August 1991, I drove through the day and night with a friend to Dyersville, Iowa. No mobile phones or Waze - just maps and friendly locals who helped us find our way to the Field of Dreams, where we shagged flies and played ball on a perfect summer day. Some time in the mid-afternoon, 8 guys in 1919 White Sox uniforms emerged from the corn to join us. No announcement, no Insta, they were just there. Goosebumps even now as I think back.
I cried the first time I went to a Saint Paul Saints minor league game and the players walked out onto actual grass underneath an unshielded sky. It was just so beautiful.
In the spirit of the post, I would make to sure include these movies (you hit the essential notes):
The Sandlot - it's fun. It's nostalgic. A baseball movie that isn't a baseball movie. After watching you can start using the phrase "You're killing me Smalls" anytime someone disappoints.
The Rookie - It's pure Disney but a true story which makes the syrup merely delicious
The Soul of the Game - Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and tangentially Jackie Robinson. The manifestation of America's mortal sin.
It's a great game and sport. Thanks for making me think about it this morning.
Thanks, Adrian. I am a big fan of Roger Kahn, who passed away a few years ago. One of the last Brooklyn Dodger fans. My favorite books on baseball are Champagne and Baloney by Tom Clark, about the A’s of the early 70s, and Richard Ben Cramer’s often misunderstood biography of Joe DiMaggio. It’s not always easy to be a baseball fan these days but I still love the game.
Football's my game(proper football, that is, not fecking soccer.) But reading this I remembered reading The Art of Fielding a while back. I really enjoyed it at the time. (But not enough to look for more baseball books. Hoevever I think I may actually start.
And, in passing I bought The Peregrine ages ago snd still haven't read it because, even though I like birding, I keep hesitating thinking ot might be a bit boring. Now, thanks to you, its going to be my next read. Cheers Mr. McKinty. Good man.
Know next to nothing about baseball, but my favourite Philip Roth work is The Great American Novel, although it's far from his best. Honourable mention for the Long Shot documentary.
Such a great collection here! Rookie of the Year still holds a special place for me, and anything written by Roger Angell - try “The Summer Game” - is an absolute treat…baseball really does cut across cultures
I do enjoy a baseball film. I was thinking that cricket was the British equivalent in terms of romanticism and writing but I struggle to think of a good cricket film. There was that Australian mini series ‘Bodyline’ but that was it.
Tears to the eyes. Baseball with the Phillies was the only activity my father and I shared. He taught me to keep score in the nosebleed seats of Connie Mack stadium and I still prefer a game with paper and pencil in hand.
Reminiscent of adolescent girls time around the bleachers at - then - boys only sport. Time to show off new white shorts and get / not get some of the attention.
Indeed, how can you not be romantic about baseball? Unlike you I grew up as a girl listening to St. Louis Cardinals games on a transistor radio hidden under my pillow when I was supposed to be asleep, or on the car radio when my family was driving home from somewhere. Now I’m a 72-year-old woman getting ready to watch the final game of an American League Division Championship to see who gets a chance to play for the pennant. Indeed, how can one not be romantic about baseball?
August 1991, I drove through the day and night with a friend to Dyersville, Iowa. No mobile phones or Waze - just maps and friendly locals who helped us find our way to the Field of Dreams, where we shagged flies and played ball on a perfect summer day. Some time in the mid-afternoon, 8 guys in 1919 White Sox uniforms emerged from the corn to join us. No announcement, no Insta, they were just there. Goosebumps even now as I think back.
I cried the first time I went to a Saint Paul Saints minor league game and the players walked out onto actual grass underneath an unshielded sky. It was just so beautiful.
Love that you included Underworld. It's magical.
In the spirit of the post, I would make to sure include these movies (you hit the essential notes):
The Sandlot - it's fun. It's nostalgic. A baseball movie that isn't a baseball movie. After watching you can start using the phrase "You're killing me Smalls" anytime someone disappoints.
The Rookie - It's pure Disney but a true story which makes the syrup merely delicious
The Soul of the Game - Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and tangentially Jackie Robinson. The manifestation of America's mortal sin.
It's a great game and sport. Thanks for making me think about it this morning.
Thanks, Adrian. I am a big fan of Roger Kahn, who passed away a few years ago. One of the last Brooklyn Dodger fans. My favorite books on baseball are Champagne and Baloney by Tom Clark, about the A’s of the early 70s, and Richard Ben Cramer’s often misunderstood biography of Joe DiMaggio. It’s not always easy to be a baseball fan these days but I still love the game.
Football's my game(proper football, that is, not fecking soccer.) But reading this I remembered reading The Art of Fielding a while back. I really enjoyed it at the time. (But not enough to look for more baseball books. Hoevever I think I may actually start.
And, in passing I bought The Peregrine ages ago snd still haven't read it because, even though I like birding, I keep hesitating thinking ot might be a bit boring. Now, thanks to you, its going to be my next read. Cheers Mr. McKinty. Good man.
Know next to nothing about baseball, but my favourite Philip Roth work is The Great American Novel, although it's far from his best. Honourable mention for the Long Shot documentary.
Such a great collection here! Rookie of the Year still holds a special place for me, and anything written by Roger Angell - try “The Summer Game” - is an absolute treat…baseball really does cut across cultures
I do enjoy a baseball film. I was thinking that cricket was the British equivalent in terms of romanticism and writing but I struggle to think of a good cricket film. There was that Australian mini series ‘Bodyline’ but that was it.
Tears to the eyes. Baseball with the Phillies was the only activity my father and I shared. He taught me to keep score in the nosebleed seats of Connie Mack stadium and I still prefer a game with paper and pencil in hand.
Reminiscent of adolescent girls time around the bleachers at - then - boys only sport. Time to show off new white shorts and get / not get some of the attention.
I would recommend adding Calico Joe by John Grisham to your list of fine baseball books.
Thanks Adrian!
Really enjoyed this. And possibly the only political reference from you (I’m probably not paying close enough attention!).
I just ordered for you a copy of what I think is the best baseball book ever. Should arrive in a week or 2.
I am intrigued and I thank you mate!
Indeed, how can you not be romantic about baseball? Unlike you I grew up as a girl listening to St. Louis Cardinals games on a transistor radio hidden under my pillow when I was supposed to be asleep, or on the car radio when my family was driving home from somewhere. Now I’m a 72-year-old woman getting ready to watch the final game of an American League Division Championship to see who gets a chance to play for the pennant. Indeed, how can one not be romantic about baseball?
Very nice piece. I'd recommend adding The Long Season by Jim Brosnan and The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglas Wallop to your reading list.