Title: Why Time Begins on Opening Day
Author: Thomas Boswell
Genre: Baseball, Sports
Book Blurb:
A collection of essays on the sport of baseball, its myths, superstars, pennant races, strategies, ballparks, and other facets of the national pastime.
My Review:
It is the time for my annual re-read of the classic baseball book - in my view the best baseball book ever written - Why Time Begins on Opening Day by Thomas Boswell. Now out of print, this book is like a warm pair of slippers or a hot tub...you can just slide into this book and be warmed with the magic of the game of baseball. Though written circa 1984 and detailing the tales of the late 70's and early 80's, this book isn't dated. So often you will find yourself noticing that the logic about the game written here applies to baseball played today. The early point about how you will never hit .300 with a bat on your shoulder should be carved on every dugout wall. The magic description of the Hall of Fame continues to resonate and brings a clearer understanding why that institution is special.
The last chapter discusses how baseball stays with you like a friend at least seven months of every year. In the time the book was written, Boswell writes of wondering if Rose will break Cobb's hit record and mentions how each breakfast is spent with the box scores.
Today we get to wonder will Pujols get the 82 RBIs he needs to get to 2000... each day I get to spend breakfast with MLB Network's Quick Pitch and see the highlights of every game played the night before. Time passes but the enjoyment of the game doesn't diminish. It might change slightly but baseball is still the friend it has always been lo these past 150 odd years.
My Rating: 5++ stars
Buy it now:
It’s out of print but you can still find it around.
Author Biography:
Thomas M. Boswell is an American sports columnist. Boswell has spent his entire career at the Washington Post, joining it shortly after graduating from Amherst College in 1969. He became a Post columnist in 1984.
Writing primarily about baseball, he is credited with inventing the total average statistic. In 1994 he appeared several times in the Ken Burns series Baseball, sharing insightful commentary into the history of America's national pastime; he appeared again in "The Tenth Inning," Burns' 2010 extension of the series.
In addition to the Post, he has written for Esquire, GQ, Playboy and Inside Sports. He also makes frequent television appearances.
Social Media Links:
Reviewed by: Mr. N