Books for the sports fan
by Steve Sheppard
The best thing about sports is that you don’t have to play them to enjoy them. Don’t believe me? Then who’s that on the couch every Sunday afternoon?

Apart from spectating, we also enjoy reading about sports — which is probably why newspapers devote whole sections to it. When the weather outside turns frightful, there’s nothing like a good sports book to while away the time until spring.

George Plimpton had a theory that the smaller the ball, the better the writing. If you enjoy sports, you can be the judge this winter. Here are a few of my favorites, as well as some new titles for lastminute shoppers.

One of the best books I ever received at Christmas was the “Fireside Book of Baseball,” a compendium of stories, photos, poetry and news items about the national pastime. It’s the place where I first discovered John Updike’s superbly written and now famous reportage of Ted Williams’ last game, “Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu.” As the name implies, the “Fireside Book of Baseball” is meant to be read next to the “hot stove” of winter. The three volumes in the series turn up occasionally in repackaged versions, but if you can find any of them, in either paperback or hardcover, they’re well worth it. (An interesting side note is that the series was edited by Charles Einstein, the brother of comedian Albert Brooks.)

Since we’ve brought up Plimpton, you may recall that in his career he would attempt to play a professional sport and then write about it. His wonderful book about football, “Paper Lion,” not only tells how a skinny guy was treated by a professional team, but how different the pre-season games of the ’60s were from today’s so-called exhibitions. “Paper Lion” also contradicts his own “small ball” writing theory —it’s a great read, if you can find it. (Who starred in the movie version, by the way? Answer below.)

Plimpton could write small, however, and “Bogey Man” examined the world of pro golf before titanium drivers and private jets. Can you imagine the PGA allowing a writer to try his hand at the tour today? It’s where I first heard about the “yips.” Another, and perhaps more accessible, book about golf is the more recent “A Good Walk Spoiled” by John Feinstein. Feinstein doesn’t play on the circuit, but his examination of the PGA tour, and the psyche of those who play on it, is fascinating.

If we’re going to get into the minds of sports figures, there aren’t any two better books than those recently published by authors with strong Nantucket connections: Buzz Bissinger and David Halberstam.

Bissinger’s book about St. Louis Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa just came out in paperback. “Three Nights in August” explores the quintessence of a baseball season, the three-game homestand. Although the book is about LaRussa it is not an “as told to” story, but a revealing look at strategy and personnel handling. This book carries added significance this winter in that LaRussa finally won his World Series with the Cardinals.

Another inside look at how a coach’s influences can affect his reasonings, is Halberstam’s “The Education of a Coach.” This accessible book tells of the people who inspired Bill Belichick and how he incorporates what they taught him into his life — and game plans. Halberstam spoke with most of the people Belichick has known, and these interviews are at the heart of this insightful book. Taken together, “The Education of a Coach” and “Three Nights in August” reveal the similarities in the two men, and perhaps helps to explain their friendship.

Cartoons from “Fireside Book of Baseball”

Although he is perceived as a political/investigative writer (and he is a master), Halberstam’s sports writing puts him at the top of the field, and he has developed an impressive oeuvre. He has written two books about

professional basketball, one about rowing, three about baseball and, with Belichick, one about football. Two of his baseball books concern the Red Sox (“Summer of ’49” and “The Teammates”) and through them one man in particular, Ted Williams. In each book, Halberstam captures the Kid’s larger than life personality, and also tells of his magnanimity. “The Teammates” is still available in paperback, and is a book more about friendships than about baseball.

So there you have it, another column that begins and ends with Ted Williams. Not a bad way to end a sports discussion at all.

Which reminds me, if you can find a copy of “Ted Williams: My Life in Pictures,” get it — unlike other bios of the Splendid Splinter it includes his own observations and his inimitable tone comes through loud and clear.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and happy reading, Mr. Armchair Quarterback.

(Answer: Alan Alda, in an early starring role, played George Plimpton in “Paper Lion.” The movie also starred the Detroit Lions’ defensive tackle Alex Karras, and launched his acting career — remember “Webster”?)

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