PLAY BALL! A new book on a Little Rock sports legend, titled Brooks: The Biography of Brooks Robinson, by Doug Wilson was released earlier this week by Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St.
Martin’s Press. Described as the first complete biography of the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer and Central High graduate, the book recounts the third baseman’s life from his early days to winning a record 16 straight Gold Gloves for his work on baseball’s hot corner. Robinson, awarded the American League’s Most Valuable Player distinction in 1964, is also credited with his huge contributions to the Orioles’ 1970 World Series victory, in which he was named the series MVP. He was once even the subject of a Norman Rockwell painting.
The book is available at amazon.com for $20.26 for hardcover and $11.04 for the Kindle edition.
Wilson, an ophthalmologist, lifelong baseball fan and member of the Society for American Baseball Research, lives in Columbus, Ind. He has written two other books, Fred Hutchinson and the 1964 Cincinnati Reds and The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych.
MUSICAL NOTES: According to pollstar.com, country star Blake Shelton, who’s also a coach on NBC’s reality show The Voice, will be making a concert stop at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock on June 22. The pollstar listing includes The Band Perry, Neal McCoy and Dan + Shay in the lineup.
COVER GIRL: Little Rock-based designer Tobi Fairley’s work will grace the cover of the April issue of Traditional Home magazine.
Inside, an 11-page spread featuring her designs will be showcased. The magazine is set to hit newsstands Monday, with subscribers receiving it earlier.
CELEBRATING HISTORY: This year marks the Quapaw Quarter Association’s 50th Spring Tour of Historic Homes.
In celebration, a pre-tour event will be held in which past tour chairmen will be recognized. The private, nonprofit organization has compiled a list of all tour chairmen and has located nearly all of them still living. The whereabouts of six, however, remain unknown by those currently connected to the group.
They are: Mary McCall and Richard Stephens (1978 tour); Jane Brooke (1981 tour); Tricia Arnold (1983 tour); and Marilyn Thornhill and Helen Hines (1993 tour).
The association asks that anyone having information on any of those listed call (501) 371-0075.
NAVAL HONORS: Searcy native and Cryptologic Technician Collections 1st Class James R. Lee Jr. has been named the Naval Education Training Command’s 2013 Sailor of the Year.
Lee, an instructor at the Center for Information Dominance Learning Site in San Diego, was chosen for the honor from more than 8,000 sailors within the command’s domain.
Lee’s recognition follows the recent announcement of Little Rock native and Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremiah D. McArthur, with the future USS Jackson, being named 2013 Shore Sailor of the Year by the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Arkansas, Pages 13 on 03/09/2014