Sweet Spot: 125 Years of Baseball and the Louisville Slugger

Away from the game and the players for which it was crafted, the baseball bat is a sleek but humble creation. Yet in the hands of batters both young and old who have been stepping to the plate on diamonds around the world for more than a century, the bat is a powerful tool, capable of yielding lasting memories or making legends of a lifetime. And no bat has had more impact on baseball and the players of the game than Louisville Slugger, the tool of the trade used by millions-from the major leagues to college and youth leagues.

 

In accordance with Louisville Slugger's 125th anniversary, the complete history of the bat, its impact on the game, and the ongoing story of Hillerich and Bradsby's family business is told in these pages. Blending firsthand stories from former and current major leaguers with details from more than 100 years of craftsmanship and contribution, this comprehensive history of baseball's bat and its impact on America's game is a must-have and must-read for anyone who has ever stood at the plate waiting on a pitch-or watched as a fan-hoping for a miracle.

Sweet Spot: 125 Years of Baseball and the Louisville Slugger press release
SWEET SPOT

125 YEARS OF BASEBALL AND THE LOUISVILLE SLUGGER

"The one thing that does not change is baseball's connection to the past and for many of us that starts with Louisville Slugger, the bat that has been a part of the game for 125 years." ~Ken Griffey, Jr.

Baseball and bats go hand-in-hand, but no bat has had more impact on the game and the players than the Louisville Slugger and a brand-new book details exactly why.

Sweet Spot: 125 Years of Baseball and the Louisville Slugger by David Magee and Philip Shirley (foreword by Ken Griffey Jr.) is an official commemorative with many never-before-seen photos that tells us how a family-owned woodshop near the falls of the Ohio River became one of the most recognizable brand names in all of sports.

From the first hand-crafted wooden bat Bud Hillerich made (in his father's woodworking shop) for professional player Pete Browning in 1884 to bats swung by Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb years ago and Lance Berkman and Derek Jeter today, Louisville Slugger has contributed to the evolution and popularity of America's game like few others.

Fans will read firsthand stories from former and current major leaguers along with a complete history of the bat and its impact on the game. From Babe Ruth's R43 bat used in 1927 with notches he made after each home run to 2008 American League MVP Dustin Pedroia's S318 bat, there's no doubt Louisville Slugger continues to have lasting success.

Still a family-owned American company based in Louisville, Kentucky, Hillerich and Bradsby Co.'s Louisville Slugger is both an icon and an enigma after 125 years. This comprehensive history is a must-have and must-read for anyone who has ever stood at the plate waiting on a pitch - or watched as a fan - hoping for a miracle.

About the Authors:
David Magee is the author of 10 nonfiction books, including Playing to Win: Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys and how Toyota Became #1: Leadership Lessons from the World's Greatest Car Company. He lives in Lookout Mountain, TN, with his wife and three children. Visit his website at www.david-magee.com.

Philip Shirley released his collection of short fiction, Oh Don't You Cry For Me, in 2008. He was a contributing author of Opportunity in Adversity: How Colleges Succeed in Hard Times, and has also been published in the acclaimed anthology Stories from the Blue Moon Café. His award-winning writing includes feature articles, speeches, and fiction. Hi is also CEO of GodwinGroup in Jackson, Mississippi. Visit his website at www.philipshirley.com.

CONTACT: Natalie King, Triumph Books, 312.252.1252, n.king@triumphbooks.com