Catch Yankees' Dave Winfield (and his new book) at these NJ events

What isn't there to know about Dave Winfield?

After all, he was the star center fielder for the New York Yankees throughout most of the 1980s, where he played in a World Series, almost won a batting title, and famously feuded with the team's competitive and controversial owner, George Steinbrenner. That battle with "The Boss" threatened to end Winfield's career and led to Steinbrenner being banned from baseball in 1990 (repealed after two years) after the owner paid gambler Howard Spira $40,000 to find dirt on Winfield.

Winfield is a 12-time All-Star in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but could have been in the Basketball or even Football Hall of Fame, as one of only three professional athletes drafted by four sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, and ABA).

But as Winfield said in a recent interview with NorthJersey.com about his new book, "Touching All the Bases: A Story of Power, Purpose, and Surviving the Bronx," co-authored with veteran journalist and NJ resident Alan Maimon (Matt Holt Books; 288 pg. $31; Sept. 15), there is so much more readers will learn than what has been reported, from his upbringing in St. Paul, Minnesota to the Steinbrenner feud to the present day.

However, he teased while speaking to NorthJersey.com reporter: "You have to read the book."

The former Fort Lee and Teaneck resident, who has authored five books, will be appearing at several locations in North Jersey to promote the book:

Sept. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., book signing at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, 8 Yogi Berra Dr., Little Falls. Tickets are $40, including admission and the book.

Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon, book signing and meet-and-greet at Books & Greetings, 271 Livingston Street, Northvale. Attendees must purchase a book or ticket to enter. For more details, call the store at (201) 784-2665. Then, at 1 p.m., he will be appearing at Bookends, 211 E Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood. Attendees need to purchase a book for entry. For more information, visit book-ends.org .

The following is a transcript of a phone interview with Winfield, edited for space and clarity.

I led a very interesting life, and I just felt it was time to share a lot of this. People think that they know what my life and career were all about, but they really don't. There are a lot of stories, a lot of experiences. Things in sports, labor issues, and life experiences I needed to tell.

There are many stories and experiences my family has never heard, friends never heard, and guys I played with never heard.

What was the most difficult part of writing the book?

I think getting it right. Make sure I tell the truth, connect the dots, and have it in my voice. I think it was the most important part. When you work with somebody like a writer, they don't necessarily know your voice. They may know something about your experience, but they may not know something about your voice.

What was your favorite part of writing this book?

Sharing with people that I was just a kid with a dream, that I wanted to be a professional baseball player by the time I was 12 years old. Once I was in that process and I was living that dream, there were a lot of adversities, from injuries to not playing or accomplishing what I set out to do in a couple of games. I think I'm very happy at this point; people will see me for who I really am.

What was your favorite moment with the Yankees?

I think the guys I played with. There was a connection between some of the Yankees' past and history. To be able to interact with guys like Yogi Berra, who was my manager for a bit. You just sit and talk with Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio.

I just enjoyed playing with a number of good players. We had some good teams. We didn't always have great pitching. Offensively, we had some good teams; we had some good guys. The fans were behind us everywhere we traveled.

Looking back as you did in this memoir, do you regret playing for the New York Yankees?

No. To have a chance to play for a historical team, a chance to win it all. The things I was looking for, I was hoping for. It was a big piece of my life. I had high ambitions for it. To be detoured, for those things I couldn't predict. I wouldn't wish it on anybody.

What is it like coming back to North Jersey to talk about the book and meet fans?

I always come back to New York and New Jersey three or four times a year. You can see it's quite a busy schedule. I have never been to the Yogi Berra Center. Looking forward to it. Seeing a lot of people.

What do you hope readers take away from reading this book?

First of all, they know me much better. They see what it took to create a legendary career from far-from-normal circumstances. I think most people will enjoy it. I was glad to download these stories and experiences and share them with people.

Ricardo Kaulessar covers Jersey City, including race, immigration, and culture, for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.