Facing

Wayne Gretzky holds the records for the most goals, assists, and points scored in a career, in addition to about 60 other records. These feats, in tandem with his exceptional on-ice performances, earned him the nickname "The Great One" as well as the immediate retirement of his number (99) across the NHL at the end of his playing days. During his 10-year career with the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky led the team to five Stanley Cup Finals appearances and four wins. After moving on to Los Angeles, he also led the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. Gretzky ended his career with the New York Rangers in 1999. Far from a conventional biography, Facing Wayne Gretzky offers perspectives and testimonials from opponents and teammates alike, including Denis Potvin, Kelly Hrudey, Rob Blake, and many more. Never has another hockey player achieved what "The Great One" did on the ice, and it is unlikely that one will soon. This book details what it's like to face the best player who ever skated, illuminating his passing ability, his deceptively effective shot, and his inventiveness both with the puck and without.

The all-time career leader in saves, with 652, Mariano Rivera is one of the greatest professional athletes in history. Since taking over the closer's role for the New York Yankees in 1997, until his retirement in 2013, Rivera saved 30 or more games in every season but one. In addition, he has an astonishing MLB record 42 postseason saves, with 11 of them coming in the World Series. After 19 seasons in the Major Leagues, his preeminence among relief pitchers is assumed and his induction into Cooperstown assured. And he accomplished it all, mostly, with one devastating pitch: his signature cut fastball. As third baseman Corey Koskie put it: "You knew what pitch [Rivera's] going to throw, a cutter. . . . You start to swing at the pitch and the next thing you know, the ball explodes your bat. I tried multiple things hoping to figure out a way get the barrel [of the bat] on one of his pitches. . . . Nothing worked." Far from a conventional biography, Facing Mariano Rivera offers perspectives and testimonials from opponents and teammates alike, including Rivera's minor-league roommate and the final batter he faced in the major leagues. Some opponents had uncommon success against "The Sandman," and they share their secrets for hitting him. Most, however, echo the sentiments of five-time All-Star Mike Sweeney: "When you're at Yankee Stadium and Mariano Rivera is coming in the game, it feels like a horror movie . . . when you hear the music and you're scared to death, because you know what's going to happen." Truly dominant pitchers come along only rarely. This book tells the reader what it's like to battle one of the all-time best, in the words of the players who did just that. 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 Canadians, 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.

Over the course of nearly one hundred years, just a handful of NFL teams have enjoyed success across multiple decades. There's absolutely no doubt which franchise the fans in Wisconsin would put at the top of the list. Most Packers fans are familiar with the greatest players, games, and moments in team history. But what they don't know is just what it was like to go up against their favorite team. When opposing clubs prepared to play Vince Lombardi's squad, how did they contend with the one play they knew was coming: the green and gold's formidable power sweep? When the Vikings, Lions, 49ers, and other teams played against the Brett Favre lead Packers, how did they fare against the three-time league MVP? After Favre departed the stage at Lambeau, how did opponents contend with another MVP quarterback, Aaron Rodgers? In Facing the Green Bay Packers, veteran sportswriter Chuck Carlson takes Packers fans inside the locker rooms, onto the sidelines, and out on the field with opposing players and coaches. Carlson interviews some of the biggest names in the game to get their perspectives on playing against the best teams in Packers history. He covers the most dramatic moments, most intense rivalries, and most unforgettable games from Green Bay's pro football lore-from the other side of the line of scrimmage. Vince Lombardi famously said that "teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers is all about." The result was unqualified excellence. This book describes what it was like to play against his Packers teams and others, in the words of players who did just that. 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.

The Dallas Cowboys were dubbed America's Team nearly forty years ago, and the label has stuck in the minds and hearts of football fans to this day. Facing America's Team takes you onto the field to see what it was like to take on Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, and the other legends who captured five Super Bowl titles while building the legacy of America's Team. Eighty noted Dallas foes share their stories about the Cowboys' greatest rivals, biggest games, and most memorable plays. You will hear from Hall of Famers and rivals, including: •Jerry Rice •"Mean Joe" Greene •Jack Youngblood •Joe Theismann •Randall Cunningham •Aeneas Williams •Paul Warfield •Ken Houston •Jackie Smith •Conrad Dobler •And many more! With eight Super Bowl appearances under their belt and a thirty-year run of success unmatched by any NFL team, the Cowboys are one of the best-known franchises worldwide-and for good reason. This book is the perfect gift for fans of one of the most successful organizations in sports history.

Relive the magic of the greatest player to ever step on the court. "Air Jordan," "His Airness," "MJ." Whatever you call him, Michael Jeffrey Jordan can be considered one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. During his career, Jordan won six NBA championships and was a 14-time All-Star, five-time NBA MVP, and six-time NBA Finals MVP. To say Jordan was dominant during his career would be a severe understatement. Now for the first time ever, hear stories from opponents, teammates, and coaches about what it was like to go against MJ in Facing Michael Jordan. You will hear stories from such All-Stars as: Charles Barkley Dennis Rodman Robert Parish Terry Porter And many more! From the moment Jordan stepped onto the court, he dominated the game of basketball. No matter who comes around today or tomorrow, Jordan's name and the number 23 will resonate with basketball fans for all eternity. 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.