Summer is finally here, and that means an opportunity for all of us to kick back and relax after a long and challenging year. One of the best parts of the long-awaited season? Heading over to the beach, the pool, or even just the porch and delving into a great book. It’s summer reading season, and if you’re a sports fan and are looking for some insightful and inspirational reads, you’re in luck. Here are a few of my favorite sports-related books to enjoy, wherever your go-to reading spot may be.
The Chicken Runs at Midnight, Tom Friend
Everyone loves a feel-good story, and this one is as amazing as any. After a brief career in the minors, Rich Donnelly began climbing up the coaching ranks before working alongside legendary manager Jim Leyland. But tragedy struck his family when his daughter Amy revealed she had a brain tumor. The news tore the heart of Donnelly, and he vowed to spend the next few months at her side. After regretting not spending enough time with Amy, the two began to bond and share a special phrase: “The chicken runs at midnight.” He grew his faith in God and started to realize what matters the most in the end. After the devastation of Amy’s death, Donnelly continued her teaching and faith while replicating his daughter’s qualities in his own life. Then, four years later, the third-base coach helped deliver a miracle with Amy watching from above. In Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, Craig Counsell (nicknamed the “chicken”) crossed the plate in the 11th inning — at the stroke of midnight — to win it all. It felt like divine intervention from Amy and was an incredibly emotional moment for Donnelly. Whether you are a devout Christian, a baseball fan, or a reader in search of an inspirational story, “The Chicken Runs at Midnight” is a perfect choice.
Ahead of the Curve, Brian Kenny
Sure, Moneyball is the gold standard when it comes to books about baseball analytics, but this fascinating read takes it even further. Kenny tells the story about how baseball analytics were developed, the genius ideas of sabermetrics pioneer Bill James, and how advanced statistics are changing the way baseball is played. You’ll delve into the reasons why we see infield shifts, pitch framing, and the famous playoff “openers” (instead of starters). From OPS to WAR (wins above replacement), you’ll get a firm grasp of all the new baseball buzzwords while gaining a big-time edge on what it takes to build a winning baseball team in the analytics era. It will question your precious knowledge of the game and will open up new ideas on how championship teams are constructed. Whether you are a diehard or a new fan itching to gain a new perspective about the game, “Ahead of the Curve” is a clear base hit.
Sprawlball, Kirk Goldsberry
The game of basketball has changed dramatically since the heydays of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Heck, even since the 90’s Chicago Bulls dynasties. These days, it’s all about speed, generating floor spacing, and knocking down open threes. It can be described, as Goldsberry calls it, as “Sprawlball.” With dazzling full-color paintings by illustrator Aaron Dana complementing the insightful text, the book shines a light on the new version of basketball and what it takes to find success in an era of “threes and D’s.” You’ll learn about the value of positionless basketball and the new metrics that are helping teams get a leg up in an ultra-competitive league. With teams looking for any advantage they can find to take down the NBA’s best, “Sprawlball” is a window into the future for what the league can become while looking back at how it became a spectacle and a staple of our country’s culture. It’s a must-read for any hoops nut or up-and-coming coach looking to learn more about basketball’s fascinating new era.
Forward, by Abby Wambach
There are several spectacular recent sports-related memoirs out there, but this one shines above the rest. American soccer legend Abby Wambach tells the story of her career in her own words, from her life as a rebellious child to becoming an up-and-coming soccer sensation and a global icon. Along the way, you’ll relive the highs and the lows that the World Cup champion experienced on and off the field. Wambach faced challenges in seemingly every aspect of her life but found a way to push through and move “forward.” It’s a view into a trailblazer, and also a woman who’s made a few mistakes along the way. No matter what our age, gender, interests, or backgrounds may be, “Forward” presents life lessons for us all that go far beyond the sports landscape, authored by an athlete who dealt with and overcome adversity at every step of the way.
What sports-related titles do you have at the top of your reading list? Let us know in the comments! Whatever book you decide to delve into this summer, enjoy the amazing journey of a captivating read in the midst of our Lowcountry paradise.
By Wes Kerr
