Titles by Jim Hawkins

For more than a half century, as a superstar ballplayer, television broadcaster, and front office executive, Al Kaline has personified the Detroit Tigers like no one else. In the Tigers' clubhouse of today, stars such as Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander—neither of whom were even born when he played in the major leagues—respectfully address him as "Mr. Kaline." Tigers fans around the country of every generation refer to him simply as "Mr. Tiger." Now, for the first time, the life and career of this remarkable individual are presented in this compelling new biography. Learn how the skinny, shy youngster with a deformed foot and an undying love for the game of baseball went straight from high school and the sandlots of Baltimore to the big leagues where, at the age of 20, he became the youngest batting champion in baseball history. That achievement marked the start of a first-ballot Hall of Fame career that would carry him to 3,000 hits and a plaque on the hallowed wall at Cooperstown.

For more than a half century, as a superstar ballplayer, television broadcaster, and front office executive, Al Kaline has personified the Detroit Tigers like no one else. In the Tigers' clubhouse of today, stars such as Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander—neither of whom were even born when he played in the major leagues—respectfully address him as "Mr. Kaline." Tigers fans around the country of every generation refer to him simply as "Mr. Tiger." Now, for the first time, the life and career of this remarkable individual are presented in this compelling new biography. Learn how the skinny, shy youngster with a deformed foot and an undying love for the game of baseball went straight from high school and the sandlots of Baltimore to the big leagues where, at the age of 20, he became the youngest batting champion in baseball history. That achievement marked the start of a first-ballot Hall of Fame career that would carry him to 3,000 hits and a plaque on the hallowed wall at Cooperstown.

<DIV>Former MLB All-Star and Gold Glove winner Andy Van Slyke, now the first-base coach of the Detroit Tigers, takes you into the dugout, the clubhouse, and onto the field throughout the 2008 season to give you a rare inside look at the most highly anticipated season in the Tigers' storied 108-year history-day by day, game by game, as it actually unfolded. The book combines Van Slyke's insightful, introspective, sometimes humorous diary from the dugout and the playing field with veteran baseball writer Jim Hawkins' view from the press box in real time as the games actually occurred. Each entry is made without the benefit of hindsight, not knowing what the next game or the next day would bring. Stand beside Van Slyke in the first-base coach's box and sit beside him in the dugout to feel the emotions rise and fall with each win and each loss, as the Detroit Tigers, preseason favorites to win the 2008 American League pennant with their franchise-record $139 million payroll, deal with the daily grind of the 162-game season.</DIV>