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DIAMONDS AROUND THE GLOBE: The Encyclopedia of International Baseball
*Winner of The Sporting News-SABR Baseball Research Award (2004) for "Best Baseball Book of the Year" and Finalist for 2005 Spitball CASEY AWARD Baseball is increasingly popular throughtout the world, evidenced by the many talented players (such as Ichiro Suzuki, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, and Hideki Nomo) coming to the American Major Leagues from all over the world. The influx of such players is testament to the many high-quality professional and amateur leagues that now thrive around the globe. In this first of its kind reference, narrative chapters trace the history of baseball in Australia, Canada, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and elsewhere. Bjarkman profiles the teams and leading players from each country. He also covers the history of tournament play throughout the world, including Olympic baseball and the IBAF Baseball World Cup. This volume provides an invaluable and unprecendented source on the growth of America's "national pastime" into a global phenomenon that one day might feature a true World Series. What some reviewers of Diamonds around the Globe have said: "Truly a triumph of research and good writing, this gem should be on the reference shelves of any library boasting a serious baseball collection." - Library Journal (June 1, 2005) "Well researched and beautifully produced ... The author has also provided us with a fascinating Introduction which provides an historical analysis of the international game and its problems ... All in all, a fine work." - Reference Reviews (December 5, 2005) "Diamonds around the Globe is studded with facts about international playing, revealing the evolution of baseball in each country or region, discussing globalization influences, and covering the history of tournament play and teams around the world." - MBR Bookwatch (June 2005) "Provides a thorough discussion of the tradition of baseball around the globe and effectively shows that the sport is indeed an international one ... Diamonds around the Globe will appeal to baseball followers who are interested in discovering the global dimension of the game. - Booklist Reference Books Bulletin "It's an attempt to do for the rest of the world what the Baseball Encyclopedia does for Major League Baseball." - The Cincinnati Enquirer 
Bjarkman moderating 2005 World Cup press conference with USA manager Davy Johnson and Cuban skipper Higinio Velez (Rotterdam) 
Pete Bjarkman being interviewed by Dutch national television (NOS) during World Port Tournament in Rotterdam (August 2007) |
Available either from www.greenwood.com or other internet book dealers 
Team Korea (World Cup XXXVI) 
Team Canada (World Cup XXXVI) 
Japan vs. Chinese Taipei (World Cup XXXVI) 
Baseball's World Cup Tournament (every four years) is the showcase event of the international diamond sport 
Emergining star Frank Montieth was MVP of 2006 Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament 
Dominican stars at the World Baseball Classic
Cuba's superb defensive keystone combo of Yulieski Gourriel and Eduardo Paret
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