmark Cards, and was hired as the first African-American man in the history of the company as a staff copywriter in 1999. I worked there for three years. I learned so much about crafting my words, about editing, and about constructive criticism. While at Hallmark, I met so many talented artists and was introduced to my now literary agent, Ms. Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency. Within a month, we had a two-book deal signed with Scholastic. My wife and I also welcomed our first son into the world, Ezra.
My family and I moved to New Orleans, LA so that my wife could complete her medical residency in 2003. While there we had our second son, Solomon, and I landed a deal with Simon Pulse for my first novel, “The Making of Dr. Truelove”. We lived there for two and a half years until we were chased back to Kansas City by the most disastrous force of nature in US history, Hurricane Katrina.
We returned to KC safe and sound. My wife officially finished medical residency and became a full fledged doctor. We had our third son, Silas, and I landed a four-book deal with Scholastic for the ultra popular hit series, “Ruby and the Booker Boys”.
Some days, when I read to my sons or go to schools and read to kids, I can still see that little boy reading encyclopedias by flashlight. Hopefully, a child will meet me and say to themselves, “You know what, it’s possible. I can become an author! I’ve met, and have seen with my very own eyes, a living, breathing author. It’s definitely possible for me.”
It most certainly is.
I didn’t know any famous African American male authors. I didn’t actually meet one until I attended college. I wanted to be a football player, the next Sean Combs, or a rapper; anything that would instantly provide me with the riches I would need to “move my mama off of the block”. I was raised in a single parent household by my mother, the lovely Miss Catherine Barnes, along with my big brother, Anthony, in Kansas City, MO.
My first attempt at writing a real story was in the fifth grade. I think it was about a group of stray dogs trekking across the country to find a magic bone or something. I can’t remember. But I do remember what it felt like when I finished and read it. It felt powerful to create characters, places, and stories that began and ended the way I wanted them to. After that I wrote songs, poems, plays, and short stories. I also read like crazy. I remember tying a shoestring around a flashlight, hanging it on the bar in my closet, and sitting in there reading encyclopedias. My brother thought I was the weirdest kid ever, but that was my way of traveling, of flying, and dreaming.
When I graduated from high school, I worked a couple of part time jobs and attended a local community college. I received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. I went on to Jackson State University, a historically black college in Jackson, Mississippi, where I obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing. It was there that I experienced life altering events and met people that changed me forever. I met my then college sweetheart and now beautiful wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes. I met life long friends (big up to my brothers JG, Killa Don, and Noir). I also became a campus newspaper advice columnist. All three of those occurrences and acquaintances changed my life vividly, but the column, entitled Brown Sugar, gave me the confidence to write with purpose. I also felt like, for the first time, that I had something to say and that people would listen. Who wouldn't listen to a guy with the pen name "Hershey Brown"?
Upon graduation, I moved back to Kansas City with no intentions of using my brand new, shiny Marketing degree in a drab, corporate environment. With the urging of my wife, I sent a writing portfolio to Hallmark Cards, and was hired as the first African-American man in the history of the company as a staff copywriter in 1999. I worked there for three years. I learned so much about crafting my words, about editing, and about constructive criticism. While at Hallmark, I met so many talented artists and was introduced to my now literary agent, Ms. Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency. Within a month, we had a two-book deal signed with Scholastic. My wife and I also welcomed our first son into the world, Ezra.
My family and I moved to New Orleans, LA so that my wife could complete her medical residency in 2003. While there we had our second son, Solomon, and I landed a deal with Simon Pulse for my first novel, “The Making of Dr. Truelove”. We lived there for two and a half years until we were chased back to Kansas City by the most disastrous force of nature in US history, Hurricane Katrina.
We returned to KC safe and sound. My wife officially finished medical residency and became a full fledged doctor. We had our third son, Silas, and I landed a four-book deal with Scholastic for the ultra popular hit series, “Ruby and the Booker Boys”.
Some days, when I read to my sons or go to schools and read to kids, I can still see that little boy reading encyclopedias by flashlight. Hopefully, a child will meet me and say to themselves, “You know what, it’s possible. I can become an author! I’ve met, and have seen with my very own eyes, a living, breathing author. It’s definitely possible for me.”
It most certainly is.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 18, 2021
Did you know that a girl pitcher struck out Babe Ruth? Did you know that a Japanese baseball player has more home runs than Hank Aaron? Who were really the first African Americans to play in the major leagues before Jackie Robinson? These are the lesser known heroes of baseball.
I loved this book all about the lesser-known history of baseball! With decades of history, there are some people's stories that have been lost to time, but now you can discover the real people behind the legends.
This book includes short biographies of the pioneers who organized the first Negro leagues, the first women's leagues, the first dedicated baseball news columns, and even a doctor who developed an arm surgery to save pitcher's tendons and ligaments.
Each section features people who broke barriers, worked hard, and developed new strategies. There are cool factoids about the longest game in history, the highest records, the weirdest stats, and the craziest game rules and why they were created.
I loved the cool illustrations in this book! Every page is so colorful and attractive. The writing really kept my attention, and I found it very interesting and informative.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I loved this book all about the lesser-known history of baseball! With decades of history, there are some people's stories that have been lost to time, but now you can discover the real people behind the legends.
This book includes short biographies of the pioneers who organized the first Negro leagues, the first women's leagues, the first dedicated baseball news columns, and even a doctor who developed an arm surgery to save pitcher's tendons and ligaments.
Each section features people who broke barriers, worked hard, and developed new strategies. There are cool factoids about the longest game in history, the highest records, the weirdest stats, and the craziest game rules and why they were created.
I loved the cool illustrations in this book! Every page is so colorful and attractive. The writing really kept my attention, and I found it very interesting and informative.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
April 14, 2025
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Sure, most young readers know about Babe Ruth, Ted Willams (who time travels in an inordinate amount of middle grade books), and Jackie Robinson. But did you know about Mordecai Brown, the who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1900s even though he had severe mobility issues with his hand. I loved that the first chapter on "Pivotal Players" had several stories I didn't know, including off beat stories I didn't know, like Steve Bartman's unfortunate 2003 incident with the Chicago Cubs or Japanese hitter Sadaharu Oh.
The next chapter covers information about the spitball and Jackie Robinson, which have seen coverage in a number of books, as well as Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, but also a discussion of why Honus Wagner's baseball card is so expensive. For those who like statistics, there a chapter that includes information about records, high scoring games, and even salaries. While I don't understand baseball stats, I know this is something that big fans like to memorize. Ending with iconic comebacks is a great way to end the book, and there are some additional resources, a glossary, and a nice wrap up.
While this is a lengthy book, coming in at 172 slightly larger pages, this will not deter readers who are interested in baseball. Instead, it gives plenty of room for the text to be spread out, and for the colorful illustrations.
Readers who like sports often like to read about them, but they would much rather be warming up to pitch than struggling through any books that are dull and printed in tiny font. The Who Got Game series steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park with exciting descriptions, colorful pages, and a comfortable 18 point font. Put this in your line up for fans of David A. Kelly's Ballpark Mysteries, Tavares' Becoming Babe Ruth and Growing Up Pedro, or Sports Illustrated fantastic Baseball: Then to Wow.
Sure, most young readers know about Babe Ruth, Ted Willams (who time travels in an inordinate amount of middle grade books), and Jackie Robinson. But did you know about Mordecai Brown, the who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1900s even though he had severe mobility issues with his hand. I loved that the first chapter on "Pivotal Players" had several stories I didn't know, including off beat stories I didn't know, like Steve Bartman's unfortunate 2003 incident with the Chicago Cubs or Japanese hitter Sadaharu Oh.
The next chapter covers information about the spitball and Jackie Robinson, which have seen coverage in a number of books, as well as Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, but also a discussion of why Honus Wagner's baseball card is so expensive. For those who like statistics, there a chapter that includes information about records, high scoring games, and even salaries. While I don't understand baseball stats, I know this is something that big fans like to memorize. Ending with iconic comebacks is a great way to end the book, and there are some additional resources, a glossary, and a nice wrap up.
While this is a lengthy book, coming in at 172 slightly larger pages, this will not deter readers who are interested in baseball. Instead, it gives plenty of room for the text to be spread out, and for the colorful illustrations.
Readers who like sports often like to read about them, but they would much rather be warming up to pitch than struggling through any books that are dull and printed in tiny font. The Who Got Game series steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park with exciting descriptions, colorful pages, and a comfortable 18 point font. Put this in your line up for fans of David A. Kelly's Ballpark Mysteries, Tavares' Becoming Babe Ruth and Growing Up Pedro, or Sports Illustrated fantastic Baseball: Then to Wow.
July 4, 2020
Who Got Game? Baseball: Amazing but True Stories by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by John John Bajet, 172 pages. NON-FICTION Workman, 2020. $13.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This nonfiction compilation includes fun stories about baseball stars, statistics, legends and comebacks. Each chapter has short 2-3 pages stories about amazing players who have contributed to the game of baseball, including women and minorities. The chapter about statistics gives some of information about those who have broken different records in baseball. The legends and comebacks are some quirky and cool stories that are fun.
I read an ARC reader, so my illustrations were black and white and not complete, but I looked them up and they are going to be bright and attractive. The stories are great for sports lovers, but because of the amount of text and page numbers, it will probably appeal to older elementary or middle school readers. I have been watching baseball my whole life and I loved reading these unique stories about some of the greatest memories in baseball.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This nonfiction compilation includes fun stories about baseball stars, statistics, legends and comebacks. Each chapter has short 2-3 pages stories about amazing players who have contributed to the game of baseball, including women and minorities. The chapter about statistics gives some of information about those who have broken different records in baseball. The legends and comebacks are some quirky and cool stories that are fun.
I read an ARC reader, so my illustrations were black and white and not complete, but I looked them up and they are going to be bright and attractive. The stories are great for sports lovers, but because of the amount of text and page numbers, it will probably appeal to older elementary or middle school readers. I have been watching baseball my whole life and I loved reading these unique stories about some of the greatest memories in baseball.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
March 13, 2020
@kidlitexchange
Thank you to @workmanpub or sharing an advance copy of Who Got Game?: Baseball: Amazing but True Stories! by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by John John Bajet with the #kidlitexchange network. This fascinating and fun middle grades nonfiction book will be released in April 2020. All opinions are my own.
This book focuses on telling the remarkable and unsung history of America's favorite pastime, baseball. The book is divided into 4 chapters (sections): Pivotal Players, Sensational Stories, Radical Records, and Colossal Comebacks. It celebrates many unknown players and individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of baseball. For example, John "Bud" Fowler, William Edward White, Moses Fleetwood Walker, and Weldy Wiberforce Walker--four African Americans who integrated major league teams decades before Jackie Robinson. It is filled with 45 fascinating records, personalities, and anecdotes that are rarely mentioned.
This was a captivating read. Baseball is by far my favorite sport, so I was incredibly excited to learn more about its history and players. I loved that this book focuses on stories and individuals who aren't well known in popular baseball lore. I also liked that Pivotal Players chapter included individuals who weren't actual baseball players, but were instead key players in moving the game forward like Kim Ng and Henry Chadwick. All of the stories were interesting and many were quite humorous. I learned a lot about baseball and learned that things that I believed to be truths, like Jackie Robinson being the first African American to integrate into the major leagues, weren't actually accurate. Another great thing about this book are the illustrations. Bajet does an amazing job of bring the players and stories to life. The images are just the right amount of cartoony to be entertaining without taking it them into the realm of overly comical. This is the perfect book for baseball lovers and would make a great addition to any middle grade library.
Thank you to @workmanpub or sharing an advance copy of Who Got Game?: Baseball: Amazing but True Stories! by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by John John Bajet with the #kidlitexchange network. This fascinating and fun middle grades nonfiction book will be released in April 2020. All opinions are my own.
This book focuses on telling the remarkable and unsung history of America's favorite pastime, baseball. The book is divided into 4 chapters (sections): Pivotal Players, Sensational Stories, Radical Records, and Colossal Comebacks. It celebrates many unknown players and individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of baseball. For example, John "Bud" Fowler, William Edward White, Moses Fleetwood Walker, and Weldy Wiberforce Walker--four African Americans who integrated major league teams decades before Jackie Robinson. It is filled with 45 fascinating records, personalities, and anecdotes that are rarely mentioned.
This was a captivating read. Baseball is by far my favorite sport, so I was incredibly excited to learn more about its history and players. I loved that this book focuses on stories and individuals who aren't well known in popular baseball lore. I also liked that Pivotal Players chapter included individuals who weren't actual baseball players, but were instead key players in moving the game forward like Kim Ng and Henry Chadwick. All of the stories were interesting and many were quite humorous. I learned a lot about baseball and learned that things that I believed to be truths, like Jackie Robinson being the first African American to integrate into the major leagues, weren't actually accurate. Another great thing about this book are the illustrations. Bajet does an amazing job of bring the players and stories to life. The images are just the right amount of cartoony to be entertaining without taking it them into the realm of overly comical. This is the perfect book for baseball lovers and would make a great addition to any middle grade library.
April 21, 2021
Derrick Barnes, winner of the 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for outstanding new writer, and his picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which took home four honors at the 2018 American Library Association's Youth Media Awards, has hit a Grand Slam with this juvenile nonfiction (although this would be great for any age) book!
Chapters are divided into Pivotal Players, Sensational Stories, Radical Records, and Colossal Comebacks. There are even a few bonus pages that showcase different pieces of information.
Some highlights [for me]: Rube Foster, Dr. Frank Jobe, Before Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente (I knew about his philanthropic work and the plane crash which took his life, but I did realize that he his a certain significant milestone during his last game), Baby Nuxhall (loved Nuxie when he used to broadcast for the Reds), The OG Crew, Eric the Red (LOVED Eric Davis when he played for the Reds - a phenomenal player who was always a pleasure to watch).
At the end of the book is a list of Additional Tips & Resources, websites, and a comprehensive Glossary.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Standing O!
Chapters are divided into Pivotal Players, Sensational Stories, Radical Records, and Colossal Comebacks. There are even a few bonus pages that showcase different pieces of information.
Some highlights [for me]: Rube Foster, Dr. Frank Jobe, Before Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente (I knew about his philanthropic work and the plane crash which took his life, but I did realize that he his a certain significant milestone during his last game), Baby Nuxhall (loved Nuxie when he used to broadcast for the Reds), The OG Crew, Eric the Red (LOVED Eric Davis when he played for the Reds - a phenomenal player who was always a pleasure to watch).
At the end of the book is a list of Additional Tips & Resources, websites, and a comprehensive Glossary.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Standing O!
March 18, 2020
I appreciated that Barnes chose to write about a diverse selection of talent, from Hall of Famers like Hank Greenberg, Sadaharu Oh (whose fascinating autobiography I read when I was growing up), and Babe Ruth to little-known athletes who played the game. These include Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to play on a major league team, and Kim Ng, who is now the highest ranking woman in baseball history. Barnes also does a good job connecting the stats and data to the stories. Some sports books can get stuck in the stats and veer too far away from the real people, especially in the baseball world these days, but this one focuses on the interesting lives in the game we love.
I will happily continue to share baseball stories with my daughter. This book is perfect for just that!
4.5 out of 5 stars.
I will happily continue to share baseball stories with my daughter. This book is perfect for just that!
4.5 out of 5 stars.
May 19, 2020
This colorfully illustrated book full of baseball factoids is perfect for any young baseball fan age 8 to 12. The book is divided into four sections: Pivotal Players, Sensational Stories, Radical Records, and Colossal Comebacks. Each story is about three pages long which is perfect for young or reluctant readers who like to do their reading in bite size chunks. Even for a well-seasoned baseball fan like myself (a fan for 51 years) there were things I learned from this book. A 17 year-old girl, Jackie Mitchell struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig back to back in an exhibition baseball game in 1931. The longest professional baseball game was played between two minor league teams and the game went 33 innings. There is bibliography and glossary of terms at the back of the book.
January 19, 2020
This book will be in high demand among my baseball players. It presents interesting facts and statistics in short, captivating chapters. I am not a baseball fan, so I cannot speak to its inclusiveness of all things baseball. However, I was happy to read about the Negro Leagues, womens' involvement in the sport, and the evolution of safety within the game.
July 15, 2020
Baseball fans will spend hours poring over this collection of stories and facts about their favorite sport. From player biographies to “sensational stories,” this volume highlights both the famous and forgotten players and moments that have shaped the game. Even the most passionate fans will learn something – did a 17-year-old girl really strike out Babe Ruth? Who created the box score? A glossary of baseball terms rounds out this collection.
Reviewer #23
Reviewer #23
April 27, 2020
I liked all these fun stories about baseball. I was reading an ARC, so my pages were in black and white, but the illustrations look like they are going to be adorable. Fun and a good mix of the stories I knew with the stories I didn't.
May 19, 2020
It's ok
Okay
Judicial
Karaoke
Wow ok
Karaoke
Wowoowowikwkwkwkwkwkkw
Lwwokwkwkwkwkaoaoaoaoaaooa
Woowowowkwkwkwkwkwowpwlakkwj
Wkowiwieieekiwkwkw
Kekekekekekekekekeokekekekekekekkekekek
Okk kerosene
Henry is
Jordan and
Jordan
Henry and the other day
Okay
Judicial
Karaoke
Wow ok
Karaoke
Wowoowowikwkwkwkwkwkkw
Lwwokwkwkwkwkaoaoaoaoaaooa
Woowowowkwkwkwkwkwowpwlakkwj
Wkowiwieieekiwkwkw
Kekekekekekekekekeokekekekekekekkekekek
Okk kerosene
Henry is
Jordan and
Jordan
Henry and the other day
February 4, 2020
4.5 stars
December 11, 2020
I enjoyed what I read and think kids (and Gaylynn) will love this. Just ran out of time after 2 or 3 stories.
October 6, 2022
Entertaining and informative fact about baseball.
January 21, 2024
Perfect for any young baseball fan age 8 to 12.
April 21, 2020
Who Got Game? is the perfect book for the young baseball fanatic in your home. Or even for an older fan who likes knowing the tiny tidbits of trivia. It is put together in a way that is visually captivating. It is also a quick read. Just about an hour and you can read the entire book.
November 27, 2020
Very fun and interesting baseball trivia. Could have been so much better if the pictures had been real photographs rather than cartoons. That change would have pushed this book from fun trivia to interesting nonfiction read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews