Golf to baseball and more: 23 books on sports out in 2024

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Sports books that came out in 2024 include a coach’s biography, the tragic story of a ballplayer’s life, historical fiction on the 1936 Olympics and a golf agent’s memoir.

Our weeklong roundups on books published this year continues with sports, focusing on players, teams, moments and more.

Several have Northeast Ohio ties.

2024 book roundups

Monday, Dec. 2: Drinks

Tuesday, Dec. 3: General food / cookbooks

Wednesday, Dec. 4: Regionally oriented food / cookbooks

Thursday, Dec. 5: Sports

Friday, Dec. 6: NE Ohio authors, titles or topics

Scott Longert, Ohio University Press, 178 pages, $19.95

The Northeast Ohio author has done a nice job chronicling Cleveland baseball history by era. He steps back in time with this one to write a definitive biography on Ray Chapman, the only Major Leaguer who died from injuries suffered from being hit by a pitch. Longert’s book, a breeze at less than 200 pages, covers Chapman on the field and his wonderful love story off of it with a Cleveland socialite. (Related: ‘Love and Loss’ – Beachwood author’s latest book captures Ray Chapman’s life, love, tragic death)

Keith O’Brien, Pantheon, 440 pages, $35

Fantastic look at the late hitter’s career, from upbringing to the diamond and off-field activities – of which two traits are prominent: Philandering and gambling. If you are a Rose apologist, don’t read this. If you want to see a complete picture of the all-time hits leader, dive in. Well researched.

Hughes Norton, Atria Books, 243 pages, $28.99

The beauty of this book is that even if you’re not a golfer but just appreciate the sport on any level – casual fan, occasionally peeking at leaderboards, watch a bit on television – you will be enthralled. The Northeast Ohio-based author and former IMG poohbah delivers a page-turner packed with behind-the-scenes anecdotes. (Related: From the Shark to Tiger: Northeast Ohio super-agent Hughes Norton dishes on pro golfers, IMG, more

Glenn Allen and Richard Kaufman, WordServe, 429 pages, $18.95

Billed as “a cauldron of politics, sports, espionage and courage,” the historical-fiction work weaves a host of real figures from sports and other worlds into a plot surrounding the controversial and pivotal 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

Kevin Baker, Alfred A. Knopf, 511 pages, $35

The author covers a range of characters from the sport – some well known (Christy Mathewson), others less so out of the baseball world (Hal Chase). Relies more on an interesting, well-told narrative than a statistical recount. Well done.

James Patterson, Little, Brown; 441 pages, $32.99

Yes, THE James Patterson – prolific author of page-turner novels – has penned a biography of one of the greatest golfers of all time. And yes, he averages about five pages per chapter.

Wayne Stewart, Lyons Press, 176 pages, $19.95

The Lorain writer – prolific author of more than 30 books – covers a range of topics in a Q-and-A format, from trivial and esoteric to important and integral. What team was arguably the worst NBA squad ever? What brought the end to the ABA? When did peach baskets get replaced by more modern equipment? As the book’s subtitle says: “And who, what, when, where, and how.”

Tom Moore with Rick Stroud, Diversion Books, N/A pages, $28.99

The author has been with the NFL for half a century. He has imparted knowledge from the offensive side of the ball to countless players from Terry Bradshaw to Peyton Manning. Always in a behind-the-scenes supportive role as an assistant in multiple capacities, he has been a part of four Super Bowl-winning teams and racked up a lot of respect along the way.

Cory Wharton-Malcolm, Pegasus Books, 270 pages, $27.95

The author extols the mind-body connection that running offers in this motivational guide. He also puts forth the notion that you don’t have to have the prototypical runner’s body in order to enjoy its benefits. I’m not a fan of the sans-serif typeface, but the message about the benefits from running (and other exercises) comes across clearly.

David Ostrowsky, Rowman & Littlefield, 257 pages, NA

The author dives into one of the best second basemen to play the game, a .300 lifetime hitter who played for seven teams in 17 seasons (including a three-year stint with Cleveland). A solid writer, Ostrowsky has crafted a comprehensively researched biography.

FOOTBALL: Ara

Mark O. Hubbard, University of Notre Dame Press, 321 pages, $35

A deep dive on the life of Akron-born Ara Parseghian written by a close pal of the coach. Parseghian went on to a successful coaching career including a decade starting in the mid-1960s at Notre Dame.

Ryan Baldi, Cassell, 293 pages, $24.99

For serious soccer heads. Arsène Wenger was an unknown when he took charge of Arsenal in the 1990s. Fewer than two years later, people knew who he was: He turned his team from doormat to champs. More than 150 subjects were interviewed for the book, which dives into Wenger’s methods.

Wanda Adams Fischer, Spring Training Media, 363 pages, $19.99

The novel follows Jimmy Bailey, a former minor-league player recently released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. With help from his sister, Jimmy tries to figure out the mystery of how he landed in prison.

Mike Greenberg with Paul “Hembo” Hembekides, Hyperion Avenue, 222 pages, $14.99

What are the top 10 gutsiest sports performances? What are the top 10 athlete blunders? What are the top 10 dynasties in major sports history? And on and on. It’s not all top 10, but many are a decapod of sports trivia, courtesy of the ESPN personality. Breezy stocking stuffer meant for the bathroom.

Tom Shanahan, August Publications, 362 pages, $22.95

Breaking down a lofty topic into 30 chapters, the author dives into early integration of college football in the 1960s. A salient topic considering the current conversations of equity and inclusion in society, especially the sports world.

Gary Sarnoff, Rowman & Littlefield, 231 pages, $38

The book dives into the 1924 Washington Senators, focusing on 36-year old Walter Johnson, owner Clark Griffith and young manager Bucky Harris. The team went on to defeat the New York Giants in a seven-game World Series.

Jack Givens, University Press of Kentucky, 234 pages, $37.95 (cloth) and $27.95 (paperback).

The memoir from the former University of Kentucky star talks about time on and off the court. Not overwritten. Wildcat fans rejoice.

Esha Patel, Avon, 367 pages, $18.99

The novel follows a female racer who’s competing on a track full of men who are told to treat her with kid gloves. One of her competitors doesn’t care for rookies but … sparks eventually fly. Romance + racing.

Dave Heller, McFarland & Co., 222 pages, $39.95

The pre-1900 player won 40 games twice in a nine-season career. An anomaly among players of his time – he came from a wealthy family – Carruthers is labeled here as the sport’s first two-way star. That’s rare, and it’s timely considering the current fascination on Shohei Ohtani.

Ann Ligouri, Hatherleigh, 330 pages, $18

The journalist-author has crafted a book about the lessons and wisdom gleaned from her interviews with a dozen accomplished golfers, men and women. From patience to preparation, the subjects discuss the traits the sport helped instill.

Jennifer Strong McConachie, Hatherleigh, 164 pages, $18.95

The author extols the virtues of multisport – the combination of sports, often seen in triathlons. It’s a mesh of routes, distances and obstacles designed to push yourself. Strong McConachie discusses her “drive for discovery” and its resulting physical and mental stimulation she gets from the sports.

Hanif Absurraqib, Random House, 352 pages, $28

The MacArthur Genius grant recipient-author and Ohio native views basketball through a cerebral lens. Part memoir, the book has a journal-like and poetic feel with personal observations. Chapters are constructed like a game, with time remaining by quarter.

Rebecca J. Caffery, One More Chapter, 366 pages, $18.99

Fiction. Gay romance between two racing teammates, a veteran driver and a hot-headed rookie.

More books!

Bookstores are worth checking out, for sales and author visits. Here are a few in Northeast Ohio:

• Appletree Books, 12419 Cedar Road Cleveland Heights

• Fireside Books, 29 North Franklin St., Chagrin Falls

• Learned Owl Book Shop, 204 N. Main St., Hudson

• Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland

• Mac’s Backs, 1820 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights

• Visible Voice, 2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland

I cover restaurants, beer, wine and sports-related topics on our life and culture team. For my recent stories, here’s a cleveland.com directory. WTAM-1100’s Bill Wills and I talk food and drink around 8:20 a.m. Thursdays. Twitter and IG: @mbona30. My latest book, co-authored with Dan Murphy: “Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe” by Gray & Co.

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