Miracle Over Miami

Nobody gave them a chance. The experts said their manager was too old, their pitching was too young, and their ownership was too frugal to compete against experienced opponents with deeper pockets. What rivals did not realize, however, was that the Florida Marlins were making the most of their march toward the Emerald City. Like the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, the team coupled heart and courage to survive what seemed like insurmountable obstacles, clinching the National League wild card with just two games left to play. In the playoffs, Florida again fooled the forecasters. After spotting one-and two-game leads against the Giants and Cubs, the Marlins battled back in both series to beat the odds and grab the second pennant in team history. Winning the World Series, especially against an experienced Yankees club whose payroll was more than three times the size of Florida's, was just another David versus Goliath triumph for the Little Teal Machine. Bunt hits, speed on the bases, timely hitting, solid defense, and potent pitching proved to get the better of Goliath in the end. "Miracle Over Miami: How the 2003 Marlins Shocked the World is the story of the most unlikely world championship in recent memory, a lesson in how to build a winning team with limited resources, how to plug holes with rookies and acquisitions, and how to win by having fun. Jeff Conine is the only man to play for both Florida world championship teams. In a rare inside-the-clubhouse look he shares his thoughts on his teammates, compares the 1997 and 2003 teams, and describes what it was like to be member of a miraculous team. All the heroes are here: rabbits Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo, local heroes Mike Lowelland Pudge Rodriguez, rookies Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, flamethrowing pitchers Josh Beckett and Ugueth Urbina, and cigar-smoking manager Jack McKeon. Fans are invited to once again come to the land of black-and-teal in "Miracle Over Miami, where nothing is impossible and the Marlins rule the planet.

Nobody gave them a chance. The experts said their manager was too old, their pitching was too young, and their ownership was too frugal to compete against experienced opponents with deeper pockets. What rivals did not realize, however, was that the Florida Marlins were making the most of their march toward the Emerald City. Like the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, the team coupled heart and courage to survive what seemed like insurmountable obstacles, clinching the National League wild card with just two games left to play. In the playoffs, Florida again fooled the forecasters. After spotting one-and two-game leads against the Giants and Cubs, the Marlins battled back in both series to beat the odds and grab the second pennant in team history. Winning the World Series, especially against an experienced Yankees club whose payroll was more than three times the size of Florida's, was just another David versus Goliath triumph for the Little Teal Machine. Bunt hits, speed on the bases, timely hitting, solid defense, and potent pitching proved to get the better of Goliath in the end. "Miracle Over Miami: How the 2003 Marlins Shocked the World is the story of the most unlikely world championship in recent memory, a lesson in how to build a winning team with limited resources, how to plug holes with rookies and acquisitions, and how to win by having fun. Jeff Conine is the only man to play for both Florida world championship teams. In a rare inside-the-clubhouse look he shares his thoughts on his teammates, compares the 1997 and 2003 teams, and describes what it was like to be member of a miraculous team. All the heroes are here: rabbits Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo, local heroes Mike Lowelland Pudge Rodriguez, rookies Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, flamethrowing pitchers Josh Beckett and Ugueth Urbina, and cigar-smoking manager Jack McKeon. Fans are invited to once again come to the land of black-and-teal in "Miracle Over Miami, where nothing is impossible and the Marlins rule the planet.

In 2007, Raymond's life changed forever when he received a phone call that his four-year-old daughter, Bella became paralyzed overnight. Bella was diagnosed with stage 4, cancer. Experts the world over believed that Bella would never walk again and had only a few months to live. By miracle, today Bella can walk, run, jump, and is cancer free! Why Not Me? describes, in a very inspirational tone, how Raymond believes there is a divine purpose for everything. Raymond is an executive who dedicates his free time to helping cancer families and others to live lives of purpose, balance & victory. He holds the title of Sir. Knight in the Knights of Columbus and enjoys giving back to his community. He lives in Miami with his daughters and his wife Shannah. Bellas story illustrates the power of prayer and that God does exist and is alive in our world. This book, which describes the officially investigated miracle story behind the story, is sure to inspire you! Rarely do you find a story that underscores how great God is and how He is moved by simple unrelenting faith and sincere prayer. Why Not Me? will bring you to tears and then touch you with a joy that only happens when you have witnessed a miracle. As you walk with Bella on this amazing trip, her words will rekindle your faith and challenge you to trust God. If you have never believed, you will surely wonder why you havent. If you believe, heres another reason why we do. Joel Downing, Senior Pastor, Higher Ground Church, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma "As a physician trained in pediatric imaging often diagnosing terrible diseases, witnessing Bella's miracle challenged me to re-examine my own faith. Why Not Me? stands as a powerful witness to God's call for us to be faithful. No matter your faith or lack of it, this story as told through the eyes, ears, and heart of a loving father will move you closer to God." Shawn Fibkins, MD, Pediatric Radiologist, Broward County, Florida

Rod Payne, the former All-American center at the University of Michigan and a Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens, never set out to explain the meaning of life to Steve Rom, a sportswriter and the kind of guy most professional athletes keep at a distance. After Steve was diagnosed with leukemia, however, Rod left his job as co-host of a daily sports radio talk show in Ann Arbor, his first post-football career, to help rally his friend back to health. Steve's future, once again, became clear. So too, however, did the challenges that lay ahead. What ensued was a 10-month battle for survival, one that would ultimately turn these friends into brothers.

Long before the Red Sox "Impossible Dream" season, Boston’s now nearly forgotten “other” team, the 1914 Boston Braves, performed a baseball “miracle” that resounds to this very day. The "Miracle Braves" were Boston's first "worst-to-first" winners of the World Series. Shortly after the turn of the previous century, the once mighty Braves had become a perennial member of the National League’s second division. Preseason pundits didn't believe the 1914 team posed a meaningful threat to John McGraw’s powerful New York Giants. During the first half of that campaign, Boston lived down to such expectations, taking up residence in the league’s basement. Refusing to throw in the towel at the midseason mark, their leader, the pugnacious George Stallings, deftly manipulated his daily lineup and pitching staff to engineer a remarkable second-half climb in the standings all the way to first place. The team’s winning momentum carried into the postseason, where the Braves swept Connie Mack's heralded Athletics and claimed the only World Championship ever won by Boston’s National League entry. And for 100 years, the management, players, and fans of underperforming ball clubs have turned to the Miracle Braves to catch a glimmer of hope that such a midseason turnaround could be repeated. Through the collaborative efforts of a band of dedicated members of the Society for American Baseball Research, this benchmark accomplishment is richly revealed to the reader in The Miracle Braves of 1914: Boston's Original Worst-to-First World Series Champions. The essence of the “miracle” is captured through a comprehensive compendium of incisive biographies of the players and other figures associated with the team, with additional relevant research pieces on the season. After a journey through the pages of this book, the die-hard baseball fan will better understand why the call to “Wait Until Next Year” should never be voiced prematurely. Includes: FOREWORD by Bob Brady THE BRAVES Ted Cather by Jack V. Morris Gene Cocreham by Thomas Ayers Wilson Collins by Charlie Weatherby Joe Connolly by Dennis Auger Ensign Cottrell by Peter Cottrell Dick Crutcher by Jerrod Cotosman George Davis by Rory Costello Charlie Deal by Charles F. Faber Josh Devore by Peter Gordon Oscar Dugey by Charlie Weatherby Johnny Evers by David Shiner The 1914 Evers-Zimmerman Incident and How the Tale Grew Taller Over the Years by Bob Brady The Evers Ejection Record by Mark Sternman Larry Gilbert by Jack V. Morris Hank Gowdy by Carol McMains and Frank Ceresi Tommy Griffith by Chip Greene Otto Hess by Gary Hess Tom Hughes by Greg Erion Bill James by David Jones Clarence Kraft by Jon Dunkle Dolf Luque by Peter Bjarkman Les Mann by Maurice Bouchard Rabbit Maranville by Dick Leyden Billy Martin by Bob Joel Jack Martin by Charles F. Faber Herbie Moran by Charles F. Faber Jim Murray by Jim Elfers Hub Perdue by John Simpson Dick Rudolph by Dick Leyden Butch Schmidt by Chip Greene Red Smith by Charles F. Faber Paul Strand by Jack V. Morris Fred Tyler by John Shannahan Lefty Tyler by Wayne McElreavy Bert Whaling by Charles F. Faber George “Possum” Whitted by Craig Hardee MANAGER George Stallings by Martin Kohout COACH Fred Mitchell by Bill Nowlin OWNER Jim Gaffney by Rory Costello The Braves’ A.B.C. by Ring Lardner 1914 Boston Braves Timeline by Mike Lynch A Stallings Anecdote 1914 World Series by Mark Sternman “I Told You So” by O.R.C. The Rest of 1914 by Mike Lynch How An Exhibition Game Contributed To A Miracle by Bob Brady The National League Pennant Race of 1914 by Frank Vaccaro The Press, The Fans, and the 1914 Boston Braves by Donna L. Halper Return of the Miracle Braves by Bob Brady Miracle Teams by A Comparison of the 1914 Miracle Braves and 1969 Miracle Mets by Tom Nahigian An Unexpected Farewell by The South End Grounds, August 1914 by Bob Ruzzo The Time(s) the Braves Played Home Games at Fenway Park by Bill Nowlin The Kisselkar Sign The Trail Blazers in Indian File by R. E. M. - poems for 1914 Braves, collected by Joanne Hulbert The Story of the 1914 Braves by George Stallings “Mr. Warmth” and “Very Superstitious” – two George Stallings anecdotes by Bob Brady By the Numbers by Dan Fields Creature Feature by Dan Fields

Awakening Through A Course In Miracles clarifies the essential wisdom of A Course In Miracles, focuses on practical application, progresses from the simple to the most advanced teachings and brings true peace and joy. You will discover how to: -Forgive all your relationships, -Experience unshakable inner peace, -Overcome pain, loneliness and death, -Find the strength and love of God, -Awaken now!

"The true story of how an unknown squad of American minor leaguers stunned the international baseball powerhouse from Cuba. Led by Hall-of-Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, the 2000 USA Olympic Baseball team pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history. This is a behind the scenes look at how the executives in charge went about selecting the players, how Lasorda persuaded management into giving him the opportunity to coach the team, and how capturing the gold medal in Sydney changed the lives of every player, coach and administrator involved."-- T.p. 4

The first reference resource to bring both sports management and sports marketing all together in one place.

More than any other sport, baseball has developed its own niche in America's culture and psyche. Some researchers spend years on detailed statistical analyses of minute parts of the game, while others wax poetic about its players and plays. Many trace the beginnings of the civil rights movement in part to the Major Leagues' decision to integrate, and the words and phrases of the game (for example, pinch-hitter and out in left field) have become common in our everyday language. From AARON, HENRY onward, this book covers all of what might be called the cultural aspects of baseball (as opposed to the number-rich statistical information so widely available elsewhere). Biographical sketches of all Hall of Fame players, owners, executives and umpires, as well as many of the sportswriters and broadcasters who have won the Spink and Frick awards, join entries for teams, owners, commissioners and league presidents. Advertising, agents, drafts, illegal substances, minor leagues, oldest players, perfect games, retired uniform numbers, superstitions, tripleheaders, and youngest players are among the thousands of entries herein. Most entries open with a topical quote and conclude with a brief bibliography of sources for further research. The whole work is exhaustively indexed and includes 119 photographs.