Book Review and Birthday Ramblings

I’m 53 today. I’m heading out for a hike soon, and then we’re having a birthday dinner. Alex made a carrot cake.

Last night I finished a book called “Why We Love Baseball — a History in 50 Moments” by Joe Posnanski. Shani got it for me for Christmas and I absolutely loved it. It’s 50 individual moments in baseball that are each only 3-4 pages. They’re super readable and each story brings it to life in a way that’s interesting and different. As I read it, I kept getting out of bed to find my phone and look up different plays on YouTube. I didn’t want the book to end.

The book tries to answer a question I wrestle with constantly: “Why do I like baseball?” I mean, it’s boring. There are 162 games, so most games don’t matter that much. It’s kind of a mystery.

But the book has a pretty simple hypothesis: “That moment is forever.”

Joe explains that whether it’s little league, college ball, spring training, regular season, World Series…it doesn’t matter. A baseball moment lasts forever. It is yours. Forever. And man, did that idea hit home for me. I don’t know if it’s the answer to the mystery, but it’s an answer. Jack and I plan to get matching tattoos when we’ve hit all 30 stadiums, and it’s a constant question in my head of what the tattoo will be. And I found myself sketching out “That moment is forever” intertwined with the laces of a baseball.

I ran it by Jack, and he hasn’t so sure. And I think he’s probably right. But even still, it is truth for me for sure.

Some forever moments…

Phillies Red Sox. A regular season game. It was hot as hell, but still Shani’s Dad and I sat leaning into each other, critiquing on every fielding play. Jack was 20 rows ahead of us, trying to get the ball girl to give him a ball. Then suddenly my Dad started, practically knocking my beer out of my hand. “It’s Jack!” he yelled, pointing to the big screen. Jack and his friend were on “Flex Cam” — two seven year olds, flexing their skinny arms like joyful idiots.

Yankees Astros ALCS Game 4. I had to take Alex to diving practice in Philadelphia, so Jack came along so we could listen to the game together in the car. We dropped Alex off and headed to a nearby bar, where we watched the game in grim defeat. The Astros were leading 4-0 and the Yanks had nothing. A loss seemed inevitable. In the 7th inning we had to go get Alex and we put the game on the radio without any hope at all.

But just as we got in the car, the Yanks got 2 runs on. They were still behind 4-2, but suddenly there was life. Then in the 8th inning, the Yankees exploded. By then Jack and I were outside the gym where Alex had practice. When Gary Sanchez blasted the double to take the lead, Jack and I burst out of the car, screaming and yelling and leaping and hugging. There, alone in the dark parking lot absolutely losing our minds.

That moment is forever indeed.

VJBL (Vestal Junior Baseball League). I was on the blue team. We didn’t keep score or any stats, but I was watching. Over the course of the season, I had caught two fly balls, which at that age was a rare feat of athleticism. However, I was not alone at the top. My fellow blue teammates Mike Lahoda and Jimmy Something, had also caught two fly balls each. In my head, that meant we were tied for the best player on the team.

So the last game of the season arrived. First inning, first batter…clonk. A shot right to Jimmy who caught it. I was stunned, but still…plenty of game left.

And then it happened. In the final inning I was playing short stop. The batter whacked it, the ball in the air, my heart exploding as I realized it was heading right for me in an easy arc. I raised my glove…

Mike Lahoda, that dirty m%#@* f$&%er, stepped right in front of me and caught the ball.

I went to high school with Mike Lahoda and we’re still friends on Facebook. And am I still angry? Well, let’s just say…that moment lasts forever.

Jeter’s walk off at his final game at Yankees stadium

Wandering around the field at our first spring training game

Judge walking off against the Blue Jays 2022

Sitting in the VIP section watching the White Sox…

I could go for days. Moments and moments. All of them forever.

Joe Posnanski has opened up a bit of the universe for me in one of the great mysteries of my life. And if you have even a casual baseball fan in your life, I highly recommend this book.(And highly recommend you buy it at your LOCAL book store.)

As promised…rambling stuff. Think if all this windbaggery as a birthday present to myself.

And finally, for your viewing pleasure…here are some amazing moments that are described in the book.

Bryce Harper gives the Phillies the lead in the playoffs. “It’s Bedlam at the Bank!”

A fly ball bounces off Jose Canseco’s head for a home run.

Curtis Pride, who was deaf, hits a huge double for the Expos. The crowd goes nuts. But check out about 1:30 when the third base coach tells Curtis to tip his hat. Then the crowd goes crazy, stomping like mad so he can feel their ovation.

Dee Gordon’s home run. This is the day after his teammate, Jose Fernandez, had died in a boating accident. He was Dee Gordon’s best friend, and the entire team wore #16 Fernandez in his honor. Dee Gordon was not a home run hitter at all, but he got up and blasted one — and I challenge you to watch this and not cry.

Ken Griffey Jr. steals a catch from his dad. This is a father-son playing in the outfield together. Junior pulls a “Lahoda” and snags the ball from his dad. Watch the joy on both their faces.

Fenway crowd helps finish the anthem. This one wasn’t in the book, but I love it. A guy with autism is singing the national anthem, and he starts to struggle. Then man oh man does the crowd get behind him.

And finally…just watch Ozzie Smith play shortstop. You’re welcome.