Pinstripes by the Tale: Half a Century In and Around Yankees Baseball

Publisher: Triumph Books

Baseball fans in the Bronx and beyond will delight in this incomparable, far-reaching collection of insider tales When 19-year-old Marty Appel got a job as a mail clerk for the New York Yankees, assigned to spend the summer of ’68 answering Mickey Mantle’s fan letters, he couldn’t have known it was just the start of over a half-century entwined with the Bronx Bombers. As a PR director, television producer, writer, and historian, Appel never missed an opportunity to get to know the main characters— and supporting cast— of Yankees lore. The result is an unparalleled trove of colorful stories featuring a seemingly unending parade of characters including Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Derek Jeter, George Steinbrenner, and everyone in between. By turns hilarious and heartrending, Pinstripes by the Tale is an intimate look at an iconic franchise through the lens of its foremost historical authority. Told as a series of captivating vignettes, it invites readers to consider the small moments that quietly shape the contours of baseball history.

Pinstripe Empire: The New York Yankees from Before the Babe to After the Boss
Kindle Edition

Kindle Edition Now Updated Through the 2020 Season
Publisher: Doubleday

An exciting history of the world’s greatest baseball team from a former Yankees Public Relations Officer. “A riveting and comprehensive history of the Yankees” – New York Times

Read a FREE excerpt: Derek Jeter’s Final Games…and then if you wish, buy the complete eBook edition for only $9.99 by clicking here

Buy the full eBook edition of Pinstripe Empire for just $9.99 – click HERE

Casey Stengel: Baseball’s Greatest Character

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Doubleday
(March 28, 2017)

The definitive biography of one of baseball’s most enduring and influential characters, from New York Times bestselling author and baseball writer Marty Appel.

As a player, Charles Dillon “Casey” Stengel’s contemporaries included Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, and Christy Mathewson . . . and he was the only person in history to wear the uniforms of all four New York teams: the Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, and Mets. As a legendary manager, he formed indelible, complicated relationships with Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Billy Martin. For more than five glorious decades, Stengel was the undisputed, quirky, hilarious, and beloved face of baseball–and along the way he revolutionized the role of manager while winning a spectacular ten pennants and seven World Series Championships.

But for a man who spent so much of his life in the limelight–an astounding fifty-five years in professional baseball–Stengel remains an enigma. Acclaimed New York Yankees’ historian and bestselling author Marty Appel digs into Casey Stengel’s quirks and foibles, unearthing a tremendous trove of baseball stories, perspective, and history. Weaving in never-before-published family documents, Appel creates an intimate portrait of a private man who was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966 and named “Baseball’s Greatest Character” by MLB Network’s Prime 9. Casey Stengel is a biography that will be treasured by fans of our national pastime.

Pinstripe Pride: The Inside Story of the New York Yankees

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
(Age Range: 8 – 12 years)
(February 17, 2015)

Get the complete story of the Yankees, from Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter—with twenty-seven World Championships in between—in this middle grade adaptation of Pinstripe Empire, a celebrated adult nonfiction tome from author and former Yankees PR director Marty Appel.

The New York Yankees are the team of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Don Mattingly, Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera, and Derek Jeter; the team of forty American League pennants, twenty-seven World Championships, and nearly forty Hall of Famers.

With more than a century’s worth of great stories, folklore, and photos, plus an introduction by Yankee television broadcaster Michael Kay, Marty Appel—who Bob Costas calls “a fine storyteller with a keen eye for detail”—tells the complete story of the Yankees from their humble beginnings, with no stadium to call their own, to today, when the team’s billion-dollar franchise presides over Yankee Stadium. Middle grade sports lovers, baseball fans, and Yankee acolytes will find a treasure trove of facts, tales, and insider details in Pinstripe Pride.

“If you love the Yankees, this is the book that takes you backstage to see how they helped shape baseball history.”
– John Sterling, Yankee broadcaster

“This is a work that will be shared by young readers and their baseball-loving parents and grandparents. An enormous home run.”
– Kirkus Reviews

Pinstripe Empire: The New York Yankees from Before the Babe to After the Boss

Bloomsbury USA; First Edition edition (May 8, 2012) Since their breakthrough championship season in 1923, when Yankee stadium opened, the New York Yankees have been baseball’s most successful, decorated, and colorful franchise. Home to Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Berra, Mantle, Jackson, and Mattingly; and later Torre, Jeter, Rivera, and Rodriguez, the team has been a fixture in our national consciousness.Yet it’s been nearly seventy years since Frank Graham wrote the last narrative history of the team. Marty Appel, the Yankees’ PR director during the 1970s, now illuminates the team in all its century-plus of glory: clever, maneuvering owners; rowdy, talented players; and, of course, twenty-seven championships. Appel heard war stories from old-timers like Mantle, Berra, and Casey Stengel, and has remained close to the organization ever since. A collector, writer, and raconteur, he gives life to the team’s history, from the muddy, uneven field at Hilltop Park in the 1900s to the evolution of today’s team as an international brand. Loaded with over a century’s worth of great stories, folklore, and photos, this is a treasure trove for lovers of sports, the Yankees, New York history, and America’s game.

MUNSON: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain

Doubleday (July 7, 2009)On August 2, 1979, Thurman Munson died at the age of thirty-two, when the private plane he was piloting crashed in Canton, Ohio. A piece of the New York Yankees franchise died that day—Munson is still remembered by fans as a quintessentially tough, fiercely competitive, endearing Yankee leader. He was, and still is, known as “The Captain.”MUNSON is the authoritative biography fans have been awaiting for thirty years. Written by Marty Appel, who worked as the PR director for the Yankees during the seventies (and co-wrote Munson’s own autobiography in 1978), this triumphant, energetic, and tragic baseball biography captures the young man from Canton and his meteoric rise to stardom in baseball’s most storied franchise. MUNSON examines the tumultuous childhood that led Thurman to work feverishly to escape Canton—and the marriage and cultural roots that drew him back (so much so that he took up flying and bought his own plane to allow himself to spend more time at home). Read more >>

162-0: Imagine a Season in Which the Yankees Never Lose

Pub. Date: March 26, 2010

162-0: Imagine a Season in Which the Yankees Never Lose imagines that season by identifying the most memorable victory in Yankees history on every single day of the baseball calendar season, from late March to late October. Ranging from games with incredible historical significance and individual achievement to those with high drama and high stakes, this book imagines the impossible: a blemish-free Yankees season. Evocative photos, original quotes, thorough research, and engaging prose and analysis all highlight 162-0.

NOW PITCHING FOR THE YANKEES
Spinning the News for Mickey, Billy and George

A memoir of the author’s years doing PR for the Yankees, after growing up a Brooklyn-born Yankee fan and writing a letter to the PR department. He began by answering Mickey Mantle’s fan mail, and went on to become the first, of many, PR Directors hired by George Steinbrenner. Nominated for Casey Award as Baseball Book of the Year for 2001. Named Best New York baseball book of the year on ESPN.com. Sports Collectors Digest called it “a classic.” Available in hardcover and now in softcover.

SLIDE, KELLY, SLIDE
The Wild Life and Times of Mike “King” Kelly, Baseball’s First Superstar

In 2005, Slide, Kelly, Slide was selected as one of the ’10 best ballplayer books’ of all time by the New York Daily News. Winner of the 1995 Casey Award as Best Baseball Book of the Year, this heavily researched biography of Kelly won praise from SABR members (nominated for a Seymour Award) and casual fans. Kelly invented the art of “autographing,” was the subject of America’s first pop hit record, wrote (with a ghostwriter) the game’s first autobiography, was sold in the game’s biggest sale, and was the first player to put together an act for the Vaudeville stage. He died at 37, but not before he had an awfully good time. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed by Appel.

TOM SEAVER’S ALL TIME BASEBALL GREATS

Bios of great baseball names from Seaver’s career, from his childhood, from before he was born, broken down by A.L. and N.L., with amusing and interesting comments on each player by Seaver himself. A children’s book but has long appealed to adults as well. 1984 publication, hardcover. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed by Appel $40, or by Seaver and Appel, $100. Available from the author at AppelPR@gmail.com

BASEBALL’S BEST

The Hall of Fame Gallery Named Outstanding Sports Reference Book of 1977 by American Library Association. Features 1500-word biographies of all Hall of Famers (revised edition, through 1980), including umpires, Negro Leaguers, executives, 19th century players. In many cases, the only place to go for extensive bios on that group. Over 500 photos. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed. Hardcover Available from the author at AppelPR@gmail.com

HARDBALL

The Education of a Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn’s memoirs, named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year for 1987, and generally praised as the finest Commissioner’s memoir ever written. Fascinating look at turbulent times for the game, including profiles of owners, and head-on-look at the most controversial decisions of 17-year career as Baseball “Czar.” Nominated for Casey Award as best baseball book of the year. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed by Appel (listed as Editorial Assistant).

THURMAN MUNSON

An Autobiography

Originally published after his MVP season of 1976, it was reissued with a concluding chapter (by Appel) following his untimely death in a plane crash in 1979. A Book of the Month Club selection, a Sports Illustrated Book Club main selection, a Waldonbooks best-seller. Also available in paperback. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed (by Appel), at $50 hardcover ($55 for first edition) and $20 paperback.

MY NINE INNINGS

This is a memoir by Hall of Famer Lee MacPhail, done with Marty Appel’s editing and advice. Although published by a small press without much distribution, it was hailed as a candid and sentimental memoir by the only man who seemed able to find agreement with the Players Association. MacPhail, son of the bombastic Larry MacPhail, was an executive with the Dodgers, Yankees, Orioles and Commissioner’s Office, before becoming American League President and head of the Player Relations Committee. Very limited number available direct from author, $50.

GREAT MOMENTS IN BASEBALL

By Tom Seaver, with Marty Appel, 1992. An underrated look at the 51 biggest games in baseball history (to that point) from a historical perspective (by Appel) and in the eyes of a player (Seaver) who has some thoughts on how those games MIGHT have been played. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed by Appel.

WHEN YOU’RE FROM BROOKLYN, EVERYTHING ELSE IS TOKYO

By Larry King and Marty Appel, 1992. Riotous memoir of CNN’s Larry King – his growing up years in Brooklyn, when he first learned he could hold an audience. His friends from his youth “gang” – The Warriors – his missteps at Lafayette High School (as a contemporary of Sandy Koufax and Fred Wilpon), and his tales of a forgotten marriage and life in Brooklyn are told with grand humor. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed by Appel.

THE FIRST BOOK OF BASEBALL

This 1988 book was written as an introduction to the game for children, but has proven popular with adults trying to discover what all the fuss is about. Finalist for Washington Irving Award as best children’s book of the year. The rules, the romance, the ‘rithmatic, the Hall of Famers, the timeline, how a season works, how to keep score. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed, $40.

WORKING THE PLATE

With National League umpire Eric Gregg, one of the most controversial members of his profession, for his size, his race, and his disputes. He is one of the umpires who lost his job during the miscalculated mass resignation, but this book, done in 1990, predated that. A very funny account of his minority status and misadventures in a world of right-wing umpires. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed by Appel.

YESTERDAY’S HEROES

A 1988 hardcover look back at baseball ‘commons’ and what happened in their post-baseball lives. Gary Peters, Harry Chiti, Jim Pendleton, Bob Boyd, Rocky Colavito, Carl Schieb, Glen Hobbie, Bob Friend, Dave Giusti, Elmer Valo, Danny Walton, Lou Berberet, Billy Bruton, Bob Cerv, Ted Abernathy, Bobby Richardson – are a sample of the names included. Very limited number available direct from author, autographed by Appel $40.

BATTING SECRETS OF THE MAJOR LEAGUERS

1981 instructional book, including batting tips from young Eddie Murray, plus Lou Piniella, Charlie Lau, Al Oliver, Bobby Murcer, Bob Watson, Hal McRae, many others. Very limited edition available direct from author, autographed, at $40 hardcover, $20 softcover.

Baseball: 100 Classic Moments in the History of the Game

by Joseph E. Wallace, Neil A. Hamilton, Marty Appel, Nolan Ryan. This stunning coffee-table book is also immensely readable, chronicling 100 legendary people and events in baseball’s long and colorful history. The vivid images and informative essays make for a perfect blend.

Joe DiMaggio

There was a four part drama to the Joe DiMaggio life – pre-baseball, the Yankee years, the Marilyn saga, and the celebrity years. This book for young adult readers was part of a series of books on baseball greats (Appel wrote this and the Berra book). No longer available except at used book dealers and online.

yogi182x230

Yogi Berra

A biography of one of baseball’s greats, Yogi Berra, who was player, coach, and manager. This book for young adult readers was part of a series of books on baseball greats (Appel wrote this one and the DiMaggio one). No longer available except at used book dealers and online.