Bert Randolph Sugar

The late Bert Sugar was a Runyonesque character known nationwide for his piquant observations of the fight game-at a time when boxing really mattered in American culture. It was nearly impossible to watch a bout of any merit and not see Sugar ringside with his trademark fedora and ever-present stogie, or to hear his raspy wit and stunningly accurate analyses. He was known nationwide for his piquant observations of the fight game and when he died in March 2012, tributes poured in from every major media-including the New York Times, ESPN, and all the television networks. In its obituary, The Times called him "boxing's human encyclopedia, a prolific writer and editor and a flamboyant and ubiquitous presence in the world of the ring. He wrote about the sport with swagger and panache, a prose style that carried the weight of expertise and that simply assumed the authority to bellow and bleat."And no wonder. Bert Sugar was a classic. Now under one cover, here are some of the best quips and observations Sugar has to offer, a collection of his lifelong art of covering some of the most colorful and often controversial figures in the world of boxing, from Muhammad Ali, and Sonny Liston to Mike Tyson and Sugar Ray Leonard, among many others.

NOW IN PAPERBACK! A personal account of how a beloved boxer beat the odds inside and outside the ring "Written by Tommy Jon Caduto, a childhood friend of Vinny Paz who was there every step of the way. It’s a book that not only captures [Paz's] entire journey, but also expertly captures the culture the journey sprang from." —Providence Journal "Fight or Die: The Vinny Paz Story delivers every bit of excitement to both the clamoring Pazmaniacs and mainstream sports fans that the 'Pazmanian Devil' brought into the ring every night of his fan thrilling career. . . . Every bit as entertaining as it is accurate, [it] leaves no stone unturned." —onthegrindboxing.com Fight or Die tells the remarkable story of one of America’s best-loved boxers, Vinny Paz. Born Vincent Pazienza in 1962 in the mean streets of Cranston, Rhode Island, Vinny rose to become a champion in two weight divisions over a twenty-year career. Here, his best friend captures all the pain and sweat of the boxing world, with the rich traditions and grit of Rhode Island’s Italian-American community—and with the incredible odds this boxer overcame again and again. A moving testament to the power of the human spirit, Fight or Die recounts in arresting detail Vinny Paz’s dramatic victories inside the ring—but it is his victory outside the ring that will inspire all readers.

Writers have long been attracted to boxing. Hemingway, Mailer, Algren, Plimpton, Oates, and many others have stepped into the ring—at least in spirit—to give voice to an otherwise wordless sport, to celebrate that “sweet science,” and to bear witness to its romance and tragedy. In this acclaimed book, hailed by Norman Mailer as an “impressive event,” we are brought for the first time into the ring for a close-up look at the “manly art” through the eyes of José Torres, a man who was a great boxer himself. When former light-heavyweight world champion Torres traded in his gloves for a typewriter, boxing finally found its eyewitness. In the classic Sting Like a Bee, Torres turns his well-trained eye on one of the most celebrated and controversial athletes of all time: Muhammad Ali. In this penetrating view of Ali and the world of prizefighting, told by a true insider and “boxing’s Renaissance man,” Torres delivers exciting and explicit accounts of all of Ali’s major fights with the cool authenticity of one who has lived it.

This book provides a fantastic and far-flung compilation of stats, figures, and little-known nuggets about our national pastime. An addictive read, sure to spark conversation wherever baseball is spoken, "The Baseball Maniac's Almanac" is part reference, part trivia, part brain teaser - and absolutely the greatest, most unusual and thorough compendium of baseball stats and facts ever compiled - all verfied for accuracy by the Baseball Hall of Fame.Renowned sportswriter Bert Sugar, with his trademark tough-guy swagger, presents thousands of fascinating lists, tables, data, and stimulating facts about: Individual players and teams; Managers; Player relatives; The Hall of Fame; Annual awards; The World Series; All-Star Games; A list of the all-time statistical leaders for all all the major league teams plus: A truly unforgettable "miscellany" section that answers such mind-boggling questions as, "Which major-leaguers have palindromic surnames?" and "Which players born under each zodiac sign have hit the most career home runs?".

There is only one casino game in which a player, if he plays perfectly, can gain a mathematical advantage over the house. That game is blackjack. Blackjack Strategy teaches you everything you need to know to fatten your wallet and have a good time at the tables. At last, here is an easy-to-understand guide to blackjack's basic strategy and card counting. Michael Benson explains when to take a hit, when to stand, when to split, and when to double-down-and how all these decisions are influenced by the card count. Included are: a comprehensive list of blackjack rules, including those particular to specific casinos, regions, and foreign countries; how to avoid the surveillance techniques houses use to weed out card counters; inside tips from the professionals; a money management guide to maximize winnings and minimize losses; and 40 strategy charts. Blackjack Strategy is entirely up-to-date for today's casino play and, unlike many other blackjack guides, doesn't require a mathematician's skill to comprehend.