Tales from the Red Sox Dugout

by Jim Prime, Bill Nowlin

The Boston Red Sox are one of the most storied sports franchises in North America. Steeped in tradition, they represent a veritable treasure trove of baseball lore. From the earliest days of a promising young pitcher named Babe Ruth, through the glory years of Foxx, Williams, and Yastrzemski, to the present era of superstars such as Garciaparra and Martinez, the Red Sox epitomize all that is grand about the grand old game. Over the years they've been blessed with some of the most colorful and engaging characters ever to don a major league uniform -- Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Dick "Dr. Strangeglove" Stuart, and Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, to name just a few. Tales from the Red Sox Dugout captures the flavor and atmosphere of the Red Sox dugout. You'll find this book as irresistible as a sunny afternoon doubleheader at Fenway.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2000

Reviews

[Dianeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Red Sox fan for life, through thick and thin, I really liked this book. It was very funny! There are even more stories that were not told in this book But the ones included were great. The only suggestion I have would be that the stories to be chronological instead of alphabetical order. I think having them in that order would have been easier to understand. I sometimes got confused about when the story took place jumping from present day to the early years and then to 1978.

[Chris P · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book to sit down and laugh at then this book is for you. The book Tales from the Red Sox Dugout by Jim Prime is a collection of stories told by Red Sox players about moments that happen "behind the scenes" that you don't necessarily hear about. One of the reasons i like the book is because of the story where two players were in a hotel room and they were having an altercation about keeping the light on or off when they were sleeping. Eventually the argument got heated and players from other rooms could hear them arguing. After a few minutes of arguing the other players heard a gun shot and rushed in to see what had happened. In the end, the player who wanted the light off shot the light so the other player couldn't turn it on. As one reviewer put it, " even if you hate the Red Sox you would like ths book." I liked this book because it actually made me laugh out loud and entertained me. A second reason I enjoyed this book is because when I was reading this book time passed quickly even though I don't like reading.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun collection of short stories, but a 2001 publishing date preludes the heroics of Brookline Wonderboy (and another former French student of Scott Butchart...), Theo Epstein and David Ortiz (among others...) and the legit breaking of curses.

"Like Sisyphus, the Sox keep pushing the rock up the mountain- only to have it roll right back down again." (2)

It was interesting to note that Ken "Hawk" Harrelson was the first player to wear a batting glove, which was actually a refashioned golfing glove.

El Tiante was smitten with his future wife, Maria the moment he first saw her at the ballpark, but she was actually the player in a softball game in Mexico City!

My favorite story retold by the Herald was of a Jewish Red Sox fan who didn't want to miss the unforgettable Pedro Martinez pitching on Rosh Hashanah.

"The Rabbi replied thoughtfully: 'It's not such a problem. It's for nights like this that God invented VCRs.' Sox fan: 'So I can tape the Rosh Hashanah services?'" (72)

"The Red Sox image is a curious mix of vulnerability, humanity, and humor." (3)

[Mike S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like baseball and even if you hate the red sox you would like ths book.