Damn Yankees - by Rob Fleder (Paperback)

About the Book

Winners of twenty-seven World Series titles, the New York Yankees are the quintessential sports dynasty. Love them or hate them, they cannot be ignored by anyone who professes to be a fan of the great game of baseball.

With Damn Yankees, Rob Fleder, former Executive Editor for Sports Illustrated magazine, offers a timeless collection of original essays by some of the most prominent contemporary writers in America from Pete Dexter to Jane Leavy, from Roy Blount Jr. to Colum McCann each piece focusing on one uniquely colorful subject: the fanatically adored/resoundingly despised Bronx Bombers.

Funny, moving, provocative, insightful appreciations and detractions from Babe Ruth to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter Damn Yankees offers twenty-four fascinating takes on the most storied franchise of baseball s Major Leagues."

Book Synopsis

Winners of twenty-seven World Series titles, the New York Yankees are the quintessential sports dynasty. Love them or hate them, they cannot be ignored by anyone who professes to be a fan of the great game of baseball.

With Damn Yankees, Rob Fleder, former Executive Editor for Sports Illustrated magazine, offers a timeless collection of original essays by some of the most prominent contemporary writers in America--from Pete Dexter to Jane Leavy, from Roy Blount Jr. to Colum McCann--each piece focusing on one uniquely colorful subject: the fanatically adored/resoundingly despised "Bronx Bombers."

Funny, moving, provocative, insightful appreciations and detractions--from Babe Ruth to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter--Damn Yankees offers twenty-four fascinating takes on the most storied franchise of baseball's Major Leagues.

This landmark collection of sports writing explores the myth, the men, and the moments that define the world's most loved (and hated) team:

• Top-Tier Baseball Writing: Experience the Bronx Bombers through the eyes of America's most celebrated writers, including masters from Sports Illustrated, bestselling biographers, and literary heavyweights.
• A Storied Dynasty: Twenty-four original essays that wrestle with the legacy of the Yankees, exploring both the fanatical adoration and the resounding disdain they inspire.
• Legendary Players: Go beyond the box scores with insightful, funny, and provocative takes on icons from Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter.
• Cultural Impact: A deep dive into why this team cannot be ignored, examining how the Yankees became a symbol of American power, passion, and contention.

From the Back Cover

Love them or hate them, the New York Yankees have been an American institution for nearly a century. With their rich history and colorful cast of characters, the Yankees never fail to inspire or provoke. In this exciting compendium, some of our most acclaimed writers--including Pete Dexter, Colum McCann, Roy Blount Jr., Dan Barry, Jane Leavy, Charles P. Pierce, J. R. Moehringer, Bill James, and many more--step up to the plate to take their cuts. The result is a collection of original essays as idiosyncratic and expansive as the team that has inspired them: ruminations on Babe Ruth's gravestone, Derek Jeter's swing, and every other subject that spans from the hilarious (the Yankee wife swap of the seventies) to the sublime (the grace of Catfish Hunter). Superbly written, deeply insightful, and full of both passion and humor, Damn Yankees is a completely fresh look at baseball's most enduring franchise.

Review Quotes

"The writing is alternately hilarious, nostalgic, heartbreaking, and touching... A welcome and engaging addition to the tradition of marrying baseball and literature. For all baseball fans, regardless of team allegiance." - Library Journal (starred review)

"A real achievement, especially in regard to the Yankees, about whom so much has been written over the years." - Los Angeles Times

"Funny, moving, provocative, insightful." - Bookreporter.com