Matt Christopher

Throughout the 1998 baseball season, two names made the headlines more than any others: Mark McGwire, the eventual home run king, and Sammy Sosa, the runner-up in a race that won the hearts of baseball fans worldwide. Yet at the end of the day, it was Sosa who walked away with the National League's MVP award, not McGwire. Why? Because Sosa had dug the dismal 1997 Chicago Cubs out of the cellar not just with his home runs, but also with his spectacular all-around play. Yet Sosa's contributions off the field, both in the States and in his native land, the Dominican Republic, are even more impressive. In this powerful biography of one of the most admired sluggers in baseball, Matt Christopher, the number one sports series for kids, traces Sosa's life from his poverty-stricken childhood-when shining shoes put food on the table-to his professional career. For more information on the Matt Christopher Sports Bio Bookshelf, please see the last pages of this book.

Sixth-grader Will Matthews--who is lousy at sports--is looking for an after-school activity, but when he joins the mountain biking club, his old friendships and values are challenged. Simultaneous.

Basketball forward Daren McCall is quick to blame anyone but himself for his troubles, so when he is accused of badmouthing and vandalism, he turns the tables on Lou Bettman, but the fight heats up when Daren falls victim to an outrageous act.

The #1 sports writer for kids offers a read as exciting as a fast ball. Pitcher Koby Caplin is the best thing to happen to the Monticello Cardinals in years--but is he ready for prime time?

Mudders' catcher Rudy Calhoun is having a bad season behind the plate until, at a yard sale, he buys a used catcher's mask that greatly improves his playing.

Newcomer Kirby Childs overcomes obstacles to find his spot on a new roller hockey team.

Even before Tiger Woods stunned the world with his amazing victory at Augusta, he was impressing the golfing community with his perfect swing and pleasing crowds with his mile-wide smile and enthusiasm for the game. In this book, readers learn the details of Tiger's life and career. Photos.

Can a skateboard pro conquer the slopes? Dennis O'Malley is the best skateboarder in town. Unfortunately, he has to shelve his board for more than half the year, when the streets are covered with snow. Then a new sport emerges on the scene, one that Dennis's friends think he'd be a natural at: snowboarding. Since snowboarding and skateboarding use such similar moves and techniques, making the jump from the streets to the slopes should be a breeze for Dennis. Only Dennis knows it won't be....

When inexperienced Phil Wayne takes over as coach of the football team, Chip is sure they are in for a losing season, until someone starts mailing winning plays to the coach anonymously

Sandy Comstock once made a mistake - a bad one - but he's paid the price and now he just wants to get on with his life. Only one person stands in his way:Perry Warden, the boy who tempted Sandy to break the law in the first place. Convinced that Perry is spreading rumors about him to his new baseball teammates, Sandy face a tough decision. Should he run from the rumors, or come out with the truth about his past.

Danny Walker worries about being chosen for the All-Star team, after seeing the latest star play for the Jaguars, and finds himself becoming curious about this mysterious player, when he feels he somehow knows her from somewhere in his past. Reprint.

Bus Mercer, shortstop for the Peach Steet Mudders, wants desperately to be picked for the county all-star team, but he breaks his parents' rules for riding his new bike, and feelings of guilt affect his game.

Jeff, already worried about losing his place on the hockey team because of low grades, suddenly finds himself the victim of sabotage in the form of forged papers

Freddie must overcome his fear of tackling before the championship game against the Cardinals

Sylvester has been playing baseball so badly this season that the coach has him warming the bench. When Cheeko, an ex-ballplayer, offers to show him a few pointers, he improves dramatically. But why can't Sylvester shake the feeling that there's something fishy about Cheeko?

Chico Romez is new to the Royals baseball team, but all the players welcome him and his ability in the outfield. All but one, that its. String Becker seems to have it in for Chico. What will it take for Chico to prove himself to String?

Jose Mendez wants to be a great batter just like his father was when he played in the minor leagues. But every time Jose picks up the bat, disaster strikes. Will Jose ever be able to match his dad's .375 batting average?

Mike's telepathic dog Harry is able to send him secret signals about the opposing players on the baseball field, but Mike's weak pitching arm requires them to find another plan to save the game.

When he learns why his best friend taught him an unbeatable pitch instead of using it himself, Bernie learns a sad lesson about friendship

Stan begins the baseball season badly, but some mysterious letters bolster his confidence and his skill