sweaver
07-29-2002, 02:18 PM
A book containing the essays of Angell from 1977-81, there is a pervading melancholy in these pages, a pall cast by the labor troubles. The carryover from the 1976 lockout is still evident, and the 1981 midseason strike disturbs the mood, so much that Angell never really recaps the 1981 postseason as he usually does.
Still and all, this is a fabulous book, more for its portraits than the reporting. An investigation of hitting during Spring Training 1981 by the author is thrilling, and a portrait of the amazing Bob Gibson is poignant, proud, and a bit sad. A visit with Smokey Joe Wood to a Yale-St. John's game (Ron Darling vs. Frank Viola) is a fascinating visit with an old ballplayer. The Yankees World Series victories of 1977 and 78 are vivid, as are the Pirates in 1979 and the Phillies in 1980.
Rather than end with the 1981 postseason, as would be typical for an Angell book, it ends instead with a visit with semipro pitcher Ron Goble and his girlfriend Linda Kittell, who has corresponded with Angell for some time. The chapter reaffirms what is right with baseball; it does not belong to the major leaguers, or the team owners, but rather to all of us who play it and love it, and aspire to be the best we can, and to play against the best.
Still and all, this is a fabulous book, more for its portraits than the reporting. An investigation of hitting during Spring Training 1981 by the author is thrilling, and a portrait of the amazing Bob Gibson is poignant, proud, and a bit sad. A visit with Smokey Joe Wood to a Yale-St. John's game (Ron Darling vs. Frank Viola) is a fascinating visit with an old ballplayer. The Yankees World Series victories of 1977 and 78 are vivid, as are the Pirates in 1979 and the Phillies in 1980.
Rather than end with the 1981 postseason, as would be typical for an Angell book, it ends instead with a visit with semipro pitcher Ron Goble and his girlfriend Linda Kittell, who has corresponded with Angell for some time. The chapter reaffirms what is right with baseball; it does not belong to the major leaguers, or the team owners, but rather to all of us who play it and love it, and aspire to be the best we can, and to play against the best.