A book about baseball is unusual fare for an academic press, but the West Virginia University Press reports that it has sold more copies of Gene BudigsThe Inside Pitchand Moresince the book was released last March than any other title.
With the Boston Red Soxs remarkable comeback over the New York Yankees this week in the American League Championship Series and with a 2004 World Series that promises to be truly exciting, the Press expects sales to boom even more.
The issues I brought up in that book are still alive,said Budig, the last president of Major League Baseballs American League, referring to baseballs next round of collective bargaining.And when the World Series is over and the business of hiring for next years teams becomes a focus of the news cycles again, the book will be especially relevant.
The Inside Pitchand Moredeals mostly with the culture and business of baseball and the trust the public has in their teams, owners and the league itself.
Paul Beeston, a past president of Major League Baseball, said the bookis certain to stir meaningful discussion on many of the issues facing the game.
Gene Budig took up the presidency of the American League on Aug. 1, 1994, after serving as president of three major colleges, including WVU . Eleven days later, players went out on a strike that lasted the rest of the season, including the postseason. The World Series was canceled a month later.
Team owner Jerry Reinsdorf wrote in appreciation of Budigs book thatDr. Budig was a key player during an important historic period of time, and is uniquely qualified to offer observations on the game and its role in America.
Ten years after the strike, interest has now been rekindled in baseball, and the excitement at this years pennant races promises attention to the World Series that even national elections will not eclipse,said Patrick Conner, director of the WVU Press.
Budigs book is a no-holds-barred examination of some of the most challenging and divisive issues in professional athletics.
As the game regains its place in the national consciousness, it may be time to re-consider all of those issues again,said Conner.
The Inside Pitchand Moreis available from the WVU Press athttp://www.wvupress.comor by calling toll free 866-WVU-PRESS.