It's Outta Here!

March 1, 2021
A home run is possibly the most exciting event in baseball. The long ball in the modern era of baseball, from 1900 to the present, has had an uneven history. In the early days "small ball"--scoring by moving players one base at a time--was the norm, and home runs were a novelty. Babe Ruth's mastery of the home run was unarguably the catalyst of today's power game. Since then there have been many great players who have proven to be Ruth-ian in their home-run prowess, including some who were not given a fair chance due to the segregation of the leagues and, sadly, some who have broken the fans' faith in the game. In five cogent chapters Doeden tells the home-run story from a historical perspective, dissecting its physical mechanics, celebrating and recording its heroes, and making predictions for the future. The players of the Negro Leagues who paved the way for Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron and so many more are not forgotten here. Doeden brings life to statistics and history, providing facts and debunking some myths in a straightforward, conversational tone that never condescends. Well-selected archival photos perfectly enhance and amplify the material. The author seems awed by the record-breaking number of home runs hit in 2019. Who could have known that the 2020 baseball season would be truncated, silent, and oh so strange? Young fans and their grown-ups will find much to admire and discuss. Holy cow! It is high; it is far; it is gone! A game winner. (records, glossary, source notes, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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May 1, 2021

Gr 4-7-From Babe Ruth ending the "dead ball" era with 11 homers in 1918 to the spectacular 2019 season, when four MLB teams overtook the previous team home run record of 267, the "long ball" has continued to be the "biggest play in baseball." Readers encounter the rich history of the play and also the physics involved, including informative discussions of concepts like kinetic energy, exit velocity, and launch angle. Another chapter outlines 25 memorable dingers. In discussions of history, Doeden is frank about the racism that has bedeviled the game, noting, for example, the hate directed at Hank Aaron as he approached Ruth's career home run record in 1974. Sidebar texts interspersed throughout highlight adjacent topics such as the use of steroids by players and the effect of altitude on ball travel in Denver's Coors Field. They also showcase lesser-known players like Negro Leaguer Josh Gibson, who is reported to have hit a ball over the third deck at Yankee Stadium, and Sadaharu Oh, the Japanese slugger who notched 868 career homers in the 1960s and 70s. Copious photos from throughout the sport's history, as well as helpful illustrations, keep the layout fresh and appealing. A page of source notes and a list of recommended books and websites, as well as a glossary and index, round out the back matter. VERDICT An easy sell for sports fans and reluctant readers, as well as an effective history resource, this book is recommended for most elementary and middle school collections.-Bob Hassett, Luther Jackson M.S., Falls Church, VA

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