The Top 5 Sports Books Of All Time
Adam McFarland
There have been thousands of sports books written throughout
the years. Some have been absolute crap and most are mediocre
at best, but there are that select few that remain deep-seated
in our memories as classics. Below is my Top 5 of all time.
There are some popular books missing – either because I don’t
think it is as good as everyone else, or because I haven’t read
it.
5. Foul Ball, By Jim Bouton - Bouton gives a candid look at a
corrupt sports town. All he wants to do is keep a classic
stadium alive, but local businesses and politicians oppose him
for selfish reasons. They will do what’s right for their
businesses regardless of the effects on the community. Beyond
sports, their actions also are detrimental to the health and
well being of those who live there. It's amazing how greedy and
selfish some people can be...and Bouton exposes them ALL.
4. Eight Men Out, By Eliot Asinof - This was a very, very
interesting read and that is why I rate it so high. I am
absolutely obsessed with the perplexing depth of this scandal.
However Asinof presents a TON of evidence about the scandal, so
much so that it can be a bit overwhelming. I probably need to go
back and read it again to get the whole story down. It reads a
lot like a really good history book about the Black Sox.
3. Friday Night Lights, By H.G. Bissinger - One of the things
that drives me nuts about Odessa is that H.G. Bissinger wrote a
very fair observation of the current state of their town and
they treat him like he's the devil to this day. Rather than
acknowledge that maybe they shouldn't put so much pressure on
their young athletes and that maybe they needed to re-evaluate
what is truly important to them, they chose to shoot the
messenger. Maybe people shouldn't be taught that the most
important thing in the world is a high-school football game. I
applaud Bissinger for his efforts.
2. Moneyball, By Michael Lewis - This is an absolutely amazing
story about success. The book is far more than baseball - it
shows the value of statistical analysis in equalizing and
unequal playing field. Like the cover says, it teaches the 'Art
of Winning an Unfair Game'. I can't stand narrow minded baseball
purists that don't see the value in what Billy Beane does. The
man succeeds in spite of nearly insurmountable odds. Who
couldn’t learn something from him?
1. Ball Four, By Jim Bouton - This is one of the most
entertaining books I've ever read. Who wouldn't enjoy reading
stories about Mickey Mantle and his crazy flings? Bouton's
stories were so controversial that he was banished from the
Yankee community for a long time. He is so honest and down to
earth that by the end of the book it feels like Bouton is one
of your buddies. All sports fans NEED to read this.
About The Author: Disagree? Rate and review sports books at
http://Books.SportsLizard.com. Adam McFarland owns the
http://SportsLizard.com Network - a network of sports sites
including collectibles, movies, books, video games, and more.
http://SportsLizard.com recently
won honorable mention in the
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