Recommended Reads: Red Sox
Pitchers, like poets, are born not made. – Cy Young
It doesn't matter if we were down 3-0. You've just got to keep the faith. The game is not over until the last out. – David Ortiz (AP Wire – May 10, 1999)
Springtime is a wonderful time of year. We can enjoy warmer weather, long walks and baseball. In Massachusetts that translates to enjoying the Boston Red Sox, either at Fenway Park or following each pitch on the radio or TV. After the last out, you can continue to enjoy baseball by reading books about the beloved Red Sox available from the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. Below is just a small selection to get you started. Be sure to check out the surprise link at the end of the book list for a special baseball song. Enjoy reading and "PLAY BALL!"
Recorded cassette (RC), local studio produced audio titles (RCM), braille (BR) and locally produced Braille titles (BRM) have all been listed. One described video (DV) and baseball schedule subscription information (cassette and braille) have also been included. Please contact the library to order any of these materials.
86 Years: the Legend of the Boston Red Sox by Melinda Boroson
RCM 997
IN PROCESS. The Boston Red Sox had won five World Series by 1918. Then Babe Ruth was traded to the Yankees, and every year afterward the Red Sox lost. Until 2004. Here is the story of the team's history and spectacular comeback. For grades 4-7 and older readers.
Broadcast Rites and Sites: I Saw It on The Radio with the Boston Red Sox by Joe Castiglione
RCM 805
IN PROCESS. Veteran baseball broadcaster Joe Castiglione's career has covered the Cleveland Indians, the Milwaukee Brewers, and, for twenty years, the Boston Red Sox. He vividly remembers amazing Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, and the edge-of-your seat 2003 American League Championship Series. His enthusiasm and expertise shine in this collection of colorful anecdotes and fond memories.
Idiot: Beating "The Curse" and Enjoying the Game of Life by Johnny Damon, Co-author Peter Golenboc
RCM 839
What is it like growing up with baseball dreams, spending long years advancing, and then reaching the pinnacle of success? Johnny Damon shares his experiences, including the championship Red Sox season in 2004.
The Mind of Bill James: How a Complete Outsider Changed Baseball by Scott Gray
RC 63642
Sportswriter discusses what he calls baseball sage Bill James's "uncommon analytical ability," which James uses to help build winning teams, including the 2004 World Series champions, Boston Red Sox. Describes how James devises "theories to explain how things in baseball are connected to one another."
Summer of '49 by David Halberstam
RC 30980
A dramatic and detailed portrait of the suspenseful 1949 American League pennant race between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees when both teams were at the height of their powers. Describes Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Yogi Berra, Casey Stengal, and Phil Rizutto. Strong language.
Teammates by David Halberstam
BR 14902, RC 56289
Bestseller. The saga of four Boston Red Sox players from the 1940's -- Dominic DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams, and Bobby Doerr -- who remained friends for over sixty years. In 2001, DiMaggio and Pesky begin a long car trip to visit the dying Williams and reminisce about the past.
A Player for a Moment: Notes from Fenway Park by John T. Hough
RC 29439
Hough brings to this book his love and fascination for all things pertaining to baseball, especially the Red Sox team. He records the disappointing 1987 season that followed the Red Sox's loss to the Mets in the World Series. Strong language.
One day at Fenway: A Day in the Life of Baseball in America by Steve Kettmann
RCM 968
IN PROCESS. The Boston Red Sox played the New York Yankees on August 30, 2003 at Boston's Fenway Park. Here are the players, the fans, the reporters, and the game play by play.
Feeding the Monster: How Money, Smarts, and Nerve Took a Team to the Top by Seth Mnookin
RCM 979
IN PROCESS. Journalist Mnookin worked closely with the Boston Red Sox for a year, interviewing and researching, to prepare material for this history of the team. His special focus is the team's metamorphosis in the first five years of the twenty-first century.
Watching Baseball: Discovering the Game Within the Game by Jerry Remy with Corey Sandler
RCM 973
IN PROCESS. Revised and updated edition of the guide to baseball by Red Sox broadcaster and former major league player, Jerry Remy, The story of the Boston Red Sox historic World Series victory is included.
Fenway by Dan Shaughnessy
RCM 729
This memorial to the ballpark, home of the Boston Red Sox, includes interviews with players, coaches, and an illustrious list of fans from David Halberstam to Stephen King.
Reversing the Curse: Inside the 2004 Boston Red Sox by Dan Shaughnessy
BRM 1292, RCM 824
After almost a century of near misses, the historic 2004 Boston Red Sox team finally beat their long-time rivals, the New York Yankees, and won the World Series. Shaughnessy, a Boston sports writer who knows the Sox well, chronicles their journey. Some strong language.
Babe Ruth's America by Robert Smith
BR 2702
Biography-history relating Babe's career and the era in which he lived. From the social character of Boston during the baseball hero's playing days with the Red Sox, to his Yankee days during the depression, this account includes portrayals of the Roaring Twenties, prohibition, Jimmy Walker and Lindbergh.
Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season by Stewart O'Nan and Stephen King
RC 59376
Bestseller. Two best-selling novelists follow their beloved underdog Boston Red Sox from spring training through the team's upset 2004 World Series win over hated rivals the New York Yankees. The writers conversed by e-mail, O'Nan offering play-by-play analysis and King commenting on personalities and performances. Strong language.
Fever Pitch
DV 903
Described Video. In this very funny romantic comedy, Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon) meets workaholic Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymore) who finds him sweet and charming. They hit it off, and that winter, Ben spends every waking hour with Lindsey. But with the arrival of summer, Lindsey discovers Ben's strong obsession with the Boston Red Sox. Directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly. MPAA Rating - PG13. Parents cautioned.
Red Sox Season Schedule: available in braille and cassette.
American and National League Schedules: Available in braille.
"Play Ball" by J. Bristol (click to download MP3):
Lyrics:
I've been waiting all day for the baseball game to come on
I'm in my easy chair, I got my old team colors on
I got my baseball cap, and my remote control
An extra-large pizza and I'm ready to roll
CHORUS: Play ball!
I just want to play
Whatever the inning
Whoever is winning
It's all the same
Play ball!
I just want to say
Whatever the seasonWhatever the reason
I love that game
Well it's a Sunday morning in the park at the edge of town
Me and the boys are just tossing the ball around
Well a friend brings a bat, and as strange as it seems
In no time flat we got a couple of teams
CHORUS: Play ball!
I just want to play
Whatever the inning
Whoever is winning
It's all the same
Play ball!
I just want to say
Whatever the season
Whatever the reason
I love that game
Now I could play ball
For anybody
If I'm inclined
Because it's just call
For everybody
To have a good time
I guess you could say I'm the world's biggest baseball fan
And if I had my way, I'd just spend my life in the stands
So you don't forget, the plain truth is
Life doesn't get any better than this
CHORUS:
Play ball!
I just want to play
Whatever the inning
Whoever is winning
It's all the same
Play ball!
I just want to say
Whatever the season
Whatever the reason
I love that game