The Soul of Baseball
Winner of the 2007 Casey Award.
An award-winning sports columnist and a baseball legend tour the country to recapture the joys and wonders of two of America’s greatest pastimes
When legendary Negro League player Buck O’Neil asked sports columnist Joe Posnanski how he fell in love with baseball, that simple question eventually led the pair on a cross-country quest to recapture the love that first drew them to the game. Baseball & Jazz recounts their emotional quest to find the heart of America’s beloved sport that still beats despite the scandal-ridden, steroid-shooting, money hungry athletes who currently seem to define the sport. At its heart is the story of 94-year-old Buck O’Neil—a man that truly played for the love of the game. After an impressive career in the Negro Baseball Leagues in which he earned two hitting titles and one championship, O’Neil made baseball history by becoming the first African-American coach in major league baseball. Posnanski writes about that love and the one thing that O’Neil cherishes almost as much as baseball: jazz. This heartwarming and insightful journey is an endearing step back in time to the days when the crack of a bat and the smokey notes of a midnight jam session were the sounds that brought the most joy to a man’s heart.
Reviews
“A fascinating account of a man who outlasted the ignorance of a nation and persevered to become a beloved figure...One of the best baseball books in years, filled with depth style and clarity." —Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Posnanski masterfully conveys O’Neil’s charisma and the rhythm of his words … A worthy paean to an American Legend.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A story that positively cried out to be told. … A treasure trove of history. … Stirring, moving and more than a little sad.” —Booklist (starred review)
“A bighearted memoir of a friendship. … At its best, The Soul of Baseball riffs like a piece of baseball jazz.” —USA Today
“You won’t read a better baseball book this year.” —Newsday
“Engaging and spirit-lifting.” —Sports Illustrated
“If your eyes don’t get moist by the end, perhaps the air is too dry in your casket.” —Detroit Free Press
“The achievement of Posnanskii’s book is that it goes beyond what O’Neil has done for baseball to document in loving detail the story of a man who figured out early how to live every day with joy.” —Boston Globe
“A word of caution: This book should not be read on an airplane unless you want a flight attendant offering your Kleenex.” —Toronto Sun
“Even if you’re not a baseball fan, this is a book you should read. It’s a lovely book about a lovely man.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch
“I don’t care what your troubles are: This book will make you smile.” —Dave Barry
“A lyrical reminder of all the good the sports and good people can bring us.” —The New York Post
“The best book I’ve ever read about the game.” —Charleston Post and Courier