I just added 38 baseball-related books to my Amazon wish list, but I wonder if you have any recommendations for must-reads. I want a more sophisticated understanding of the game. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Sorry, I know this is a busy time

Only 38? I have scores of suggestions shelved and stacked all around my office here, from the history of "Casey at the Bat" (The Night Casey was Born) to fiction (The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings) to college ball (The Road to Omaha) to the big, important books (The Echoing Green). I recently read Jane Leavy's Mickey Mantle biography (The Last Boy) and George Vecsey's excellent Stan Musial bio in order, and the comparison between the two players was … striking.

There's a...