For me, nothing says “I love you” or “I know you” then giving me the perfect must-read book. Maybe that’s because I’m a book junkie. But I’m going to use the super cheesy like “books are a gift that keeps on giving” because I truly believe that. There are some books that have stayed with me for over 25 years!

Sports books are even more likely to strike a powerful chord with the receipient because most of them are very inspirational and full of “overcoming the odds” stories that make you feel like You Can Do Anything!

Here is my list of Must-Read Sports Books for 2009 that I have either read (and cried to) or I have on my holiday wish list! (keep in mind this is just the ’09 list! Also check out the Stiletto Sports Bookshelf for other great sports reads)

• Open: An Autobiography Andre Agassi (Read the Reviews) This is definitely the must-read book of the season. Agassi’s book hit the stands only a few weeks ago and was at the top of the list before it even debuted. I hate to quote someone else here but I couldn’t say it better myself: After 20 pages, I knew that this was unlike any other biography I had ever read. Couldn’t put it down. Couldn’t stop thinking about it. Agassi dug deeper inside than most of us ever will have to, to get to core of what made him so powerful as a player and so conflicted as a person. It is all conspicuously real: The small moments, the outlandish triumphs and the friendships that sustained him and/or corrupted him. The gauntlet he had to run through to arrive at the balance and joy he has today. It’s transformative. –H.S. Brice via Amazon Reviews

• When The Game Was Ours Larry Bird & Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Read the Reviews)This is the must-read book of the season in my house! The book, written by digs deep into the past of on-court rivals Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The two were the fiercest of competitors for nearly . This book takes you on their journey through those pivotal games, key moments and highlights and better yet, gives us a glimpse of what was really going on, what they really thought. This should go down as one of the most intriguing and best reads about pro basketball and even sports”
  
• The Yankee Years Joe Torre (Read the Reviews) Ask any Yankees fan what he or she did on Feb. 3, 2009 and a majority of them could probably answer “Bought Joe Torre’s book,” (except of course those who had preordered it!) This was one of the most highly anticipated sports books of all time. It almost reached Harry Potter or Twilight release levels of excitement. Yankees fans, haters and even those bored by baseball were dying to know what was in this book. And it lived up to the hype. Not only does it recount amazing memories about America’s beloved team but also “The Yankee Years chronicles the end of an era in baseball, a more innocent time before steroid scandals, big money and executive decisions based on advanced statistical analysis.”
  
• The Blind Side The Michael Oher Story (Read the Reviews) Written by Michael Williams The Sandra Bullock The Blind Side has been getting rave reviews in the theaters and the book the movie is based on is just as good. However…..it is very different from the Disney-esque movie version (note: the movie was not done by Disney, just has that feel-good vibe, ya know?) which focuses more on the the inspirational family aspect of the story. The book still delves into Michael’s story and shows how truly remarkable his upbringing and raise to fame really is, but the book is so much more. It shows great insight into sports and American society and the evolution of both. Highly recommend.
  
• Hard Work: My Life on and Off the Court Roy Williams(Read the Review)I’ve been a huge Roy Williams fan since his coaching days at Kansas. He’s always radiated class and sound philosophies. This book details just how much hard work and struggle he had to go through to get to where he is today: the coach of the National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels. But shows you that with hard work and perserverance, you can accomplish anything.
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• Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance Tony Dungy(Read the Review) The motivational words behind former NFL coach Tony Dungy’s book, and his life, are simple: “Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for uncommon people.” In this follow-up book to Quiet Strength, Dungy explains the foundations of how he lives his life and how to become uncommon. The book is a wonderful mix of autobiographical tales, self-help, inspiration and football.
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• First Things First: The Rules of Being a Warner Kurt Warner (Read the Review) In a sense, this is the sequel to All Things Possible: My Faith, Football and The Miracle Season, which I also highly recommend. The story of Kurt’s struggling rise to fame will make you truly believe that all things are possible. They are the perfect books for the holiday season–and during these difficult times.

• The Catch: One Play, Two Dynasties, and the Game That Changed the NFL Gary Myers (Read the Review) Gary takes one of the most famous moments in NFL history
  “The Catch” in the endzone and brings the story to light from both sides in this tale of Two Dynasites. A must read for any football fan–or any sports fan for that matter—since it is based on an iconic moment in sports history.
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• Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic Alyssa Milano (Read the Review) I have been dying to read this book for months now (hint hint for all those shopping for me!) First, I’m a huge Alyssa fan—follow her on Twitter and watch old episodes of Charmed pretty much every night! So if she loves baseball, that’s a pretty good way to get me—and any anti-baseball girl— to love it too. Once again, the book is just about her life or her love of the Dodgers. Her book illustrates how sports are the last real social interation and connection we have today.
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• On the Line Serena Williams (Read the Review) Originally I had this book higher up on my list—and in my wish list cart in amazon—because it hit the best seller list and I thought, hmmm, she’s a sports figure I’d love to know more about. However, the reviews for the book have been so ….well, so-so….that I’ve shoved the book to the bottom of my list. Apparently the book doesn’t really even scratch the surface of Serena, on or off the court. But hey, if you are a tennis or Serena fan, then check it out and let me know what you think!
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Have you read any of these or have them on your wish list? Leave me a comment below! I’d love to know what you think. Also, don’t forget to check out the Stiletto Sports Bookshelf Archive which features other amazing sports books that make great reads and even better gifts!

After extensive research for my Movie Archive & Bookshelf blogs, I came across a lot of…reoccuring themes, if you will. Some are obvious. Some are just the strange way my mind works.

My Observations of Sports Themed Movies

1. Disney & Sports Flicks go together like arm, gooey chocolate brownies, and ice cream. (Oh who am I kidding, brownies go well with everything. Then again, now that I think about it, so does Disney. Hmm, good analogy).

The evidence: Tons of Disney production films–some of them blockbuster successes and cricically acclaimed. And all of them are heartwarming, or at least inspiring, and loved by pretty much everyone that saw them.

• Angels in the Outfield
• Invincible
• Miracle
• Remember the Titans
• The Rookie
• Glory Road
• Mighty Ducks (and all their sequels)
• The Greatest Game Ever Played

–And those are only the ones I used for reference on my Best Sports Movies lists. There are actually a few dozen more. Check out more Disney Movies for a complete list.

2. Baseball Movies are to A-List actors as Lifetime Movies are to has-been c-listers.

Really, big name actors seem to flock to do a baseball theme movie the way that all our old favorite 90s stars head to Lifetime or Hallmark. The lists for both guys and gals are chock full of stars, more so than any of the other sports genred films. Why is that?

The Evidence:

- Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Madonna, Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, Christopher Lloyd, Kim Basinger, Susan Sarandon, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Brittney Murphy, Jessica Biel, Kelly Preston, Dennis Leary, Tim Robbins, Matthew McConaughey.

Just to name a few!

3. If #2 is true, than Kevin Costner is Tracy Gold. Or Tori Spelling.

It is still undecided who the Lifetime Movie champion actress of all time is but those two always seem to get top bids. And sometimes it feels like there isn’t a baseball movie that Kev isn’t in! And then I found him in a golf movie and totally freaked out. I think they should switch the game from 6 Degrees/Kevin Bacon to 6 Degrees of Sports Movies & Kevin Costner. This man can’t get enough!

The Evidence:

• Bull Durham
• Field of Dreams
• For the Love of the Game
• Tin Cup–aka the Bull Durham of Golf movies

4. If you aren’t an inspiring true story about an underdog, don’t bother.

Okay fine, you don’t have to be true. You can be a tale about a washed up old guy trying to make it. But that just represents the dream of every guy in the world who is not an athlete and they really really really wish it was a true story.

The Evidence:

Um. Pretty much every sports movie in existence.

5. Basketball Sucks.

I don’t mean really. I mean in the movie world. There is a severe shortage of basketball-themed movies. And of those that are out there, only a few are actually really good. Since this is my favorite sport (and the one that really showcases hot men!) I am very disappointed. When I did the baseball movie list I had so many great movies to choose from that I was able to make two separate lists! I could barely make one for basketball. Why is that?

The Evidence:

-I almost had to put Basketball Diaries on the list until I found The Pistol. And while I will never talk bad about a movie with Leo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg in it, I will point out that BD has very little to do with basketball. More about the dark side and drugs.

-You go try to find more than the ones that are on my basketball movie list that are actually good!

A poignant and celebratory tribute to “The House That Ruth Built.” Yankee Stadium was the most famous stadiums and ballparks in professional sports and 2008 was its final year. They built a new one next door. This book commemorates the amazing moments that occurred there in the last 85 years, and they aren’t just famous and historic sports moments. The first 9/11 memorial service was held at the stadium. Yankee Stadium was home to some of the greatest achievements in sports history and this book documents them in a great collectible tribute piece.

• Ball Four

This is a behind-the-scenes tell-all book by the pitcher Jim Bouton written in the 70s. Back then, this was a groundbreaking piece as no one had ever discussed the dark side of baseball. He talked about the locker room and life on the road–and all it entailed: the women, the drugs, the alcohol and the racial tension in the teams in the emotionally charged 60s. The diary is based on the season he tried to make a come-back on his skills with knuckle-ball. Sarcastic, funny, and still better than the other tell-alls that have come since then.

• Unforgettable Season by G.H. Fleming and Lawrence S. Ritter

First, this book ranks in Sports Illustrated top 100 sports books of all time, that’s reason alone to check it out. It’s the tale of the 1908 season and the National League pennant race that pitted the Giants, Cubs and Pirates in a dead heat race. Fleming compiled newspapers from the time and edited them to recreate the season from a newspaper readers POV. Historically captivating and wildly entertaining.

• The Entitled: A Tale of Modern Baseball by Frank Deford

This one I saw in Borders on day and pointed it out to my boyfriend, who was shocked to find a baseball book he didn’t know about. He’s been reading it and said it’s really good. So if it sucks, blame him, not me! But it’s finally something that’s not based on the life of someone else. This one’s fiction! It’s the story of a big name player accused of rape but told by the manager that has to deal with it. It’s engaging and LOL funny. I haven’t read it yet but there was a quote already that made me spit my coffee on my computer. So put any drinks down now!  “He never really understood pitchers. They were different from hitters in that pitchers didn’t seem to Howie to be whole people. They were just one thing, an arm, attached to the corpus. Pitchers were sort of like ordinary girls who got by because they had big boobs.”

The one thing really intereting thing I have noticed about baseball movies is that they are FULL of famous actors. It seems like A-list celebrities flock to do baseball movies the way has-been C-listers flock to Lifetime and Hallmark to do Holiday movies. (But seriously, why do they all migrate to do bad Holiday films anyway?)

Stiletto Set’s Guide to Top Baseball Movies

1. Field of Dreams

“If you don’t feel some sort of emotion at the end of this sublime adaption of W.P. Kinsella’s novel Shoeless Joe when Ray has a game of cactch with his father then there’s just no hope for you. This incredibly layered and intelligent take on baseball as fable seems to have consistent universal appeal and, suprisingly, never really focuses on the actual game. It’s all about relationships and personal journeys. When the disembodied ghost of Shoess Joe (Ray Liotta) tells Ray “if you build it, he will come,” baseball sucessfully transcends mere pasttime and becomes obsession. Ultimately, it ends as do most fairy tales-happily ever after.” –Ten Baseball Movies that Belong in the Hall of Fame, Bark’s With Bite Editor’s Blog, videoretriver.com, Oct 21, 2008.

Bull Durham is not just a baseball fim, it's a buddy bonding film too!

2. Bull Durham

This is usually the #1 or #2 movie on any baseball movie list and often argued as the best all-around baseball movie ever. There is something for everyone: a love story, comedy, an inspirational tale, a buddy film and lots of baseball. The mentoring relationship between Crash and Nuke is great. My favorite quote that I found about this film was that “the film allows the game to take on the persona of an allegory for life.”

Um, okay. Don’t know about all that but it sure makes it sound like something my boyfriend would fall for!

3. The Natural

This one I have not personally seen so I asked my father about it because he always gets all enthusiastic about it whenever it’s mentioned. “What, you’ve never seen The Natural? That is my favorite movie! It’s a great movie!” (I must mention here that my father has about 500 movies and he says that about most of them!) But anyway, I know he is a big fan of the movie so I asked him why and he said “I guess it’s just because an old guy can have one more shot at the big leagues and get his 15 minutes of fame. Gives the rest of us hope.”

So there ya have it!

I have also been told that no, it’s not a romance but it is a romantic portrayal of baseball. I say fine, I’ll watch this is he’ll watch The Notebook, a real romance, with me after!

4. The Pride of the Yankees

This is actually from 1942 and it is the story of Lou Gehrig. It’s inspirational, powerful and emotional and at the center of it all is the game Gehrig loved: baseball. It is a classic that follows his life from childhood through his career until his “Luckiest Man” speech on his final day in 1939. Lou Gehrig’s Speech

5. 8 Men Out

Another baseball movie stuffed full of stars. Here we have John Cusack, D.B Sweeney (The Cutting Edge!), Christopher Lloyd, and Charlie Sheen. Based on the true story of the Black Sox scandal of 1919 when the Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to lose the World Series.

6. 61*

The real life story of the summer of 1961 and the race to beat Babe Ruth’s record of 60 home runs in a single season. Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle compete, on the same team, throughout the season to beat the record yet are friends through it all. Or as I was told “it’s not just a story of baseball and teammates, it’s a story of the bonds between men and their friendships. How they mature through the season. And blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…” No really, he actually said that. It’s his favorite baseball movie but you know how guys get when they start talking all mushy!

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Rounding out the top list are two comedies, similar basic underlying plots yet drastically different!

Both feature underdog teams, the absolute bottom of the barrells that everyone had given up on. And who doesn’t love the underdog? That plus a change to give them a winning season is a recipe for a winning movie!

7. Major League

The classic screwball comedy approach to baseball. Guys love this!

8. Bad News Bears

The underdog movie of all time! Reject kids + alcoholic coach + really talented girl = winner!

That said, if you are looking for the perfect gift for your baseball lover, the second list might be better! Unless he is going to make you watch them with him. Then sneak in one from the first list! If one appeals to you, simply click the name or picture and you will be directed to amazon.com to get pricing!

Top Baseball Movies that Girls Love Too

My #1 pick is a tie between Fever Pitch and A League of Their Own.

1. Fever Pitch. It’s a Farrelly Brothers movie with SNL’s Jimmy Fallon so you know its going to be entertaining and it has Drew Barrymore so you know it will be super cute! In short, the couple in the movie–Lindsey & Ben–falls for each other in the winter and he seems so perfect. Then, baseball season kicks off it’s spring training and suddenly Mr. Perfect starts becoming Mr. Obsessed Sports Fanatic. (Ah, so many of us can identify with this!) Ben’s love for the Red Sox is deeply rooted and unbreakable and Lindsey’s love of baseball is, well, nonexistent. The clincher of why this is getting the top spot: Because even though the film documents the Red Sox 2004 World Series Winning Year, Yankee fans will actually admit to liking the film. It’s got to rank on the list just for that miraculous event alone!

Quote: “where do the Red Sox rank in terms of importance in your life?”  BEN: “I’d say the Red Sox…sex…breathing”

1a. A League of Their Own

Okay, first, this is an iconic movie. The quotes alone are in the top of all time. “To achieve the incredible, you must first attempt the impossible”  And of course, : “Are you crying? There’s no crying baseball!”

Second, who isn’t in this movie? Tom Hanks, Madonna, Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, Lori Petty, Bill Bullman, Tea Leoni, Jon Lovitz… with Penny Mashall directing

Third, it’s really good. It’s fiction but based on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League developed in the 1940s. The story shows the Rockford Peaches breaking down baseball, and female, stereotypes while throwing in a great sibling rivalry that makes OTH’s Scott brothers look like born BFFs.

"He believes in the small of a women's back, the hanging curveball, good scotch, chocolate chip cookies, and long, slow, deep soft wet kisses that last for three days" um, YUM!

3. Bull Durham

Why you ask? Hello, did you see that poster? He looks hot! Not to mention there is major love triangle & love story action! We have Kevin Costner, the aging minor league player and Tim Robbins, the young hotshot pitcher, both trying to seduce Susan Sarandon. One review I read talked about how yes, there is a lot baseball in the movie but it doesn’t take over the movie. That the plot, the dialogue and the characters are so well done that you don’t feel like you are watching a “baseball movie.” It’s just a great romantic comedy

4. Angels in the Outfield

There are a few versions of this one but I’m going for the 1994 Tony Danza/Danny Glover/Christopher Lloyd film because I’ve seen it and I love it. Could be in the top cutest family/kid friendly movies of all time.  It’s definitely a “feel good” inspirational movie, I mean, come on, it’s Disney!Oh okay, and it has the added bonus of a really young Matthew McConaughey without a shirt! Roger has been orphaned and dreams of having a family again. His father promised him that he’ll be back and they would be a family when “the Angels win the pennant.” So Roger begins to pray for the California Angels, the worst team in the league, to be good and win. And suddenly, he is seeing real angels helping out the team. Aw, I’m getting choked up just thinking about it. Just get it! It’s heartwarming and sweet. And has baseball.

Quote: “It could happen”

5. The Sandlot

Aw geez, I’m still choked up from the last plot summary! I adore this one too. It’s another family friendly film about a gang of misfit kids playing ball in the rundown lot down the road. They don’t have a lot of money but they have talent, heart and Benny “the Jet” Rodriguez! There is only one rule of the lot, do not hit the ball over the fence because if you do, it’s gone forever. Accidentally, Scotty Smalls hits a home run over the fence with his step-dads priceless signed Babe Ruth baseball and the group must now go over the fence and try to get it back.

Great Quotes: “You’re killing me, Smalls!” ”

-”It was signed by Babe Ruth.”

-”Yeah, you keep telling me that. Who is she?”

-”What? WHAT? The Sultan of Swat! The King of Crash! The colossus of clout! Babe Ruth! The GREAT BAMBINO!”

-”Oh My God. You Mean that’s the same guy?”

6. For the Love of the Game

Another baseball flick starring Kevin Costner! Billy’s a washed up pitcher about to pitch what could be his final game. Jane’s his fed-up girlfriend who decides she has had enough and is leaving him. In this potential career ending game, he starts flashing through his life, his career, and his memories of Jane. As each inning goes on and he becomes closer and closer to pitching the Perfect Game, he recalls the first time they met, their first date, all the happy times…. And what would it matter if he did pitch a Perfect Game if Jane was not there with him to share it? It is really well done and a beautiful story.

7. Summer Catch

It has Freddie Prinze, Jr., do I really have to say more? Okay fine, and Jessica Biel, Brittney Murphy and Matthew Lillard (you know, the Scream guy). It’s cute, it’s fun and it’s set in the summer in Cape Cod. Ryan finally gets into the elusive baseball summer leagues where all the top college players are but he is attention is divereted by a rich girl summering on the Cape with her family.

8. Field of Dreams

Crossover: I wasn’t going to put this in the girl category, however, I read this review and based soley on what the author said, I have decided to add it (sorry Rookie of The Year, you got bumped!)

If you don’t feel some sort of emotion at the end of this sublime adaption of W.P. Kinsella’s novel Shoeless Joe when Ray has a game of cactch with his father then there’s just no hope for you. This incredibly layered and intelligent take on baseball as fable seems to have consistent universal appeal and, suprisingly, never really focuses on the actual game. It’s all about relationships and personal journeys. When the disembodied ghost of Shoess Joe (Ray Liotta) tells Ray “if you build it, he will come,” baseball sucessfully transcends mere pasttime and becomes obsession. Ultimately, it ends as do most fairy tales-happily ever after. –Ten Baseball Movies that Belong in the Hall of Fame, Bark’s With Bite Editor’s Blog, videoretriver.com, Oct 21, 2008.

Couldn’t say it better myself and you know I’m a sucker for happily ever afters and fairy tales!