The Anatomy of Competition in Sports: The Struggle for Success in Major US Professional Leagues

(Hardback)

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Description

Thousands of children across the United States dream of becoming professional athletes, yet less than one in a thousand high school seniors will go on to play in a major pro league. Of those select few, many will find that after a childhood of full-time commitment to their sport, their professional careers will likely be brief and injury-ridden. Within each of the top professional leagues in the U.S., the competition is fierce to not only get into the league, but to stay therethe average career in the National Basketball Association lasts less than five years, and in the National Football League only three and a half. The Anatomy of Competition in Sports: The Struggle for Success in Major US Professional Leagues examines the role competition plays in each of the major sports leagues in the United States: Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Soccer (MLS). In order to provide a comprehensive review of competition within each sport, Christopher B. Doob scrutinizes the challenges faced at the youth level, opposition encountered by individuals competing to join a pro league, the obstacles pros must overcome throughout their careers, and the history of each league. Furthermore, Doob dissects competition across the sports by looking at such common influences as family, school, colleges, the draft process, coaches, and the playing conditions within the professional leagues. An additional chapter examines so-called atypical prossuch as disabled athletes, gay and lesbian players, and two-sport proswho must face competitive challenges beyond the average athlete. A final chapter discusses life after the pros, including the legacy of debilitating injuries many former players face and the prospects of post-retirement jobs, such as coaching, managing, and broadcasting. Highlighting the struggles many athletes must face, The Anatomy of Competition in Sports features vignettes about current and past professionals, including Mariano Rivera, Earl Campbell, Candace Parker, and Sidney Crosby. Drawing on diverse sources such as histories of each league, research studies, newspaper accounts, and personal narratives, this book is simultaneously thought-provoking and accessible for all sports fans.

Reviews

The Anatomy of Competition in Sports: The Struggle for Success in Major US Professional Leagues . . . [is] filled with interesting facts about major American sports, the text also includes a multiplicity of clichs offered by athletes about their sports. Doob's book is a great introduction for the sports neophyte. Even those experienced in the field will find something of value in this work. Some may find the book an inspiration to explore some of the issues presented in more depth. * New York Journal of Books *
You should get a copy especially if you have a youngster . . . or if youre just curious to learn more about what makes pros take the anatomy of competition in sports. * ESPN Radio *
Its a fascinating book in talking about youth sports. . . . The book is The Anatomy of Competition in Sports. So many great things to talk about! Pick up a book, youll pick it up and youre not going to put it down until youve gone through it and read everything. Theres so many relatable stories. . . . This is an excellent book. . . . Christopher, I love the book! * This Week in America with Ric Bratton *
I love this book . . . After reading various books Ive never seen anyone that wrote exactly what it takes to be a professional athlete. . . .If youre a sports fan, you should get this book. If youre just someone who wants to read about history, I would get this book also. . . .This is really a great book. * BlogTalkRadio: The Root and Roots Show *
In this really interesting book, the author Christopher Doob examines what life is like in the arenas of various major league enterprises . . . It is a most intriguing look at what life is like in the upper echelons of these particular team sports. . . .[This] is a fascinating book from start to finish and I am so glad that weve had the chance to explore it. * WGTD-The Morning Show *
One of the most intriguing books that Ive read in a long long time that takes a look at sports, takes a look at people who rise to play in the sports, and actually gives you a real good foothold into what goes in the minds of the executives in these sports when they start looking at professional talent. . . .Get a copy of this book The Anatomy of Competition in Sports. [It's] a great read. Rowman & Littlefield is the publisher and they dont publish anything but great stuff. * WHEN-AM: Spadora on Sports with Pete Spadora *
It is a compelling read that delves into the nature of competition within the nations major sports, all six of them, and the long journey to the pros. * The Big E Sports Show with Elissa Walker Campbell *
Please, read the book. Go to order it on line. * The Sports Corner *
Chris is the author of a new book entitled The Anatomy of Competition in Sports. It is a fascinating read, and it gets into many of the major sports in this country. . . .This book surprised me in many, many ways. It is much deeper, it delves into issues that are critical, that are far beyond the negatives. . . .This is an amazing book. It was a quick read. In its own way, it was a page turner. I really, really want people to read Chapter 7, which is titled 'Life after Game Days: A Wrenching Experience' So many different treasure troves in this book entitled The Anatomy of Competition in Sports, and I couldnt recommend it enough. Im just thrilled, Christopher Doob, that you could make the time to be with us this morning. . . .A very special book, a special segment. It explores issues that we dont normally talk about. Im glad that we could have this conversation. * Tony Trupiano: The Voice of the People *
The Anatomy of Competition in Sport is a sports book for the sports fan, but fortunately it pushes beyond that limit and delves into something much deeper struggle. Why is it that we marvel at these humans Yes, they are seemingly superhuman, but human nonetheless. Why is it that the comeback is so much more compelling than the blowout For us, its the struggle. Its knowing what some people are willing to endure to succeed, and the lengths they will go to win. How does you go about understanding competition Well, this book is a good start. * RotoRob *

Author Bio

Christopher B. Doob is professor emeritus of sociology at Southern Connecticut State University. He is the author of a number of books, including Racism: An American Cauldron (1998), Sociology: An Introduction (1999), and Social Inequality and the Social Stratification in US Society (2013).