The World Series is the most enduring showcase in American team sports. It's the place where legends are made, where celebration and devastation can hinge on a fly ball off a foul pole or a grounder beneath a first baseman's glove. And there's no one better to bring this rich history to life than New York Times national baseball columnist Tyler Kepner. In seven scintillating chapters, Kepner delivers an indelible portrait of baseball's signature event. He digs deep for essential tales dating back to the beginning in 1903, adding insights from Hall of Famers like Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Jim Palmer, Dennis Eckersley, and many others who have thrived-and failed-when it mattered most. Why do some players, like Madison Bumgarner, Derek Jeter, and David Ortiz, crave the pressure? How do players handle a dream that comes up short? What's it like to manage in the World Series, and what are the secrets to building a champion? Kepner celebrates unexpected heroes like Bill Wambsganss, who pulled off an unassisted triple play in 1920, probes the mysteries behind magic moments, and busts some longtime myths. The Grandest Stage is the ultimate history of the World Series, the perfect gift for all fans who feel their hearts pounding in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7.