THE GEORGE FOSTER STORY

The author of last year's Tom Seaver follows slugger George Foster from a shy, small-for-his-age childhood through seasons of adversity--a trade to the Reds after his first season with the worshipped Giants, demotion to the minors after a year with the Reds--to his Most Valuable Player award in 1977 and a three-year record for home runs and RBIs. ""What felt best was my spiritual growth over the year,"" says Foster of the MVP, and the book ends with his reign as Most Valuable Person at his hometown Baptist church's George Foster Day. In an introduction, straight-living Foster prescribes confidence, faith, discipline, patience, and a few other qualities including concern for others as ingredients for success. A big order, a small book--for the role-model market.