The Hall

For years, baseball's venerable Hall of Fame has issued a postcard on each inductee. Now, they come to life in brief audio vignettes, a smart approach for listeners who want to learn about the men enshrined. The narrators read as if they're telling a story rather than lecturing--and really, that's what these are: condensed, well-researched stories that add personality to the sport's greats. Each entry is several minutes long--the perfect length for a well-read overview. Actual players give longer bios; one of my favorites is Carlton Fisk, a catcher who played the game for 24 seasons, who lends voice, and character, to the sketch of the hard-nosed competitor he was. M.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

July 1, 2014
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum presents a handsome and weighty volume that showcases every inductee at Cooperstown since its inception, 75 years ago. Organized by player position, each section leads off with an original essay from a Hall of Fame inductee, including Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, and Cal Ripken Jr. Listed chronologically by induction class, each two-page entry includes a concise biography, a glossy action photograph, and a small reproduction of the plaque housed in the museum. Suitable for public and school libraries, this will appeal to general readers who want an accessible, comprehensive, and well-written Hall of Fame reference.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)