20 Writers Play Ball in 17 New Essays and 3 Classics. Stefan Fatsis sends his “stunningly perfect, consummately perfect, why-would-anyone-use-anything-else? perfect” glove to be restored by the Glove Designer at Rawlings; Susan Perabo considers retiring from her imaginary career in the majors and assesses the likelihood of women finding actual careers on the baseball field; Sean Wilentz imagines a Cooperstown Fans’ Hall of Fame, with its cowbells, frying pans, bedsheet banners, and more. And in one of the three previously published, now-classic pieces in the collection, George Plimpton reflects on the slow demotion of aging or slumping players from pitcher to first base, to the outfield. United by the authors’ fervent love of the game, these essays remind us of the unique role baseball plays in our national history and collective imagination.
What Readers Are Saying:
“This collection represents the connective tissue of the game of baseball itself, which is essential and perhaps—as American culture becomes universalized and baseball players, like other superstars, are seduced by money and media—endangered. The essays isolate essential aspects of the game—equipment, field positions, the fields themselves—but what ties them together is our common nostalgia for the way it was, and our fervent hope that the sport will endure the way we think it always should be.” --Lee Gutkind, from the Introduction
“Anatomy of Baseball is no medical book—if it was, I’m certain I wouldn’t have read it. It’s a baseball book, and a good one, and it’s nice to be in a lineup that includes some pretty good writers.” --Yogi Berra, from the Foreword
“When your team is slumping, when the scandalous headlines have got you down, or when winter seems like it will never end, Anatomy of Baseball will remind you why you fell in love with the game. This is one of the finest baseball anthologies of all time.” --Jonathan Eig, author of Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Rob
“These charming essays on baseball themes range from topics like first gloves—mine was a Rawlings Marty Marion model—to the tragic story of the Billy Southworths, father and son, to such shared experiences as being relegated to right field or having troubles playing first base. Well-written and occasionally touching, these are tasty morsels I thoroughly enjoyed.” --Fay Vincent, former baseball commissioner
“Twenty wonderful writers—that’s just enough for two full all-star teams—and two designated hitters.” --Christine Brennan, USA Today sports columnist and author of Best Se
“An exceptional collection—a lively, rewarding read.” --Robert W. Creamer, former Sports Illustrated writer and editor, and au
“Baseball is only played a couple of hundred nights a year. Here’s a book that will help you fill up the rest of your time.” --Seth Mnookin, Vanity Fair contributing editor and bestselling author o