Sports

Papi: My Story (Hardcover)

By David Ortiz, Michael Holley

$28.00

ISBN: 9780544814615

Availability: Hard to Find - May no longer be available

Published: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - May 16th, 2017

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Retired Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, Big Papi, is a one of a kind champion, a big man with a big heart and the rightful owner of one of the most storied careers in modern sports. The previously unattainable World Series championships (unreachable without him?), the PED accusations, countless opponents and teammates , behind-the-scenes machinations of the Red Sox organization, and the ever-present Boston media; it's all here! Ultimately, spoiler alert, we do learn that there are still some role models and heroes left in the world. Papi! ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine

The Pride of the Yankees: Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper, and the Making of a Classic (Hardcover)

By Richard Sandomir

$27.00

ISBN: 9780316355056

Availability: Special Order

Published: Hachette Books - June 13th, 2017

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"I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth," the dying Lou Gehrig's unforgettable phrase spoken at a Yankee Stadium ceremony, catapulted a baseball player to heroism. Gary Cooper's modest and dignified portrayal of Gehrig in The Pride of the Yankees is revealed by Sandomir as a near-perfect match of a ballplayer and a star. ~ Reviewed by Mike Hare

A Guy Like Me: Fighting to Make the Cut (Hardcover)

By John Scott, Brian Cazeneuve (With)

$26.99

ISBN: 9781501159619

Availability: Hard to Find - May no longer be available

Published: Howard Books - December 27th, 2016

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John Scott was never supposed to be a superstar. He was a career journeyman, going from team to team as needed. He wasn't an elite goal scorer, but he was big, and he wasn't afraid to back down from a fight. As his new memoir shows, he is also a giant teddy bear of a man.

Somewhere along the way, NHL fans decided to show their appreciation of his career and personality (and maybe just a hint of irony) and made him the Fan Choice Winner for a spot in the 2016 NHL All Star Game. Unfortunately, Scott's road to the game wasn't nearly as smooth as it could have been.

The NHL decided that John Scott's votes were influenced by fans for the wrong reason, and did everything in their power to bar him from playing in the game. After much backlash, John Scott DID play, and was even named captain of his team. Not only that, he scored two goals and was named MVP. It all goes to show, sometimes good things DO happen to good people, even a guy like him. ~ Reviewed by Chris Linendoll

Bare Knuckles & Saratoga Racing: The Remarkable Life of John Morrissey (Paperback)

By Brien Bouyea

$21.99

ISBN: 9781467135580

Availability: Click Title for IN STOCK Location

Published: History Press - April 4th, 2016

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Possessing brute strength, indomitable will, and indefatigable energy, John Morrissey demolishes all comers in street gangs, the boxing ring, and politics. His signature achievement, the Saratoga Racecourse, stands today as the oldest sporting venue in the United States. ~ Reviewed by Mike Hare

Boy on Ice: The Life and Death of Derek Boogaard (Paperback)

By John Branch

$15.95

ISBN: 9780393351910

Availability: Click Title for IN STOCK Location

Published: W. W. Norton & Company - October 13th, 2015

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Growing up in the prairies of Canada, Derek Boogaard was always one of the biggest kids on the ice. He wasn't particularly the best skater, best shooter, or a natural playmaker. But, he was by far the biggest. And is hockey, sometimes that is enough for you to be a difference maker.

Boogaard and his family made many sacrifices on and off the ice in order to make his NHL dreams come true. Being somewhat forced in the role of the "goon" or enforcer, Boogaard became a star for the Minnesota Wild and the historic New York Rangers.

Being an enforcer is no easy life, and Boogaard was constantly in pain. Concussions piled up, and his life took a dark turn. Turning to pills and booze to dull the pain, Boogaard eventually succumbed to his demons before his 30th birthday.

Written by award-winning New York Times sports reporter John Branch, Boy in Ice is a gripping read. You don't need to be a hockey fan in order to be pulled in, and the growing concern of CTE in professional and young athletes makes this a cautionary tale for all. ~ Reviewed by Chris Linendoll

Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules (Hardcover)

By A. J. Mendez

$25.00

ISBN: 9780451496669

Availability: Hard to Find - May no longer be available

Published: Crown Archetype - April 4th, 2017

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In the first half of the 2010s, AJ Lee was one of the most popular women wrestlers in the WWE. Her quirky, "Gamer chick" image, small stature, and main event storylines were a far cry from the typical blonde swimsuit models that made up the rest of the female roster.

The woman behind the character, AJ Mendez, had a long journey to the spotlight. Growing up dirt poor, often moving with her young parents just before eviction, AJ learned to live with very little. Her home life was marred by spats of domestic disputes, drug abuse, utility shut-off, and near homelessness.

Her mother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and her father was prone to leaving the family for extended periods. AJ eventually left home at a young age, when she secured a job, and her family moved back to Puerto Rico.

Her relatively short WWE career was highlighted by championships, storylines with the top mens wrestlers, and a broad appeal to the WWE fanbase. AJ retired young, after performing in Wrestlemania one last time. She married former champion CM Punk, and has been enjoying a relatively quiet life since then.

Her memoir is a quick read, filled with quirky asides and illustrations. If you're coming to this as a fan of AJ Lee, hoping to read about her time in WWE and all the backstage gossip, you won't find it here. The majority of its pages are devoted to her family, upbringing, and dealings with her own mental illness. Great for casual fans, and young feminists looking for an outside-the-box story of a girl achieving her dreams. ~ Reviewed by Chris Linendoll