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Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments
A masterful ode to the a countdown of 50 of the most memorable moments in baseball’s history, to make you fall in love with the sport all over again.
Posnanski writes of major moments that created legends, and of forgotten moments almost lost to time. It's Willie Mays’s catch, Babe Ruth’s called shot, and Kirk Gibson’s limping home run; the slickest steals; the biggest bombs; and the most triumphant no-hitters. But these are also moments raw with the humanity of the game, the unheralded heroes, the mesmerizing mistakes drenched in pine tar, and every story, from the immortal to the obscure, is told from a unique perspective. Whether of a real fan who witnessed it, or the pitcher who gave up the home run, the umpire, the coach, the opposing player—these are fresh takes on moments so powerful they almost feel like myth.
Posnanski’s previous book, The Baseball 100 , portrayed the heroes and pioneers of the sport, and now, with his trademark wit, encyclopedic knowledge, and acute observations, he gets at the real heart of the game. From nineteenth-century pitchers’ duels to breaking the sport’s color line in the ’40s, all the way to the greatest trick play of the last decade and the slide home that became a meme, Posnanski’s illuminating take allows us to rediscover the sport we love—and thought we knew.
Why We Love Baseball is an epic that ends too soon, a one-of-a-kind love letter to the sport that has us thrilled, torn, inspired, and always wanting more.
Posnanski writes of major moments that created legends, and of forgotten moments almost lost to time. It's Willie Mays’s catch, Babe Ruth’s called shot, and Kirk Gibson’s limping home run; the slickest steals; the biggest bombs; and the most triumphant no-hitters. But these are also moments raw with the humanity of the game, the unheralded heroes, the mesmerizing mistakes drenched in pine tar, and every story, from the immortal to the obscure, is told from a unique perspective. Whether of a real fan who witnessed it, or the pitcher who gave up the home run, the umpire, the coach, the opposing player—these are fresh takes on moments so powerful they almost feel like myth.
Posnanski’s previous book, The Baseball 100 , portrayed the heroes and pioneers of the sport, and now, with his trademark wit, encyclopedic knowledge, and acute observations, he gets at the real heart of the game. From nineteenth-century pitchers’ duels to breaking the sport’s color line in the ’40s, all the way to the greatest trick play of the last decade and the slide home that became a meme, Posnanski’s illuminating take allows us to rediscover the sport we love—and thought we knew.
Why We Love Baseball is an epic that ends too soon, a one-of-a-kind love letter to the sport that has us thrilled, torn, inspired, and always wanting more.
377 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2023
947 people are currently reading
9237 people want to read
About the author
Joe Posnanski
21 books546 followersJoe Posnanski is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of eight books, a Writer at Large at Esquire, and the co-host of The PosCast with Michael Schur. He writes a newsletter called JoeBlogs. He has been named national sportswriter of the year by five different organizations including the Associated Press Sports Editors and the National Sports Media Association. He also won two sports Emmys as part of NBC's digital Olympic coverage.
His newest book is Why We Love Baseball, which will be published by Dutton on Sept. 5, 2023. His last book, The Baseball 100, won the Casey Award as the best baseball book of 2020.
His newest book is Why We Love Baseball, which will be published by Dutton on Sept. 5, 2023. His last book, The Baseball 100, won the Casey Award as the best baseball book of 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 896 reviews
February 2, 2024
"When you use words like 'mystique' and 'aura' . . . those are dancers in a nightclub. They are not things we concern ourselves with on the ball field." -- Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling, on page 189
An exuberant and entertaining look at 'the national pastime' - so wonderfully called because "it was both rough and refined, traditional and modern, and highlighted individual prowess while relying on team cooperation", per the Smithsonian Associates - sportswriter Posnanski's joyous Why We Love Baseball actually has a misnomer in its numeric subtitle. He admits in his introduction that there are really 108 moments, but he also notes that it achieves a certain symmetry as there are the same number of stitches on the cover of a regulation ball. Although adhering mostly to personalities and events in the MLB from the 1930's onward, Posnanski on occasion reaches way back into the sport's early days (such as the Cincinnati Reds being considered the first professional team, founded just a few years after the Civil War) and/or the long-defunct Negro Leagues (which featured many crazily talented young men who should've had their chance in the majors). He also exceeds at being fair by mentioning all thirty of the current franchises at some point in the text. It was often humorous in historical context, such as his thoughts on the ascension of southpaw pitching aces with "the 1980's was a wonderful decade for the crafty lefties . . . You didn't go anywhere in the 80's without your Members Only jacket, a Van Halen cassette, and a crafty lefty", as well as being heartfelt, such as the recounting of Montreal Expos fans intentionally generating a thunderous and thus sound-vibrating ovation in autumn 1993 so that deaf slugger Curtis Pride would realize he was being acknowledged for his crushing hit that scored two runs. There is an old baseball axiom that "some days you win, some days you lose, and some days it rains." I'd say Posnanski has chalked up a home run with this effort.
An exuberant and entertaining look at 'the national pastime' - so wonderfully called because "it was both rough and refined, traditional and modern, and highlighted individual prowess while relying on team cooperation", per the Smithsonian Associates - sportswriter Posnanski's joyous Why We Love Baseball actually has a misnomer in its numeric subtitle. He admits in his introduction that there are really 108 moments, but he also notes that it achieves a certain symmetry as there are the same number of stitches on the cover of a regulation ball. Although adhering mostly to personalities and events in the MLB from the 1930's onward, Posnanski on occasion reaches way back into the sport's early days (such as the Cincinnati Reds being considered the first professional team, founded just a few years after the Civil War) and/or the long-defunct Negro Leagues (which featured many crazily talented young men who should've had their chance in the majors). He also exceeds at being fair by mentioning all thirty of the current franchises at some point in the text. It was often humorous in historical context, such as his thoughts on the ascension of southpaw pitching aces with "the 1980's was a wonderful decade for the crafty lefties . . . You didn't go anywhere in the 80's without your Members Only jacket, a Van Halen cassette, and a crafty lefty", as well as being heartfelt, such as the recounting of Montreal Expos fans intentionally generating a thunderous and thus sound-vibrating ovation in autumn 1993 so that deaf slugger Curtis Pride would realize he was being acknowledged for his crushing hit that scored two runs. There is an old baseball axiom that "some days you win, some days you lose, and some days it rains." I'd say Posnanski has chalked up a home run with this effort.
November 26, 2023
Lots of people call me the biggest Yankee fan they know. Read the first draft of Richie the Caseworker and you’ll understand. But they’d be shocked to know that when I have a good book to read or something else to do…I don’t watch them play. Or, I’ll read during the commercials, or even between pitches. Gasp!
There’s nothing quite like being there, though. So, about 12 times a year, mostly Sundays, as part of the season ticket package I’ve had for 28 years (yes, I'm that old), I take in the magic of this complicated, slow, odd, heartbreaking, ritualistic and beautiful game.
It’s also a game rich in history, and with it, controversy, shock and awe, and racism overcome. Posnanski delivers it all.
The chapters reminded me of a funny colleague, an elder statesman with dozens and dozens of stories to tell. And me, I love stories. So, although Posnanski and I are about the same age, I got the feel of sitting cross legged in front of a nice old man, closing my eyes, and dreaming of legends on the field. The images are bright, detailed, and exciting. It’s journalism for the rest of us, not communicated with pomp or undue poetry. No, this is the fan sitting next to you, saying, “Hey, can I tell you about the time this guy did this?” It feels like a culmination of all his work over decades of experience. And I can hear the gratitude in his voice, the luck he feels in living a life writing about a kid’s game.
Posnanski must’ve tracked down every player, manager, owner, and fan from here to Japan, and he gives each respect and humanism. Again, the storytelling acumen comes in: I’m amazed at his ability to show us why these moments mattered.
Perhaps most of all I enjoyed the lesser-known stories, like the New Mexico guy who hit all those homers in a minor league…and never played a single MLB game. Or the amazing catch made by a Japanese outfielder.
I also loved hearing new takes on old tales: the Babe's called shot, Ron Swoboda’s catch, Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” (And when I read the chapter of Willie Mays’ “Catch,” I was thrilled to have already known the story, thanks to Andre!) And there are things I never knew, like Jason Heyward’s rain delay speech in Game 7 of the 2016 Series. There are even chapters about baseball fiction: why the mound visit in Bull Durham is so funny, and a question of whether Dottie dropped the ball on purpose in “A League of Their Own.”
I had no qualms about the order of the moments. I might have swapped numbers 1 and 2, but when getting to the end I understood his reasoning.
Throughout the book there’s the acknowledgement of racism, a sense of what might have been had it not taken half a century to see a Black man play in the majors. I got the image of Posnanski standing still, hands on hips, saying, “We can’t talk about how great this game is without recognizing this huge imperfection.” More power to him.
I even got over the blatant Yankee-hating, even though it took all the way to page 355 to admit it. I get it, I live in the Death Star, OK? But he knows, as I sure do, that you can have a book about baseball’s greatest moments without Lou Gehrig’s speech, Reggie hitting those 3 homers in the World Series, or Derek Jeter’s “flip play.” And yes, I was OK with him insinuating that had Giambi slid, he’d have been safe.
HOWEVER…
Posnanski, or maybe his copy editor, made two egregious errors late in the game that nearly cost him the trophy. I nearly fell off the elliptical when I read them. If you’re a Cardinals or Pirates fan, get your torch and pitchfork.
Page 347: Bob Gibson did not appear in the 1978 World Series. He struck out 17 Tigers in Game 1 in ‘68.
Page 352: Willie Stargell did not hit a massive two-run shot in Game 7 of the ’78 Series. That’s because he never played for the Yankees or Dodgers, the actual combatants. No, “Pops” was the MVP of the 1979 Series against the Orioles, the first Series I remember seeing on TV.
I know, they’re just typos. I see it like this: top of the ninth. Posnanski gets an easy grounder and flings it into the stands. Then, he gets a double-play ball and boots it. But he saves it with some slick play (a dazzling last chapter and fine epilogue) and Cleveland hangs on for the W.
“Love” is the right word here. You can watch the game, or you can let it seep into your pores. If the latter, the love will show up sooner or later. Books like this prove it: Posnanski puts on a marvelous celebration of the game I love.
Even if he’s a Yankee-hater. See what a good guy I am?
There’s nothing quite like being there, though. So, about 12 times a year, mostly Sundays, as part of the season ticket package I’ve had for 28 years (yes, I'm that old), I take in the magic of this complicated, slow, odd, heartbreaking, ritualistic and beautiful game.
It’s also a game rich in history, and with it, controversy, shock and awe, and racism overcome. Posnanski delivers it all.
The chapters reminded me of a funny colleague, an elder statesman with dozens and dozens of stories to tell. And me, I love stories. So, although Posnanski and I are about the same age, I got the feel of sitting cross legged in front of a nice old man, closing my eyes, and dreaming of legends on the field. The images are bright, detailed, and exciting. It’s journalism for the rest of us, not communicated with pomp or undue poetry. No, this is the fan sitting next to you, saying, “Hey, can I tell you about the time this guy did this?” It feels like a culmination of all his work over decades of experience. And I can hear the gratitude in his voice, the luck he feels in living a life writing about a kid’s game.
Posnanski must’ve tracked down every player, manager, owner, and fan from here to Japan, and he gives each respect and humanism. Again, the storytelling acumen comes in: I’m amazed at his ability to show us why these moments mattered.
Perhaps most of all I enjoyed the lesser-known stories, like the New Mexico guy who hit all those homers in a minor league…and never played a single MLB game. Or the amazing catch made by a Japanese outfielder.
I also loved hearing new takes on old tales: the Babe's called shot, Ron Swoboda’s catch, Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” (And when I read the chapter of Willie Mays’ “Catch,” I was thrilled to have already known the story, thanks to Andre!) And there are things I never knew, like Jason Heyward’s rain delay speech in Game 7 of the 2016 Series. There are even chapters about baseball fiction: why the mound visit in Bull Durham is so funny, and a question of whether Dottie dropped the ball on purpose in “A League of Their Own.”
I had no qualms about the order of the moments. I might have swapped numbers 1 and 2, but when getting to the end I understood his reasoning.
Throughout the book there’s the acknowledgement of racism, a sense of what might have been had it not taken half a century to see a Black man play in the majors. I got the image of Posnanski standing still, hands on hips, saying, “We can’t talk about how great this game is without recognizing this huge imperfection.” More power to him.
I even got over the blatant Yankee-hating, even though it took all the way to page 355 to admit it. I get it, I live in the Death Star, OK? But he knows, as I sure do, that you can have a book about baseball’s greatest moments without Lou Gehrig’s speech, Reggie hitting those 3 homers in the World Series, or Derek Jeter’s “flip play.” And yes, I was OK with him insinuating that had Giambi slid, he’d have been safe.
HOWEVER…
Posnanski, or maybe his copy editor, made two egregious errors late in the game that nearly cost him the trophy. I nearly fell off the elliptical when I read them. If you’re a Cardinals or Pirates fan, get your torch and pitchfork.
Page 347: Bob Gibson did not appear in the 1978 World Series. He struck out 17 Tigers in Game 1 in ‘68.
Page 352: Willie Stargell did not hit a massive two-run shot in Game 7 of the ’78 Series. That’s because he never played for the Yankees or Dodgers, the actual combatants. No, “Pops” was the MVP of the 1979 Series against the Orioles, the first Series I remember seeing on TV.
I know, they’re just typos. I see it like this: top of the ninth. Posnanski gets an easy grounder and flings it into the stands. Then, he gets a double-play ball and boots it. But he saves it with some slick play (a dazzling last chapter and fine epilogue) and Cleveland hangs on for the W.
“Love” is the right word here. You can watch the game, or you can let it seep into your pores. If the latter, the love will show up sooner or later. Books like this prove it: Posnanski puts on a marvelous celebration of the game I love.
Even if he’s a Yankee-hater. See what a good guy I am?
December 30, 2023
Sometimes I’m weirdly reluctant to read a new book from one of my favorite authors. What if I’m disappointed? I don’t want to be disappointed!
I finally got around to this one, and it did not disappoint. As described in the subtitle, the book tells the story of the 50 greatest moments in baseball according to Joe Posnanski.
But it’s not limited to 50 moments. In typical Posnanski style, he goes on tangents with things like “top 5 barehanded plays” to supplement the list (on this list, by the way, I am mad at him for not including Omar Vizquel’s barehanded snag to preserve Chris Bosio’s 1995 no-hitter on the last play of the game). Other fun tangents: “Five Trick Plays”, “Five Meltdowns”, “Five Blunders”, and many more.
I really liked the diversity of stories. If you were to base this just on moments that were most memorable to fans, it would be disproportionately filled with game-winning hits in the playoffs and would get boring after a while. But I’d think of Posnanski’s list like he is a curator at a museum, and he picked different moments that highlight different ways that make baseball special. There are funny moments, heartwarming moments, and sad moments. He goes off the beaten path to tell stories about women in baseball, minor league baseball, Japanese baseball, and of course Negro League baseball. Some of the moments I never heard of. Some of the moments were stories I’d heard many times before, but I still loved hearing Joe tell it again.
I was going to end this by mentioning a few of my favorite stories, but in the interest of time I’ll limit it to one: No 25: Ball Conks off Canseco’s Head. Please, please take a minute to search the YouTube video of the ball bouncing off Jose Canseco’s head for a home run and re-watch it (or experience it for the first time).
I finally got around to this one, and it did not disappoint. As described in the subtitle, the book tells the story of the 50 greatest moments in baseball according to Joe Posnanski.
But it’s not limited to 50 moments. In typical Posnanski style, he goes on tangents with things like “top 5 barehanded plays” to supplement the list (on this list, by the way, I am mad at him for not including Omar Vizquel’s barehanded snag to preserve Chris Bosio’s 1995 no-hitter on the last play of the game). Other fun tangents: “Five Trick Plays”, “Five Meltdowns”, “Five Blunders”, and many more.
I really liked the diversity of stories. If you were to base this just on moments that were most memorable to fans, it would be disproportionately filled with game-winning hits in the playoffs and would get boring after a while. But I’d think of Posnanski’s list like he is a curator at a museum, and he picked different moments that highlight different ways that make baseball special. There are funny moments, heartwarming moments, and sad moments. He goes off the beaten path to tell stories about women in baseball, minor league baseball, Japanese baseball, and of course Negro League baseball. Some of the moments I never heard of. Some of the moments were stories I’d heard many times before, but I still loved hearing Joe tell it again.
I was going to end this by mentioning a few of my favorite stories, but in the interest of time I’ll limit it to one: No 25: Ball Conks off Canseco’s Head. Please, please take a minute to search the YouTube video of the ball bouncing off Jose Canseco’s head for a home run and re-watch it (or experience it for the first time).
February 5, 2025
Any baseball fan can tell you about his or her favorite moments in the game and they will probably tell you that this is one reason they love (or at least like) baseball. Best selling author Joe Posnanski has gathered 50 such moments and wrote about them in this fun book for any baseball fan.
As one who likes to listen to audio books that are narrated by the author, I felt that because one will get Posnanski’s take on these moments with his voice inflections it was more meaningful than reading the book. In addition, between chapters about these moments there were other items sprinkled liberally through the book such as the funniest moments, great bare-handed catches and other such nuggets. The narration by Ellen Adair for these sections was just as good as Posnanski’s and gave a nice break in hearing the same voice.
As there is with any list of the best, the greatest or other subjective subjects, one might argue about Posnanski’s choices and many readers/listeners will want to exclaim “Where’s my favorite moment?” That doesn’t really matter for this book as anyone who enjoys the game will recall many of them and smile. That is true whether a person was alive to witness the event live or on television or even if they just know about it through stories passed down through the generations – each moment is a wonderful one to someone.
The players and teams are various and while not every team is mentioned in these 50 moments, there is a chapter for the most popular one for each team as Posnanski reached out to fans to send him their favorites. While the one I sent did not make the top 50, it did get mentioned for my favorite team so that was a good thing (Kirby Puckett’s home run in game 6 of the 1991 World Series). This is a must read or must listen for any baseball fan.
As one who likes to listen to audio books that are narrated by the author, I felt that because one will get Posnanski’s take on these moments with his voice inflections it was more meaningful than reading the book. In addition, between chapters about these moments there were other items sprinkled liberally through the book such as the funniest moments, great bare-handed catches and other such nuggets. The narration by Ellen Adair for these sections was just as good as Posnanski’s and gave a nice break in hearing the same voice.
As there is with any list of the best, the greatest or other subjective subjects, one might argue about Posnanski’s choices and many readers/listeners will want to exclaim “Where’s my favorite moment?” That doesn’t really matter for this book as anyone who enjoys the game will recall many of them and smile. That is true whether a person was alive to witness the event live or on television or even if they just know about it through stories passed down through the generations – each moment is a wonderful one to someone.
The players and teams are various and while not every team is mentioned in these 50 moments, there is a chapter for the most popular one for each team as Posnanski reached out to fans to send him their favorites. While the one I sent did not make the top 50, it did get mentioned for my favorite team so that was a good thing (Kirby Puckett’s home run in game 6 of the 1991 World Series). This is a must read or must listen for any baseball fan.
April 18, 2025
If this book didn't contain my favorite baseball memory, I was going to be cursing the author under my breath. But of course it was there and so many more.
This is not only about some of the greatest plays and games in history but also the errors, goofy plays, and heartbreaking moments. Posnanski tells fresh stories about the immortals of the game and also includes some of the unheralded players who should have gotten more attention. And he doesn't leave out the antics of umpires, team managers, fans, and the broadcasting moments.
We follow baseball from the early 20th century until the turn of the 21st:the Negro League, breaking the color barrier, spitballs, pine tar, player meltdowns and some things that are probably unfamiliar to the reader. And it is all done with humor and some great quotes from players.
A great book for the baseball fan and I would recommend it.
BTW, what is my greatest baseball memory? My father and I used to always listen on the radio to our favorite team, the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1960, they actually made it to the World Series against the much favored Yankees and everyone thought it would be a four game sweep by the Yankees. Somehow the Pirates kept squeaking by and in the bottom of the 9th of the 7th game, Bill Mazeroski came to the plate and on the second pitch he hit it out of the park and the Pirates won the Series. Several years ago I purchased a CD set of that radio broadcast and still listen to it periodically. Glorious!!!!
This is not only about some of the greatest plays and games in history but also the errors, goofy plays, and heartbreaking moments. Posnanski tells fresh stories about the immortals of the game and also includes some of the unheralded players who should have gotten more attention. And he doesn't leave out the antics of umpires, team managers, fans, and the broadcasting moments.
We follow baseball from the early 20th century until the turn of the 21st:the Negro League, breaking the color barrier, spitballs, pine tar, player meltdowns and some things that are probably unfamiliar to the reader. And it is all done with humor and some great quotes from players.
A great book for the baseball fan and I would recommend it.
BTW, what is my greatest baseball memory? My father and I used to always listen on the radio to our favorite team, the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1960, they actually made it to the World Series against the much favored Yankees and everyone thought it would be a four game sweep by the Yankees. Somehow the Pirates kept squeaking by and in the bottom of the 9th of the 7th game, Bill Mazeroski came to the plate and on the second pitch he hit it out of the park and the Pirates won the Series. Several years ago I purchased a CD set of that radio broadcast and still listen to it periodically. Glorious!!!!
August 6, 2024
These aren't the most famous fifty moments, but Posnanski does a great job giving you the stories behind a mix of famous and obscure stories from baseball's (not just MLB) history. And the framework he uses for each moment isn't always what you'd expect. He comes to each moment looking for the most interesting story.
My favorite chapters:
41 - Ponderous Joe Goes Deep
40 - The Pine Tar Homer
39 - Striking Out Sadaharu Oh
36 - Nolan and the Table Leg
26 - Alexander Strikes Out Lazzeri
24 - Mr. October
16 - The Shot Heard Round the World
11 - Don Larsen's Perfect Game
10 - Satch vs. Josh
My favorite chapters:
41 - Ponderous Joe Goes Deep
40 - The Pine Tar Homer
39 - Striking Out Sadaharu Oh
36 - Nolan and the Table Leg
26 - Alexander Strikes Out Lazzeri
24 - Mr. October
16 - The Shot Heard Round the World
11 - Don Larsen's Perfect Game
10 - Satch vs. Josh
January 22, 2024
Pure joy in book form.
Bonus points for the correct opinion that A League of Their Own is the best baseball movie ever made.
Bonus points for the correct opinion that A League of Their Own is the best baseball movie ever made.
March 17, 2024
Started as a library book, but it was so good I had to buy it halfway through.
Few things make me happier than a well written baseball history book. Posnaski gets it right. From the joy of the game, to the classic moments, to the niche moments only fans of specific teams remember…this book really does tell the story of why we love baseball.
My only gripe is under the Tampa Bay Rays section he somehow missed Akinori Iwamura’s final out in the 2008 ALCS to send the Rays to the World Series. That’s my favorite moment for a number of reasons…surprised the fan vote didn’t suggest it.
Few things make me happier than a well written baseball history book. Posnaski gets it right. From the joy of the game, to the classic moments, to the niche moments only fans of specific teams remember…this book really does tell the story of why we love baseball.
My only gripe is under the Tampa Bay Rays section he somehow missed Akinori Iwamura’s final out in the 2008 ALCS to send the Rays to the World Series. That’s my favorite moment for a number of reasons…surprised the fan vote didn’t suggest it.
July 24, 2023
If I could give it 6 or 7 or even 10, I would! Anyone who ever went to or watched a baseball game should read this book.
September 10, 2023
An exceptionally fun and thoroughly detailed love letter to baseball.
Joe Posnanski, who also wrote The Baseball 100 (a countdown of sorts of the sport’s best players in history), here gives us a survey of 50 things that make baseball wonderful, ranging around in time and content.
I liked the structure of the book as well as the tone, and was impressed with Posnanski’s choices on what to include. There are plenty of excellent in-game moments of course, but also getting recognition are many non game action topics that are worthy subjects in the pantheon of great baseball happenings.
If you’re a big fan of the sport there won’t be many topics here that you know nothing about going in, but I found that in almost every instance, Posnanski gave me a few tidbits that were new to me even if the event was one with which I was already familiar. And because of the way that the content is presented, even those topics which were already intimately familiar to me still felt fun to read about.
The balance of subject matter is notably good, ranging around to cover most teams in a manner that feels democratic, and doing the same with different periods in baseball history.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Joe Posnanski, who also wrote The Baseball 100 (a countdown of sorts of the sport’s best players in history), here gives us a survey of 50 things that make baseball wonderful, ranging around in time and content.
I liked the structure of the book as well as the tone, and was impressed with Posnanski’s choices on what to include. There are plenty of excellent in-game moments of course, but also getting recognition are many non game action topics that are worthy subjects in the pantheon of great baseball happenings.
If you’re a big fan of the sport there won’t be many topics here that you know nothing about going in, but I found that in almost every instance, Posnanski gave me a few tidbits that were new to me even if the event was one with which I was already familiar. And because of the way that the content is presented, even those topics which were already intimately familiar to me still felt fun to read about.
The balance of subject matter is notably good, ranging around to cover most teams in a manner that feels democratic, and doing the same with different periods in baseball history.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
August 22, 2023
This was a lot of fun. At one point, Posnanski defines his criteria for great baseball moments: (I+D+E)*A, where I is importance, D is distinctiveness, E is emotion, and A is Awesomeness. But in addition to the important and the awesome, we also get the weird and the funny and the poignant too. The moments and the players you expect are here--Babe Ruth, Sandy Koufax, Cal Ripken, Jr, Shohei Ohtani--but I was more entertained and moved by the unexpected additions: the mostly forgettable players who had one unforgettable moment, some of them in college or the minor leagues or Japan. In addition to the main 50 moments chronicled, we get bonus moments on categories like best trick plays, biggest blunders, or one-handed catches.
Another thing I loved about this one was that, in addition to Posnanski's take on the moment, which includes several fun digressions like favorite baseball card poses, we also get some perspectives of others who were there: spectators, teammates, opposing players, announcers, umpires. And, as with most memorable moments, the stories they tell don't always match up to the actual recorded events, but that adds to the mythical and emotional impact of some of them. So Posnanski will notice a first base coach's outsized reaction to a moment and track down that story, or will notice the forgotten home run that tied the game, that set up the memorable game-winning home run and tell the story of that player, too.
Of course, Red Sox fan and Poscast co-host Michael Schur gets to weigh in with one of my favorite descriptions: "Game 2 was a typical Yankee strangulation affair, where some dumb pitcher you barely know (Jon Lieber?) three-hits you, some dumb role player takes Pedro Martinez deep (John Olerud, are you kidding me? He's a thousand years old!), and then Mariano Rivera puts a pillow over your face in the ninth inning and shushes you as the air drains from your lungs."
I got tickets to see Posnanski and Schur in conversation in Kansas City and I'm hoping for a live version of some ridiculous and random Poscast-style draft, to go along with some memorable moments that maybe just missed the cut.
Another thing I loved about this one was that, in addition to Posnanski's take on the moment, which includes several fun digressions like favorite baseball card poses, we also get some perspectives of others who were there: spectators, teammates, opposing players, announcers, umpires. And, as with most memorable moments, the stories they tell don't always match up to the actual recorded events, but that adds to the mythical and emotional impact of some of them. So Posnanski will notice a first base coach's outsized reaction to a moment and track down that story, or will notice the forgotten home run that tied the game, that set up the memorable game-winning home run and tell the story of that player, too.
Of course, Red Sox fan and Poscast co-host Michael Schur gets to weigh in with one of my favorite descriptions: "Game 2 was a typical Yankee strangulation affair, where some dumb pitcher you barely know (Jon Lieber?) three-hits you, some dumb role player takes Pedro Martinez deep (John Olerud, are you kidding me? He's a thousand years old!), and then Mariano Rivera puts a pillow over your face in the ninth inning and shushes you as the air drains from your lungs."
I got tickets to see Posnanski and Schur in conversation in Kansas City and I'm hoping for a live version of some ridiculous and random Poscast-style draft, to go along with some memorable moments that maybe just missed the cut.
October 15, 2023
The writing isn’t quite as good as Podnanski’s 100 Best Baseball Players. And not each selection held great interest.
But the ones that do are chilling and thrilling. “Jackie and Yogi,” “Perfection,” “Waving at the Ball Like a Madman” were my three favorite moments.
Baseball fans will like this. For others, turn to Podnanski’s previous book.
But the ones that do are chilling and thrilling. “Jackie and Yogi,” “Perfection,” “Waving at the Ball Like a Madman” were my three favorite moments.
Baseball fans will like this. For others, turn to Podnanski’s previous book.
June 2, 2025
Baseball… America’s national pastime and my first introduction to sports. Baseball is no longer my favorite sport, either to play or watch, but it still holds a special place in my heart. For many of us, it was our first organized activity outside of religion or school. I started t-ball at the age of 3. I don’t remember it but I remember when my youngest brother started at about the same age. The only real organization was getting a bunch of toddlers in helmets and having them swing a tiny metal bat at a ball on a tee. Then at the ball on the ground and then them running an any number of directions. It wasn’t baseball, just kids having fun and I don’t think anyone expected anything else.
Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments is obviously actually about baseball, but ultimately it’s a fun way to acknowledge the game so many of us still love. In this book, Posnanski walks his readers through over 100 different moments in the game, from minor league moments to iconic and historic events, while also finding key moments to add in a bit of cultural tie-ins from our favorite baseball movies and shows. I found myself delighted to learn about new moments and then watching them on YouTube as well as reading moments forever locked in my mind, and then watching those again on YouTube too.
I obviously don’t agree with his rankings but that’s sports, and I will acknowledge he found many great moments. I do think that readers with a deeper familiarity with baseball and its titans will enjoy this book more as it’s more of a nostalgia project for the game. Nonetheless this is a fun summer read and would be baseball fans of all ages.
Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments is obviously actually about baseball, but ultimately it’s a fun way to acknowledge the game so many of us still love. In this book, Posnanski walks his readers through over 100 different moments in the game, from minor league moments to iconic and historic events, while also finding key moments to add in a bit of cultural tie-ins from our favorite baseball movies and shows. I found myself delighted to learn about new moments and then watching them on YouTube as well as reading moments forever locked in my mind, and then watching those again on YouTube too.
I obviously don’t agree with his rankings but that’s sports, and I will acknowledge he found many great moments. I do think that readers with a deeper familiarity with baseball and its titans will enjoy this book more as it’s more of a nostalgia project for the game. Nonetheless this is a fun summer read and would be baseball fans of all ages.
November 3, 2024
Why do I love baseball? Because I can read a book of baseball stories; and even though I know just about all of them, I still enjoy reading them. Joe is a great writer and adds some things to each story as well as going off on some fun tangents. Love that he also included some fictional stuff like Bugs Bunny and the Bull Durham mound visit.
January 30, 2024
This is the second baseball book I’ve read, and I think I learned that I don’t actually enjoy reading about baseball. I love watching baseball. I love listening to stories about baseball. But it’s not my favorite genre to read on a page.
(One fun thing was that the author asked Michael Shur - his close friend and Red Sox mega fan - write a chapter. The unfortunate side-effect was that after reading that, I wanted the whole book to be written by Shur.)
(One fun thing was that the author asked Michael Shur - his close friend and Red Sox mega fan - write a chapter. The unfortunate side-effect was that after reading that, I wanted the whole book to be written by Shur.)
November 29, 2023
This was just so stupidly, delightfully great - funny, poignant, clever, honest. Would I have loved it as much if the Orioles hadn't been so good this year and I had gotten bored with MLB before the All Star Game like usual? Maybe, maybe not. But the Orioles were that good, and I wasn't bored, and I cried like fourteen times and laughed about as many and also I love baseball.
February 20, 2024
Lots of good baseball stories, just in time for Spring Training!
March 25, 2025
What I really want to know after reading this impressive collection is how on earth Posnanski narrowed down all of baseball history to these 50 moments. We’ve got players in the Majors, Minors, Negro League, college, and overseas. Even a couple of female players! Did he magically retain all these plays in his head?? If so, I’m impressed. This captures the many unexpected things that can happen during a game, not to mention rarely used rules that come out of nowhere. There are the players you’d expect (Babe Ruth, Willie Mays) but also those who never got their due. While I was puzzled by the inclusion of scenes from movies and television, the chapter with a moment for every team was a nice touch. It’s indeed a love letter to the sport, one that makes me proud to be a baseball fan.
*I did not take content notes for this and there is not much to be aware of, outside of references to the kind of bad behavior you might expect from players and the league, but I do want to give a heads up about one moving story that is about a player's dad who dies of cancer.
*I did not take content notes for this and there is not much to be aware of, outside of references to the kind of bad behavior you might expect from players and the league, but I do want to give a heads up about one moving story that is about a player's dad who dies of cancer.
September 8, 2025
Truly a remarkable work. The sheer depth of knowledge, scope, and detail that comprises this book is astounding. When I started the book, I thought Posnanski's writing was good, but as the book went on I was continuously blown away by his ability to tell a story. It felt like I was just chatting with a buddy who had a knack for historical fun-facts and tidbits. Most stories only comprise of a few pages, but he was able to inject each one with so much heart, humanity, and humor. I laughed, I cried, and I had to cut away from the book on numerous occasions just so I could watch a video of these amazing moments. I have always been a fan of baseball in that I love my STL Cardinals, but now it feels more accurate to say I'm a fan of baseball, period.
July 5, 2024
A great book with lots of fun stories
July 25, 2024
4.5 stars
This was a wonderful book, probably the best baseball book of the past few decades. The great baseball writers on my list include Roger Kahn and David Halberstam. Now definitely add Joe Posnanski to the list. He has such a vast knowledge of sports and is a poignant writer with humor.
If you like trips down memory lane and you like baseball history too then this will have you laughing and maybe even crying from nostalgia.
This was a wonderful book, probably the best baseball book of the past few decades. The great baseball writers on my list include Roger Kahn and David Halberstam. Now definitely add Joe Posnanski to the list. He has such a vast knowledge of sports and is a poignant writer with humor.
If you like trips down memory lane and you like baseball history too then this will have you laughing and maybe even crying from nostalgia.
September 16, 2023
When kids ask me about my favorite sport (and I work in education, so please don't think I'm a creep when I talk about talking to kids), I say baseball has always been my favorite sport. They look at me like I'm crazy, or some sort of freak out of a sci-fi movie, but it's true: America's pastime speaks to me in ways that all the other major sports do not. I love football and basketball, I can appreciate a well-played hockey game or NASCAR race, and I'm sure that golf is lovely if you're one of the poor deluded souls who seriously thinks that it's a sport (it's a game. A perfectly fun game, but a game nonetheless). No, baseball isn't what it once was in the national landscape, and any number of things (from the sport's supposed antiquity to the real notion that steroids have rendered records moot) can be blamed for this. But one area where baseball has never lost its power is in the literary realm: most of the classic and best-written books about sports have been about baseball. Joe Posnanski, who contributed to that legacy with "The Baseball 100" a few years back, has returned with another instant classic, and possibly my favorite sports-related book of the year so far.
"Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments" is the sort of book that I love; spanning the entire era of Major League Baseball (as well as its international cohort), this is a record of moments that show why those of us who fell in love with the sport continue to love it long after it was fashionable. Going from 50 to 1, with many obvious moments but also some unusual and little-known ones, Posnanski spins a history of the sport that encompasses the obscure as well as the famous, and it's all as entertaining as a double-header at Wrigley Field on a beautiful summer's day.
The list is, of course, subjective to Posnanski's whims, and that's what's so great about it; he rarely goes the expected route even when discussing well-known moments. Yes, the Buckner play is in here, but from the perspective of the Mets. Babe Ruth's called shot gets highlighted, and it's not quite as easy to solve one way or the other. Satchel Paige versus Josh Gibson is more entertaining when told through the eyes of Buck O'Neil, who knew both men. And the greatest moment of all has just as much pain and heartbreak to it as elation.
This is a fun, wonderful book, much like Posnanski's previous book "The Baseball 100." It's not so much a "I do/do not agree with" rankings book as it is an eye-opening and very funny look at the peculiar sport which has fallen in the estimation of many, but which still has a firm grip on many imaginations. "Why We Love Baseball" is a love letter to the game, and a gift for those of us who still hold baseball close to our hearts, no matter how little we follow the modern-day game. Baseball will always be my favorite sport, and Posnanski has hit another one out of the ballpark.
"Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments" is the sort of book that I love; spanning the entire era of Major League Baseball (as well as its international cohort), this is a record of moments that show why those of us who fell in love with the sport continue to love it long after it was fashionable. Going from 50 to 1, with many obvious moments but also some unusual and little-known ones, Posnanski spins a history of the sport that encompasses the obscure as well as the famous, and it's all as entertaining as a double-header at Wrigley Field on a beautiful summer's day.
The list is, of course, subjective to Posnanski's whims, and that's what's so great about it; he rarely goes the expected route even when discussing well-known moments. Yes, the Buckner play is in here, but from the perspective of the Mets. Babe Ruth's called shot gets highlighted, and it's not quite as easy to solve one way or the other. Satchel Paige versus Josh Gibson is more entertaining when told through the eyes of Buck O'Neil, who knew both men. And the greatest moment of all has just as much pain and heartbreak to it as elation.
This is a fun, wonderful book, much like Posnanski's previous book "The Baseball 100." It's not so much a "I do/do not agree with" rankings book as it is an eye-opening and very funny look at the peculiar sport which has fallen in the estimation of many, but which still has a firm grip on many imaginations. "Why We Love Baseball" is a love letter to the game, and a gift for those of us who still hold baseball close to our hearts, no matter how little we follow the modern-day game. Baseball will always be my favorite sport, and Posnanski has hit another one out of the ballpark.
May 5, 2024
I ❤️ baseball. It’s only fitting that I finished this book on the same day I grabbed a random t-shirt to wear and it was my Baseball is the Best shirt. And my sandwich order was #406, to match Ted Williams’ 1941 recorded-setting batting average.
This book took me longer to read because for each baseball moment that happened, I hopped over to YouTube to watch the clip and got lost watching old highlights.
This book is filled with so many great stories, great tidbits, great moments, and it filled my baseball-loving heart with joy.
“Sport is agony. We agree to suffer endlessly in exchange for the mere possibility of sublime rapture. Sometimes we even get it.”
“[In 2022,] Shohei Ohtani (the batter) was intentionally walked 14 times. Shohei Ohtani (the pitcher) didn’t intentionally walk anybody.”
“[On September 27, 1927, Babe Ruth hit his 57th homer on his way to hitting his single-season record of 60.] On the same day, a white leghorn hen in Omaha named Babe Ruth laid her 152nd egg in as many days, setting a different sort of record. Aren’t you glad you check in on the footnotes?”
This book took me longer to read because for each baseball moment that happened, I hopped over to YouTube to watch the clip and got lost watching old highlights.
This book is filled with so many great stories, great tidbits, great moments, and it filled my baseball-loving heart with joy.
“Sport is agony. We agree to suffer endlessly in exchange for the mere possibility of sublime rapture. Sometimes we even get it.”
“[In 2022,] Shohei Ohtani (the batter) was intentionally walked 14 times. Shohei Ohtani (the pitcher) didn’t intentionally walk anybody.”
“[On September 27, 1927, Babe Ruth hit his 57th homer on his way to hitting his single-season record of 60.] On the same day, a white leghorn hen in Omaha named Babe Ruth laid her 152nd egg in as many days, setting a different sort of record. Aren’t you glad you check in on the footnotes?”
January 10, 2024
EXACTLY what I was looking for in this book. After reading a heavy 500+ page novel (demon copperhead), I knew I needed something fun, light hearted, and interesting. This is a book by an absolutely baseball nerd who tells a great story. Made me excited for the 2024 season and taking my kids to more Braves games.
December 19, 2024
I remember what packs of baseball cards were like in the late 1980s—the crinkly sound of the wax paper, the smell of that one stick of pink bubble gum, and the anticipation you felt wondering if you’d find the card of one of your favorite players inside. This book is a bit like that. The stories—Lou Gehrig, Henry Aaron, Ripken’s streak, J. Hey’s rain delay speech, Sid Bream coming home—and the storytelling are brilliant. There’s too much language to share this book with a 10-year-old (and that’s a shame) but otherwise the book is magical.
July 15, 2025
“Sport is agony. We agree to suffer endlessly in exchange for the mere possibility of sublime rapture. Sometimes we even get it.”
This book made me laugh, cry, and gave me chills on the hottest days of the summer. Filled with superb storytelling that only comes from the most passionate of sports fans plus the legendary tales that only baseball can produce, this book was truly a pleasure to listen to.
This book made me laugh, cry, and gave me chills on the hottest days of the summer. Filled with superb storytelling that only comes from the most passionate of sports fans plus the legendary tales that only baseball can produce, this book was truly a pleasure to listen to.
November 25, 2025
the perfect book to read in the cold dark evenings at the end of the baseball season: a reminder that there are more magical moments waiting to be played out on the field next summer.
June 2, 2025
A book I’d have read over and over in my childhood, and that makes the reading experience incredibly sentimental to me. I’ve grown to love a litany of sports, but baseball is and always will by my first and truest love amongst them.
Posnanski captures as much of that whimsy as is possible within this book. It only makes the heart grow fonder.
Posnanski captures as much of that whimsy as is possible within this book. It only makes the heart grow fonder.
October 5, 2023
8 stars.
After reading The Baseball 100 last year and loving it (a major understatement), I couldn’t wait for Posnanski’s love letter to baseball called Why We Love Baseball. I didn’t look at the Table of Contents; I didn’t want to ruin the surprise of each chapter. And I’m glad I didn’t. I read the Kindle version of this book and flew through the 377 pages in just a few days.
Posnanski has been seeped in the baseball world for a long time, and the depth of his experiences, relationships, and knowledge make his writing—and this book—one-of-a-kind. He brings the humor and humanity out of nearly every story. One good example is for Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run. Posnaski talked about the two teenagers who ran out of the stands to run the bases alongside Aaron, exploring how they decided to run onto the field, their lives after their fifteen seconds of fame (immoralized forever on video), and even mentioning that “Aaron’s bodyguard did consider shooting them.”
I also appreciated how Posnanski dug out some incredible stories from the minor leagues, international baseball, and even women’s baseball to remind us that baseball is bigger than just the big leagues.
Every fan of baseball history should read this book. You’ll laugh, you’ll tear up, and have a good list of anecdotes to impress your friends next time at the ballpark.
After reading The Baseball 100 last year and loving it (a major understatement), I couldn’t wait for Posnanski’s love letter to baseball called Why We Love Baseball. I didn’t look at the Table of Contents; I didn’t want to ruin the surprise of each chapter. And I’m glad I didn’t. I read the Kindle version of this book and flew through the 377 pages in just a few days.
Posnanski has been seeped in the baseball world for a long time, and the depth of his experiences, relationships, and knowledge make his writing—and this book—one-of-a-kind. He brings the humor and humanity out of nearly every story. One good example is for Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run. Posnaski talked about the two teenagers who ran out of the stands to run the bases alongside Aaron, exploring how they decided to run onto the field, their lives after their fifteen seconds of fame (immoralized forever on video), and even mentioning that “Aaron’s bodyguard did consider shooting them.”
I also appreciated how Posnanski dug out some incredible stories from the minor leagues, international baseball, and even women’s baseball to remind us that baseball is bigger than just the big leagues.
Every fan of baseball history should read this book. You’ll laugh, you’ll tear up, and have a good list of anecdotes to impress your friends next time at the ballpark.
April 22, 2024
I think it would be difficult for me to articulate why I love baseball succinctly, but after reading this, I’m closer to being able to.
Herein are 108 stories, anecdotes, and asides, some of the more magical moments that have happened in baseball. Even if some of them break your heart to read—and at least one did for me—you have to admit they’re pretty magical. And they’re all told beautifully, by one of the more masterful wordsmiths to write about sports. Even the stories you’ve heard before are given new life here.
I do think, though, that this book is great for more than just the stories it contains, for it must remind you of the magical moments you’ve experienced that are not in this book.
There’s an old adage that says “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Baseball rhymes a lot. Most of us didn’t get to see the events recounted in this book, but we’ve all seen one that made us feel the same way those who did felt. That magic manifests itself often enough, so we all have those moments. I know I do. Feeling that magic, knowing it’s the same feeling so many others have felt when they did…I think that’s why I love baseball.
Ten stars out of five.
Herein are 108 stories, anecdotes, and asides, some of the more magical moments that have happened in baseball. Even if some of them break your heart to read—and at least one did for me—you have to admit they’re pretty magical. And they’re all told beautifully, by one of the more masterful wordsmiths to write about sports. Even the stories you’ve heard before are given new life here.
I do think, though, that this book is great for more than just the stories it contains, for it must remind you of the magical moments you’ve experienced that are not in this book.
There’s an old adage that says “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Baseball rhymes a lot. Most of us didn’t get to see the events recounted in this book, but we’ve all seen one that made us feel the same way those who did felt. That magic manifests itself often enough, so we all have those moments. I know I do. Feeling that magic, knowing it’s the same feeling so many others have felt when they did…I think that’s why I love baseball.
Ten stars out of five.
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