“An instant sports classic.” —New York Post * “A true masterwork…880 pages of sheer baseball bliss.” —BookPage (starred review) * “This is a remarkable achievement.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) A magnum opus from acclaimed baseball writer Joe Posnanski, The Baseball 100 is an audacious, singular, and masterly book that took a lifetime to write. The entire story of baseball rings through a countdown of the 100 greatest players in history, with a foreword by George Will.Longer than
Moby-Dick and nearly as ambitious,
The Baseball 100 is a one-of-a-kind work by award-winning sportswriter and lifelong student of the game Joe Posnanski that tells the story of the sport through the remarkable lives of its 100 greatest players. In the book’s introduction, Pulitzer Prize–winning commentator George F. Will marvels, “Posnanski must already have lived more than 200 years. How else could he have acquired such a stock of illuminating facts and entertaining stories about the rich history of this endlessly fascinating sport?” Baseball’s legends come alive in these pages, which are not merely rankings but vibrant profiles of the game’s all-time greats. Posnanski dives into the biographies of iconic Hall of Famers, unfairly forgotten All-Stars, talents of today, and more. He doesn’t rely just on records and statistics—he lovingly retraces players’ origins, illuminates their characters, and places their accomplishments in the context of baseball’s past and present. Just how good a pitcher is Clayton Kershaw in the twenty-first- century game compared to Greg Maddux dueling with the juiced hitters of the nineties? How do the career and influence of Hank Aaron compare to Babe Ruth’s? Which player in the top ten most deserves to be resurrected from history? No compendium of baseball’s legendary geniuses could be complete without the players of the segregated Negro Leagues, men whose extraordinary careers were largely overlooked by sportswriters at the time and unjustly lost to history. Posnanski writes about the efforts of former Negro Leaguers to restore sidelined Black athletes to their due honor, and draws upon the deep troves of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and extensive interviews with the likes of Buck O’Neil to illuminate the accomplishments of players such as pitchers Satchel Paige and Smokey Joe Williams; outfielders Oscar Charleston, Monte Irvin, and Cool Papa Bell; first baseman Buck Leonard; shortstop Pop Lloyd; catcher Josh Gibson; and many, many more.
The Baseball 100 treats readers to the whole rich pageant of baseball history in a single volume. Chapter by chapter, Posnanski invites readers to examine common lore with brand-new eyes and learn stories that have long gone unheard. The epic and often emotional reading experience mirrors Posnanski’s personal odyssey to capture the history and glory of baseball like no one else, fueled by his boundless love for the sport. Engrossing, surprising, and heartfelt,
The Baseball 100 is a magisterial tribute to the game of baseball and the stars who have played it.
The Baseball 100: The Greatest Stars, the Best Teams, and the Moments That Made the Game is a book by Joe Posnanski that tells the stories of the 100 most iconic players, teams, and moments in baseball history.
Posnanski begins his book with a brief history of baseball, from its origins in the early 19th century to its rise to popularity as America's national pastime. He then introduces the 100 players, teams, and moments that he has selected for inclusion in his book.
The players in Posnanski's book are a diverse group, ranging from Hall of Famers like Babe Ruth and Willie Mays to lesser-known but equally influential figures like Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. The teams include some of the most iconic franchises in baseball history, such as the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago Cubs.
The moments that Posnanski has selected for inclusion in his book are some of the most memorable and dramatic in baseball history. There are stories of triumph and tragedy, of individual brilliance and team success. There are stories that will make you laugh and stories that will make you cry.
The Baseball 100 is a must-read for any fan of baseball. It is a comprehensive and entertaining look at the game's history, and it is sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the sport.
Here are some of the highlights of The Baseball 100:
- Posnanski's writing is engaging and informative. He has a deep knowledge of baseball history, and he is able to bring the stories of the players, teams, and moments that he writes about to life.
- The book is full of interesting and little-known facts about baseball. For example, did you know that Babe Ruth was once arrested for speeding on a motorcycle?
- Posnanski's selections for the 100 greatest players, teams, and moments are sure to spark debate among baseball fans. However, even if you don't agree with all of his choices, you're sure to enjoy reading about them.
- The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs and artwork from throughout baseball history.
If you're a fan of baseball, you need to read The Baseball 100. It is a comprehensive and entertaining look at the game's history, and it is sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the sport.
