Books can inspire and irritate. Here are a couple of books that should fit the bill.
Former Southern Utah University basketball player Dax Crum was born with only one hand, but rose to sports success.
In his new book, "Relentless," Crum discusses the drive that led him to endless possibilities in sports and life. He played college soccer and basketball and now coaches on the Davis High School staff.
Another recently released book, "A Bitter Cup of Coffee; How MLB & The Players Association Threw 874 Retirees A Curve" will likely leave you steamed.
Written by Doug Gladstone, the book focuses on a group of former big-league ballplayers denied pensions as a result of the failure of both the league and the union to make things right when they granted pension rights in 1980.
Since 1980, all a ballplayer needs is one day of service credit for health insurance and 43 days of service credit for a pension.
Nearly 900 ballplayers who played prior to 1980 made brief appearances -- for the proverbial "Cup of Coffee" in the big leagues, and have been denied pensions.
Two men affected by the situation are Utahns George Theodore (Mets) and Bruce Christensen (Angels). Another Utahn, the late Jay Van Noy was also part of that group.
Van Noy, the Garland native and Utah State phenom, played just six games in the majors in 1940. He just died in November in Logan.
There are reports that this issue will soon be resolved in the ballplayers' favor. Let's hope so. You can find out more at www.abittercupofcoffee.com.
Hall of famers
While LaVell Edwards will get the most attention, the Utah State athletic hall of fame is a prestigious group indeed.
Besides Edwards, who played at Utah State, the inductees include track star Jerry Cerulla, basketball standout Dean Hunger, football stars Rick Parros and Henry King as well as the 1980 and 1981 Aggie softball teams that won back-to-back national championships.
The group will be honored Sept. 9 in Logan.
Tidbits
We note the passing of former Roy High coach/teacher Claine Stenquist, who died Sunday at age 65. ...
Montana State leads the 2010-11 Sterling Savings Bank Big Sky Conference Presidents' Cup race. ... The Professional Bull Riders recently named Jim Haworth as its CEO. ...
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association named BYU senior guard Jimmer Fredette is one of 10 finalists for the 2011 Oscar Robertson Trophy, to be presented to the national player of the year. ...
Rocky Mountain Raceways recently announced Gary Madsen as the ddirector of racing operations for RMR's ASA Super Oval.
Chris J. Miller is sports editor for the Standard-Examiner. He can be reached at 801-625-4261 or cmiller@standard.net.
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