The Heart of the Order (Penguin Sports Library)

Baseball’s Most Valuable Writer, Thomas Boswell of The Washington Post, hits a grand slam with this classic collection of heartfelt and humorous pieces on our national’s pastime. The lineup includes “Heroes,” “Managing (Life),” and “The Flame of Fame,” which capture some of the outstanding players in baseball, from DiMaggio, Weaver, and Ozzie Smith to Rose, Sutton, and Gooden; “Five Octobers,” which shows that baseball is a dynamic game in which any team can rise to the top; and the hilarious and memorable “99 Reasons Why Baseball Is Better Than Football” (Reason 20: Eighty degrees, a cold and a short-sleeve shirt are better than 30 degrees, a hip flask, and six layers of clothes under a blanket). And in “The Heart of the Order,” Boswell showcases those players, past and present, who deserve a spot on the All-Star team for their talent and their “governing passion for excellence.”

Funny, insightful, and moving, The Heart of the Order confirms that when it comes to baseball, Boswell is in a league by himself.

“Boswell is the best all-around writer in America—the literary equivalent of the player who can do it all: run, field, throw, hit, and hit with power.”—The San Diego Union

“A wise old catcher once said of baseball, ‘It’s like a church. Many attend, but few understand.’ Boswell’s readers understand. Start with his essay ‘99 Reasons Why Baseball Is Better Than Football.’ Boswell is the 100th reason.”—George Will