Is This a Great Game or What? (2007) is a wonderful baseball read that will have you in stitches and heighten your respect for the men who play the best game on earth. Kurkjian, a former Orioles' beat writer and current Baseball Tonight analyst on ESPN, has spent over 25 years covering the game. Using his vast collection of stories, Kurkjian illustrates how difficult and how dangerous the game can be. He includes chapters on signs, statistics, and his time at ESPN among others.
I read just about the entire chapters on how competitive players are and what a funny game baseball is out loud to Martha because she kept asking what was so funny. I was, indeed, laughing out loud. From Mitch Williams who once missed the batting cage while throwing batting practice to Steve Balboni saying that he'd never forget his first grand slam, only to be reminded that he had hit one the year before, to which he replied, "Oh, yeah. I forgot," you'll be laughing until you cry.
Kurkjian is passionate about the game and it definitely shows in his intelligent discussion on the state of baseball today and his admiration for the people who understand and properly promote the game. Cal Ripken's name appears prominently in this regard.
Kurkjian, who graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, MD writes clearly and keeps his work moving. At 276 pages, it is an easy and enjoyable read, one that you will find ends too soon. Everyone out there who loves baseball, especially the game's very human element, should definitely read this book.
Sounds as if I may have found my baseball read for the summer.
Posted by: Melissa Dodge | May 20, 2009 at 06:04 PM