Hilarious and insightful tales from the world of professional baseball by ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian The New York Times Bestseller! In the aftermath of the Steroid Era that stained the game of baseball, at a time when so many players are so rich and therefore have a sense of entitlement that they haven't earned, ESPN baseball commentator Tim Kurkjian shows readers how to love the game more than ever, with incredible insight and stories that are hilarious, heartbreaking, and revealing. From what Pete Rose was doing in the batting cage a few minutes after getting out of prison, to why everyone strikes out these days and why no one seems to care, I'm Fascinated By Sacrifice Flies will surprise even longtime baseball fans. Tim explains the fear factor in the game, and what it feels like to get hit by a pitch; Adam LaRoche wanted to throw up in the batter's box. He examines the game's superstitions: Eliot Johnson's choice of bubble gum, a poker chip in Sean Burnett's back pocket. He unearths the unwritten rules of the game, takes readers inside ESPN, and reveals how Tony Gwynn made baseball so much more fun to watch. And, of course, Tim will explain to readers why he is fascinated by sacrifice flies.

TIM KURKJIAN has been a baseball writer, reporter, analyst and host at ESPN for over 18 years. A senior writer at ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com, he has been a regular on Baseball Tonight and Sportscenter for all 18 years. He is the author of Is This a Great Game, or What? and I'm Fascinated by Sacrifice Flies.

Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Best Game
Chapter 2: The Hardest Game
Chapter 3: Hit by Pitch
Chapter 4: Sounds of the Game
Chapter 5: Superstitions
Chapter 6: Unwritten Rules
Chapter 7: Sacrifice Flies
Chapter 8: Bonds HR Names
Chapter 9: The Quirkjians
Chapter 10: Box Scores
Chapter 11: Obits
Chapter 12: ESPN
Chapter 13: K's
Chapter 14: Official Scoring
Chapter 15: State of the Game
Acknowledgements