From the earliest days when baseball and America were young to the modern era of player-millionaires, there have been standout personalities and talents who became national heroes. Here is a history of baseball via the heroes of each era. What makes this work unique, especially for one intended mainly for children, is that these men are not presented as gods or saints. Jackie Robinson and Curt Flood stood up for their principles at great cost to themselves. Ruth and Mantle were as flawed as they were inspirational. Ty Cobb was a vicious bully, and several current players abuse drugs. Each page grabs the eye with boldly printed, well-spaced text bordered in red with sidebars in bright blue with white print. Along with well researched and clearly written narration, there is a wealth of additional information in photographs, sidebars and timelines. A gift for baseball fans. (Nonfiction. 10+)