Aces - by Mychael Urban (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller

"From the speedy rise of the Big Three to their stunning breakup, Urban's book says it all." -John Shea, National baseball Writer, San Francisco Chronicle

During the 2004 season, each of Oakland's Big Three aces had something to prove. Tim Hudson was determined to demonstrate his recovery from a recurring injury. Barry Zito had to show the world that after a ho-hum 2003, his 2002 Cy Young Award was not a fluke. Mark Mulder missed the 203 playoffs entirely with a stress fracture, but the way he saw it, he simply needed to be himself--the natural-born pitcher.

Given unprecedented access to the Big Three, Mychael Urban recreates their tumultuous season through their eyes. he explores the nuts and bolts of major league pitching, examining each player's unique approach to this craft while revealing how three very different personalities cope with the demands, rewards, and challenges of sports stardom.

Now with a new afterword on the 2005 season

Urban traces the fortunes of the Big Three after Hudson was sent to Atlanta and Mulder to St. Louis, trades which held the dramatic promise of them being reunited again-as opponents-in the playoffs.

From the Back Cover

"Written with great color, style, humor, and grace, takes readers on a captivating ride. And while Hudson, Mulder, and Zito represented a uniquely entertaining era of A's baseball, the tale of their dramatic final season together is something baseball fan will no doubt enjoy."
--Mike Silver, Sports Illustrated

"Mychael Urban's book is a fabulous read. He brings you behind-the-scenes with their private conversations and thoughts on the most famous pitching trio since Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. Mychael had a unique relationship with Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito, earning their trust so they were comfortable enough to reveal intimate details of their personal lives. You learn about their hopes, their fears, their ideas, and just what makes them tick. You'll know everything from Barry Zito's parents to Mark Mulder's golf game to Tim Hudson's family life. This is hardly just a baseball book. It's about life, and the tremendous burden each pitcher carried while trying to lead the Oakland A's to the playoffs. I absolutely loved it."
--Bob Nightengale, Senior Writer/Columnist, USA Today Sports Weekly

"If you got any closer to Oakland's Big Three of Hudson, Mulder, and Zito than Mychael Urban takes you in this compelling read, you'd be standing in the middle of the Athletics' clubhouse. And I can assure you: Mychael's book smells much better. From the southern fried heat of Tim Hudson to Mark Mulder's cool aloofness to Barry Zito's cerebral wanderings, Urban captures the engine of Oakland's Little Engine That Could of a team with grace and aplomb."
--Scott Miller, National baseball columnist, CBS.SportsLine.com

Review Quotes

* "An excellent book that's well-written...and a fitting tribute to what will someday likely be considered a renaissance age of Oakland A's baseball." -Athletics Nation

"Written with great color, style, humor, and grace, Aces takes readers on a captivating ride." - Mike Silver, Sports Illustrated

"Mychael Urban's book is a fabulous read... This is hardly just a baseball book. It's about life, and he tremendous burden each pitcher carried while trying to lead the Oakland A's to the playoffs. I absolutely loved it." - Bob Nightengale, Senor Writer/Columnist, USA Today Sports Weekly

"From the southern fried heat of Tim Hudson to Mark Mulder's cool aloofness to Barry Zito's cerebral wanderings, Urban captures the engine of Oakland's Little Engine That Could of a team with grace and aplomb"" - Scott Miller, National Baseball Columnist, CBS.SportsLine.com

About the Author

MYCHAEL URBAN is a national writer for MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, and has covered the A's since 2001. He talks about baseball regularly as a fill-in host on KNBR-680 (AM) in San Francisco and as a guest on FOX Sports Northwest TV, ESPN radio, and MLB radio.