A Baseball Book of Days - by Phil Coffin (Paperback)

About the Book

"Place your finger just about anywhere on a calendar and you can pinpoint the date of a memorable baseball moment: Jackie Robinson's first game, Eddie Gaedel's only game, the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees and how a later-day application of the Best Interests of Baseball Clause might have prevented it. These and dozens more are recounted in this book chronicling hallmark days in all 12 months of the year. From the first no-hitter in modern baseball (maybe) to the deep roots for the first night game in the major leagues, this book paints a detailed narrative of the game's most important moments, told in 31 singular, remarkable days. Covering the long path to integration, the rise of Dominican players in the game and the infamous banning of the splitter, this Advent calendar of the diamond covers baseball from every angle, and every month of the year"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Almost anywhere on a calendar you can pinpoint the date of a memorable baseball moment: Jackie Robinson's first game, Eddie Gaedel's only game, the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees and the clause that might have prevented it. These and dozens more are recounted in this book chronicling hallmark days.

From the first no-hitter in modern baseball (maybe) to the deep roots for the first night game in the major leagues, this book provides a detailed narrative of the game's most important moments, told in 31 singular, remarkable days. Covering the long path to integration, the rise of Dominican players in the game and the infamous banning of the spitter, this calendar of the diamond covers baseball from every angle and in every month of the year.

Review Quotes

"I have read many excellent baseball books and this book ranks among them This is one fun and very special book. Phil Coffin tells a host of baseball stories across 31 unique and sometimes very quirky chapters. Contained in the book are great stories of baseball history including the last games of Babe Ruth, the first MLB games played in November, Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, the end of Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak, and so much more. In addition, though are hosts of fun facts, random bits of trivia, and humor. The stories are told with the skill of an expert. Reading this book gives one the impression they're sitting with Phil Coffin (let's say at a BBQ place near the Jersey shore) and listening to him wax poetically about so many unique aspects of the game's history. Phil's writing style is engaging, happy, and light. ... One cannot read A Baseball Book of Days and not smile while also learning about the game. I highly recommend this book. It's a great read, a fun read, and a terrific compilation of baseball history."-Start Spreading the News

About the Author

Phil Coffin is a longtime editor at The New York Times and has been a member of the Society for American Baseball Research since 1994. He lives at the Jersey Shore.