Baseball Italian Style! Larry Baldassaro’s New Book!

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Baseball Italian Style! Larry Baldassaro’s New Book!

“Multi Congratulazioni!” to one of our readers, Larry Baldassaro, on the publication of his latest book, “Baseball Italian Style: Great Stories Told by Italian American Major Leaguers from Crossetti to Piazza.”

An acclaimed author who himself is a second generation Italian-American, it’s really no surprise that Larry has emerged in recent years as a nationally recognized expert on Italian-Americans in baseball. In numerous publications over the years, he has chronicled their contributions to America’s pastime. “Baseball Italian Style” is his latest contribution. Larry’s previous book, “Beyond DiMaggio,” was easily one of the best baseball books I’ve ever read. If “Baseball Italian Style” is as good as “Beyond DiMaggio,” I can assure you this will be a wonderful read for all baseball fans.

 “Baseball Italian Style” is structured similarly to Lawrence Ritter’s classic, “The Glory of Their Times.” Here are interesting first-person oral histories that bring together the memories of over forty major leaguers of Italian heritage. Collectively, their careers span nearly a century, from the 1930s up to today. In addition, Larry even traveled “beyond the white lines,” to capture the reflections of coaches, managers, front-office executives, and even umpires.

Over the years, Larry has interviewed eight Hall of Famers whose stories are retold in this book: Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Ron Santo, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, Tommy Lasorda, Tony La Russa, and Joe Torre. As in “Glory of Their Times,” these stories provide a “time capsule” of baseball in America which are now preserved for the enjoyment of future generations of baseball fans.

So far the “Baseball Italian Style” has received rave reviews. Here’s just a small sampling:

“…You don’t have to be Italian to love Larry Baldassaro’s, “Baseball Italian Style.” With warmth and good humor, it portrays the dreams and striving that were integral to the immigrant experience. And which, in this case, produced an uncommon and extraordinary number of highly accomplished and hugely popular Italian participants in the New World’s beloved game, baseball.”- Pulitzer Prize winner Ira Berkow

“Something wonderful happens when the journalist steps back and lets the voice of the ballplayer tell the story of his life and love of the game…You’ll relate to the way these sports heroes, conditioned by family and culture, have dodged prejudices and donned ethnic pride on their way to achieving the American dream through America’s pastime.” – Fred Gardaphé, Distinguished Professor of Italian American Studies, Queens College, City University of New York.

“Baseball Italian Style is a wonderfully written book and a tribute to the great game of baseball. From the legendary Joe D. to Joe Torre to Mike Piazza, it covers the important impact that Italian ballplayers have had on baseball and why the game will always be the National Pastime.”― Bud Selig, Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball

Again, “Multi Congratulazioni!” to our friend Larry Baldassaro on his latest literary contribution to the game we all love. All of us Italian-Americans with “vowels at the end of our names” – and, indeed, all of us who love baseball – offer a hearty “salute” to Larry Baldassaro!

Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Larry’s new book, Baseball Italian Style on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Baseba…/dp/1683581113/ref=sr_1_4…