Author: George R. Matthews Publisher: McFarland ISBN: 0786454121 Category : Sports & Recreation Languages : en Pages : 235
Book Description
In the fall of 1908, no one could have guessed that the Chicago Cubs, a team that had dominated the National league three straight years, would for a century be shut out in its efforts to reclaim the world championship. Stars like Frank Chance, Ed Reulbach, and Three Finger Brown were still in their prime, and the Cubs had just emerged the winner in the most remarkable pennant race in history. In the decades since, the achievement of the 1908 Cubs has been overshadowed first by the events of the season, which included the Merkle Game and a playoff that pitted two all-time great pitchers against each other, and more recently by the calendar, as the centennial anniversary of the last Cubs championship closed in. This book rescues the 1908 team from its status as footnote to baseball history, following one of the all-time great clubs on a thrilling, season-long march toward the World Series.
Author: Tom Verducci Publisher: Crown ISBN: 0804190038 Category : Sports & Recreation Languages : en Pages : 394
Book Description
The New York Times Bestseller With inside access and reporting, Sports Illustrated senior baseball writer and FOX Sports analyst Tom Verducci reveals how Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon built, led, and inspired the Chicago Cubs team that broke the longest championship drought in sports, chronicling their epic journey to become World Series champions. It took 108 years, but it really happened. The Chicago Cubs are once again World Series champions. How did a team composed of unknown, young players and supposedly washed-up veterans come together to break the Curse of the Billy Goat? Tom Verducci, twice named National Sportswriter of the Year and co-writer of The Yankee Years with Joe Torre, will have full access to team president Theo Epstein, manager Joe Maddon, and the players to tell the story of the Cubs' transformation from perennial underachievers to the best team in baseball. Beginning with Epstein's first year with the team in 2011, Verducci will show how Epstein went beyond "Moneyball" thinking to turn around the franchise. Leading the organization with a manual called "The Cubs Way," he focused on the mental side of the game as much as the physical, emphasizing chemistry as well as statistics. To accomplish his goal, Epstein needed manager Joe Maddon, an eccentric innovator, as his counterweight on the Cubs' bench. A man who encourages themed road trips and late-arrival game days to loosen up his team, Maddon mixed New Age thinking with Old School leadership to help his players find their edge. The Cubs Way takes readers behind the scenes, chronicling how key players like Rizzo, Russell, Lester, and Arrieta were deftly brought into the organization by Epstein and coached by Maddon to outperform expectations. Together, Epstein and Maddon proved that clubhouse culture is as important as on-base-percentage, and that intangible components like personality, vibe, and positive energy are necessary for a team to perform to their fullest potential. Verducci chronicles the playoff run that culminated in an instant classic Game Seven. He takes a broader look at the history of baseball in Chicago and the almost supernatural element to the team's repeated loses that kept fans suffering, but also served to strengthen their loyalty. The Cubs Way is a celebration of an iconic team and its journey to a World Championship that fans and readers will cherish for years to come.
Author: Stanley Phillips Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform ISBN: 9781540447487 Category : Languages : en Pages : 128
Book Description
"The Cubs Win It All!" - is a revision, which enhances and replaces the original amusing tale presented in the novel "Murphy: Billy Goat Curse." In "The Cubs Win It All!" I again take a fantasy approach in explaining how the curse is actually lifted during the fifth game of the 2016 World Series allowing the Cubs go on to become Baseball's World Champions. "The Cubs Win It All!" Finally the wait is over...after 108 years the Chicago Cubs have been crowned World Series Champs. What fans around the world do not understand is that this event was never supposed to take place. This only comes about because the curse which was placed upon the team decades ago was miraculously lifted during the fifth game of the series. The scourge in question was simply named; "The Billy Goat Curse" which when unraveled becomes a series of misunderstandings, grudges, and blindness. Although there are some who believe they know the truth, the individual who was truly scorned was not Billy Sianis, but it was Murphy the Goat. Thus, this is the reason behind the creation of this story. The Cubs Win IT All! "The Cubs Win It All!" is a fun packed fantasy for all ages born out of the frustrations of Chicago Cubs fans had over the fact their beloved team had not won a World Series since 1908. There are many who feel the main reason for the drought was due to the Billy Goat Curse which came to life in 1945. The so-called curse came to be on October 6, 1945, when Billy Sianis, a well-known Chicago saloon owner brought his pet goat Murphy to the fourth game of that year's World Series. When asked to remove his goat from Wrigley Field, he was insulted. Upon leaving, he uttered the now infamous words, "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more." When Frain's army of ushers heard those words, they contributed the curse to Sianis. However, Murphy was the one who actually put the curse on the Cubs. Seeing he was the one who was insulted, it was only natural. Unbeknownst to the Cubs fans, the only way to break the curse was for someone from the Cubs organization to apologize to Murphy personally. Of course, as of 2016, the biggest problem with that happening is Murphy has been dead for many years. However, in the spirit of "Fair Play," Murphy the Goat, armed with the gift of speech, is forced to return to Earth to lift the curse. Murphy being very persistent, and annoying, has a stipulation. He will lift the curse only if and when he gets his apology. But, Murphy isn't the only one with a stipulation. No one is going to allow him back in to his reward until he lifts the curse. In need of earthly assistance, Murphy goes to the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago in October, 2016. It is here Murphy is to meet a troubled young man named Daniel Talbert who is supposed to assist him in this endeavor. When they meet Daniel has his own problems. Thus, from the start he has no intention of having a talking goat around especially as the two continue to butt heads. However, his biggest problem is his wife Sara believes he has lost his marbles. Eventually, Murphy and Daniel come to the realization they must change their ways, and join forces in order to arrive at the happy conclusion for all concern. The basic idea of the novel was originally presented in the novel "Murphy: Billy Goat Curse." All it takes to actually make the dream come true is to have the curse lifted. In "The Cubs Win it All!, that is just what happens during the fifth game of the 2016 World Series.
Author: Major League Baseball (Organization) Publisher: ISBN: 077100317X Category : Sports & Recreation Languages : en Pages : 162
Book Description
Celebrate the 2016 World Series champions with the only official publication licensed by Major League Baseball! When the Cubs clinched the final out of the 2016 World Series, the city collectively exhaled; the wait was finally over. Chicago's National League franchise ended its 108-year title drought this season, winning a Major League-best 103 games and leading the NL Central wire to wire. All five of the Cubs' starting pitchers posted double-digits in wins, while Kyle Hendricks led the Majors in ERA and WHIP with Jon Lester not far behind. And a young core bolstered by Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and countless other stars who had led the club to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons brought the world title to Wrigleyville for the first time since 1908, ushering in a new era of prosperity. 2016 World Series Champions takes fans out to the ball game and right down to the field-level action. Published in partnership with MLB and researched and written by their own in-house team of committed and knowledgeable baseball experts, this commemorative keepsake offers fans not only a detailed game-by-game recap of the World Series Champion's run through the annual Fall Classic, but also a history of the World Series. With more than 200 incredible photographs, descriptive game analysis, profiles of every member of the team, statistics and box scores, this official MLB publication celebrates the most memorable and magical highlights from the entire 2016 MLB season. It's all here -- the biggest hits, the unbelievable throws, the most talked-about trades, great plays, amazing comebacks, and a season of unforgettable moments.
Author: Paul F. Petricca Publisher: Archway Publishing ISBN: 1480853542 Category : Sports & Recreation Languages : en Pages : 264
Book Description
Paul Petricca draws on his experience as a coach, player, blogger, and student of baseball and softball to share what hes learned about hitting in this essential guide for players seeking dramatic results at the plate. The author presents easy to understand hitting mechanics highlighting how the engineering concept of torque can be applied to hitting and is often the difference between a weak groundball or a long home run. Topics covered include understanding where hitting power really comes from and the importance of increasing bat speed through the fundamentals of a repeatable and powerful rotational swing. Hitters of all ages who adopt his eight hitting keys will enjoy a dramatic increase in bat speed and power almost immediately. Hitting with Torque is more than a set of hitting mechanics---its a mindset. Readers will be challenged to look past the worn-out hitting theories and myths that have been holding back hitters from reaching their full potential. With an open mind and practice, all hitters can unlock the power and consistency that is Hitting with Torque.
Author: Chicago Sun-Times Publisher: ISBN: 9781940056432 Category : Languages : en Pages :
Book Description
Believe It! chronicles the Cubs improbable run to their first World Series championship since 1908 using the words and photographs of the award-winning Chicago Sun-Times. This dazzling keepsake includes highlights from the regular season, special player features, game-by-game recaps of all the playoff games, and extended coverage of the World Series. Over 100 full-color photos included. The perfect holiday gift for Cubs faithful.
Author: Andy Van Slyke Publisher: Ascend Books ISBN: 9780984113057 Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
Could this finally be the Cubs' season? This thrilling fictional journey involves much more drama and action than just winning and losing games on the field. More than just a baseball novel, this is a story about the bond that exists between fathers and sons, between a team and its fans, and the dangers of the lust for power, glory, and money.
Author: Chicago Tribune Publisher: Triumph Books ISBN: 163319809X Category : Sports & Recreation Languages : en Pages : 165
Book Description
It has been called the last great American sports story, a quest that has spanned more than a century and captivated millions of fans. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs were at last baseball's champions, breaking the Curse of the Billy Goat and shedding the label of "lovable losers" once and for all. Led by manager Joe Maddon and built around rising stars Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs brought the Fall Classic back to the ivy-covered confines of Wrigley Field for the first time since 1945 and won the franchise's first championship since 1908 in unforgettable fashion. Re-live the Cubs' magical postseason run with Won for the Ages. This photo-packed collection of memories, stories and player profiles produced by the staff of the Chicago Tribune is the perfect look back at the sweet '16 season.
Author: David Ross Publisher: Hachette Books ISBN: 0316559423 Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 272
Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER USA TODAY BESTSELLER Packed with "compelling inside stories" (Chicago Tribune), Teammate is the inspiring memoir from "Grandpa Rossy," the veteran catcher who became the heart and soul of the 2016 Chicago Cubs championship team. In 2016 the Cubs snapped a 108-year curse, winning the World Series in a history-making, seven-game series against the Cleveland Indians. Of the many storylines to Chicago's fairytale season, one stood out: the late-career renaissance of David Ross, the 39-year-old catcher who had played back-up for 13 of his 15 pro seasons. Beyond Ross's remarkably strong play, he became the ultimate positive force in the Cubs locker room, mentoring and motivating his fellow players, some of them nearly twenty years his junior. Thanks to Cubs Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, "Grandpa Rossy" became a social media sensation. No one, however, could have predicted that Ross's home run in his final career at bat would help seal the Cubs championship. Now, in Teammate, Ross shares the inspiring story of his life in baseball, framed by the events of that unforgettable November night.