"Steinbrenner" by Bill Madden (HarperCollins, $26.99, 480 pages, 16
pages of photographs) is a mother lode of information on the man
they used to call "the Boss." Madden, has been on the scene for more
than 30 years covering the Yankees and Major League Baseball for the
New York Daily News and is the 2010 recipient of the Baseball
Hall of Fame's J.G. Taylor Spink Award.
There is a lot that is known about Steinbrenner and that is all over
the book. There is also a lot not widely known and that gives the
book its hook and its anchor like when George's personal friend
Barbara (Walters) was evicted from his suite when George's wife made
a surprise visit to a World Series game, how George threatened to
"take care of" Mickey Rivers' wife courtesy of the Black Musilms,
the fact that Steinbrenner's original investment of $8.5 millions to
purchase the Yanks consisted of just under $200,000 of his own
capital.
Part gossip, part sports reporting, part inside
information, all Bill Madden at the top of his game that is
"Steinbrenner the Last Lion of Baseball
"What Washington Can Learn From the World of
Sports" by George Allen (Regnery Publishing, $27.95, 200 pages) is
an intriguing and interesting book by the son of the famed
former NFL coach and a man with no small athletic and political
accomplishments in his own right. Themes include: "Government should
regulate fair play not take over," "A locker room divided cannot
survive," "Government like sports should reward hard work,
achievement and excellence."
"Let's Ride" by Sonny Barger( William Morrow $23.
99, 268 pages) is a true guide to motorcycling that proclaims "How
To Ride The Right Way For Life." Sensibly written and a safety
stressser - this is a book for all those who ride or want to.
REQUIRED READING by a founding member of the Oakland Chapter of the
Hell's Angels.
BACKLIST BEAUTY: "Nice Guys Finish Last" by Leo
Durocher with Ed Linn (University of Chicago Press, $18.00, 488
pages, paper) is the classic outspoken book by the "Lip." They don't
make them like him any more and they don't write great books like
this any more either. HIGHLY NOTABLE
Baseball books from Penguin Young Readers:
"ALL STAR" by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Jim
Burke (Philomel Books, $17.99), is all about Honus Wagner and the
most famous baseball card ever. It is about the true grit of one of
the greatest shortstops of all time and his card. Perfect for
ages 6-8. TRUE GRIT.
"NO EASY WAY" is the story of Ted Williams
and the 1941 season, the last one any player ever hit .400. Fred
Bowen with words and Charles S. Pyle with images team up to homer
with this worthy read from Dutton for ages 6-8. WORTHY
"PLAY BALL CORDUROY!" with lift-the-flaps by B.G.
Hennessey with pictures by Lisa McCue (Viking, $11.99, ages 3-5) is
a loving look at learning to play baseball. Corduroy and Blue Mouse
practice together showing that baseball is all about winning and
teamwork. TERRIFIC.
