Books in Heroes and Legends series

Derek Jeter had always wanted to play shortstop for the New York Yankees. When he was a senior in high school, the Yankees drafted him and his dream came true. In the next few years, he went from homesick minor leaguer to American League Rookie of the Year. Find out how a kid from Kalamazoo, Michigan, became an All-Star sensation!Presents the life and accomplishments of the New York Yankee's shortstop, who joined the major leagues in 1996.

" Think you know all there is to know about Josh Gibson? Well, did you know that: *Gibson made 75 home runs in 1931?*Gibson's home runs often soared more than 500 feet? *In spite of his talent, Gibson never played for a major league baseball team? Josh Gibson is known to many as one of the best baseball players¯and possibly the best hitter, of all time. For many years, baseball fans overlooked Gibson's accomplishments because he was never able to play in the major leagues. When Gibson played baseball in the 1930s and 1940s, African Americans were not allowed to play on major league teams. As a member of two of the best Negro league teams¯the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Homestead Grays¯Gibson's celebrity grew. According to legend, Gibson was the only ballplayer to ever hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium. While that story has never been proven and the details are uncertain, Gibson's reputation as a power hitter and outstanding ballplayer is fact. "

Alex Rodriguez was born in New York City, only a few miles from Yankee Stadium. He grew up in the Dominican Republic and Miami, Florida, playing baseball whenever he could. Since he was drafted in 1993, Alex has played for the Seattle Mariners, the Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees. He has an amazing combination of offensive and defensive skills, and he is one of baseballs highest-paid playe...