The Forever Boys
A Second Chance to Star Again
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
The Forever Boys is the funny, heartbreaking, authentic story of the men who played in the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association.
Peter Golenbock spent the season with the league champion St. Petersburg Pelicans. Like the league’s other seven teams, the Pelicans were a collection of former and near major leaguers – some desperate for a return to The Show, some in need of a pay check, all grateful for the joyous opportunity to suit up for another ballgame.
Golenbock’s genius in capturing the essence of the men he writes about has never been more evident. His pitch-perfect ear for dialog and anecdotes, and deep understanding of the game, take you right onto the bus, into the clubhouse, and side-by-side with the ballplayers. Full of triumphs and failures, hopes and memories, one-liners and muscle pulls, The Forever Boys is a priceless time capsule of 1970s and 80s baseball.
Featuring Dock Ellis, Bobby Tolan, Steve Kemp, Lenny Randle, John Matlack, Ron LeFlore, Bill Lee, Ferguson Jenkins, Rollie Fingers, Tim Stoddard, Dick Williams, Earl Weaver, Bert Campaneris, George Foster, Mickey Rivers, Sammy Stewart, Milt Wilcox, Randy Lerch, Billy Martin, Tom Seaver, Reggie Jackson, Joe Sambito, Dave Kingman, Toby Harrah, Roy Howell, Ron Washington, Ken Landreaux, Dick Bosman, Sparky Anderson, Steve Henderson, Amos Otis, Graig Nettles, Al Oliver, and many more.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Golenbock displayed his talent for oral history in his books on the Brooklyn Dodgers ( Bums ) and New York Yankees ( Dynasty ). Here he profiles the first year of the Senior Baseball League, a competitive league of former professional players over age 35. Golenbock, who followed the pennant-winning St. Petersburg Pelicans through tryouts, winning and losing streaks, injuries and bus rides criss-crossing Florida, conveys vivid portraits of individuals determined to extend their declining but still formidable talents. Some, like St. Pete manager Bobby Tolan and his pitching coach Dock Ellis, were controversial stars in the major leagues. All describe the family hardships, organizational politics, racism and personal disillusionment that accompany the joy of playing the game. Briskly written and entertaining, the book also records, perhaps for the first time, a well-known player tradition: the hilariously biased proceedings of a ``kangaroo court''--a cherished opportunity to hound teammates about misplays on the field, gluttonous eating habits or anything else that amuses the court ``judges''--an experience not to be missed. Photos not seen by PW.
