One of the best baseball books of 2006.
Like the old Nash and Zullo Hall of Shame books, this fun-loving paperback flaunts convention at every turn. Subjects range from Masanaro Murakami (remember him?) to Bruce Hurst winning - and then losing - the 1986 World Series MVP award.
Sports Collector's Digest - Jan. 5, 2007
Over it's history, many stories in baseball have been exaggerated and became more legend than fact. These tales may have been held as cannon for the common fan, but the astute baseball observer knows where the truth ends and myth begins.
But baseball's tall tales do have some humor in them and authors Michael Kun and Howard Bloom try to lightheartedly dispel history's errors in The Baseball Uncyclopedia: A Highly Opinionated, Myth-Busting Guide To The Great American Game [Emmis Books, 256 pages, $14.95].
The authors go alphabetically and cover a variety of topics, from historical [the origins of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" for example] to more contemporary [such as, how to spell Royal first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz's name]. Each topic is presented in a small vignette written by either Kun or Bloom and usually has a humorous twist to it. There authors even engage in arguments on some topics where they have disagreements, which adds to the amusement.
But it's not all just laughs. There some smart entries where the authors objectively look at certain historical discussions. For example: they argue Joe DiMaggio was never the "greatest living ballplayer" and they make a case for Al Oliver for the Hall of Fame. Kun's and Bloom's arguments are effective and at least make the reader think.
And that's what any author wants. Some of the information contained in the Uncyclopedia may not break new ground, but the most of the entries do give a baseball fan enjoyable casual reading during the hot summer.
It's highly recommended.
Joe McDonald | Pro Baseball Central| June 3 2006
The Baseball Uncyclopedia written by Michael Kun and Howard Bloom (Emmis Books $14.95 Softcover 288 pages) The co-authors (both attorneys) work and live on opposite coasts yet have found common ground in their love for baseball. This book touches on a wide variety of subjects from A to Z (literally since they address the subjects in alphabetical order). Kun and Bloom take the reader on a wild trip through the history of the game and with their clever use of footnotes (some significant, others whimsical), the reader is forced to zig zag up and down the page to follow the stream-of-consciousness style of writing that can at times leave your head spinning. It also will leave you laughing out loud as they debunk numerous myths about the game and the men who have played it through the years. As you read the book you get the feeling that the co-authors enjoyed themselves as they put together a hilarious piece of work. The more serious you are about baseball the more I think you will enjoy The Baseball UNcyclopedia, but I have no doubt this will be a fun read for baseball fans of all ages. For more information on this or any other Emmis Book (and there are some great ones), please go to their website at www.emmisbooks.com.
KEX Radio, Portland - October 2006