Sportbiographien

Taking to the ring as a ""bootleg"" boxer to support his family, Lou Ambers, 'The Herkimer Hurricane' soon became an undefeated contender, losing only one of more than fifty fights in his first three years as a professional. This book chronicles the life of one of the great 20th century lightweights, who retired with a record of 109-89 with 29 KOs.

Unearthing thousands of contemporaneous newspaper accounts, this first exhaustive biography of ""Hustlin'"" Ted Sullivan recounts the life and career of one of the greatest hucksters in the history of baseball.

Eddie Plank won 326 games and has the most complete games and shutouts by a left-handed pitcher in Major League history. But how much do we know about the hurler best known as ""Gettysburg Eddie"" in his playing days? And what of him that we do know is factual? This biography of Plank sorts out the truth and the myths - and everything in between.

On May 6, 2014 Ryan Waters accomplished something that has not been replicated since. He and fellow explorer Eric Larsen stood atop the geographic North Pole, after 53 grueling days battling their way over an ever-melting sheet of ice that fought against them the entire way. By reaching the pole the two adventurers became the last persons to date to complete an unsupported trip to the North Pole from land. The ice sheet that used to link the Pole to land in Canada, once so thick and sturdy, has so degraded over the last few decades that explorers have had to abandon any attempts to cross it.While reaching the North Pole was monumental for Waters it also was the final piece needed to complete a project that he had been persistently working on for over a decade, the True Adventurers Grand SlamΓÇöstanding atop the Seven Summits and skiing full length, unsupported and unassisted, expeditions to both the North and South Poles. His accomplishment that day made him just the 9th person and first American to gain entry into this exclusive club.Never one to embrace the easy path, Waters seemed to thrive in battling through whatever the fates threw at him, sometimes even deliberately seeking out struggles. Despite having little experience cross-country skiing, he decided to go to the South Pole. Eschewing the more typical route, he and partner Cecilie Skog completed the first traverse of Antarctica without the use of resupplies or kites. Skiing from Berkner Island in the Weddell Sea, via the South Pole, to the Ross Ice Shelf, the pair skied for 70 days and covered 1200 miles, 9 years prior to the much publicized 2019 ΓÇ£raceΓÇ¥ across Antarctica. To this day the two hold the record for the longest unsupported crossing of the continent without the use of kites.How Waters ended up standing atop the North Pole on that fateful day is a story of hope, perseverance, faith, and a fair share of dumb luck. From his youth traipsing around the Georgia hills to his time leading expeditions around the Himalayas, including five summits of Everest, Waters has always seemed to stumble into the next fortuitous step of his journey, often ending up in the most unlikely places. This is tempered by the fact that early in WatersΓÇÖ outdoor career, he learned to live by a simple credo: ΓÇ£you have to make things happen for yourself.ΓÇ¥ At the beginning of his climbing career, he was consumed by passion for the mountains, every decision was leading to the next mountaineering challenge. Eventually giving up a stable career as a geologist, he had a self-described ΓÇ£mid 20ΓÇÖs crisis,ΓÇ¥ left his 401K and comfortable salary for living out of his truck and 40 dollars a day as a part-time climbing instructor. Following his dream of a life of adventure in exchange for a life of obeying societal norms, he set out to build a mountain resume that would enable him to circle the Earth and work as a mountain guide in the Himalayas and beyond.After almost two decades of hard expeditions around the planet, his experiences include being on a hijacked airplane in Russia, rescue of injured climbers in the Karakoram Himalaya of Pakistan, the Everest Base Camp earthquake disaster, narrowly missing out on the K2 2008 tragedy, near misses with avalanches, the deaths of close climbing partners, close encounters with Polar Bears on the Arctic Ocean, relationships with fellow adventurers, and much more.

Do you think you''re the ultimate New England Patriots superfan?Do you have a buddy who can''t stop talking about Tom Brady?Do you want to learn about the history of the best franchise of the last two decades?Even if those don''t apply to you, The Ultimate New England Patriots Trivia Book is the best book to learn about the New England Patriots'' team history. This trivia book is packed with interesting facts about the Patriots from cover to cover, taking you from the playing fields of the Boston suburbs to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.In this book, you''ll discover the answer to:Who wore number 12 before Tom Brady entered the scene for the Patriots?How many touchdowns did Rob Gronkowski catch from Tom Brady?Where did star receiver Julian Edelman attend college?Who quarterbacked the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance? When did the Patriots move into their stadium in Foxboro?Whether you are a Patriots fanatic hungry for more information about the team, an NFL superfan craving knowledge about the teams in the league, or just someone who enjoys learning new, interesting facts to learn new things, this book is right up your alley. You will not be disappointed while discovering the world of the New England Patriots, both past and present, so just crack open the book, sit back, relax, and enjoy the wave of knowledge.

The book discusses teams and leadership in a way not seen before. The author has years of experience at leadership since he was 8 years old in little league. The government agencies he describes and other organizations all use leadership for teams of all sorts. He gives advice to younger staff and helps understand why team leadership is important in American Culture. The book is designed for anyone in our diverse world.

Calling all Chicago Cubs fans!The Ultimate Chicago Cubs Trivia Book is a staple for anyone who loves baseball, sports trivia, and the Cubbies. You will be tested on your knowledge of mind-blowing facts from the early days of the franchise all the way to the Cubs'' first World Series win in over a century.  Within these pages, you will find answers to over 350 trivia questions as well as hundreds of interesting facts, including: David Ross was the first MLB contestant on which reality competition show?On December 13, 2010, the Canada Post announced that Fergie Jenkins would be honored with his own postage stamp to celebrate Black History Month. The stamp was issued in February 2011. Former Cub Andre Dawson now owns and operates a ________ in Miami, Florida. (Spoiler alert: It''s not somewhere you want to visit.)Which country''s team did Anthony Rizzo play for in the 2013 World Baseball Classic?Which Cubs player was named World Series MVP in 2016? Whether you''re a lifelong Cubs fan or are simply looking to hit one out of the park on MLB Trivia Night at your local bar, The Ultimate Chicago Cubs Trivia Book is a grand slam.  

Despite his outstanding pitching record, James Francis "Pud" Galvin (1856-1902) was largely forgotten after his premature death. During his 17-year career pitching for Pittsburgh, Buffalo and St. Louis, he was one of the best-paid players in the game. This book offers the first comprehensive telling of Galvin's story, covering his complete record.

Calling all Yankees fans!The Ultimate New York Yankees Trivia Book is a staple for anyone who loves baseball, sports trivia, and the Bronx Bombers. You will be tested on your knowledge of mind-blowing facts from the early days when Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig owned New York, as well as the current era of Bronx baseball led by the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.  Within these pages, you will find answers to over 350 trivia questions as well as hundreds of interesting facts, including:How many times was Billy Martin hired and fired as Yankees manager? (More times than you''d think.)In Derek Jeter''s junior high yearbook, students were asked to write what they planned to be doing in 10 years. Jeter answered, "Playing shortstop for the New York Yankees."In a high school football game, former Yankee Johnny Damon suffered his first sports concussion at the hands of which NFL star?Back in 1998, former Yankee Alex Rodriguez was asked by a reporter who his dream date would be with. His answer? Jennifer Lopez. And 22 years later, J-Lo and A-Rod are currently engaged to be married. Who threw the Yankees'' very first no-hitter in 1917? Whether you''re a lifelong Yanks fan or are simply looking to hit one out of the park on MLB Trivia Night at your local bar, The Ultimate New York Yankees Trivia Book is a grand slam. 

Calling All Cowboys Fans! Everything about America''s Team is bigger and better, and that includes The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Trivia Book! It''s 14 specially designed chapters that take you behind the scenes of the most valuable football team on the planet-from the very beginning with the origin of the Cowboys to a special Super Bowl section that most teams couldn''t dream of filling. Throughout this page-turner, you''ll find amazing anecdotes, behind the scenes stories, incredible statistics, and a whole lot more, including: ┬╖       How the Cowboys tricked the Redskins into allowing them into the league.┬╖       Which player got traded after tossing a jersey in his coach''s face.┬╖       Which weapons were involved in a locker room brawl between teammates.┬╖       Which player was an actual cowboy in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.┬╖       Why the Cowboys designed the most unique uniform in the NFL. It''s all here in an exciting book that any self-respecting Dallas fan must own! From Tex Schramm to Dak Prescott, and everything in between, this book is full of fascinating details that will make you the envy of your friends every Sunday and prove once and for all who the biggest fan of the Dallas Cowboys really is! Test your mettle with hundreds of clever factoids, multiple choice selections, and true or false questions that will set the record straight in any football argument. Never be caught without the answer you need in a sports debate again! It''s all the fantastic records, insane quotations, and jaw-dropping stories that will truly make readers the Ultimate Dallas Cowboys fans. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your copy of The Ultimate Dallas Cowboys Trivia Book today!

Boston Bruins fans, rejoice! If you bleed the black and gold of the Big Bad Bruins, you''ve got to get The Ultimate Boston Bruins Trivia Book! It''s chapter after chapter of incredible trivia, covering all the aspects any Bruins fan would want to read about.  Dig into the stories behind the team''s heated rivalries, chuckle at the ingenious nicknames earned by the players, and marvel at the records set and awards won by some of the best athletes Boston has ever seen! In this book, you''ll savor all the fascinating facts, like: Which Bruin invented goalie nets, bevelled pucks, and skate guards.Who was the only man to play for the Bruins, Celtics, AND Red Sox.Which Bruin threatened to knock out half of Rocket Richard''s teeth.How players became known as Mr. Zero, Ol'' Blood & Guts, and the Merlot Line.Which Hall of Fame goalie was drafted by the Bruins...without realizing it for a decade. Whether you''re re-living old glories through the team''s heydays or freshly experiencing all of these colorful details, you''re sure to enrich your fandom by testing yourself with multiple choice questions, true or false factoids, and quirky anecdotes about all the biggest movers and shakers from Bruins history. From Orr to Chara, Espo to Bergeron, and Brimsek to Rask, it''s all here in a page-turning dive into the world of the oldest American team in the NHL! If you want to impress your family and friends with your die-hard knowledge of the Boston Bruins, this is the book that will help you prove it...and maybe learn a few things along the way.

Walter ""Smokey"" Alston is best known for his long and successful tenure as manager of the Dodgers - first in Brooklyn, then in Los Angeles. Yet few fans are aware of his years in the minors, where he honed the skills that would make him famous. This book traces Alston's rise through the leagues to become a Hall of Famer with more than 2,000 wins.

Without question, the team of the 1970s in the NFL was the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the decade, the Steelers won four Super Bowls. However, the team for which this book was written, the 1976 squad, was not one of them. However, many Steelers of the time, including its founder, Art Rooney, said that the 1976 was the best of them all. It did not seem like it after the first five games of the season as the Steelers won only one of those games. They also lost starting quarterback Terry Bradshaw in the fifth game to injury for several games and had to move on with rookie Mike Kruczek in control of the offense. Knowing that one more loss would destroy any hopes they had to make the playoffs and a chance to win an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl, the Steel Curtain defense dominated like no other defense in "modern" NFL history. In their last nine games, all victories, the Steelers gave up only 28 points during that span. No other defense can even come close to numbers like that. In addition, with their passing game struggling due to injuries, the running attack that featured the "Ground Crew" offensive line gained hundreds of rushing yards per game during their nine-game winning streak. Running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier to both rush for over 1000 yards in 1976, only the second pair of running backs to ever do so in the same 14-game season.The 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers had an incredible conglomeration of some of the NFL's all-time greats in their organization, 13 of which are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cornerback Mel Blount was so dominant that the NFL changed defensive coverage rules, one of which was named after him. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls, winning MVP in Super Bowl XIII and XIV, and showed how clutch he was by throwing a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of each Super Bowl. Defensive tackle Joe Greene, the first draft pick by head coach Chuck Noll, was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969, Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and 1974, made the Pro Bowl ten times, and was All-Pro four times. Outside linebacker Jack Ham was a six-time All-Pro who was considered one of the finest pass coverage linebackers of all-time. Franco Harris finished his career second on the all-time rushing list and was named MVP of Super Bowl IX. Inside linebacker Jack Lambert was the emotional leader of the defense, was six-time All-Pro, and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. Wide Receiver John Stallworth retired as the Steelers' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yardage, and touchdowns and scored the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XIV. Safety Donnie Shell was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 was such a fierce hitter that his teammates gave him the nickname "Torpedo". Wide receiver Lynn Swann was Super Bowl X MVP and made some of the greatest catches of all-time during his career. Center Mike Webster anchored the offensive line for fifteen years and was named All-Pro five times. Head coach Chuck Noll was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is the only coach to win four Super Bowls without a loss. Owner Art Rooney and his son Dan Rooney, who was team president in 1976, were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The explosive biography of the greatest college football coach in history.

This work is a memoir about two brothers, sons of first wave Polish immigrants and their dealings with the professional boxing industry and its machinations with the American underworld of the 1930s. Babe Risko (Henry Pelkowski) would go on to win the Middleweight Championship of the World. Brother Vince was his "acting" manager, being at odds more than not with the "Czar" of boxing Frankie Carbo and his mobster minions. Babe's achievement in the ring and continued life in Syracuse, New York was a one and only occurrence for this city and its reputation as an avid sports town. After his untimely death, Risko slowly faded from memory of the local populace. This book told from the point of view of Babe Risko's nephew and godson paints a brief local view taken in the throes of the depression, mass immigration, impending world war, prohibition, and the faiths, secular and non, that drove the culture and commerce of the time. Because of the gap in time periods, much of the research had to do with the passed down oral traditions of families and associations. Consequently, the author takes liberties in embellishments, speculations, and even some fabrication, but always within the realm of plausibility. And humor. Former local sports editor Bob Snyder has said that the central New York area can now... "boast of three Boxing world champions, Basilio, Backus and the Babe."

Are you lucky, or are you blessed? Is there a difference between being lucky and being blessed? Depending on the circumstances, one would suggest the two are very subjective. I believe, when you are blessed, you are giving a divined gift from God. You cannot not be lucky to receive such miraculous gifts. This notion of being blessed has been a life lesson for me. As a child, I always was taught to count my blessing and to always look to progress.Against all odds, I felt a calling on my life. My life experiences have shaped me to be the person I am today. I realized how sports served as a platform for my future success. It is quintessential to say I learned early in life...without being academically eligible, I could not participate in sports. "No one was going to cut me a break because of my learning disability!" More and more, this motivated me to try my best in school.Fasten your seat belt! You are about to embark on a journey of bravery, of struggles, of trials, of defeat, and of triumph. At the conclusion of this book, reflect on your own life and determine, are you lucky or blessed?

African American historian Gerald Early refers to Jack Johnson (1878-1946), the first African American heavyweight champion of the world, as the first African American pop culture icon.