My Baseball Diary

by Mr. James T Farrell, Joseph Durso (Foreword)

First published in 1957, My Baseball Diary chronicles James T. Farrell's enduring passion for the game, from his earliest baseball memory at the age of six through his reminiscences of his first World Series game in 1917 to his later meetings with and recollections of Hall of Famers Ray Schalk, Eddie Collins, Red Faber, Ty Cobb, and Gabby Hartnett.  

Genres: Baseball, Sports

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 1998

Reviews

[Bradthad Codgeroger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle-aged writer in middle 20th century reminisces about baseball in the teens and 20s, mostly. Enjoyable light read that I seemed to have spread over five years.

[Chuck LoPresti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am from Chicago and lived in the area where JTF was raised. These neighborhoods are the subject of his fiction and factual writing alike. There is some of the lucid realism that appears in Studs or the O'Neill books - but not much. This is what it says it is - a baseball diary. There are great chapters that detail a boy's love of the game and there is much to be learned about the history of baseball here. This will serve as an effective introduction to JTF and will appeal more to baseball historians than fans of early Irish American fiction. In his fiction writing - he's something like Turgenev where he lays out a scene and trusts the reader's intelligence to make their own meaning of it. Too smart to condescend, too modest to purple up the prose - I love his writing. But there is little of his full prowess on display here - and to his credit - why should he bother to take such a mode or style when all he really has set out to do here is to explain why one, and maybe more, young boy growing up with access to local and pro teams has learned to love the game so much. I happen to also love the game, and I love my son - so my goal was to gain insight by having one of my favorite writers lay out some of the foundation for the affection of our national game and try to pass some insight on to him. If I can teach my son to love the game like JTF, Ring Lardner and myself - I'll take some pride in my parenting.

[Jimmy Flame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read baseball book

Amazing account of baseball obsession from a guy who grew up in Chicago, who witnessed the likes of Ty Cobb and the 1919 Black Sox, among other greats. I especially appreciate the author’s illuminating words when describing a visit to the baseball hall of fame and his tales of being a kid from the sandlots of Washington Park. Highly recommended reading for anyone wanting to feel the nostalgia of childhood or for anyone looking for a great baseball stories that focus on innocence and the human element.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do a baseball book every year at the start of the season, and this was this year's choice. Originally published in 1957 and reprinted by S IL U Press. A collection of Chicago writer Farrell's baseball writings. So he takes bits from his novels, and then also pieces he wrote over his career - including for the early SI. The bad part is that there is no identification of where the pieces were first published or in what year. A White Sox fan, he does give us some interesting views on old time baseball players, some now forgotten. This book is more for those interested in baseball history, and here often written from a very personal POV. Becomes a bit redundant. And, like his novels, is often "just the facts mam" and no real insight. OK, but I have to admit I wish I had chosen a different book this year.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

the interview with buck weaver was amazing, in particular.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Farrell's baseball reminiscences, mostly of the prelapsarian days before the Black Sox scandal.

[BIG BOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Famed writer James Farrell turns away from fiction and towards his love of baseball. This series of essays on early baseball are a great read whether you are a fan of the game or not.