If I Never Get Back - Darryl Brock

[Max Power]

Anyone ever read this? Something you can share?

[poorme]

I see it got good reviews in the washington post and NYT. it's out of print. sounds interesting.

[pathogan]

Its a time transport thing back ,guys on a train, get somehow pushed back in time to 1869{!? suspend your disbelief},goes cross country with the f1869 cincinnati red stockings[or socks,I cant remember]. He introdeuces strategy,historical characters,etc. Not bad, actually pretty good.Its over 450 pages in paperback, so it does sag a bit. pretty good all around

[Max Power]

Thanks Pat - -

Poorme - it was just released in paperback by Plume Publishers.

They just sent it to me along with the follow-up

"Two In the Field"

[trripleplay]

"If I Never Get Back" is a fictionalized account of the original Cincinnati Reds, the first professional baseball team. Brock fictionalized the story so he could weave in more about the personalities and culture of the time.

It's a great introduction to the completely different face of baseball in the late 1800s. The rules were different, the "unwritten rules" were just being developed, the equipment (like gloves) was different. It really does give the reader a great idea of the transformation of the game from a "gentleman's amateur competition" to a money-making business.

Also included in the story is a section taking place in San Francisco during the great earthquake, which adds even more historical dimension.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[SmedIndy]

"Old Hoss" was much the same way.

Most of the 19th century stuff is either way too simplistic and incorrect, or for historian-researchers. Perhaps this is the best way to do it. Though the Cincy Reds of that era seem to be covered enough, and the players well known enough NOT to fictionalize it. But I need to read it.

[WiredTiger]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
"Old Hoss" was much the same way.

Most of the 19th century stuff is either way too simplistic and incorrect, or for historian-researchers. Perhaps this is the best way to do it. Though the Cincy Reds of that era seem to be covered enough, and the players well known enough NOT to fictionalize it. But I need to read it.

I just finished reading this the other day. Brock is a professor at Berkeley and has done a ton of research on the post-Civil War era. He actually went to every city and place that the Red Stockings traveled to in their quest for the perfect season.

According to Brock, the interaction between the characters is fictionalized but the events are as close to reality as he could make them. It is a nice read and is an interesting account of that time period.

As I was reading the book I kept thinking... I bet you Smed would like this book. Give it a try it might be worth your while. It did make me want to learn more about that time period. Any suggestions on nonfiction books about the early baseball period?

[SmedIndy]

Well, I said I need to read it, didn't I?

I have a stack of stuff sitting around unread as it is. But I'll get to it.