The Voices of Baseball

The Game’s Greatest Broadcasters Reflect on America’s Pastime, Updated Edition

By Kirk McKnight

With careers spanning two to three times that of an average player, baseball’s best broadcasters have no shortage of history to offer. They have witnessed opening days, no hitters, slugfests, and perfect games, all from arguably the best seats in the house. Broadcasters know their clubs, their stadiums, and their teams in a way that no one else can.

In The Voices of Baseball, Kirk McKnight provides an in-depth look at each of Major League Baseball’s thirty ballparks from the perspectives of the game’s longesttenured story-tellers. Fifty broadcasters reflect on their most iconic calls, fondest memories, what makes their ballparks unique, and more. This updated edition includes 14 additional broadcasters, two new stadiums, the latest World Series calls from the booth, and a special tribute to the recently-departed Vin Scully. With decades of broadcasting between them, their stories encapsulate some of Major League Baseball’s biggest moments. Generations of baseball fans will all enjoy the historic and triumphant memories shared by some of the game’s greatest broadcasters in The Voices of Baseball.

Kirk McKnight is an American author specializing in interview-based sports books ranging from the diamonds of baseball to the Zamboni-swept ice of hockey. McKnight’s other books include The Voices of Hockey and Batting Clean: Why Dale Murphy Belongs in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Kirk currently serves as the Staff Writer for The Wickenburg Sun, a weekly Arizona newspaper. He resides in Wickenburg, Arizona.

A fascinating tour of baseball’s greatest moments and iconic stadiums, told through the reminiscences of 50 play-by-play broadcasters.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

April 2023

364 pages

26 illustrations

Hardback

978 1 5381 7701 3 eBook

978 1 5381 7702 0

Sports & Recreation • Baseball / History

Long Run to Glory

The Story of the Greatest Marathon in Olympic History and the Women Who Made It Happen

By Stephen Lane

On the morning of August 5, 1984, four of the greatest marathoners of all time lined up for one of the most important and long-awaited races in history. By then, they had dominated their competition for at least five years, upending a century’s worth of preconceived notions of what marathoners could do. By decade’s end, they had lowered the world record a total of 13 minutes, won 27 major marathon titles, and swept every Olympic and World Championship held in the 1980s. And, in their careers, only once did all four—American Joan Benoit, Norwegians Grete Waitz and Ingrid Kristiansen, and Portugal’s Rosa Mota—square off in the same race: at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, in the first-ever Women’s Olympic Marathon.

Such was their talent that Benoit, the world record holder, entered the race as the underdog. She’d had knee surgery in April, and no one, least of all Benoit herself, was certain she could hold up for 26 miles against her three rivals. Waitz, the former world record holder, was the favorite—she had destroyed the field at the 1983 World Championships and had never lost a marathon she had finished. Kristiansen, who had beaten Waitz twice in the summer of 1984 (albeit at shorter distances), was considered the fastest woman in the race: she held world records at 5,000m and 10,000m, and would break Benoit’s marathon record in 1985. Mota had beaten Kristiansen at the 1982 European marathon championships and was already earning a reputation for raising her level in the biggest races.

Stephen Lane, the meet director for the Adrian Martinez Classic (considered the top professional track and field meet for distance runners on the East Coast), has coached track and field for twenty-five years. He lives in Concord, Massachusetts.

Lyons Press

November 2023

272 pages

Hardback with dust jacket

978 1 4930 7302 3 eBook

978 1 4930 7760 1

Sports & Recreation • Running & Jogging

The Babe Book Baseball’s Greatest Legend

Remembered

By Ernestine Gichner Miller, foreword by Julia Ruth Stevens

Brings Babe’s personality and competitive spirit vividly to life.

His last game was more than seventy years ago, but Babe Ruth remains an American icon—the first superstar of sports. Named the Greatest Baseball Player of the Twentieth Century by the sports media, George Herman Ruth epitomizes the best of baseball history and is still one of the most beloved sports heroes of all time.

Babe Ruth’s daughter Julia Ruth Stevens adds a personal note in the book’s foreword.

Ernestine Gichner Miller is a women’s sports historian and was a member of the board of directors and chair of all women’s sport activities at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum in Baltimore. She divides her time between New York City and Washington, D.C.

The Basketball Book of Why (and Who, What, When, Where, and How)

The Answers to Questions You’ve Always Wondered about Hoops

By Wayne Stewart

The perfect resource to settle arguments or to answer challenging trivia questions.

This book provides over 100 questions and detailed answers concerning the traditions, rules, and history of basketball. Organized by the sport’s three eras—its birth through 1945, the NBA from 1946 through 1999, and the game today—it answers questions about the sport at all levels, from college games to the Olympics. A bonus chapter provides a Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of basketball—the perfect resource to settle arguments or to answer challenging trivia questions.

Wayne Stewart is the author of thirtyeight books and hundreds of articles in sports. He lives in Lorain, Ohio.

The Hockey Book of Why (and Who, What, When, Where,

and How)

The Answers to Questions You’ve Always Wondered about the Fastest Game on Ice

By Martin Gitlin

A one-stop shop to all your questions on ice hockey.

This book provides a slew of questions and in-depth answers concerning the traditions, rules, records, and history of hockey. From the early days of hockey to the hugely popular game seen today, Martin Gitlin answers questions even the most knowledgeable fan may have pondered. Whether the topic is goalies or coaches, famous “firsts” or memorable moments, if a Who, What, When, Where, Why, or How? question is on your mind, this is the book for you.

Martin Gitlin is a multi-awardwinning veteran author and sportswriter. Gitlin lives in North Olmsted, Ohio.

Lyons Press

November 2023 • 224 pages

90 illustrations

Trade paperback 978 1 4930 7498 3

Sports & Recreation • Baseball / History

Lyons Press

January 2024 • 160 pages

Trade paperback 978 1 4930 7276 7 eBook 978 1 4930 7277 4

Sports & Recreation • Reference

Lyons Press

October 2023 • 176 pages

Trade paperback 978 1 4930 7092 3 eBook 978 1 4930 7093 0

Sports & Recreation • Reference

Walks of a Lifetime from around the World

Extraordinary Hikes in Exceptional Places

By Robert Manning and Martha Manning

Walking is simple, but it can also be profound. In an increasingly complex and frantic world, walking can help simplify and focus our lives. It is an elegantly sustainable form of recreation, deepens our understanding and appreciation of the world’s great cultural landscapes, stimulates our thinking, and makes us healthier and happier in the process.

In Walks of a Lifetime from Around the World, Bob and Martha Manning invite readers to join the walking community. Their book explains why, how, and where to walk, with an emphasis on multi-day, long-distance trails—walking vacations of a few days to a few weeks. The heart of the book is a series of first-hand descriptions of forty of the world’s great multi-day walks, spanning six continents, most U.S. states and Washington, DC, and ranging from inn-to-inn walks to backpacking treks. Many of these walks are among the world’s most iconic. Trail descriptions are richly illustrated with color photographs and maps.

Robert Manning is Professor Emeritus at the University of Vermont where he taught the history, philosophy, and management of national parks and conducted a longterm program of research for the US National Park Service.

Martha Manning is an artist whose work is in-spired by the out-of-doors; her work has appeared in national shows and publications. Bob and Martha have lived, worked, and walked extensively in the national parks.

A must-read for all walking enthusiasts who yearn to explore the world.

Falcon Guides

December 2023

288 pages

409 illustrations

Trade paperback

978 1 4930 7237 8 eBook

978 1 4930 7238 5

Sports & Recreation • Hiking