The Baseball Encyclopedia

Gr 5 Up–More companion than true encyclopedia, this copious reference opens with a far-reaching introduction touching on aspects of the history and social significance of the game. Succeeding chapters outline how the game is played, equipment, ball parks, the various positions, game strategy both hitting and fielding, youth baseball, and officiating. Capsule sketches profile major players throughout history—Cy Young, Mookie Betts—as well as all of the MLB teams categorized by division, standout managers, and leagues in other parts of the world, particularly Japan and Latin America. Illustrations are often lavish, one photo spread showcasing Negro League slugger Josh Gibson, another Bobby Thompson’s “shot heard ‘round the world” in the Giants’ 1951 NL pennant race. Every page is elaborately laid out yet simply and colorfully organized around photos, lists, charts, topic articles, and sidebars. Some of the sidebars are recurring features, such as Fact File, brief narratives around statistics, such as that Yankees closer Mariano Rivera logged a record 652 saves.