It measures in at just about 3 1/2″ long and 2 1/2″ wide, and is only about half an inch thick – but it’s one of the best books I own.

In fact, it’s the only baseball book I keep on my desk at work, because it is filled with short quotes and pictures that remind us why I love baseball.

You’ve probably heard a good chunk of them before — Bart Giamatti’s famous words about baseball being designed to break your heart, or Jim Bouton’s line about baseball holding on to you. But certainly you will meet some new ones that you haven’t heard before, and they will add to the romance that baseball generates. Maybe it’s Dwight D. Eisenhower’s recollection of wanting to be a big leaguer and one of his childhood friends wanting to be president – and how neither got their wish. Or maybe it’s Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, or Christy Mathewson sharing insight from the player’s perspective. Either way, they are all gems.

There’s no analysis in this book – nor should their be. Not every great book needs to make you think – some great books make you feel – and in this case, Baseball Wit and Wisdom makes you feel good about baseball.

Add it to your shelf – and share it with a friend, a spouse, or a child. This may help the uninitiated understand why the game is so great and so loved.

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