Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 02/01/2020 Gr 4–6—A lot of kids (even those who aren't baseball fanatics) know who Babe Ruth is; but do they know about Jackie Mitchell, the teenage girl who struck out both Ruth and his teammate Lou Gehrig during an exhibition game? Or how about Sadaharu Oh, the Japanese ballplayer who has more career home runs than any American pro? The book's four chapters ("Pivotal Players," "Sensational Stories," "Radical Records," and "Colossal Comebacks") organize the history of baseball into quirky categories that share the stories of lesser-known legends. "Pivotal Players" recounts the career of the great Satchel Paige, who played first in the Negro Leagues and then moved into the majors, as well as the rise of executive Kim Ng, who is both the highest ranking woman and Asian American in Major League Baseball. "Radical Records" includes impressive statistics, like the world record tie for fastest pitch ever (105.1 mph). The final chapter will inspire awe with John Hiller's return to pitching after a massive heart attack and generate giggles with "Jim Rooker's Unintentional Walk." Pirates pitcher Rooker told the media he would walk back to Pittsburgh if the Pirates gave up a massive lead over the Phillies in a 1989 game at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. The Pirates ended up losing and Rooker made good on his promise. Supported with colorful illustrations, the book's conversational tone is pitch perfect. VERDICT A highly recommended first purchase. Readers will be sucked into this unique collection of "amazing but true stories."—Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/01/2020 *Starred Review* Newbery Honor Book author Barnes’ nonfiction debut introduces readers to “the unrecognized and unheralded figures and the untold stories that hold important spaces in baseball history.” This collection is arranged into four chapters—“Pivotal Players,” “Sensational Stories,” “Radical Records,” and “Colossal Comebacks”—each of which includes several tales that are fascinating but often overlooked. Did you know that 17-year-old Jackie Mitchell struck out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig? Or that the longest professional game in baseball history lasted more than eight hours? Selected narratives are not only fun but also rooted in wider cultural and historical context, explaining to readers the larger importance of figures like Ozzie Virgil Sr., the majors’ first Dominican player, or Hank Greenberg, the first Jewish American player inducted into the Hall of Fame, who faced anti-Semitic abuse and who became one of the first major leaguers to enlist in WWII. Barnes makes a point of including marginalized athletes who were challenged by sexism, racism, and xenophobia, noting that the sport still has a long way to go. The book’s design—the typography and layout, all set on colored paper—along with Bajet’s bright portraits evoke an especially baseballesque aesthetic. Inviting for newcomers and eye-opening for longtime fans, this one will have wide appeal in its exploration of the shortcomings and the beauty of America’s favorite pastime. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.