In Swinging for the Fences, Gene A. Budig offers candid biographical sketches of nine compelling individuals from the sport of baseball, including athletes, coaches, umpires, businessmen, and sportswriters. The book examines Cal Ripken Jr., Bobby Brown, George Brett, Joe Torre, Bob Feller, Mike Ilitch, Marty Springstead, Bill Madden, and Frank Robinson, all of whom the author knows well.

Former National League president Len Coleman writes a foreword that sheds new light on the legacy of Jackie and Rachel Robinson.
 

Gene A. Budig was president of Major League Baseball’s American League from 1994 to 2000. He served as president of Illinois State University and West Virginia University and as chancellor at the University of Kansas. He is the author of Grasping the Ring: Nine Unique Winners in Life and Sports and Grasping the Ring II: Nine People Who Matter, both available in Bison Books editions.

Len Coleman was president of Major League Baseball’s National League until the office was eliminated in 2000. He is the chairman of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.