Once More Around the Ballpark: A Baseball Reader was written in brilliant prose by Roger Angell, who died in 2022 at the age of 101. He was a great baseball writer and a fan of the game. He wrote the book in New York and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees. In many ways, the book, which was written in 1991, is Angell’s Magnum Opus. The main argument of the story is that his conversations and discussions with players, managers, scouts, coaches, and umpires enhance his critical appreciation and expertise in the game. Have you read Once More Around the Ballpark: A Baseball Reader?
Once More Around the Ballpark Summary
People who read baseball books are familiar with Angell’s work. His fame is noteworthy. His prose on the game is sharp and has entertained and informed thousands and thousands of readers through the years. That prose is on full display in this book. While he may no longer be with us, his work is a treat to read and reread. Once More Around the Ballpark: A Baseball Reader is a collection of his work in other publications or books. As such, the summary is a great capstone to his work.
Like his other books like “Late Innings” or “Five Seasons: A Baseball Companion,” this book covers many topics about baseball. The best chapter of the book is “In the Country,” where Angell takes a letter he received from the wife of a pitcher who was trying to make it to the low minors. It is a touching love story.
The next chapter, “In the Fire,” is about a catcher. There are many things catcher has to consider, such as where to position themselves for a pitch, how to maneuver to make that throw to second base, and how to communicate with fielders about where to position themselves. The catcher can be considered the coach on the field. This chapter is well-written and includes contributions from many star catchers from the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as Carlton Fisk, Ted Simmons, and Bob Boone.
The catcher chapter illustrates one more aspect of the book. There is material about players and events from several decades ago. So many of Angell’s observations could be applicable today. For catchers who have been named the Most Valuable Player in their league, he gives examples like Johnny Bench, Gabby Harnett, and Ernie Lombardi.
Because Roger Agell Would Like It
Roger Angell likes baseball history. That fact is obvious from his work. He was also a fan of the Yankees, so it is proper to wonder why he did not include more of them in the book. Joe DiMaggio was known as the Yankee Clipper, who once remarked that he played so hard because there could be somebody in the stands who had never seen him play before.
In the book, Angell lauds catchers as the most valuable players on the field. He particularly lauds catchers who have been voted the Most Valuable Players of their league. Yogi Berra won three Most Valuable Player awards. He was praised by his manager Casey Stengel, who said when asked why he won so often, “[He] never won a game without my man.” He was referring to Berra.
Conclusion
Once More Around the Ballpark: A Baseball Reader is a classic. As a summary of previous work, I think it is useful. It is so useful that if you own only one book by Roger Angell, you should own this compilation. The book will appeal to baseball fans, and because it is so well-written, it should interest non-baseball fans as well.
