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A.K. Smiley Public Library Blog

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

Play ball!

April 7, 2024 By Jill Martinson

The official start to baseball season is under way and exceptional books are in the lineup for fans of the game. Hope you’ll find one that knocks it out of the park.

April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball commemorating the day Robinson made his debut as the first Black athlete to play in major league’s modern era. The year was 1947, and when Robinson took the field that day as a Brooklyn Dodger, the historic occasion marked the first steps towards ending over 60 years of segregation in professional baseball. “True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson” by Kostya Kennedy focuses on four major chapters in the life of this incredible baseball hero and civil rights leader. A wonderfully unique book, it’s a great look into both his professional and public life.

Not your typical baseball book, the engaging read, “The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams” by Adam Lazarus examines the connection and surprising friendship between two iconic figures, astronaut John Glenn and baseball icon Ted Williams. Both became Marine pilots during the Korean War serving in the same squadron and flying several missions together. Coming from different backgrounds with vastly different personalities, Glenn eager to serve while Williams extremely reluctant, they both had something very significant in common. They both were great pilots. Through letters, diaries, and military records, learn the story of these two remarkable men who met in the airways above Korea, their diverse lives after the military, and enduring friendship.

As a child, a friend of mine and her family were hardcore Los Angeles Dodger fans and secured season tickets to watch them play for many years. I was lucky enough to be invited along on occasion and enjoyed watching these all-star players during the 70s and early 80s. Names like Tommy Lasorda, Steve Garvey, and Fernando Valenzuela were familiar to me. Of course, there was also the “Penguin,” a nickname given to Ron Cey due to his waddling running style.

In “Penguin Power: Dodger Blue, Hollywood Lights, and My One-in-a-Million Big League Journey,” author and former Dodger’s third baseman Ron Cey, along with Ken Gurnick, recounts his life in baseball. From college to the professionals, playing for the Dodgers and Cubs, Cey shares insights and opinions on teammates, recalls childhood idols like Willie Mays, weighs in on who were the best owners, and reveals celebrity encounters he’s had along the way. If you remember Major League Baseball from the 70s and 80s, this is a fun reminiscence into Los Angeles Dodger history and background on an outstanding player who was a six-time All-Star and the World Series Most Valuable Player in 1981.

Enjoy our new baseball books and be sure to catch a local softball or baseball game when you can. Redlands has amazing youth, adult, high school, and college teams that would love your support.

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