Written by I’ve had this idea for a while, but I’ve been so busy settling into a new job (not so new now; I started it in mid-July) that it wasn’t quite ready when the off-season began, as I had planned.
But now the idea is ready for you. The idea? Off-season baseball book reading group. This whole past year or so has been a difficult one for me for various reasons, and I’ve become a bit disconnected from baseball. As I look forward to reconnecting in 2013 (including the first time I might just be able to attend spring training!), I thought it might be fun to start the process by reading a few baseball books this winter, and I’d love for you to join me.
I’ve set up a group over at Goodreads.com, with a thread set up where you can nominate books you’d like to read this off-season. I’ll put up a poll next weekend, we’ll have a week to vote, then a week for everyone to find a copy of the first book we choose. The plan will be to start reading our first book about December 1.
Questions or concerns? Please let me know here, at the Goodreads group, or by email (see “Contact Us” page).
Hope to see you at Goodreads!
Presently I’m re-reading Cool of the Evening, the story of the 1965 Twins. I’m only into Chapter 2, but am appreciating it more than the first time. I’m enjoying author Jim Thielman’s approach to the subject and writing style.
In the past year or two I’ve read, but would review again and discuss:
Harmon Killebrew: Baseball’s Superstar (Anderson – 1971)
Carew (Carew/Berkow – 1979)
Tony O! The Trials and Triumphs of Tony Oliva (Oliva/Fowler – 1973)
Kent Hrbek’s Tales from the Minnesota Dugout (Hrbek/Bracken – 2007)
Other Twins books I own and would discuss (but have not read through):
Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History (Brackin/Reusse – 2010)
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Minnesota Twins (Aschburner – 2008)
Short But Wondrous Summers (SABR – 2012)
I read and enjoyed “Hammerin’ Hank, George Almighty and the Say Hey Kid” by
John Rosengren, which was about a time of transition in baseball. Good read.
I’d second Cool of the Evening. I thought it was great, and obviously Twinscentric.
I would “third” Cool of the Evening. I’d have to buy another copy to re-read it though… I loaned my copy out after I read it and never got it back!
I have to say, though, that if I had to pick my favorite baseball book of the past several years, it would be Joe Posnanski’s “The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O’Neil’s America.” Few books made me laugh and cry as much as that book did. It’s probably the baseball-themed book I have recommended to friends more than any other.
Here’s the link to the Goodreads review of The Soul of Baseball: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/315783.The_Soul_of_Baseball
I’ve had Wherever I Wind Up by RA Dickey on my list to read for quite awhile. I think it might be something Knuckleballers everywhere might have an interest in.
Take a look at this one: “Bottom of the 33rd”
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBottom-33rd-Redemption-Baseballs-Longest%2Fdp%2F0062014498&ei=XmDXUM6POafD2QX8t4A4&usg=AFQjCNHEu2DXc9t3A1a6dwoK7j0_t9dubw&sig2=e5rCfhNK9yZLUIY1iYTfNQ&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.b2I
Better yet, check out Jessica Quiroli’s review of “Bottom of the 33rd”
http://t.co/LKN1eS1j
Maybe it’s the minor league fan in me, but that sounds like a “must read” to me.