The Might Have Been

Joseph M Schuster - 2012 Random House Publishing Group

There are many books about minor leaguers and each one has potential in the broken, or yet to be fulfilled, dreams of baseball players. 

This book is written in a very nostalgic style, like grandpa telling the story of a man he once knew.   The unfortunate part of this book, however, is that it leaves many things unexplained or unresolved.  We're not really sure what draws Edward Everett (the double name takes some getting used to) to baseball or why he would give up a family and steady paycheck for a life drudging about the minor leagues.   There are many other parts of his psyche that we don't get to see and because of this he is not an easy character to relate to.    In general, there are many times in this book that more insight and less nostalgia would make it a better read.

The Bullpen Gospels

Major League Dreams of a Minor League Veteran
Dirk Hayhurst - 2010 Kensington Publishing Corporation

I'm sure this book has garnered many comparisons to Jim Bouton's Ball Four and for good reason.  Both are hilarious and revelatory accounts from pitchers about some of their time playing professional baseball. 

This book is very entertaining and there were many laugh out loud moments.   The writing is easy to understand and frank in its descriptions.  Considering the accounts Hayhurst did choose to share, I can hardly imagine what he chose to leave out.   The greatest part of this book, however, is Hayhurst's attempt to find meaning beneath the jersey and his prerogative to share that meaning with us.

In all, a highly recommended book.