CityView Magazine

54 May 2021 GOOD READS TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME BY DIANE PARFITT I grew up a baseball fan outside Washington, D.C. Everybody in the D.C. area was a Washington Senators' fan in those days. And of course, we all loved the movie "Damn Yankees." Who wouldn't love a story about a middle-aged guy who LOVED the Senators so much that he was willing to sell his soul to the devil to see his beloved team beat the Yankees? With the return of baseball season and our hometown Fayetteville Woodpeckers back at bat, what better way to get into the spirit of the most All-American sport than to read a few books? Here are some of the best stories, including several that were made into classic movies that we still love to watch. 1. "INCR EDIBLE WOMEN OF THE ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE: WOMEN ATHLETES IN HISTORY, GIFT FOR TEENAGE GIRLS AND WOMEN" BY ANIKA ORROCK When the war started in 1941, and our young men were sent overseas, professional baseball was all but lost – until women came to the rescue and developed their own baseball league, the AAGPBL. Told by the players with heartwarming illustrations, author Anika Orrock shares their funny, charming, and amazing stories. ese stories remind us that women can also play baseball – on teams with names like the Rockford Peaches and the Kalamazoo Lassies. is is perfect for teenage girls who want to see how their own love of sports can have a future, but also a fun book for adult readers, male and female. e endearing movie, "A League of eir Own," was inspired by the AAGPBL. 2. "WE AR E THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL" BY KADIR NELSON When this book was published, Kadir Nelson came to Fayetteville for a show at the Arts Council and did a book signing at City Center Gallery & Books. Nelson is first and foremost an artist, which is evident in this beautiful book with 50 original paintings. He can also tell a story! He shares the amazing history of baseball's unsung heroes who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible conditions and low pay to do what they loved – play ball. is award-winning book about the Negro League baseball is for all ages and every baseball fan will want to have this book in their library. 3. "MAZ TO YAZ TO AMAZIN' " BY THAD MUMAU Fayetteville's own ad Mumau wrote this book about the majesty and magic of 1960s major league baseball. For those of you who learned about baseball watching the stars of that decade – Bill Mazeroski, Ted Williams, Roger Maris, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and so many others – this is one book you will want to have. As Mumau recaps each season and reviews the most significant events of the decade, he delves into the lives of players who made the 60s such an important time for baseball. And aer you read this fact-filled book, you surely will want to read a copy of his new novel coming out in May, "e Baseball Player." 4. "THE NATUR AL" BY BERNARD MALAMUD is 1952 novel is about baseball prodigy Roy Hobbs. On his way to the Major League tryouts, he is sidetracked by several bizarre events, including being shot by a woman who is a crazed baseball fan. His dreams seem to be lost until he returns to baseball 15 years later and becomes the team's "Wonderboy." Based on true events experienced by a Philadelphia Phillies' player, the book is considered by many to be the best baseball book ever. Many of you may have seen the 1984 film adaptation with Robert Redford as Hobbs. 5. "LOU GEHRIG: PRIDE OF THE YANKEES" BY PAUL GALLICO If we ever needed a hero, now is the time. A true hero was Lou Gehrig, who played baseball for the New York Yankees for 17 seasons, playing 2,130 consecutive games and earning the nickname "e Iron Horse." His list of achievements is well-remembered by baseball fans – World Series champion, All-Star, "LOVE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD, BUT BASEBALL IS PRETTY GOOD, TOO." ~Yogi Berra 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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