Top 7 Best Baseball Books Ever Written Of All Time (2021 Reviews)

Best Baseball Books Ever Written

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Best Baseball Books Ever Written

Originating in the US, baseball has now become one of the most popular sports in the world. With that, the number of enthusiastic fans for this sport is increasing day by day. 

It can be said that baseball is not just a sport, it is the crystallization of the field’s artistic agility. When it comes to baseball, many authors with a burning passion for it have written great stories. 

If you want to find out how each player feels, what their ambition is, and analyze it thoroughly, check out the reviews of the best baseball books below.

#1
K: A History of Baseball in...
#2
The Cup of Coffee Club: 11...
#3
The MVP Machine: How...
K: A History of Baseball in...
The Cup of Coffee Club: 11...
The MVP Machine: How...
#1
K: A History of Baseball in...
K: A History of Baseball in...
#2
The Cup of Coffee Club: 11...
The Cup of Coffee Club: 11...
#3
The MVP Machine: How...
The MVP Machine: How...

Top 7 Best Baseball Books Ever Written – List of 2021 Reviews

#1 K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches

ON SALE
K: A History of Baseball in...
  • Hardcover Book
  • Kepner, Tyler (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

A successful pitcher in the Major League Baseball League is a player who has a variety of pitches in every match he participates in. 

When recalling the history of this game, the 10 most frequently used pitches are one of the indispensable stories. Through this, Tyler Kepner has included each of them in his excellent book, K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches.

This book gives readers an understanding of pitching – one of the factors that make a player stand out. Each chapter is about a specific type of pitching, with the main narrative theme created by each practitioner.

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Every pitch has its own identity built by Kepner. Through a combination of personalization and personal sharing from its most esteemed practitioners, the author has brought it all closer to the reader, helping people to better understand each story.

It can be said that Kepner is like a true artist who painted a picture of every pitch from evolution to its popularity.

Pros

  • Each pitch is specifically described.
  • Gives a clear game strategy.
  • Interesting stories.

Cons

  • No photos showing the grip of the pitcher.

Every page of the book bears the mark of romanticism and irresistible enthusiasm. “K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches” gathers respect for baseball with a gentle touch and irresistible charm. A great book like this would be an undeniable choice for baseball lovers.

#2 The Cup of Coffee Club: 11 Players and Their Brush with Baseball History

The Cup of Coffee Club: 11...
  • Hardcover Book
  • Kornhauser, Jacob (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

The book includes the private stories of eleven men who only played once in the big baseball tournament. 

It expresses their feelings and how they respond to this pain. Jacob Kornhauser conducted an exclusive interview with each character written in the book, to provide the most realistic view of the struggle to become a professional player.

For young baseball players in the United States, playing in major tournaments is a distant dream. They all carry a burning love for this sport with enthusiasm. However, only some people reach success. 

Many people have been involved in the biggest baseball tournaments in the world and have been there for a long time. But some people are only there for a short time.

This book is no longer just ordinary baseball stories. It is the crystallization of passion, burning enthusiasm, and courage to reach the dream. 

From there, each reader can understand that nothing is permanently handed back to us, even the things we have in our hands can be lost at any time.

Pros

  • Each story is described in detail
  • Unique theme
  • Attractive and interesting

Cons

  • A bit of the author’s feeling is lacking

To conclude, you do not need to be a big baseball fan to understand this book. The stories from these 11 baseball players include not only their love and passion for this sport but also life lessons. Above all, this is a combination of tragedy and glory.

#3 The MVP Machine

ON SALE
The MVP Machine: How...
  • Hardcover Book
  • Lindbergh, Ben (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

If you are a loyal fan of baseball and you always want to find out how today’s baseball is developing, The MVP Machine: How Baseball’s New Nonconformists Are Using Data to Build Better Players is a great choice for you. 

Through special stories from Ben Lindbergh and Travis Sawchik, readers will have the opportunity to discover how to make today’s leagues better.

The beginning of the story is when Trevor Bauer tests a new pitch from east to west. By using high-tech cameras, he accurately tracked how the ball came out of his fingers at different angles of his arms. 

From there, Bauer will find and use the right angle to follow exactly what route he is looking for. With modern equipment, the ability to adjust and improve reality, Bauer was able to find his pitch.

Additionally, the authors also dive into the development history of baseball teams from the early 20th century to bring a broader understanding. 

Pros

  • The article is clear, entertaining, and easy to follow.
  • Useful information.
  • It contains humanistic writing.

Cons

  • Too anecdotal

With the combination of two talented and elegant writers, readers can briefly capture the development of many aspects of MLB baseball. This 300-page book demonstrates the state of baseball and sets the stage for learning about it in the future. 

#4 The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife

ON SALE
The Wax Pack: On the Open Road...
  • Hardcover Book
  • Balukjian, Brad (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

The Wax Pack book made a record of Brad Balukjian’s journey. He traveled across the United States to look for a small number of former big leaguers. These leaguers were drawn from an old pack of baseball cards. 

This is tell-all with famous and admired stories from some of the greatest players. The book follows a freelance journalist’s quest when he goes scrapping opportunities to meet the journeymen. Some forgettable fringe players who you may only recall from a dusty card pack are also mentioned. 

There are several famous names such as Doc Gooden, Rick Sutcliffe, and Carlton Fisk on the list. These aforementioned names are not polished. In other words, this book is not written to polish anyone, which makes it interesting.

Briefly, this book captures baseball’s timelessness. Its content is astonishingly diverse, from Randy Ready with the boisterous charm to the fiery Don Carman. The author is willing to meet some passionate fanatic around the country to take a few pieces of information or quotes. 

Pros

  • Very relatable 
  • Excellent writing
  • Great concept

Cons

  • The author injects too much of himself in the story

The Wax Pack is digestible so you can finish it in a few days even if you are not a fast reader. However, if you are only keen on the backstories of leaguers, you might feel bored. Instead of recollections of great players’ moments, a significant part of the book is the story of the author.

To some certain extent, this book is a smooth narrative, an enthusiastic charm with a tasteful romanticism.

#5 The Only Rule is it Has to Work

The Only Rule Is It Has to...
  • GRIFFIN
  • Lindbergh, Ben (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

This book captures the adventures of Sam Miller and Ben Lindbergh who run the Sonoma Stompers team. This is a team of an independent league in California. Specifically, these two editors were given the keys to run the operations of a baseball team for the 2015 season. 

As editors before, they attempt to assemble the roster by statistical analysis through their spreadsheets. However, they realize that several old-fashioned legwork and scouting techniques work as well. 

In addition to many statistical tangents, it also talks about people. Some players you meet through spreadsheets rapidly develop beyond the statistical fragments.

Moreover, there are some serious and poignant passages when mentioning exchanges between players and the manager. It can be said that there is plenty of compromise on conflicts during the season of Stompers.

As trying to change defense or use a closer for the ninth inning, players realize some important thing. That is, they need to believe in the knowledge and instincts of baseball men such as scouts and managers. 

Pros

  • Effectively wild
  • Great read
  • Informative and entertaining

Cons

  • Predictable

With any baseball fan at every age, it is a great book to add to your library. It can inform, delight, and entertain all readers who are interested in baseball books.

#6 Big Data Baseball

Big Data Baseball
  • Flatiron Books
  • Sawchik, Travis (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Big Data Baseball of Travis Sawchik is a story about the climb out of the cellar of Pittsburgh Pirates. Through this remarkable book, Sawchik brings readers into a behind the scenes journey. This weaves the stories of many chief figures changing the way Pirates played. 

For more details, he emphasizes on the collaboration between the graybeard coaches and the bright-eyed analysts. He also focuses on the way this relationship eventually helps uncover and revolutionize the breaking ground in Pittsburgh.

Also, he talked about the number of data points considered as magic the Pirates needed to finish the 2013 season. The story develops when the team accepts to listen to what the data is demonstrating.

Exploring the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates, Sawchik primarily pays attention to their embracing of changing defense. This, after that, takes a step into serious contentions after 20 successive losing seasons.

Briefly, this story is about a surprising team and their role across Major League Baseball. By adopting big data strategies, they can end their drought of winning, make the playoffs and get rid of miring in the long losing streak.

Pros

  • Easy to read
  • Well written
  • Insightful and logical

Cons

  • A bit long

With an interesting topic, this book attracts many readers. Even if you are not a fan of the Pirates, it still is an enjoyable read about building a successful baseball team. 

#7 The Shift: The Next Evolution in Baseball Thinking

ON SALE
The Shift: The Next Evolution...
  • Carleton, Russell A. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 368 Pages - 03/08/2018 (Publication...

Baseball is a sports lending itself to obsessive analysis and self-reflection. It is not a normal game but a thinking and shifting game. In the book, The Shift changes the trajectory of analytics-based and traditional baseball thought.

With experience in big league front offices and clinical psychology background, Russell Carleton illuminates some statistics. He even challenges the cultural assumptions and proves the inextricable intertwine between data and baseball human elements.

The data demonstrated becomes digestible. The intangibles are rendered accessible and quantifiable. Including a wide range of topics such as paradigm shifts, infield shifts, Carleton writes with an engaging, honest, and verve style.

It can be said that Carleton is talented at breaking a complicated topic down into easy-to-read pieces. Beside meaningful analogies to promote the understanding of readers, he also adds some memories and humor. This is a nice break between sections that involve mental gymnastics. 

Pros

  • Extremely enjoyable
  • Well worth picking up for people like baseball analysts
  • Well researched baseball book

Cons

  • This book inclines a little bit to memoir

This great book will invite all baseball lovers to examine it in a fairly different and deeper way. Stat heads and casual fans do not want to miss this appealing meditation on what makes this game tick. 

Conclusion – Your Best Baseball Books?

An avid fan should not miss these best baseball books in this review. What is more interesting is to learn the history from the past to the present of baseball and mingle with the emotions of each character in each different story. 

These are books that can meet all needs, and all audiences. Even if you don’t care about baseball, they may interest you because they contain profound human values. If novels and classical literature make you feel too burdened, make sure that there are books about baseball in the bookshelf that can refresh you.

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Top 7 Best Baseball Books Ever Written Of All Time (2021 Reviews)

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