Posted on 05/28/2006 5:28:38 AM PDT by moog
As some know, I am a first grade teacher. I got GREAT feedback when I asked people for some great suggestions for books about the military for boys. Now I'm writing along the same lines. I'm asking if anyone knows of some good books on an elementary level about sports heroes, especially baseball, for boys. I would like to introduce next year's class to some.
I grew up reading about my favorite baseball heroes like Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Babe Herman (he reminded me of myself), Lou Gehrig, Christy Matthewson, even Ty Cobb. Every report I did from elementary through early high school was about baseball.
I haven't followed sports as much as I did at one time, even baseball, so I was wondering if people knew of books that could give the kids some positive sports role models to look up to and get them interested in reading. Note that my boys (17)this year all read at above grade level.
It might be interesting to note that the kids choose their mom and dad most often when describing their favorite heroes. That's the way it should be.
I liked "Bat Boy" by Matthew Mcgough. Good yarn about his experiences in the Yankee Clubhouse in the 90's. Would need a little bit of editing for some course language, but not much. Published last year.
http://www.georgesteele.com
Overcame dislexia to get a Masters Degree at Michigan State University in the 60's, sell out Madison Square Garden and other big arenas multiple times as a professional wrestler and coach the Michigan state champions in football and wrestling. Then he beat Crohn's Disease.
"Ball Four" By Jim Bouton
Ball Four" By Jim Bouton
This is first graders. I do have a couple few who could read it, but surely wouldn't understand what "seeing beaver" really means. HEHE :)
This is=They are
Thanks.
"Comeback", by Dave Dravecky. His story of making it to the major league, his bout with cancer, and a courageous comeback.
Follow that up with "When You Can't Come Back", the sequel.
Take a look at the pitcher Jennie Finch--wonderful Christian girl, gorgeous and with an arm that mows down the competition!
Her father invented a device called the Finch Windmill that she used ever spare minute, while brushing her teeth no less, that turned her arm into a rocket. She pitches over 70mph. Yeah, that doesn't sound so fast, but remember it's coming at the batter from 45 feet away. It is the equivalent to a mid 90 major league fast ball.
http://www.jenniefinch.net/pics.htm
"Comeback", by Dave Dravecky. His story of making it to the major league, his bout with cancer, and a courageous comeback.
Follow that up with "When You Can't Come Back", the sequel.
Holy cow! I completely forgot about him. I will have to read those books, though I've read excerpts.
Babe Herman, huh? The only player in baseball to double into a double-play? I remember some funny stories about the Babe.
The following are probably "too young" for your 17-year-old but great sports books nonetheless: all the books written by John R. Tunis. For baseball fans, I can't imagine a better "read" than "The Kid From Tompkinsville". But this was baseball from the 1940's... nostalgic, good values, do-the-right-thing. A far cry from today's "sports heroes", unfortunately.
My father had the priviledge to play briefly with Stan "The Man" Musial. My dad couldn't say enough good things about him. As a rookie, Mr. Musial treated my father, not as a donkey as Joe Garragiola did, but to a helping and teaching hand.
His comeback game was one of the most electrifying moments in all of sports.
I'd have to dig through my son's bookshelf to get you the title, but there is an excellent book by Tiki & Ronde Barber. He bought it at a school book fair last fall (at the beginning of his 2nd grade), so it's pretty recent.
We happen to live in Tampa Bay and have the pleasure of having Ronde on "our" team. Those two men are role models in our house! I hope this helps.
Fun thread..thanks..I'm going to date myself here..but does anyone remember the "Chip Hilton" books, by Clair Bee..?
I used to get more boys than girls in my classes, but that has changed I think. I had 17 boys this year and will have lots next year. I know about 9 kids that will be in my class next year--some are siblings or relatives of kids I had before and some are neighbors of mine. Yeah, I'll remember the girls. The twin girls in my class this year got into soccer because we played it in PE. I went to see their first game. One of them is really good at following intstructions--to the letter. When someone told her to play around a certain spot, she stayed right there, even if the ball went past her. It was hilarious. But they both caught on to the game pretty well. Both of them wrote lengthy papers on it in writing later.
Last weekend, I got fried going to 1 baseball game and 3 soccer games for students. I look more like a lobster than a teacher.
I will check that out. Thanks!!
Yeah, Babe Herman. I had a soft spot for the not-so-smart, but funny baseball players. My favorite stories are the humor ones.
My friend Seth Swirsky has written a number of books on baseball in which he has collected the recollections of a variety of people -- from Presidents to pop stars -- about a great baseball moment in their life. Not exactly what you're describing but still great reads for fans of all ages.
I was out of the country at that time so I missed it. My favorite baseball moment was Nolan Ryan's fifth no-hitter. I turned on the TV and was watching, then grew aware that something was in the making. It was cool to witness such a moment live. My favorite series of games though were the 1979 World Series. Willie Stargell played with the most heart I'd ever seen anyone play then. And he was a pretty good role model too.
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