Play Ball!: A Tribute to Our National Pastime CD

Various

ISBN 10: 0060592435 ISBN 13: 9780060592431

Publisher: Caedmon, 2004

Synopsis

Baseball inspires writers like no other American sport. From columns written by sports journalists, to short stories, to memoirs penned by the greats of the game, baseball writing holds a place of its own in modern literature. Play Ball! celebrates this writing, bringing to life the sound of the ball hitting the sweet spot, the roar of the crowd, the thrill of a grand slam and the agony of a strikeout. And most importantly, the pure joy of the game, for whether we're on the field or in the last row of the bleachers, we're all fans.

This collection highlights the poetry, exuberance, and heartbreak of the game that is, in Roger Angell's words, "one of the reasons that summer exists." Classic stories from baseball's earthy beginnings, profiles of icons such as Joe DiMaggio, Carl Erskine, and 'Hammerin' Hank" Aaron, graceful essays on the moment a ballplayer becomes an idol, and humorous accounts of modern baseball's international reach – Play Ball! presents a lively and passionate tribute to America's favorite pastime.

About this title

About the Author:

HarperCollins Publishers is a proud supporter of First Book, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their own new books. The primary goal of First Book is to work with existing literacy programs to distribute new books to children who, for economic reasons, have little or no access to books. In this way, First Book effectively leverages the heroic efforts of local tutoring, mentoring, and family literacy organizations as they work to reach children who need help the most. First Book distributes millions of books to hundreds of thousands of children nationwide each year. For more information on First Book, please visit www.firstbook.org.

From AudioFile:

It's not every day you find Hammerin' Hank Aaron and Philip Roth in the same place. But you will in this unique compendium on America's pastime, along with a warm and nostalgic pastiche of writers and voices spanning a variety of topics: prejudice and corruption in professional ball, the mysteries of the diamond, split-finger fastballs, on-and-off-field heroism and high jinks. Grover Gardner warmly intones the commentary alongside aging sportswriters and boys of both summer and October. A must for any fan of the game, but particularly those with a sense of history. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Caedmon
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0060592435
• ISBN 13: 9780060592431
• Binding: Audio CD