For whatever reason, I have been reviewing a bunch of baseball books lately. Most likely it has something to do with the start of the season, everyone is trying to get their baseball books out while people are still excited about the new season and a bunch of these books have found their way into my lap. The problem with reading a bunch of baseball books, or really books of any same genre, all together is they start to all sound the same. They share the same themes, the tell similar stories, they make all the same points. You start to struggle picking out what is actually a good book and what is just rehashed ideas because they begin to all blur together. I didn't have that problem with "Taking The Field," a book that felt as original as a book about baseball can be. That's not to say it didn't contain elements most baseball books contain. Howard Megdal, the book's author, talks about obtuse offensive stats, bemoans bad player trades, and shares fond ballpark memories, but does so in a voice, both passionate and humorous, that breaths new life into these old topics.
"Taking The Field" starts with the premise that Megdal is going to run for the office of New York Met's general manager, a position that is not an elected position. Part political platform, part passionate memoir, part team history, "Taking The Field" argues how Megdal can change the culture of his favorite team while telling it's tragic history and documenting his struggles passing this tortured love on to his new born daughter. With equal parts humor and love, Megdal shares his journeys from hardcore fan to general management candidate without getting too bogged down in boring baseball detail. He uses just enough stats to make his argument clear and convincing without losing those of us who have no idea what WORP is. The wonderful blend of team policies and blunders with personal family stories keeps the book feeling fresh and personal unlike a lot of sterile books of a similar nature.
This book is probably only for baseball enthusiasts. You have to have some interest in the history of the game, where it's future is headed, and all the statistical stuff that goes along to keep turning pages. As touching and fun as the memoir elements of the book are, they still center around baseball and its fandom and will not be enough to entertain someone who doesn't care about the game. But there has been no better book I've read this season that tackles these subjects. "Taking The Field" succeeds in every way that "The Extra 2%" failed. It deals with similar topics but makes them more interesting, uses the right examples to form a convincing argument and does all that in an entertaining and engaging manner. "Taking The Field" is a must read for any Met fan (which I am not) and a highly suggested read for any baseball enthusiast (which I certainly am).
No comments:
Post a Comment