The Hall of Fame is gearing up for its annual Author Series Program. I did this back in 2017 to discuss Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War and it was a hoot.

The schedule for this summer includes:
- Saturday, June 6, 1 p.m. – We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball, by Michael Clair
MLB.com writer Michael Clair chronicles the underdog story of the Czech Republic’s amateur national team, which was composed of firefighters and teachers and other non-sports celebrities and achieved surprising success at the 2023 WBC. - Thursday, June 18, 1 p.m. – Before They Wore Dodger Blue, by Eric Vickrey
Eric Vickrey delves into the fascinating story of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ legendary 1968 draft class, regarded by some as the best in the history of the game. The book explores Tommy Lasorda’s role in developing the drafted players and the process by which the Dodgers’ scouting department identified players like Steve Garvey, Bill Buckner, Ron Cey, Davey Lopes and Bobby Valentine. - Thursday, June 25, 1 p.m. – My Big Red Machine, by Terence Moore
Acclaimed sportswriter Terence Moore explains how he went from following his sports heroes – the members of the Cincinnati Reds – as a youthful fan, to dealing with them up close and personal as a newspaper journalist. - Thursday, July 2, 1 p.m. – The New Baseball Bible, by Dan Schlossberg
Prolific baseball author and journalist Dan Schlossberg chronicles the short stories, the colorful tidbits and the amusing anecdotes that make baseball history so rich and vibrant. - Thursday, July 9, 1 p.m. – Bo Belinsky, by David Krell
David Krell tells the story of Bo Belinsky, one of the game’s most colorful and controversial characters. Belinsky earned the spotlight with a no-hitter for the Los Angeles Angels during his rookie season but then endured several detours to his career. Belinsky struggled with alcohol and drug abuse but found redemption in the 1990s when he moved to Las Vegas, embraced sobriety and found a satisfying new career. - Thursday, July 16, 1 p.m. – Chief: The Three Lives of Gene Locklear, by Jay Thomas and Gene Locklear
Dr. Jay Thomas explores the career and life of Gene Locklear, a skilled painter and the first Lumbee Indian to play major league baseball. The book chronicles Locklear’s rise from a log cabin in Pembroke, N.C., to the heights of both baseball and the art world. - Thursday, July 23, 1 p.m. – One Day in September: Baseball, Brotherhood and the Birth of the All-Star Game, by Scott D. Reich
Nationally acclaimed author and historian Scott Reich describes how the All-Star Game as we know it was born on a crisp September afternoon at Fenway Park in 1917 as the game’s greatest stars took the field in support of a colleague who had recently passed away. - Thursday, July 30, 1 p.m. – The Bosses of the Bronx, by Mike Vaccaro
New York Post award-winning columnist Mike Vaccaro details the story of the Steinbrenner family, covering the tragedy, the drama and the occasional comedy of the New York Yankees owners since their purchase of the franchise in 1973. - Thursday, Aug. 6, 1 p.m. – Unhittable: How Technology, Mavericks and Innovators Engineered Baseball’s New Era of Pitching Dominance, by Rob Friedman
Better known as the “Pitching Ninja,” Rob Friedman peels back the curtain on the transformation of pitching and how it has become a blend of biomechanics, science and old school grit. - Saturday, Aug. 8, 1 p.m. – The Finest in the Field: A History of Baseball Through 50 Iconic Gloves, by Ed Wheatley
Award-winning author Ed Wheatley tells the stories and examines the history behind 50 gloves belonging to famed major leaguers, including Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith. - Thursday, Aug. 13, 1 p.m. – In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball, by Rob Fitts
Rob Fitts explores the unique culture of Japanese baseball through interviews with players, managers, umpires and fans, revealing some of the shocking differences between baseball in Japan and the culture and expectations of Major League Baseball. - Thursday, Aug. 20, 1 p.m. – Out of the Mouth of Babe, by Kelly Bennett
Award-winning author Kelly Bennett explores the legacy of Babe Ruth through his words, historic photographs, and colorful short stories, helping to create a portrait of an American icon. - Saturday, Aug. 22, 1 p.m. – Cape Dreams: A Season with the Brewster Whitecaps, by Mark Epstein
Author Mark Epstein chronicles the 2024 season of the Brewster Whitecaps, a team in the famed Cape Cod League. The book offers an inside look at the players, coaches, volunteers, and host families, all exploring their dreams amidst the unique culture of summer baseball on Cape Cod. - Thursday, Aug. 27, 1 p.m. – Viva Valenzuela!, by Nathalie Alonzo and John Parra
Author Nathalie Alonso and artist John Parra celebrate the life of Fernando Valenzuela, who became a sensation as a rookie in 1981, emerging as a symbol of Mexican American pride and a hero to Latinos everywhere.
I have omitted the usual links to Amazon because you should take advantage of the events and buy the book at the Hall.
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Lest We Forget: James Andrew Riley III, an expert on the history of baseball’s Negro Leagues and a former SABR Board President, died at the age of 86 on April 21. From the SABR website: “His landmark reference volume, 
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Two legends in Atlanta Braves history have passed away within days of each other.

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