The Gym

Jack Doherty is a walking mid-life crisis. Overweight and lonely, newly-divorced after a spectacular act of infidelity on the part of his wife and close to losing his job as a hotshot newspaper columnist, he joins a gym hoping for an existential do-over, if not washboard abs and bulging biceps. Another shot at romance wouldn’t hurt, either.

One day a mysterious new member shows up: an incredibly-fit octogenarian who seemingly defies the ravages of age. Anthony Maldon does grueling one-handed chin-ups, withering jump-rope routines, amazing cartwheels and backflips—all without breaking a sweat. No one has ever seen anything like this geezer phenom.

But Jack and his new workout buddies soon learn that Tony Maldon harbors a dark secret: 30 years earlier, he committed a horrific crime that earned him national notoriety, a long stretch in the slammer and the singular nickname “Oven Mitts.” Like Jack, “Oven Mitts” seeks his own form of redemption in this darkly-comic tale. And when the two are thrown together in a high-stakes fitness competition, an unlikely bond forms between the enigmatic ex-con and the struggling journalist, who just might walk away with the biggest story of his career.

Bleeding Blue: Four Decades of Policing the Violent City of Baltimore

For nearly four decades, Gary McLhinney was in the forefront of the fight against crime in one of America’s most dangerous cities.

In this riveting new memoir, he recounts his decision to forgo the family business of firefighting for the thrill of “chasing bad guys down alleys” as a cop, his years working alongside the brave men and women of the Baltimore Police Department, and how the tragic line-of-duty deaths of so many of his fellow officers-and the needs of their grief-stricken families-eventually spurred him into serving as the longest-tenured head of the police union. Here, too, is the story of his days as chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the agency that protected the Port of Baltimore, BWI Marshall Airport and the state’s bridges, tunnels and toll roads in the tense years following the 911 terrorist attacks. Decrying the anti-law-enforcement mood so pervasive in this country, he also offers new thoughts on how the criminal justice system often fails to stand up for the victims of violent crimes, and on the essential, unequivocal truth that one can be pro-police and anti-racism at the same time.

U Must Be Cinderella!: Inside College Basketball’s Greatest Upset Ever and the Audacious School That Pulled It Off

Many call it the biggest upset in sports history. Bigger than the Jets over the Colts in Super Bowl III. Bigger than the U.S. hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” win over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Bigger than Buster Douglas’s stunning KO of Mike Tyson 10 years later.

When little-known UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) takes the floor against mighty Virginia in the first round of the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the whole world knows the Retrievers will lose. They’re 20 1/2-point underdogs. ESPN’s Power Basketball Index gives them a 1.5 per cent chance of winning. They’re a lowly 16-seed going against the overall no. 1-seed. And a 16 has never beaten a 1. Never, ever.

Yet on a magical weekend in Charlotte, N.C., the odds go up in flames. March Madness hits a whole new level. This is the dramatic story of the singular team that made bracket-busting history and thrilled a nation, and the school that headline writers and social media pundits were now calling – devoid of irony – “U MUST BE CINDERELLA!”

When The Crowd Didn’t Roar: How Baseball’s Strangest Game Ever Gave a Broken City Hope

The date is April 29, 2015. Baltimore is reeling from the devastating riots sparked by the death in police custody of twenty-five-year-old African American Freddie Gray. Set against this grim backdrop, less than thirty-six hours after the worst rioting Baltimore has seen since the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968, the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox take the field at Camden Yards. It is a surreal event they will never forget: the only Major League game until COVID ever played without fans. The eerily quiet stadium is on lockdown for public safety and because police are needed elsewhere to keep the tense city from exploding anew.

When the Crowd Didn’t Roar chronicles this unsettling contest—as well as the tragic events that led up to it and the therapeutic effect the game had on a troubled city. The story comes vividly to life through the eyes of city leaders, activists, police officials, and the media that covered the tumultuous unrest on the streets of Baltimore, as well as the ballplayers, umpires, managers, and front-office personnel of the teams that played in this singular game, and the fans who watched it from behind locked gates. In its own way, amid the uprising and great turmoil, baseball stopped to reflect on the fact that something different was happening in Baltimore and responded to it in an unprecedented way, making this the unlikeliest and strangest game ever played.

Way Down In the Hole: The Meteoric Rise, Tragic Fall and Ultimate Redemption of America’s Most Promising Cop

Ed Norris’ career arc was dazzling. He spent 20 years as a crime-fighting savant with the New York Police Department, rising from beat cop to deputy commissioner of operations at age 36. As police commissioner of Baltimore, he breathed life into a demoralized force that lowered the city’s infamous homicide count for the first time in a decade. After the 911 attacks, he took over the Maryland State Police and pushed innovative anti-terrorism strategies that made him a national leader in the field.

At the University of Virginia, they taught a graduate course about how his leadership techniques transformed one of the most violent cities in the country. He was the golden boy of law enforcement, a brash, larger-than-life figure with a taste for fine restaurants, bespoke clothing and fast motorcycles.

Then it all came crashing down. An investigation into a little-known police expense account morphed into what many felt was a politically-motivated hit job by federal prosecutors. Corruption charges were spiced with lurid allegations of pricey dinners with women and gifts purchased at Victoria’s Secret. Ed Norris protested his innocence, but landed in federal prison. Thus began the hellish ordeal that ultimately cost him his livelihood, reputation, health and marriage.

This is the incredible story of America’s most promising cop, the dark forces that brought him down and his long, emotional journey back from the abyss.

The Art of Crisis Leadership: Save Time, Money, Customers and Ultimately, Your Career

In today’s turbulent world, the issue isn’t if crisis will occur, but when. Do you know how to prepare for, navigate through and recover from crisis? Can you turn adversity into advantage? This book holds the key. In his decades on the core executive teams of the Baltimore Police Department, U.S. Department of Justice and for Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., Rob Weinhold learned a basic truism: the strengths and shortcomings of leaders are never more magnified than during life’s most difficult times. Weinhold flourishes in this space. Now, as chief executive of the highly-respected Fallston Group, a Baltimore-based crisis management & communications firm that guides leaders at every level, Weinhold shares the secrets of how to survive, then thrive, when the stakes are at their highest. A recognized crisis leadership expert who has appeared regularly on CNN, Fox, MSNBC and other national news outlets, Weinhold narrates the stories of real people and companies beset by social media attacks, sex scandals, financial distress, civic riots, active shooter situations, data breaches, natural disasters and other calamities. With each authentic story, he offers unique, yet proven, advice designed to help leaders remain steadfast and focused.

The Opening Act: Comedy, Life & the Desperate Pursuit of Happiness

Ever since he was a kid, Larry Noto dreamt of being a comic. And eventually his dream of a career in stand-up came true . . . sort of. He’s performed in New York and Las Vegas. He’s worked in TV and radio. He’s opened for the biggest names in the business, including Brian Regan, Lewis Black, Paul Reiser, Bob Saget and Richard Lewis. But while he’s been lucky to hone his comedy chops with the greats, Larry admits he never really went for it. Never moved to Manhattan or L.A., never played every soul-sucking open-mic night and 1 a.m. gig in front of 50 drunks, hoping it would be his ticket to success. That’s what this book is about, too. It’s about having a dream, getting a taste of it, but always knowing you weren’t willing to risk it all to get to the very top. It’s about finding happiness in what you’ve accomplished, versus dwelling on what you haven’t. It’s about discovering a life purpose and defining success based on that – not the judgment or perception of others. It’s about remaining the opening act – and finally finding a quiet joy in oneself.

Hale Storm: The Incredible Saga of Baltimore’s Ed Hale, Including a Secret Life with the CIA

The most interesting man in the world? At times, Ed Hale made the Dos Equis guy look like a shut-in. Now for the first time, Hale’s inspiring story is told in the pages of Hale Storm. It’s a rollicking, inspirational tale like no other: a kid from gritty Sparrow’s Point, Md., has his fill of back-breaking work in the steel mill, thumbs his nose at college and sets off to seek his fortune. With an equal measure of brains and guts, he conquers the worlds of business and industry, buys an indoor soccer team, hobnobs with princes, politicians and heads of state, works covertly for the Central Intelligence Agency, dates a succession of astonishingly beautiful women and builds an iconic tower in the midst of the grimy Baltimore waterfront that helps transform acres of forlorn industrial ruin into a thriving neighborhood. The tough times are chronicled here, too: Hale’s swings and misses on two turbulent marriages, his history-making divorce from his first wife, union problems and death threats, the plane crashes he survived, the business deals that went sour, the distinctive tower he was forced to sell and the heart-wrenching decision to walk away from the beloved bank that he founded and nurtured for so many years. It’s a singular story of an American original that readers won’t want to miss.

Last Call At the 7-Eleven: Fine Dining at 2 A.M., The Search for Spandex People, and Other Reasons to Go On Living

“The country might be going to hell in a hand-basket, but don’t close the garage doors and sit there with the engine running until you read this collection of sardonic, off-the-wall pieces on modern life by one of America’s best humorists. Described as “”another Dave Barry, only with a lot less going for him,”” Baltimore Sun columnist Kevin Cowherd sizzles as he tackles such loopy subjects as:-Larry King’s interview with God (“”El Paso, Texas, you’re on the air with the Almighty… “”-Fine dining at a 7-Eleven at 2 a.m. (“”Moving briskly past the Test-Your-Blood-Pressure machine and the Hormel chili section, we arrive at the rack of Slim Jims.””)-$20 million lottery winners who insist on keeping their jobs (“”Oh yeah, I’ll be back at Mr. Tire first thing in the morning.””)-The joys of backyard wiffleball (“”Wiffleball is for anyone willing to shrug off a full speed collision with a tool shed and six months of subsequent blackouts just to snare a grounder up the middle.””)-Thanksgiving dinner with Howard Stern (“”Yo, sweetie, pass the cranberry sauce. What are you, stupid? Only a friggin’ moron would pass the mashed potatoes when I asked for the cranberry sauce.””)-Modest people looking for love in the personals (“”5-foot-9 guy with spare tire, bags under his eyes, not much of a chin, looks like your grocer, seeks woman.””).”

Hothead (Book 1)

Connor Sullivan is an All-Star shortstop on his Babe Ruth team, the Orioles. He can hit and field with the best of them, but he’s got one big problem: his temper. When he strikes out or makes an error, he’s a walking Mt. Vesuvius, slamming batting helmets and throwing gloves. His teammates are starting to avoid him, even his best friend Jordy. His coach is ready to kick him off the team. To make matters worse, things aren’t much better at home. His dad is having trouble finding a new job after being laid off. Money is tight. Connor’s dream of attending the prestigious Brooks Robinson Baseball Camp this summer seems like just that now – a dream. When the sports editor of the school paper threatens to do a big story on his tantrums – complete with embarassing photos – Connor realizes he has to clean up his act. But can he do it in time to regain his teammates’ trust and help the Orioles win the championship against the best team in the league?

Super Slugger (Book 2)

A powerful tale of body positivity in sports by legendary short-stop and a veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin.

Cody Parker is the new kid in school. He’s overweight, scared and hates his new life in Dullsville, Maryland, aka Baltimore, where he’s a target okay, a big target for brutal teasing. But he loves baseball. And despite his size, he plays third base like a dream. Too bad he’s competing for the starting job on the Orioles of the Dulaney Babe Ruth League against budding hoodlum Dante Rizzo, who vows to squeeze Cody’s head like a grape if he beats him out. Life gets even more complicated when Cody’s school, York Middle, is beset by a rash of mysterious thefts, a crime wave that threatens to sideline Cody and ruin a golden season for the Orioles. Will Cody ever succeed in getting people to see him for who he really is?

Wild Pitch (Book 3)

Robbie Hammond is the hardest throwing pitcher in the Babe Ruth League. But what good is all that heat when he can’t seem to find the plate? With Robbie struggling, the Orioles are suffering through a nightmare season, still looking for their first win. Robbie’s teammates are whispering that the only reason he’s even pitching is because he’s the coach’s kid. They’ve even given him a new nickname: Ball Four.

What the other Orioles don’t know is that Robbie is still haunted by a fastball that got away from him and injured a batter in last year’s All-Star Game. Now, with the pressure mounting, he’s willing to try anything to get his control back, including listening to a mysterious boy who just might hold the key to helping Robbie?and the Orioles?save their season. 

This third action-packed book in Cal Ripken Jr.’s All-Star series will have readers on the edge of their seats as they root for Robbie’s comeback.

Squeeze Plays (Book 4)

Another hilarious and action-packed home run by legendary short-stop and a veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin.

Corey Maduro should be thrilled about the Orioles going to the big Grand Slam Tournament. But whenever he thinks about playing, he feels sick. For one thing, he’s in a monster hitting slump, which shows no signs of ending. Then there’s Katelyn Moss, who thinks she deserves Corey’s center field job and tries to outdo him at everything.

But Corey’s biggest problem is his dad, who turns into a howling, wild-eyed maniac at his son’s games. Joe Maduro ridicules the other team, gets in shouting matches with parents, and screams at the umps when calls don’t go the Orioles’ way. It’s so embarrassing Corey wants to crawl into a hole-except Katelyn would probably dig a better hole and make him feel worse.

Out at Home (Book 5)

Two rivals threaten to tear a championship season apart in this show-stopper by legendary short-stop and a veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin.

Mickey Labriogla is the best catcher in the league. He’s got a cannon for an arm, calls a great game, and blocks the plate like a bulldozer with shin guards. But when a hotshot new pitcher joins the Dulaney Orioles, Mickey wonders if it isn’t time to find another position — or maybe another team. Zoom’s the most arrogant player the Orioles have ever seen. But even Coach Labriogla, Mickey’s dad, seems in awe of the kid’s talent and willing to overlook his insufferable behavior. When Mickey and Zoom find themselves rivals for the attention of the mysterious Abby Elliott, who works the concession stand, any chance the two teammates can get along goes out the window.

As the Orioles head to a seemingly-inevitable showdown in the new “Super-Regional” against Zoom’s old team, the powerful Laurel Yankees, the clash between Mickey and Zoom threatens to derail the team’s season.

The Closer (Book 6)

The final book in the out-of-the-park series by legendary short-stop and a veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin.

Danny Connolly is a back-up pitcher with the Dulaney Orioles. He knows what that means: not good enough to start. When he does get into games, he hasn’t exactly been the shut-down reliever the team needs. To make matters worse, he’s playing in the shadow of his older brother, Joey, a lights-out high school lefty with a 90-mph fastball who’s attracting lots of attention from college recruiters and major league scouts. It’s bad enough that Danny’s parents seem to fawn over Joey and barely talk about what Danny does in his games. But now, as his big brother’s mound exploits draw more and more attention, Danny’s starting to get the why-aren’t-you-as-good-as-Joey comments from the Orioles, too. The pressure to live up to Joey’s success is stifling.

Lonely and frustrated, Danny embarks on a secret project designed to make his family and teammates sit up and take notice. Aided by a mysterious stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the aerodynamics of a thrown baseball, he attempts to learn a new pitch. A pitch no one has ever seen before. The clock is ticking on Danny as the O’s try to repeat as league champions. But if his audacious plan works and he can master the magical fluttering pitch known as “The Terminator,” he’ll soon be the talk of the league — and the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need.