SawxBlog

Professor Baseball: Searching for Redemption and the Perfect Lineup on the Softball Diamonds of Central Park: Book Review

Not only am I a large fan of baseball and the Red Sox, but I've also come to grow to appreciate the purity that can lie in the play of competitive softball. During the spring, summer, and fall months I play on two separate teams in two different leagues all around Boston and beyond. For obvious reasons, most regular guys and girls don't play professional baseball, and the only real alternative if you do want to play some competitive ball is through softball. It was an odd switch for me at first, and everything from the size of the ball and speed of the game seemed like a dramatic change for me, however I got used to it, and like I said, really grew to appreciate the game.

When I received a copy of Edwin Amenta's book Professor Baseball to review I was curiously excited because it was not only of a different vein from most books I read and reviewed here, but it also seemed like a book that I should be able to relate to. After first starting to read the book I was definitely drawing myself in, however by the time I was about half way through I felt as if I was forcing myself to read on.

The book is all true and based around Amenta's many different softball leagues, with sprinkles of wrinkles that were happening in his life at the time, and this is where the book went wrong in my opinion. Since Edwin was in so many different softball leagues it seemed as if every other paragraph he was introducing and explaining a whole new character or teammate. This happened so often that you ended up blurring who was on what team and in what league with him and it just seemed to be lacking a focal point to be driven towards. I didn't even see myself really rooting for his teams to win, and to be honest, there seemed to be a lot of whining going on throughout.

I think Edwin could've written a more cohesive book if he stuck to one league and one team that was actually interesting and that he actually had some sort of relationship with. I play pick-up basketball all the time down the street, and I know a lot the guys through that, however I don't really know them or hang out with them outside of the court, and the same could be said to be true with Amenta and his teammates. Even in his own book his teammates didn't seem to really like him, which was odd.

Overall: 3/10

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The Fade-away: Book Review

The Fade-away by author George Jansen was a book that I wasn't expecting to really grip me, however it did. I've only reviewed a few books on SawxBlog that are baseball fiction, and the Fade-away is right near the top as far as how entertaining, and creative it was written.

The Fade-away take's place in 1900 in California in what is still a fairly wild west. The book revolves around a mysterious Native American who literally washes up upon a small towns shores. The book revolves as much around the differences between fellow man as it does around the game of baseball. The Native American, Chief Dobbs, was a black balled former major league pitcher (remember now, this is fiction) who joins the local Port Newton baseball club and helps return the club to its past glory.

One of my favorite parts of this book was how accurate it is to the time period as well as how creatively it was written. Each and every chapter is written from a different point of view from different characters throughout the town. From Chief Dobbs roommate, to the town doctor, a local lady, the sheriff, and the town newspaper itself.

My only regret with this book is that I left it on the T on my way home from work one day and wasn't able to finish it! This is a book that uses baseball as a focal point, however the story lines go much deeper then that, touching on race and humanity as a whole. It was a pleasant surprise to read, and a book I would suggest to others.

Overall: 8.5/10

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The Great Fenway Park Writers Series presents Tim Kurkjian

Seeing the two World Series trophies together was a beautiful sight indeed. (SawxBlog Photo - Derek Hixon)

Last night I attended another wonderful event that was put on by George Mitrovich and The Great Fenway Park Writers Series. The event was held in the State Street Pavilion section in Fenway Park, and as you can see from the above photo, the event got started off on the best foot possible! They had on display both World Series trophies along with their AL Champion counterparts and it truly was a beautiful sight. I'm sure a good portion of you were able to see the trophy after 2004, however seeing both together was pretty daunting indeed.

The guest of honor for the night is one of my favorite writers and analyst's in the baseball community, Mr. Tim Kurkjian, who is currently promoting his new book "Is This a Great Game, or What?" which will be read and reviewed here on SawxBlog shortly. Before Tim spoke to the crowd on hand the chairman of the Writers Series, Mr. George Mitrovich, welcomed everyone to the event (which included among others former Governor Michael Dukakis) and introduced the official poet laureate of Red Sox Nation, Mr. Dick Flavin. Flavin went on to read his latest poem, a tribute to the 2007 Boston Red Sox that literally had people howling and standing upon the conclusion. Flavin's has to be considered one of the characters of RSN that help make us stand out and be a little different, and that's beyond a good thing. Please click here to read some of Dick's poems, and check back soon to read the latest one he read last night.

After Dick's poem George went on to introduce a writer we're all very familiar with here in the Bean, the Boston Globe's very own, Gordon Edes. Gordon went on to tell some hilarious stories about Tim that he knew from work on the job, and that were also relayed to him by co-worker Dan Shaughnessy. It was a pleasure to hear and see Edes speak, albeit briefly, because he's probably become my favorite local writer that we have in Boston. After Edes was done, it was finally time to hear and see the man of the hour, Tim Kurkjian.

Kurkjian hit the ground running and totally had control of the crowd from the moment that he took a hold of the microphone. Tim may be a small guy in person, however Tim may be one of the largest
& true fans of the game I've ever seen speak. His love, knowledge, and passion for the game is unbelievable, and it gives crazy baseball obsessed guys like me a little hope to think that we may not be alone in this thing. I can't convey enough how smart and genuine Kurkjian presented himself, and it made the feeling around the room infectious. With the stories and stats that were rattling off of his mouth like a machine gun Kurkjian was part-comedian, part-statistician, part-historian, and all fan.

The stories he told about baseball and the people who make up the game have me itching to start reading his book, however I have to finish the one I'm currently reading (Baseball Prospectus Baseball Between the Numbers) which I really, really like, but it just goes to show you what a great orator Tim is. I spoke briefly with him after the event and he was as humble and kind as you could expect and I hope someday down the line I'd be in another position to have a conversation (baseball related hopefully!) with him.

Again, I can't say enough about these events that George Mitrovich puts on, and if you haven't attended one yet, and you love the game, I suggest you check it out. The next event, which I'll hopefully be attending, is on January 31st to celebrate and recognize the life of Jackie Robinson. It's rumored that Bill Russell will be at this event, so mark your calenders, should be another great night for the Fenway Park Writers Series, it always seems to be.

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I took a few more photos of the event, and also have a sneak peak for you all to look at the changes being done already to Fenway Park. The field and mound is all chewed up and all the bleacher seats are gone now, which is beyond a bizarre thing to look at.

Click here to view more photos of the Event & Fenway Park

Maple Street Press Red Sox Annual 2007: Book Review

A couple of weeks ago when I was traveling Ecuador I often found myself without internet, T.V, or American papers and those times I found myself putting down my Hemingway and picking up a copy of the Maple Street Press Red Sox Annual 2007. This help me semi-cure my baseball fix needs, and also schooled me on some things Red Sox I was not aware of.

This may seem a little late to write a review on an annual as we're already about 1/3 of the way through the season, however the Maple Street Press Red Sox Annual 2007 isn't a normal type of annual. This is an annual that is made in conjunction with the famous Sons Of Sam Horn Red Sox message board and Red Sox minded people alike, and it shows.

There's a lot of cool facts you wouldn't know otherwise like how the playing of "Dirty Water" came to be at Fenway Park after Red Sox victories and great insight into the players on the team. There's also a 40 year reflection on the 1967 impossible dream season which is certainly worth the read.

All in all this is an annual that could interest even the most hardcore of Red Sox fans, and one I hope to read for seasons to come.

Overall: 8/10

Have a baseball book you'd like reviewed on SawxBlog? Please e-mail webmaster@sawxblog.com for more information!

Boston Red Sox Baseball Puzzles: Book Review

John Milito's Boston Red Sox Baseball Puzzles is definitely one of the most unique baseball books we've "read" on SawxBlog and that's because we didn't really read it, we played it. The book isn't too large as it tops off at a slim 16 pages, however it does pack enough entertainment to keep the novice to expert Sox fan happy.

I first did some of the puzzles on the T with my girlfriend and the crossword we did together had easier questions for her, and some harder questions for me. All I have to say is that having Phil Plantier's name in a crossword is pretty fun.

I didn't really find any of the puzzles too challenging, however I did enjoy doing them all. There's a variety of Red Sox puzzles in the book from crosswords, word finds, fill-in-the-blanks, and more. The book is perfect for a coffee table, bathroom, or road trip and it will be light on your wallet at a cheap $4.95.

In the end the  puzzle book didn't blow me away, however it was fun enough, and did spark my brain to think about some Red Sox players of the past.

Click Here to purchase John Milito's Boston Red Sox Baseball Puzzles.

Overall: 6/10

Shoeless Joe: Book Review

Before I get to my review of W.P. Kinsella’s Shoeless Joe, I thought a little back story should be in order, so pull up a chair. A colleague and good friend of mine seemed rather impressed when he was over my apartment for the first time. You see, sitting on my windowsill, looking west of Beacon Street, he noticed what were around 30 books sitting upon the sill. Upon closer inspection he realized that all of the books were about baseball.

We got to talking and I told him how for the past three years or so the only books that I’ve read were about baseball, both fiction and non. My reasoning for this was that if I was planning on seriously doing this blog, I should know as much about the game that I love as I can. Thus became an obsession within an obsession for me. I was ravenous with my reading and couldn’t wait to finish one book to begin another. Aside from my knowledge of the game (and the ability to win a lot of barroom bets) I truly realized how poetic and deep the game of baseball is. I always said I loved the game but never realized how deeply my affection went.

This conversation obviously struck a chord with my friend, and on his way home he happened to come across a pile of books on the side of the road. In this pile was a book about baseball, a book entitle Shoeless Joe. He came into work the next day and placed the book on my desk, and I was very happy to receive it, albeit with a little hesitation.

You see, baseball isn’t my only obsession, and may not even be tops of the list. I’m not sure of the particular order (obviously family, girlfriend, and cat are omitted from this list) but what I truly love is baseball, music, reading, film, and the arts. With film and baseball on the list one of my favorite movies of all time is Field of Dreams, which is based on Shoeless Joe. When you like something a lot I feel you try your hardest not to taint it and that’s where my hesitation came to read this book.

I eventually got around to it, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Shoeless Joe and Field of Dreams follow the same path, however a lot of material wasn’t in the movie that was in the book, and this made the book very enjoyable. Kinsella’s writing was a lot more poetic then any of the other baseball books I’ve read, and it was truly refreshing to the eye and mind. Both the book and movie stand on their own high ground alone or together, however I honestly may like how the book was presented better.

There’s just something cooler about reading about J.D. Salinger then seeing Terrance Mann. (Make’s me wonder if W.P. Kinsella is an homage to J.D.) What this book did for me is realize how much I love to read again. The constant reading of baseball books was, believe it or not, starting to feel like a chore to me, and I think I forgot what some good fiction can be like.

It’s odd how I even have my books separated. On the Windowsill you see Montville, Halberstam, Schwarz, Bryant, Baseball Prospectus, and the like. And on another shelf you see Kerouac, Hemmingway, Robbins, Joyce, Vonnegut, Ferlinghetti, and the such.

Obviously I loved Shoeless Joe, and suggest it higher then any book I’ve reviewed on this site. The highest compliment I can give to it is that it’s rekindled my desire to read non-baseball books. This does not mean I’m done reading baseball books by any stretch of the imagination. I think I’ve created a great base, but I’m ready to branch out again, and I thank Kinsella for again combing two of my loves into one.

Overall: 10/10

Have a baseball book you'd like reviewed on SawxBlog? Please e-mail webmaster@sawxblog.com for more information!

Little League, Big Dreams: The Hope, the Hype and the Glory of the Greatest World Series Ever Played: Book Review

I have to say I was rather excited when I got word that I'd be receiving another baseball book (Little League, Big Dreams: The Hope, the Hype and the Glory of the Greatest World Series Ever Played) from author Charles Euchner. The last book I read by Euchner was The Last Nine Innings: Inside the Real Game Fans Never See and it was one of the best baseball books I've read. Upon realizing that his new book was about Little League baseball, and the Little League World Series, I was a little disappointed.

The book title was another major turnoff for me because there's no way that any LLWS tops a MLB WS. 1975 alone proves that. Euchner does do some fine research and you'll learn a lot about youth sports, and especially Little League Baseball, but I honestly have to say it's not a subject that interests me that greatly.

I played baseball growing up through the PONY league and that's pretty much where I leave the Little Leagues, in the past. It's undeniable that the Little League system has grown immensely popular (via ESPN)  and that it's a very large business, I just found that the book dragged a bit.

In the end it's an interesting look at a kids game that's now global and big money, but in the end I feel like the bar may have been set too high from The Last Nine Innings for this book to ever truly grab my attention.

Overall: 5/10

Have a baseball book you'd like reviewed on SawxBlog? Please e-mail webmaster@sawxblog.com for more information!

The Best Boston Sports Arguments: The 100 Most Controversial, Debatable Questions for Die-Hard Boston Fans: Book Review

Jim Caple & Steve Buckley's new book, The Best Boston Sports Arguments: The 100 Most Controversial, Debatable Questions for Die-Hard Boston Fans, is a winner on all fronts. It took me a little under a week to get through the entire 293 pages and I was left looking for more upon completion.

The point in which I knew this really was a good read is when I noticed my girlfriend reading chapters and talking to me about them. That's NEVER happened before and shows that either my brainwashing scheme on her is nearing completion or that it's a really an entertaining and fun read. Hesitantly I'd have to go with choice two here, choice one may be more wishful thinking on my part!

The book spans all Boston sports and subjects and reading it is like sitting over a good pint with a sports knowledgeable friend. You're not going to agree with everything here, but it will at least spark some mighty fun conversation.

I've read a few books like this, and where Neyer's Baseball Blunders went wrong, this goes right. The transition from topic to topic is smooth and nothing seems forced in here. The book's great to read strait through or to have on your coffee table or bathroom. That's my biggest compliment on this book, the versatility it has, and the connection it has with different levels of fans, and sports.

For the Red Sox fan they touch on numerous great topics, some obvious, some not, and they're ability to be opinionated and controversial makes it even that much more enjoyable. This is what WEEI would read like on it's best day ever, and I'm sure I'll be thumbing through the book again in the near future.

Overall: 9.5/10

Have a baseball book you'd like reviewed on SawxBlog? Please e-mail webmaster@sawxblog.com for more information!

The Curse of Carl Mays: Book Review

The great majority of baseball books that I read and review on SawxBlog are of the non-ficton variety and based on actual events that took place. In reading The Curse of Carl Mays author Howard Camerik does an extremely good job in blending the lore of fiction and non into a cohesive and entertaining novel.

The backdrop for the book is the 1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, however the story spans across numerous generation and times which really make the book a unique experience. The other main story that drives The Curse of Carl Mays is the tragic story of how former Red Sox/Yankee, Carl Mays, killed the only major leaguer in baseball history (Ray Chapman) back in August of 1920.

The books lead character, Pat McCarvill leads two completely different lives during the gestation of the book. One is as Boston's young, charismatic, and idealistic Mayor, and the other is as an embattled relief pitcher who is ending his career where it started, with the Boston Red Sox. The result of his life path, is based on the reversing of the Carl Mays tragedy. It's a real treat to see how  Camerik balances the two of these different outcomes.

Camerik is the real star of the book with his ability to keep all events from the different time periods factual, while making a very entertaining and interesting story. I honestly don't want to give away too much of the book because I recommend it that highly. This is Camerik's first book and you can truly tell it was a labor of love for him.

Red Sox fans will especially like this story, however there's so much other baseball facts and tidbits in this entertaining story that I think fans outside of the hub will appreciate it as well.

Overall: 9.5/10

Have a baseball book you'd like reviewed on SawxBlog? Please e-mail webmaster@sawxblog.com for more information!

The Great Fenway Park Writers Series presents Leigh Montville

(SawxBlog Photo - Derek Hixon)

I attended the The Great Fenway Park Writers Series yesterday afternoon to see Leigh Montville speak about his latest book, The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth, as well his previous book on Ted Williams. This is the second event put on by the The Great Fenway Park Writers Series that I've attended and I have to say it's a top notch affair.

I can't think of any better way for me to spend my lunch hour then in Fenway Park talking some baseball, while eating some great food. The featured speaker for this event was the great Leigh Montville who used to be a writer for the Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated, and is currently writing some of the best baseball books on the shelves.

The event kicked off with Dr. Charles Steinberg speaking about the event and the hard work its founder has put into The Great Fenway Park Writers Series, Mr. George Mitrovich. Steinberg was his normal charming self, and it's nice to be brushing shoulders with some of the Boston Red Sox elite.

George Mitrovich is a longtime friend of the Red Sox ownership from back in their days in San Diego, and is one of the primary reasons San Diego now has the beautiful Petco Park. Mr. Mitrovich spoke of the event and introduced some of the impressive people in attendance at the event. People there included former Governor and Presidential Hopeful Michael Dukakis, Sports Illustrated writer Ian Thompson, Peter Robey, director of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, a Babe Ruth look alike, among others. Mitrovich concluded by introducing my personal favorite sports writer for the Globe, Jackie MacMullan.

Jackie expressed how important Leigh Montville has been to her career, and how much she respects his preparation and skill. Her affection was dear, and it was nice to see how much she truly cared for Mr. Montville.

Lastly and most importantly was Mr. Montville. Montville has a vast knowledge and love for the game which is easy to see with his spouting off of stats and facts like they were common knowledge. He had a lot of interesting stories and quotes from two of baseball's demigod like personalities (Williams & Ruth), and it was a pleasure to hear them and feel as if you were a part of them. Montville was a genuinely nice person and I was lucky enough to speak with him before and after the event. He took honest interest in a young guy like me and the site, which was a true honor for me. I'll be sweating somewhere when and if he reads this, but it'll be a good sweat.

Attendees were given a copy of The Big Bam: The Life and Times of Babe Ruth and Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero as well as the latest copy of The Elysian Fields Quarterly, the only baseball quarterly of its kind. Mr. Montville autographed copies of his books, and people had the opportunity to get their picture taken with "The Babe" and World Series trophy.

I highly urge those of you with a love for the history of the game to attend these events. Baseball is the most poetic of sports and to be around like minded people who yearn to discuss, dissect, and speak about their passion is invaluable. I would like to thanks Mr. Gene Taft and George Mitrovich again for having me in attendance, and I'm looking forward to the next one.