That George's book turned out to be a long, tall, cold drink of water on a hot summer day came as no surprise to me. For us in Michigan who have lived with George throughout his years as the premier Tiger TV announcer, or as one of the great players of his time, we have long known of his commitment to to all that is good and right about America's pastime. But, he also served as a prophet concerning the aspects of the modern game which led to a slow decay not only in the quality of the game, but in the character of some of the game's players and management (thankfully the 1998 season of McGwire-Sosa, and of the Yankee's team-first approach has ushered in the possibility of a solid reversal of that trend). In any event, how can a baseball aficionado not feel the warm sunshine of yesteryear as we read of a living Hall of Famer's account of playing under Manager Connie Mack, alongside and against Ted Williams...Joe DiMaggio...even Minnie Minoso! George's book is special. I can virtually guarantee you will not read the likes of "Hello everybody, I'm George Kell" ever again. It is an easy-reading account of baseball's glory days, when a nation came out of a war against the forces of evil, and after looking in the mirror, realized the color line must be obliterated in what was then the undisputed King of American sport. I do not easily grant a five star review, but George's decency shines through the entire book, just as his light has shined his entire life. Bravo!

I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE THIS BOOK, BUT IT WASN'T WHAT I EXPECTED OR WANTED TO READ ABOUT. I WANTED TO READ ABOUT HIS GREAT CAREER IN BASBALL, BUT WHAT I GOT WAS OVER 200 PAGES OF WHAT A GREAT GUY SPARKY IS AND A LESSON IN HUMILITY, DIGNITY AND HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE IN GENERAL. SPARKY COMES ACROSS AS TRULY BEING A VERY SINCERE AND HONEST MAN. I BELIEVE HE REALLY IS A GOOD PERSON AND AND A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE. HE HAS DONE MUCH CHARITY WORK AND IS A VERY GIVING INDIVIDUAL. TO SPEND MUCH OF THE BOOK TELLING ABOUT THIS WAS NOT WHAT I BOUGHT IT FOR. IF YOU TRULY WANT TO FIND OUT ABOUT SPARKY THE PERSON THEN THIS IS FOR YOU. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT A LOT OF BASEBALL STORIES AND NOSTALGIA THEN YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.

Although Sparky and I come from totally different backgrounds (I am from the Dominican Republic and Sparky is from South Dakota) but the concept of treating everybody equal is universal but unfortunately not practiced by everyone. Some people talk about it others do it. Sparky does it!*The book is awesome and not just in baseball terms but in the every day life term. After reading this book, there is no doubt why Sparky is the best there ever was.

*I got the opportunity to watch Sparky work his magic when I was a player in the Detroit organization. I am now a minor league manager and one day I want to be just like Sparky. Close at least! there is only one Sparky and I can only pray to be half of the man that he is. Very smart at his craft!!* Ironically I now live in South Dakota:)

Sparky is coming to town this week and I cannot wait to get the opportunity to pick his brains...

As a lifelong Detroit Tiger fan and Michigan resident, the stories and messages that Sparky conveyed typify what the people of Detroit, Cincinnati, and Thousand Oaks California knew all along. Sparky is truly a class act who "walks the walk." His lessons and stories transcend baseball and touch upon something rare in professional sports: Class and Dignity.

I can only speak for Detroit when I say that the Sparky that is portrayed in "They Call Me Sparky" is the same Sparky whose efforts with C.A.T.C.H. are still benefitting Children's Hospital.

Any person who deals with people on a day to day basis can take away from this book many of the same interpersonal lessons taught in a Dale Carnegie course.

PEYTON MANNING SHOULD HAVE WON THE HEISMAN. BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET BOUGHT.THEY GOT LUCKY. NEBRASKA WOULD HAVE WAXED THAT A**. SOMETIMES LOSERS WIN.1998 who's your daddy?Tee Martin, Al Wilson, Jamal Lewis, Raynoch Thompson, Travis Henry, Travis Stephens, Cosey Coleman, Shaun Ellis,Shawn Bryson, Peerless Price, Should I continue to embarrass you? Hell Yeah! Phil Fulmer, John Ward...

The book is the all-time best for University of Michigan fans.If you want a book with non-stop info and the best pictues of Bo's once in a life-time carrer,this is the book for that ultimate fan.From Tom Harmon to Charles Woodson or from Ferry Field to Michigan Stadium, this book gives you the real experience of Michigan football and how great they have been in the small town of Ann Arbor.Yes indeed,BO DID A HELL OF A JOB!

Excellent book. Michigan has a wonderful football tradition. Just think of how many Heismans Peyton Manning would have won if he'd had the good sense to turn down UT and go to school in Ann Arbor.

It was interesting to read about the inside of the team, but it was written on about a third grade reading level. I got through it it one evening. I would recommend for those under 13 but it's pretty elementary reading for anyone with an eight grade or higher education.

Before the 1984 season began, Sparky Anderson had a "feeling" that his Detroit Tiger team that year was going to be special. So much so, he decided to record his thoughts day-by-day for a book. As it turned out, the Tigers won the World Series and were never out of 1st place the entire season. Fans of that team and indeed all fans of baseball have the chance to "read Sparky's thoughts" as they unfolded throughout that long, sometimes trying, but ultimately triumphant season. The simple prose offers great insight into a team that made news on the field (as opposed to the too-common "after-hours" troubles of today's athletes) and a man who is one of baseball's great skippers (and this year will enter the Hall of Fame).

I was only 10 years old when the Tigers went on their unbelieveable run in 1984. From the first game of the season, it was clear the Tigers were the best team in baseball. Bless You Boys, through the eyes of colorful manager Sparky Anderson, captures each of the glorious moments from that magical season. As I suffer through the losing ways of the current Tigers, I will occassionally pick-up Bless You Boys to momentarily bring me back to the good old days of the Tigers.

"Sparky!" is Anderson's chronicle of his managerial years, especially his triumphs (1984) and trials (1989) with the Detoit Tigers. He explains how he stressed himself right into the hospital in 1989, and what he learned about it. Great inisghts into the many star players he has seen and managed during his years in the big leagues. Great for Tiger fans as well as all fans of baseball & its personalities.

Masters Press Baseball Crosswords Volume 3 fell short of my expectations. I thought the book would have puzzles about baseball and the players of the past and present with stories mixed in. The book is made for the younger crowds ages 8 to 15.

While the puzzles are of good quality, they lack any real challenge and often they are there could be more clues. Each puzzle does talk about a major league team; provide you with basic information about the team and a listing of leaders over the past ten years.

I do like the idea that each team is given an exclusive puzzle. I also like the stories, but I fell that the author could have given each team it's own book. Also there is nothing about past players and for a baseball purest this is a major disappointment.

Price in the right range, this book would and will make an excellent gift for the young, aspiring ball player in your family. Overall the book is good, but definite improvements can be made.