Take Me Out to the Ballgame

You'd think nothing could be less complicated than our national past-time. After all how hard can baseball be? Fill the team with quality players, win a few games and voilĂ  the fans will come.

...or not.

Who the heck knew it was so complicated? Not me- that's for sure.

Growing up in the Bay Area- it was almost mandatory to be a baseball fan. Between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics- a great game could be had almost any night of the week. Even living in SacTown, watching the River Cats (feeder team)  isn't a bad way to spend a hot summer night. As a fan I rarely think of the behind the scenes action. I don't ever ask myself...What happens when the team isn't winning? When fans flee the ballpark in droves?

Take me out to the ballgameBack of the Book: Baseball and bailouts, as American as apple pie. Weaving today's economic malaise with the powerful magic of a Cinderella baseball team, Take Me Out to the Ballgame is a political baseball novel for our times. The Buffalo Matadors haven't won a world championship in 37 years, a dying franchise. Until flamboyant Harry Witowsky, a 21st Century George Steinbrenner, buys them, vowing to do whatever is necessary to change the fortunes of the "Door Mats." Victories and attendance climb as Witowsky creates an Us versus Them mentality at the Stadium. The rally cry of "Where's My Bailout" replaces "Let's Go Mats." Buffalo's surprising surge resonates with a nation afraid of losing jobs and homes, shaken by terrorist threats, frightened for the future. The Matadors become America's Team.

My Thoughts
Take me out to the Ballgame is a book for today with (unerringly) realistic characters willing to go to the extreme.

New team owner Harry Witowsky, the Plumber King, is a self-made millionaire determined to do something few have...fill the seats of  the War Memorial Stadium. No matter what it takes. Forget Fan Appreciation Day  Harry hosts Mortgage Day- one lucky fan wins mortgage payments for a year.

Eddie Olds is a hard hitting reporter of yester-year. Back in the day, Eddie was a contender. His pen was his razor and no one was safe; obnoxious owners, under-performing managers, and spoiled rotten players alike. But Eddie's gotten old and just a little bit tired. Fresh blood is coming in everyday stealing his readership. Soon Eddie finds himself an unwilling pawn in a game Matador management seems to control.

Between the back-office antics, the current American politics and the addition of a scary fan Morgenstein weaves a tales that will appeal to fan and non-fan alike. Part politics, part baseball, part social commentary- the quick and witty dialogue will keep on the edge of your seat.

I give this a great way to spend in a lounger by the pool rating.

0 comments:

 

Labels

fiction non-fiction chick-lit romance Charlaine Harris whatever Lisa Lutz giveaways Laurell K. Hamilton Augusten Burroughs Book Blogger Hop Christopher Moore Gail Carriger Jacqueline Sheehan Janet Evanovich Jen Lancaster Karen White Patrick Wensick S. G. Browne Tawni O'Dell mystery Alan Moore Alice Sebold Amanda Mccall and Ben Schwartz Andes Hruby Anne Rice Aurelie Sheehan's Ayelet Waldman Barbara Ehrenreich Barbara O'Neal Bill Bryson Brian Rowe Caprice Crane Cathie Linz Cathy Lamb Christopher Hudson Chuck Palahniuk Cider Mill Press Dalia Jurgensen Danielle Steel Daryl Gregory Darynda Jones David Hayward David Sedaris Deborah Coonts Deirdre Martin Denise Hunter Diane Mott Davidso Eileen Rendahl Emma McLaughlin Nicola Kraus Erynn Mangum Gary Morgenstein Gavin McInnes Gregory Maguire Harmony Dust Holly Shumas Isabel Sharpe JD Robb James Levin Jane Hamilton Janelle Brown Jasper Fforde Jeaniene Frost Jill Smolinski Jodi Picoult Jonathan Tropper Joshilyn Jackson Jules Asner Julia London Julie James Julie Kenner Karen Joy Fowler Karen Templeton Katarina Mazetti Kelley Armstrong Ken Denmead Kimberly Frost Kris Radish Kristan Higgins Larissa Ione Laurie Notaro Liane Moriarty Linda Thomas-Sundstrom Lis Wiehl Lolly Winston Lynn Harris Lynne Cox Marisha Pessl Mark Rayner Matt Beaumont Matt Mikalatos Meg Cabot Nicholas Sparks Nicole Young R. Emmett Tyrrell J Rant Rhonda Pollero Rita Herron Robyn Carr Sarah Strohmeyer Seanan McGuire Shannon T Boodram Sharon Krum Sophie Gunn Stephanie Meyer Stephen King Steve O'Brien Stewart O'Nan Susan Elizabeth Phillips Susan Hubbard Susan Isaacs Tony Hendra Tori Carrington Tracey Bateman Turk Pipkin Victoria Laurie Wendy Wax Willie Nelson award

Followers

Stay off the Ladder

Disclaimer

This website is for entertainment purposes only. I am not an attorney, doctor, physicist, or elevator repairman. Don't take my word for anything!

Please seek out a licensed professional. Opinions expressed on this website do not reflect the opinions of anyone other than Zoe, unless otherwise noted.

Sample of books may be given to Zoe Right for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on zoereads.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews.

Copyright © Zoe Reads 2010 - 2017. All rights reserved.

Please do not take any of my (Zoe Right) text without my express permission. Want to use something? Ask me. I'll probably say yes. I'm nice that way.