If you are a reader and love to read about baseball, it is highly likely that you have already come across a lot of baseball-related books. Still, there are some gems you may have heard of but still missed till now. As a baseball enthusiast and a writer on the genre, I would like to take you to the 7 best baseball books of all time.
If you have not heard about one or two of them, it may not be a mistake. But it will be a mistake if you still ignore reading them. They are based on the best occasions in the history of baseball and are written by experienced people.
So, without spending more words, I would like to take you to the world of baseball seen through the library of books.
7 Best Baseball Books of all Time – Review
1. My First Book of Baseball – Best Book for Children
If you have a toddler 2-6 years old and you are going to teach him/her about the ABCD of baseball, I think this one is the best book for you.
The book is an illustrated book, especially meant for kids who can enjoy watching the pictures rather than reading boring lines as their age suits.
If you are really interested that your kid should go to the diamond field with the lumber, wait no more. Give him/her the best chance to start the journey with this book.
The book is not actually written by a single author, rather has been compiled by many editors. And yes, the pictures, along with illustrations, can easily mesmerize the attention of kids.
A good beginning book for a kid looking for a way to baseball.
That is why it is the first of the 7 best baseball books of all time according to my choice.
2. The Glory of Their Times – Lawrence S Ritter | Best Book for New Players
It is not a kids’ book, for sure. The Glory of Their Times – The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played it by Professor Lawrence S Ritter tells the exact stories from first-hand experience. Some of the greatest names in the history of baseball played in the early 20s. You can always find it in the paperbacks in most of the bookshops near you.
In my opinion, even according to many critics, this is a book that may be the best book ever written and edited in the history of baseball.
Each story is different. Each angle and each area of the story tell you something more. How the game was shaped over the years, how it has become the greatest game played by the Americans, you can learn from it.
Ritter traveled 75 thousand miles and recorded hundreds of tapes to compile the legendary book. Right fielder Harry Hooper, legendary “Kangaroo” Davy Jones, and Smoky Joe Wood from the Boston Red Sox, all the glorious names came together to tell the golden stories in this book.
If you have not yet read the book, then please do not wait anymore. Grab a copy.
The stories and the language differ. Like a compilation of stories written by many writers. Still, the glow of the golden days reflects only one word – baseball to the fullest.
A good beginning of a career book for young adult players.
3. The Baseball 100 – Joe Posnanski | Best Modern Book for Baseball
880 pages of pure baseball transformation and metaphases – the book is a modern classic certainly.
Unlike “The Glory of Their Times” by Ritter, who was a University Professor who edited the book compiling firsthand records, this is a book written by a professional writer who understands the games and has seen the transformation. He defined all the steps through the lives of the 100 greatest players with his own writing.
The writing is not quite humorous or funky, but rather serious and literally attacks your intellect. Even the comparisons may target you to think better – how could this be?
Starting with Willie Mays, one by one it tells the story and growth of Smokey Joe, Kershaw, and Babe Ruth – this book reveals the secrets of the baseball world through their eyes.
The book is one of the bestsellers when it comes to the world of books written for baseball.
Certainly, a good addition to your intellect whether you are a baseball fan or not. You can easily know the history and transformation of the baseball world from it. You can also read our blog about the 100 greatest baseball players if you face problems managing your time.
That is why, after I have read it, I put it in the first 3 choices of my best baseball books to learn about baseball.
4. Prophet of the Sandlots – Mark Winegardner | Best Book for Mature Readers
It is an easy task to look at baseball players and learn the game. But it is not an easy task to predict from tryouts and college league games to predict what is going to happen to a particular player. But this task is handled by professional scouts from big clubs. One of the scouts for the Chicago Cubs was Mr. Tony Lucadello, an Italian descendant American scout who has given time to the field and given birth to many legendary stories.
Dick Drott, the legendary pitcher was handpicked by Tony while NY Mets GM Steve Phillips was also scouted by him.
A scout like Lucadello so dedicated to the work is rare and the writer Mark Winegardner worked with him in his last year to write down the generous scout.
Mark is best known for writing the infamous Godfather Returns, the aftermath of Godfather by Mario Pujo.
So, the Prophet of the Sandlots – Journey with a Major League Scout by Mark Winegardner is one of the best books to learn about the world behind the veils, the roads unknown to the general eyes.
That is why it is my best choice for mature readers.
5. Only the Ball was White – Robert Peterson | Best Book to Know the Evolution
Consider me a racist but I will not sugarcoat it. It was called the “Negro League” and nothing else. Negro leagues were a real thing and it gave birth to some of the greatest African-American players. The name of the book is beautiful and it depicts reality. In the whole field, only the ball was white.
The book tells the story of 7 Negro Leagues, which went till Negro American League in 1951. Although right now, historically integrated with the MLB, it has certain aspects that cannot be overlooked by a critic like me.
The old days were rough for African Americans in the USA and the book tells that story quite well. If you are interested in evolution, you must read the book.
The famous writer Robert W. Peterson has done a good job on the book. He himself was a baseball player. So, you can understand chemistry without any problem.
This is another book for mature readers. So, not for children.
6. Baseball in the Garden of Eden – John Thorn | Best Baseball History Book
The book is written by John A Thorn – the Official Baseball Historian for MLB. This is enough to take your interest in the pick, isn’t it?
Yes, there are many books on baseball history, especially books from Oxford. Still, this one is my favorite. The German-born writer did a good job on this book.
The book tells the real history behind baseball, and how it came to light and became the perfect leisure time. The roads and backdrops we never see, only can feel are all described in a very special way in this book. Certainly reading material for your leisure time.
I do not recommend it to you if you want to learn baseball history. Only if you know the history and want to explore it further, then you should go for this special treat.
From the root to modern times, it covered all.
Hope you will thank me after reading it.
7. A Game of Extremes – Roy Lingster | Best Leisure Read
Okay, this book is not for learning baseball rules or baseball history. It is a complete pleasure reading. That’s why the book is worth every penny.
Yes, it is a book on unusual stories in the history of baseball.
A Game of Extremes: 25 Exceptional Baseball Stories about What Happened on and off the Field by Roy Lingster is one of the greatest books ever written on the interesting stories you may find uncommon on the field.
Like the player who wanted a samurai sword and another player who was on LSD for a whole match – all their stories will certainly entertain you.
I read this book before I went to sleep. It does give me a positive and fun vibe. You can try that too.
Books are not always meant to be serious and learning. Maybe that’s why this is one of the bestseller books online.
I certainly believe you will enjoy the funny stories too.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you learn baseball from a book?
Baseball learning can be started with a book. Certainly, you will need a book if you are going to learn all the rules and regulations on the diamond field. Still, you need to go to the field if you really want to learn the game. Otherwise, you will not be able to do it.
- Which baseball book is best for kids?
My First Book of Baseball – is an easy learning book where a kid can see illustrations and learn different terms of baseball. You can also teach your kids about how to play by the book with this book.
- Which baseball history book is best?
You can come across many books on the history of baseball as there are many books available. Books from Oxford do tell accurate stories. Still, Baseball in the Garden of Eden by John Thorn is one of the best baseball history books.
- Is The Baseball 100 a good book?
Certainly The Baseball 100 is one of the greatest books written with certain experiences and certain aspects of the diamond field. If you are looking for good writing with good information, it is one of the best books on baseball.
Conclusion
Yes, it is not enough to give you a list of baseball books and say these are the only best baseball books in the world. Still, these books I have written about have certain expectations better than other books I read. And above all, these books have the ability to match anyone’s taste.
Meta: Baseball books are available all over the internet and book shops everywhere. But not all of the books have good information written in an interesting way.
If you have read the whole blog then I believe you are a real baseball enthusiast and looking for insights on baseball from every angle. If you are interested, then please read our other blogs too. I believe you will not be disappointed –
- Top 15 Best USSSA Bats 2022
- 5 Best Cleats for Pitchers in 2022
- 10 Best Baseball Bags in 2022
- Best Baseball Sunglasses in 2022
Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.