Synopses & Reviews
Unlike other baseball statistics books that reveal only information about the numbers players put on the board, this unique take on America's favorite pastime reveals the little-known facts and nuances behind the numbers players wear on their backs.
In Now Batting, Number...baseball historian Jack Looney delves into every aspect of baseball uniform numbers. Here are topics including "Boyhood Idols" (players who chose numbers to honor heroes, fathers, grandfathers, and friends), "Birthday Babes" (players who have worn the same number as their day, month, or year of birth), "Caretakers" (inside stories on how numbers are distributed and the bartering of numbers among players), and "Early Innings" (the history of numbering in Major League baseball).
At the center of Now Batting, Number...is a substantial section listing the complete rosters of all thirty Major League teams including each player's number and position. Other lists include every retired number listed by league and team, every retired number listed by position, and famous players' numbers and every other player who ever honored them by wearing that number (listed by number).
In a controversial chapter called "Dream Teams," player from various eras, who wore the same number durin their careers, are selected to play together on the same Dream Team. Statistics for fifty teams are included. Also included are dozens of some of the toughest, number-related trivia questions that will have even the most knowledgeable fan scratching his or her head.
Synopsis
There’s never been anything like this fun, fascinating and totally obsessive look at the facts, stats, history, and secrets behind baseball’s uniform numbers.
Unlike any other baseball statistics book, which reveals only the information about the numbers players put on the board, this revolutionary volume reveals all of the fascinating and little-known meanings and nuances behind the numbers that players wear on their backs. Now Batting, Number... covers a wide range of categories, including “Boyhood Idols” (why players choose certain numbers), “Birthday Babes” (which players have worn the same number as their date of birth), “Caretakers” (inside stories from equipment managers on the selection of players’ numbers), and “ Early Innings” (the history of numbering in baseball).
At the center of Now Batting, Number... is a substantial section listing the complete rosters of thirty Major League teams with each player’s number and position since 1929. Other lists include every retired number listed by league and team, every retired number listed by position, famous players’ numbers and every other player who ever honored them by wearing that number (listed by number), and much more.
Synopsis
A fun, fascinating, and obsessve look at the facts, stats, history, and secrets behind baseball's uniform numbers. Did You Know...
- Carlos May is the only Major League player to wear his entire birth date on his uniform—"May 17"?
- Bobby Valentine Switched from #13 to #11 while on the Angels after his jaw was broken by a pitch, his leg was broken running into a wall, and a ground ball broke his nose?
- Al Oliver was the first Major League player to wear #0 in 1978 with the Texas Rangers? He insisted it was an "O" for Oliver, not a zero.
- If a "Dream Team" was ever assembled of all the great #8's from the Majors it would include: 1B, Willie Stargell, SS Cal Ripkin, CF Andre Dawson, RHP Schoolboy Rowe, and MGR Yogi Berra?
- Reggie Jackson wore #44 for less than half his career?
- Pop Haines pitched a no-hitter wearing #18 in 1924?
Synopsis
Thereand#8217;s never been anything like this fun, fascinating and totally obsessive look at the facts, stats, history, and secrets behind baseballand#8217;s uniform numbers.
Unlike any other baseball statistics book, which reveals only the information about the numbers players put on the board, this revolutionary volume reveals all of the fascinating and little-known meanings and nuances behind the numbers that players wear on their backs. Now Batting, Number...covers a wide range of categories, including and#8220;Boyhood Idolsand#8221; (why players choose certain numbers), and#8220;Birthday Babesand#8221; (which players have worn the same number as their date of birth), and#8220;Caretakersand#8221; (inside stories from equipment managers on the selection of playersand#8217; numbers), and and#8220; Early Inningsand#8221; (the history of numbering in baseball).
At the center of Now Batting, Number...is a substantial section listing the complete rosters of thirty Major League teams with each playerand#8217;s number and position since 1929. Other lists include every retired number listed by league and team, every retired number listed by position, famous playersand#8217; numbers and every other player who ever honored them by wearing that number (listed by number), and much more.
About the Author
Jack Looney is a consulting creative director and designer for major publishing houses in New York City. He is the editor of several New York Times bestsellers, including Simple Solution to Rubiks Cube, and is the author of several game and puzzle books. A former semi-pro baseball player, he is obsessed with the game.
Table of Contents
Dedication: V Acknowledgments: IX
Introduction: XI
- The Mystique: What is there about numbers?: 1
- Early Innings: A Brief History of Uniform Numbers: 13
- Retired Numbers: 25
- The Caretakers: Equipment Managers: 43
- The Hall: 69
- Boyhood Idols: 99
- Birthday Babes: 115
- Team Rosters: 125
- Dream Teams: The Best: Number by Number: 379
- Odd-Balls: 395
- Extra Innings: Trivia: 409
- Players: By the Numbers: 419
- Into the Sunset: 499
- Answers: 507
- Methodology: 521
Index: 543