First published 2021
Joe Posnanski presents his countdown of baseball's 100 greatest players in this comprehensive work that spans the sport's entire history. The acclaimed baseball writer moves beyond simple statistics to examine each player's origins, character, and lasting impact on the game. His profiles cover Hall of Famers, Negro League stars, forgotten heroes, and contemporary talents. Posnanski explores compelling comparisons throughout, asking how Clayton Kershaw measures against Greg Maddux in different eras, or how Hank Aaron's career stacks up to Babe Ruth's legacy. Published with The Athletic and featuring a foreword by George Will, the book tells baseball's story through the lives of its most remarkable players. Rather than dry rankings, Posnanski delivers rich biographical portraits that place each player's achievements within baseball's broader historical context. The result offers fans both engaging storytelling and thoughtful analysis of what makes greatness in America's pastime.
Genres: biography, history, non-fiction, baseball
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: biographical
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century, 21st-century
880 pages · Hardcover · Avid Reader Press