By Kevin Hess

Online Exclusive

"Bert Sugar's Baseball Hall of Fame" (Running Press) has received accolades from some of the top names in the baseball industry today, including Yogi Berra and Bob Costas -- and for good reason.

Sugar has an insight no one else seems to be able to put into words. He goes into great depths about what he has researched. It’s basically a tour on paper of the Hall of Fame itself, but the book would not come alive if not for the brilliant photography throughout. Thanks to the photos, flipping through the book truly feels like you're there without actually being in the New York state landmark.

His approach to the book is a timeline form, a great way to educate his audience on the history of the game. Sugar breaks everything down distinctly; even those going into the piece with no knowledge of the sport get up to speed on some of the game’s great moments and players.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is Sugar’s ability to profile many of the major players in each era of the game. His chronicles of players like Cy Young, Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron are very intriguing, particularly if you were a fan growing up of any one of those many players he brings to life.

Sugar isn’t only worried about the history of the game. He details the fans’ impact on the game as well as showing some of the greatest ballparks. Stadiums like Tibbets Field, Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park are all shown as they were way back when with vivid imagery.

And it doesn’t end there. Even mascots like the Phillie Phanatic are shown in their glory. The book is involved and certainly shows the evolution of the sport from the fans to the players to all of the media who covered America’s pastime. It’s one of the most comprehensive books on baseball today.

"Bert Sugar's Baseball Hall of Fame" left nothing out and I can't think of a better way to educate those whom are grasping for a better understanding of baseball’s history than to give Sugar’s account a long look.

Posted June 16, 2009