 | |
| Author | Tyler Kepner |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject |
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| Publisher | Doubleday |
Publication date | October 11, 2022 |
| Pages | 336 |
| ISBN | 978-0385546256 |
The Grandest Stage: A History of the World Series is a 2022 book by The New York Times sportswriter Tyler Kepner which examines the history of the World Series, the championship series which is held at the end of each Major League Baseball season and is considered the most prestigious event in baseball.
The book is divided into seven chapters, each of which are titled "Game", in reference to a full-length World Series. [1]
Kepner discuess individual plays and memorable games; examples include: Willie Mays' catch in Game 1 of the 1954 series and Babe Ruth's called shot in the '32 series against the Chicago Cubs. He also discusses lesser known players and performances. [2]
Olive Fellows of Christian Science Monitor described the book as a "quirky and engrossing celebration of the Series". He continued: "Throughout, Kepner's love of the game is infectious. His passion and experience as a sports columnist come together to make each story lively and compelling. Reading "The Grandest Stage", bouncing from story to story, feels like having an all-night-long chat with a fellow baseball-obsessed friend." [3]
Steven Roberts of The Washington Post described the book as "full of lively incidents and insights". [4]
A.R. Hoffman of The New York Sun praised the book and Kepner's writing: "With encyclopedic knowledge and a spry pen… Mr. Kepner strikes the right balance between reverence for the game's legends and respect for the randomness in outcome its difficulty ensures… "The Grandest Stage" is full of unexpected facts and lists sure to stir debate through the cold months between the final out of the World Series and the first toss of spring training." [5]
The book was nominated for the Casey Award in 2022. [6]
The Catch was a baseball play made by New York Giants center fielder Willie Mays on September 29, 1954, during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series at the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan, New York City. In the eighth inning, with the score tied 2–2, Cleveland Indians batter Vic Wertz hit a deep fly ball to center field that had the runners on base poised to score. However, Mays made an over-the-shoulder catch while on the run to record the out, and his throw back to the infield prevented the runners from advancing. The Giants won the game 5–2 in extra innings, and eventually the World Series. The Catch is regarded as one of the greatest plays in baseball history.
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian-American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013. Nicknamed "Mo" and "Sandman", he spent most of his career as a relief pitcher and served as the Yankees' closer for 17 seasons. A thirteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, he is MLB's career leader in saves (652) and games finished (952). Rivera won five American League (AL) Rolaids Relief Man Awards and three Delivery Man of the Year Awards, and he finished in the top three in voting for the AL Cy Young Award four times. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2019 in his first year of eligibility, and is to date the only player ever to be elected unanimously by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).
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Craig John Counsell is an American former professional baseball player and current manager for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was previously the manager for the Milwaukee Brewers and holds the Brewers’ franchise record for managerial wins. He led the team to five of their nine all-time postseason appearances.
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Tyler Lee Clippard is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, and Minnesota Twins.
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John Tyler Kepner is an American author and sports journalist who is currently a senior baseball writer for The Athletic, after spending more than 23 years writing baseball for The New York Times.
