When I was a kid, I couldn’t get enough books. I remember reading The Kid Who Only Hit Homers by Matt Christopher and Hatchet by Gary Paulsen over and over again. Those stories fueled my imagination and kept me hooked for hours.
But like a lot of us, life got busy. I stopped making time to read, and eventually, the books gathered dust. Then, a few years ago, I found myself drawn back to reading—through baseball, of all things.
If you're like me, with a love for both baseball and good stories, I think these books will pull you back in too. Some are newer releases, and others are timeless classics, but each one has left a lasting impression on me. Let’s dive into my favorite baseball reads.
Books That Changed My View on Baseball (Modern Reads)
The Cloudbuster Nine
I’ll be upfront—this book isn’t solely about baseball, but that’s what makes it so captivating. The Cloudbuster Nine by Anne R. Keene takes a deep dive into a lesser-known chapter of baseball’s history during World War II. What really hooked me were the characters, especially legends like Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky.
The real heart of this story is the V-5 Pre-Flight School and how baseball intertwined with military service at the time. You get this unique glimpse into how the game played a role in keeping spirits up, even when the world was at war. If you’re into history and want to see how baseball transcended the field, you’ll find this book just as fascinating as I did.
Future Value: The Battle for Baseball’s Soul and How Teams Will Find the Next Superstar
At first glance, I thought this book was going to be a deep dive into sabermetrics—something heavy on stats and formulas. But Future Value by Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel is actually all about scouting, which turned out to be way more interesting than I expected.
If you’ve ever wondered how teams manage to find that next big superstar, this book breaks it all down for you in a way that’s easy to follow. It dives deep into the world of amateur and pro scouting, explaining how scouts grade talent and why their role is so crucial. After reading it, I felt like I understood scouting on a whole new level.
Honestly, I wish I had picked this one up sooner—it’s already changing how I watch the game.
Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series that Changed Baseball
Before I picked up Our Team by Luke Epplin, I had barely scratched the surface of the 1948 Cleveland Indians story. Now, I can’t believe I didn’t know more about this remarkable piece of baseball history. The book weaves together the stories of some key figures—Bill Veeck, Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and Satchel Paige—and their roles in shaping not just that season but the future of baseball.
Larry Doby, the second Black player to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball, takes center stage, and his contributions to the Indians' championship run are nothing short of inspiring. Satchel Paige and Bob Feller add even more depth, showing how the baseball industry of the mid-20th century was a completely different world from today.
The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife
Imagine hitting the road across the U.S. to track down former baseball players from your childhood. That’s exactly what Brad Balukjian does in The Wax Pack. The idea behind this book is simple yet captivating—he pulls a handful of players from a pack of old Topps baseball cards and sets off to find out what life looks like for them after baseball.
What I loved most is that this isn’t your typical book filled with stats or game recaps. Instead, it’s about the lives these players have built after the spotlight fades, showing how their relationship with the game—and their families—has evolved. As someone who loves baseball for the way it weaves itself into everyday life, this one hit home for me.
Big Sexy: In His Own Words
I’ll admit, I don’t usually go for biographies, but Big Sexy by Bartolo Colón is a whole different ballgame. Colón’s personality shines through every page, and whether you remember him for his home runs or his big smile, you can’t help but love his story.
What makes this autobiography stand out is its simplicity and charm. Colón’s not out to dig up dirt or air any grievances—he’s just a guy who loves the game and appreciates the life baseball has given him. There’s something really refreshing about that. The book’s lighthearted tone makes it a quick, enjoyable read, and it leaves you feeling good, which is exactly what you’d expect from a guy like Bartolo.
The Baseball Book of Why: The Answers to Questions You’ve Always Wondered About from America’s National Pastime
Sometimes, after reading a lot of heavy baseball history or stats, you need a book that’s just plain fun. The Baseball Book of Why by John McCollister is exactly that. It’s filled with answers to all those random baseball questions you never thought to ask—like why there’s always a ceremonial first pitch or what’s up with the seventh-inning stretch.
This book is great for short bursts of reading, with each question neatly answered in a couple of pages. It’s perfect for when you just want a quick, interesting fact to chew on. Whether you’re curious about quirky team names or strange baseball traditions, this book is a fun way to learn something new about the game.
Classic Baseball Books That Should Be on Your Shelf
Ahead of the Curve
Brian Kenny has never been afraid to challenge traditional baseball thinking, and his book Ahead of the Curve does exactly that. I found it refreshing because he takes on old-school strategies and questions the long-held beliefs in baseball that, quite frankly, needed some shaking up.
Kenny’s approach is all about pushing for reason over emotion in decision-making. He highlights countless examples where conventional baseball wisdom just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. If you’re someone who loves looking at the game through a new lens, you’ll appreciate how Kenny breaks things down and isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers along the way.
Big Data Baseball
If you’re into Moneyball, then Big Data Baseball by Travis Sawchik is a must-read. It’s like Moneyball, but focused on defensive strategy rather than just player evaluation. Sawchik dives into how the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates used data, particularly defensive shifts, to turn around their losing streak after 20 consecutive losing seasons.
What I love about this book is that it tells the story of how data-driven strategies can truly change the game, even for a struggling team. You don’t have to be a numbers person to enjoy it—the narrative itself is exciting and shows just how much of an impact these changes had on Major League Baseball. It’s a quick read, but it’ll stick with you, especially if you’re curious about how data is reshaping the sport.
Cheated: The Inside Story of the Astros Scandal and a Colorful History of Sign Stealing
If you want the full scoop on the Astros sign-stealing scandal, Cheated by Andy Martino is the book to read. This one dives deep into all the details I never knew—packed with new perspectives, quotes, and behind-the-scenes stories from the people who were involved.
I’ll be honest, the reportorial style felt a bit heavy for my taste, but that doesn’t take away from how important this book is if you want the complete picture of one of baseball’s biggest controversies. Even though it’s a little dense in places, this is probably the most thorough account of the Astros scandal, and it’s essential reading for any modern baseball fan.
The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
If you’re a die-hard baseball fan like I am, The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is one of those books you keep on your shelf for life. It’s an exhaustive history of the game, covering everything before the 21st century, and let me tell you—it’s massive. But this isn’t a book you’re supposed to finish in one sitting. Instead, it’s a reference guide you can dip into whenever you want to learn more about a particular era or player.
From decade-by-decade reviews of the game to hundreds of player profiles, this book is packed with bite-sized information that’s perfect for satisfying your baseball curiosity. Sure, it’s a bit like an encyclopedia, but it holds its value as a relic from a time before everything was just a Google search away. If you love the history of baseball, this one deserves a spot in your collection.
The Science of Hitting
Ted Williams is widely considered one of the greatest hitters of all time, and in The Science of Hitting, he shares his expertise on how to master the craft. This book isn’t just for players—it’s for anyone who loves baseball and wants to understand what makes a great hitter.
Williams breaks down the mechanics of hitting with a blunt, no-nonsense approach. He was ahead of his time, stressing the importance of angling your swing slightly upward to match the plane of the ball, which is advice we hear a lot in today’s game. He also hammers home the importance of patience at the plate—waiting for the right pitch to come and learning from every swing.
This is one of those books you need to have on your shelf if you love the game. Whether you’re trying to improve your own hitting or just want insight from one of baseball’s legends, The Science of Hitting is packed with timeless advice.
The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It
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The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter is one of those rare books that transports you right back to the early days of baseball. What makes this book so special is that it’s told by the players themselves, giving you an authentic, first-person perspective on what the game was like in the early 1900s.
The stories are raw and full of life, and it’s fascinating to see how these players viewed the game and their place in it compared to what we see today. It’s more than just a history lesson—it’s an immersive journey that takes you right into baseball’s past. If you’re a fan of baseball history, this book is a must-read. You won’t find a more genuine glimpse into the early days of America’s pastime.
Why Every Baseball Fan Should Keep These Books Around
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just starting to dig deeper into the game, these books have something special to offer. Each one gives you a different perspective on baseball.
These are the kind of books you’ll want to keep on your shelf, ready to revisit during a rain delay or whenever you need a reminder of why you fell in love with the game in the first place. For me, they’ve not only deepened my understanding of baseball but also rekindled my passion for reading. I hope they do the same for you.