Books in Amazing Athletes series

Some say his name means “little warrior,” but there’s nothing little about 7’1”, 330-pound Shaquille O’Neal. He even wears a size 22 shoe. One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Shaquille O’Neal has played sixteen seasons with the NBA and has won multiple championships. He has also starred in movies, released several rap albums, and started his own record label and clothing line. Follow Shaq’s life and career as he goes from being a big, clumsy kid to the NBA’s most dominating player.

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has done it all in his short Major League Baseball career. In 2010, he was named National League (NL) Rookie of the Year. In 2012, Buster won the NL batting title and was named NL Most Valuable Player. But Buster has done more than just collect individual baseball awards. The Giants have won the World Series three times with Buster behind the plate (2010, 2012, and 2014). Learn more about one of baseball's most successful players.

When Eli Manning joined the NFL after being chosen with the first pick in the 2004 draft, many people compared him to his older brother Peyton. After Eli led his New York Giants to victory in the 2007-2008 Super Bowl, people stopped wondering if he was as good as his brother. When Eli was named Super Bowl MVP and the Giants won the big game again in 2011-2012, people began comparing him to football's all-time great quarterbacks.

David Ortiz is always ready when the Boston Red Sox need their biggest slugger. Big Papi, as he is known to fans and teammates, has led his team to three World Series championships with his powerful hitting. David is one of baseball's greatest superstars, winning game after game with his bat. But the big man from the Dominican Republic is also a fine leader and one of the most beloved sports stars in New England. Learn more about Big Papi's journey to the top.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is one of the most successful players in NFL history. Chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the first pick in the 1998 NFL draft, Peyton earned a reputation for being one of the league's smartest quarterbacks. He led the Colts to victory in the 2007 Super Bowl and was named Most Valuable Player of the NFL a record four times. After missing the 2011-2012 season due to an injury, Peyton left Indianapolis to join the Broncos.

Right out of college, Abby Wambach shot to fame in the United States soccer scene. In 2002, she was picked second in the Women's United Soccer Association draft by the Washington Freedom. She also became a leading scorer on the US Women's National Team. After winning the 2012 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award and two Olympic gold medals, Abby is still going strong. She holds the world record for international goals. Follow Abby's story from her beginnings at University of Florida to becoming an international soccer superstar.

Miguel Cabrera always knew that he wanted to be a baseball player. He grew up next to a baseball field in Venezuela, and most of his family played the game. Miguel became a star with the Florida Marlins, helping the team win the World Series in 2003. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2008 and has become one of the most-feared sluggers in the game. In 2012, Miguel became the first player in 45 years to win the Triple Crown in the American League. Learn how Miguel went from a small field in Venezuela to the top of the baseball world.

Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has been one of Major League Baseball's (MLB) best players for more than ten years. But Ichiro was a star in Japan long before he came to the United States. When he joined the Seattle Mariners in 2001, Ichiro became one of the most famous athletes in the world. He also proved he was one of the best in the world when he notched his 2,500th MLB hit in 2012. Ichiro joined the New York Yankees during the 2012 season, and his star has never shined more brightly.

Derek Jeter dreamed of playing for the New York Yankees for as long as he could remember. When the team made Derek the sixth pick in the 1992 draft, his dream became a reality. With the Yankees winning the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009, Derek has become a fan favorite and one of baseball's most respected players. When he passed Lou Gehrig to become the Yankees' all-time leader in hits in 2009, Derek proved that he was a Yankees legend and one of the game's greatest players. Follow Derek's amazing journey to the top of the baseball world.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has had incredible success playing at the highest levels of football. Andrew helped Stanford University win the Orange Bowl in 2010. He could have gone to the National Football League (NFL) after the season, but Andrew returned to Stanford to get his degree. He was chosen by the Colts with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Andrew quickly made his new team a winner. Learn more about this young quarterback with a bright future.

Carmelo Anthony has had an incredible basketball career. As a freshman at Syracuse University in 2003, he led his team to victory in the national championship game. Next Carmelo joined the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Denver Nuggets for the 2003-2004 season. As one of the best scorers in basketball, he helped turn the Nuggets into a winning team. Carmelo loves playing in front of his hometown fans after being traded to the New York Knicks during the 2010-2011 season. Learn more about one of the NBA's biggest stars.

Richard Sherman is so good at defending passing plays that quarterbacks avoid throwing the ball in his direction. His incredible ability to smother opposing wide receivers helped the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl in 2014. Richard is a big talker, and he's known for his brash personality on the field. Players and fans also know him as one of the best and most intelligent players in the National Football League (NFL).