Baseball is well suited to the talking head approach to literature, with composite voices crafting a narrative that seems peopled with the very spirits — past and present — that make the game the most rewarding of our sports to discuss. In that regard, "Don't Let Us Win Tonight" by Allan Wood and Bill Nowlin is a modern-day, single-team cousin to the classic 1966 omnibus work "The Glory of Their Times," the key literary effort of the first half of baseball's history. ...
And now [the 2004 Red Sox] have the first important book to document their achievement, efficacy, and, really, folklore. ...
"Just about everyone who had anything to do with the ’04 “Idiots” is flown into the verbal mix here: players, of course, but bat boys, owners, wives, doctors, coaches, faltering oppositions, journalists.
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The archival stuff is a delight. Asked if the Sox needed to win Game 3 of that aforesaid ALCS, Curt Schilling replies, “Great [expletive] question. You [expletive] me?” "
To be completely honest, I had zero expectations and bought the book out of loyalty. But I found myself experiencing the same range of emotions I experienced in 2004 when the Red Sox went on that roller coaster ride. Despite that the format was mainly quotes, it was constructed in a way that made it easy and fun to read, and I agree with the review. Marvelous job! (I still have the last chapter, "Celebration" to read, which I am saving for tonight)
This is terrific...and well deserved. You both (you and Laura) must be ecstatic. Congratulations. I'm glad you are getting the recognition the book deserves. Great job!
In 1987 and 1988, I was a side-arming right-handed pitcher for the Rotary squad in the North Division of Ridgefield Little League's "majors." In that same division were three other teams, each of which we faced off against three times per season. One of those teams was Village Bank. Their best player was pitcher/first baseman Colin Fleming...the author of this review of Allan's book.
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
"Just about everyone who had anything to do with the ’04 “Idiots” is flown into the verbal mix here: players, of course, but bat boys, owners, wives, doctors, coaches, faltering oppositions, journalists.
ReplyDelete...
The archival stuff is a delight. Asked if the Sox needed to win Game 3 of that aforesaid ALCS, Curt Schilling replies, “Great [expletive] question. You [expletive] me?” "
I'm a bit stunned at how good this review is. To be favourably compared to one of the greatest baseball books of all-time .....
ReplyDeleteTo be completely honest, I had zero expectations and bought the book out of loyalty. But I found myself experiencing the same range of emotions I experienced in 2004 when the Red Sox went on that roller coaster ride. Despite that the format was mainly quotes, it was constructed in a way that made it easy and fun to read, and I agree with the review. Marvelous job! (I still have the last chapter, "Celebration" to read, which I am saving for tonight)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your loyalty!
ReplyDeleteThis is terrific...and well deserved. You both (you and Laura) must be ecstatic. Congratulations. I'm glad you are getting the recognition the book deserves. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYou must be pumped to get such a positive, high-profile review.
ReplyDelete"the first important book"
ReplyDeleteIt's The Clash of '04 Red Sox books!
In 1987 and 1988, I was a side-arming right-handed pitcher for the Rotary squad in the North Division of Ridgefield Little League's "majors." In that same division were three other teams, each of which we faced off against three times per season. One of those teams was Village Bank. Their best player was pitcher/first baseman Colin Fleming...the author of this review of Allan's book.
ReplyDelete