New Releases by David Aretha

In his first season as a starting quarterback, in 2018, Patrick Mahomes threw for 50 touchdowns and won the NFL MVP Award, leading Kansas City to the AFC Championship Game. A year later, his eye-popping playmaking and magical postseason comebacks resulted in a Super Bowl victory. By age 25, Mahomes had signed the most lucrative sports contract ever, reigned as the biggest star in football. All the while, his humility and boyish enthusiasm endeared him to fans nationwide. This is his story.

Quarterback Drew Brees joined the New Orleans Saints as a free agent nine months after suffering a terrible injury. Since then he has broken numerous quarterback records, including highest number of passing completions and yards throughout his career. Brees is considered by some to be the greatest quarterback of all time. Drew Brees is a compelling profile of one of football's greatest quarterbacks. This lively biography provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at Brees's personality, life, and career.

"In this book, you will learn about the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth and get to know other baseball elites Mike, Bryce, and Mookie up close and personal. Along the way, we--and you--will use math calculations to determine who is the greatest player of all time. Numbers will show that Ruth reigned supreme in his era. But who is the best player today? And are they superior to the Great Bambino? Get ready to do the math and analyze the data--and have a "ball" doing it"--

Using statistics and math calculations, this instructional and entertaining volume explores the extraordinary achievements of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, putting their careers in context with other NBA legends. Along the way, each of these calculations is explained and discussed, bringing the worlds of sports and math together. In addition to a biographical look at their careers, these four players are compared head-to-head using statistical analysis. This gives readers a chance to "do the math" to determine who really is the greatest player of all time.

Despite his success playing college football at the University of Wisconsin, many people did not think Russell Wilson could make it in the NFL as a quarterback. With his 5′11″ frame, many were concerned he wouldn't be tall enough to see over linemen and consistently move his team down the field. What he lacked in height, however, he made up for in intelligence and character—traits he would use to lead the Seattle Seahawks to their very first Super Bowl victory. Russell Wilson is a compelling profile of one of football's best and brightest quarterbacks. This lively biography provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at Wilson's personality, life, and career.

The son of legendary Arena Football League player "Touchdown" Eddie Brown, wide receiver Antonio Brown is nearly as known for his end zone dances as he is for the sheer number of receptions and receiving yards he has racked up since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010. However, none of his success came without struggle: Antonio's parents would divorce when he was a child, and he went through a period of extreme hardship, homelessness, and rejection from multiple colleges—even being expelled from one—before making his way to Central Michigan University and, from there, to the NFL. Antonio Brown is a compelling profile of one of football's best wide receivers. This lively biography provides readers with a behind the scenes look at Brown's personality, life, and career.

Jacob's Little League team, Morey's Funeral Home, is a perennial loser. But this ragtag squad of 10-year-olds has a new coach. Standing in the way of a championship is the best team in the league, the "invincible" Bankees. To beat their nemesis, Jacob's team will need help from everybody, including Rupa, the club's worst player.

Kids know Aaron Rodgers as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. He has won two NFL MVP Awards and led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl title. He has orchestrated several “miracle” finishes, and he’s the highest-rated passer in NFL history. In this book, kids will get to know Rodgers on a personal level. They’ll see how he rose from a little-known QB at Butte Community College to a passing machine in Green Bay. Off the field, Rodgers impresses with his compassion, intelligence, and side-splitting humor. Engaging text—peppered with quotes—and high-impact photos accentuate the experience.

As a sixteen-year-old in Venezuela, José Altuve attended a tryout camp with the Houston Astros. The Astros rejected him because he was too short, but that didn’t break his spirit. He attended the tryout a year later and earned a minor-league contract with Houston. Just five-foot-five, Altuve has become a baseball phenomenon. He has played in four MLB All-Star Games and led the American League in hits, stolen bases, and batting average. In 2016, he even belted more than twenty home runs. Learn how Altuve overcame the odds in his first-ever biography. Full-color photographs and plenty of vibrant quotes bring his story into sharp focus.

Look at that happy dog: His mouth turns upward, his tongue hangs out, and his tail wags back and forth. That dog is smiling! Animal researchers have learned that dogs express numerous emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anxiety, fear, and compassion. When Dogs Smile explains how each emotion is expressed through physical manifestations. The book examines why a dog “smiles,” mopes, barks frantically, and licks the face of its crying owner. Quotes from experts and numerous color photographs help tell the story.

Beginning with his triumph in the 1958 Masters, Arnold Palmer took the nation by storm with his small-town charm, “go for broke” style, and Sunday comebacks. “You finally had someone who had this charisma,” said Tiger Woods. “Everyone got hooked to the game of golf via TV because of Arnold.” Palmer won 43 PGA Tour events in the 1960s, became the sports world’s greatest pitchman, and hobnobbed with bigwigs like Bob Hope and multiple presidents. He even guest-hosted The Tonight Show. A licensed pilot, he flew jet airplanes across the globe. As a philanthropist, he founded Arnold Palmer Medical Center, the largest facility in the country dedicated to the care of women and children. In Arnold Palmer: A Tribute to an American Icon, authors David Fischer and David Aretha relive Palmer’s thrilling championship moments while capturing his personal charms: his warmth, humor, and candor. Rarely seen photographs and memorabilia bring his story to life. Golfer Raymond Floyd may have summed it up best when he said that Palmer “set the standard for how superstars in every sport ought to be, in the way he has always signed autographs, in the way he has always made time for everyone . . . . And man, could he play the game.”

There are not many things more exciting and entertaining than watching your favorite quarterback fire pass after pass as he leads his team down the field to score. The top NFL QBs in this book, including Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning, are known for their athletic power and crowd-stopping performances. Full-page photos of the players in action accompany each spread. Readers will learn the details of these players’ backgrounds and such details as teams, completion percentages, and touchdown passes. Easy-to-read language by veteran sports author David Aretha will keep readers turning the pages.

The Music City Miracle, the Flutie Fling, and the Immaculate Reception are just a few of the unbelievable plays that have taken place on the football field. Written by veteran sports author David Aretha, this book engages readers with facts and stories about some of the most unusual and exciting NFL and college football moments. Plenty of full-page photos and statistics make this an exciting and entertaining read.

The 1962 Green Bay Packers...the 1999 St. Louis Rams...the 2007 New England Patriots. Which is the best team in NFL history? Sports fans will debate this for all time. Readers will delight in all the details about the top ten teams chosen for this book. With specific statistics for each team's best year, as well as fun facts and team dynamics, readers will learn about these talented teams and coaches, and what made them truly great.

The 1962 Green Bay Packers...the 1999 St. Louis Rams...the 2007 New England Patriots. Which is the best team in NFL history? Sports fans will debate this for all time. Readers will delight in all the details about the top ten teams chosen for this book. With specific statistics for each team’s best year, as well as fun facts and team dynamics, readers will learn about these talented teams and coaches, and what made them truly great.

Joe Theismann’s gruesome broken leg in 1985 is likely the most memorable football injury in NFL history. But there are more, including brain trauma, broken arms, and torn ACLs. This engaging text is teeming with facts and photos of the ten worst injuries in football. Readers will get to know the details of these players’ backgrounds and such details as positions, teams, and recovery periods. Easy-to-read language and full-page photos of the players in action fill the pages that highlight the careers of the players as well as specific details surrounding each injury.

David Ortiz first won over the Fenway faithful in 2003 with his monstrous home runs, beaming smile, big hugs, and kind heart. The following fall, he proved heroic, belting walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 of the ALCS in an epic series comeback over Jeter’s Yankees. His legendary feats helped the Red Sox end the 86-year-old “Curse of the Bambino” and deliver a World Series title to Boston. In the largest gathering in American history—of any kind—3 million fans cheered Ortiz & Co. in the World Series victory parade. “Big Papi” has walloped over 500 home runs and led Boston to two more world titles. In 2013, following the Boston Marathon bombings, he epitomized “Boston Strong” by crushing a series-turning grand slam in the ALCS and blasting .688 in the World Series, earning MVP honors. Authors David Fischer and David Aretha celebrate this David’s career in a fully illustrated, scrapbook-style album with prose as passionate as Big Papi himself. Included too are dozens of personal anecdotes and recollections about Ortiz from prominent members of the Red Sox organization and the Boston community. Supreme photography and treasures from the Baseball Hall of Fame—rarely seen photographs and artifacts—enhance the nostalgic experience. This unique collection captures the magic of David Ortiz, one of the greatest heroes the game has ever known. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Ichiro Suzuki has had a storied baseball career in Japan and the United States. Since signed to the major leagues in 2001, the right fielder has racked up batting records for the Yankees, Mariners, and Marlins. Through fascinating details about his personal and professional life, full-color photos, and direct quotations, baseball fans and report writers will be inspired by this biography of a top player driven by a strong work ethic and devotion to charity.

Michael Jordan's deciding shot over Bryon Russell during the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz may well be the most perfect moment in the decorated career of the greatest basketball player. But that is just one of the featured stories in this title that covers many other memorable plays on the professional court. David Aretha takes readers on a journey through the moments that sports fans will never forget. Rounding out the text features are full-page photos and many statistics, including details for each player’s top NBA year and their experiences on high school and college teams.

There are not many things more exciting and entertaining than watching your favorite player charge toward the net, leap into the air, slam dunk, and score! The top NBA pros in this book, including Daryl Dawkins, Shawn Kemp, and Vince Carter, are known for their athletic power and crowd-stopping performances. Full-page photos of the players in action accompany each spread. Readers will learn the details of these NBA players’ backgrounds and such details as positions, teams, and best slam dunk moments. Easy-to-read language by veteran sports author David Aretha will keep readers turning the pages.

Who should have the ball when the buzzer is about to go off: Stephen Curry? Air Jordan? LeBron James? The exciting narrative of this title introduces readers to the top NBA shooters of all time. Readers will lean about their roads to professional careers, from backyard hoops and college championships to the NBA court. Plenty of full-page photos and exciting statistics, including details for each player’s top NBA year, add to this informative and entertaining read.

Standing as tall as 72, these legends of the basketball court dominated the floor during their careers. Ready for a backboard-shattering Shaq attack? Or how about a slam dunk from power forward Kevin Garnett? Written by veteran sports author David Aretha, this book engages readers with facts and stories about the towering legends of the NBA. Plenty of full-page photos and stats, including details for each players top NBA year and their experiences on high school and college teams, make this an exciting and entertaining read.

Twelve chapters cover the facts, players, stories and traditions that define the Detroit Tigers baseball team.

This text describes the top ten baseball teams in great detail. With specific statistics as well as fun facts and photos, young readers will learn about their favorite teams and what made them truly great.

This informative yet fun text highlights the top ten hitters in baseball and includes their career stats, nicknames, teams, positions, and achievements. Full-page photos of the players in action accompany each spread.

Fully illustrated with photos and using easy-to-understand language that is full of facts and stats, young readers will love reliving baseball’s top ten moments again and again.

This high-interest, topical book is full of stats, photos, and fun facts about the top ten pitchers in baseball, including their backgrounds, nicknames, teams, positions, and years of note.

A biography of Tiki Barber, a running back for the New York Giants, discussing his childhood, influences, and career path, and sharing details of his personal life and accomplishments off the field.

Born Earvin Johnson, "Magic" Johnson earned his nickname with his dynamic basketball skills and charismatic leadership.