About the Book When a book reaches across generations and becomes a shared experience for fathers and their children - think Goodnight Moon, or Where the Wild Things Are - it takes a special place in the culture.
The baseball version of this, just in time for Father's Day, must surely be the Baseball Hall of Shame series, which for 27 years has brought laughter to many a household.
And now, the first volume in a generation has been published, adding to the more than 750,000 already in print, and bringing this “franchise” of baseball publishing back into the spotlight.
The new book, again by Bruce Nash and Allan Zullo, again with a playful cover by Mad Magazine cartoonist Jack Davis, and again with bloopers and crazy plays culled from real Major League games - is called The Baseball Hall of Shame: The Best of Blooperstown.
Yes, the book that was first read under the covers so that Commissioner Bowie Kuhn wouldn’t catch you -- the book that wound up teaching kids that “it’s okay to make a mistake - look at these famous players who did!” - has all new stories designed to remind us that “…if they don’t win it’s a shame” -- or one for the Baseball Hall of Shame!
Nash, creator of Modern Marvels, Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed and other reality shows, is a die-hard Dodgers fan, who was inspired to revisit the series by some of the devoted young fans he met at the games, especially as scoreboards showcase blooper plays to the delight of young fans.
The 280-page book is full of hilarious stories dads might remember from their youth and will gladly revisit with their kids, as well a host of new inductees dads and kids can laugh at together. They are the stories from baseball that just don’t appear anywhere else.
Here's one in time for Father’s Day that will leave dads roaring with laughter… and breathing a sigh of relief that it didn’t happen to them!
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Babe Herman had his hands full. Newly traded to the team, the dad of two was also caring for his 7-year old son Bobby while his wife remained in Brooklyn to tend to their ill 2-year old. Herman didn’t mind. He proudly brought the boy to Crosley Field, got him a box seat and some food, and told the boy to wait for him by the back of the grandstands after the contest.
With his son cheering him on, Herman had a great game. He whacked two singles and a double, drove in a run, scored a run, and stole a base. Afterward, he showered, shaved, and dressed while mentally replaying his hits. Still on cloud nine, Herman hitched a ride home with Reds manager Dan Howley.
Meanwhile, Bobby dutifully did what he was told and stood outside the ballpark, waiting for his no-show father.
When Herman was almost home, Howley turned to him and said, “Geez, we left the kid!” Upon phoning the ballpark, Herman was relieved to learn that the team secretary had found Bobby and was bringing him home.
Recalled Herman with a chuckle, “I guess I had too much on my mind that day.”
You can find this, and other mind-boggling mental miscues, in The Baseball Hall of Shame: The Best of Blooperstown.
My Take About the Book
I grew up loving baseball, so this book had some great stories within it that will make you say "really?" The stories have so much information that any baseball fan will love. You will be transported back to the baseball field each time you read a story. The stories are fun and entertaining, you will laugh and smile as you read through the story. I thought that I was up on baseball, but this book opened my eyes completely and made me see that there were many things that I was unaware of, and I have to say that it was great to be able to learn so much more!
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment