Baseball Heaven

"With its personal feel and near-mystical quality, this highly recommended work will mesmerize baseball lovers and casual fans." Library Journal, Starred Review A behind-the-scenes look at baseball history, as told through timeless interviews with major leaguers For fifty years, bestselling author Peter Golenbock has been interviewing some of the most fascinating figures in baseball. Their conversations are a journey back in time to the days of Ruth and Gehrig, Gehringer and Greenberg, Robinson and Reese, and Howard and Mantle, as they reflect on the sport's greatest moments and biggest issues. In Baseball Heaven, Golenbock brings together for the first time the most historic and captivating of these conversations. The stories range from Elden Auker remembering the day Lou Gehrig told him he was sick to Albert Happy Chandler reflecting on his decision to allow Jackie Robinson into the big leagues, from Ralph Branca discussing the home run he gave up that cost the Dodgers the pennant to Del Webb talking about why he hired Casey Stengel and why he fired him. Baseball Heaven is baseball history at its very best. It pulls back the curtain on the major leagues to reveal inside stories, intimate reminiscences, and the friendships and rivalries that make baseball America's Game.

Peter Golenbock has written more than sixty books, including ten New York Times best sellers. His books on baseball include Dynasty: The New York Yankees, 1949-1964; The Bronx Zoo (with Sparky Lyle); Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers; Balls (with Graig Nettles); Amazin': The Miraculous History of New York's Most Beloved Baseball Team; and Whispers of the Gods: Tales from Baseball's Golden Age, Told by the Men Who Played It. He resides in St. Petersburg, FL.

Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: Elden Auker: "I'd like to see you throw directly underhand." Chapter 2: Elden Auker: Ole Diz, Mickey Cochrane, and Hammering Hank Chapter 3: Elden Auker: Joe Cronin Drives Him Crazy Chapter 4: Johnny Pesky: Pesky Holds the Ball Chapter 5: Albert Happy Chandler: "I will allow Jackie Robinson to play for Brooklyn" Chapter 6: Del Webb: "Would you be interested in buying the Yankees?" Chapter 7: Del Webb: Stengel and Weiss and Victory Chapter 8: Ralph Branca: The Ace of the Staff Chapter 9: Ralph Branca: The Shot Heard Round the World Chapter 10: Bobby Thomson: The Shot Heard Round the World Chapter 11: Donald Hall: My Love of the Brooklyn Dodgers Chapter 12: Elston Howard: For the Yankees, the First Chapter 13: Hot Rod Kanehl: Casey's Pet Chapter 14: Rod Kanehl: I Was an Original Met Chapter 15: Dock Ellis: A Life on the Edge Chapter 16: Dock Ellis: Cocaine and Yankee Turbulence Chapter 17: Gary Carter: The Missing Ingredient Chapter 18: Gary Carter: The Ball Goes Through Buckner's Legs