In three years at the University of Michigan in the mid-1940s, Don Lund won nine varsity letters. And although he made his mark with the Wolverines in both football and basketball, Lund's long-term impact came in baseball.

A book, written by Ann Arbor businessman James Robert Irwin, chronicles his journey.

"Playing Ball With Legends: The Story and Stories of Don Lund" follows Lund though his Major League playing career and baseball jobs at Michigan and with the Detroit Tigers.

Irwin, Lund and former Detroit Tigers catcher and Michigan baseball coach Bill Freehan will appear at a book signing at Barnes and Noble at 3235 Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor on Oct. 10 from 2-5 p.m.

Lund was a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears, but chose to play professional baseball beginning in 1945. He spent time the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns and Tigers before shifting gears.

He led Michigan to the 1962 national championship before being hired as the Tigers' farm director, working extensively with the Tigers' 1968 World Series title team. Lund, who is one of five Michigan players to have their number retired, returned to Ann Arbor, where he worked as an associate athletic director before retiring in 1992.

He is the only person to serve the same major league club as a player, scout, coach and member of the front office staff.

"After my father, Don Lund is the most important man in my life," Freehan said in a release issued regarding the book signing. "Don was the one who taught us how to win - both on and off the field."

Lund was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Honor as well as the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Irwin is the chief executive officer of Wolverine Technical Staffing and has spent 30 years working in information systems.