Bottom of the Ninth

by Duke Tate

It’s Christmas time in New York City. And die hard baseball fan Maximilian Clark's life is in the final innings.He just lost his father to cancer. And his job.

Unable to make rent, his wife left him with their two kids.Descended from a line of die-hard Yankees’ fans, Max realizes there is more to life than just baseball and needs money soon, but how?

Find out in this powerful short read set in New York City.

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2020

About the author

Duke Tate was born in 1980 in Jackson, Mississippi to Ken and Charme Tate.
He is married to the lovely Wiphawan Tate and the couple have two sons, Chirayu and Phiraphat, and a daughter named Isabella. The author of 41 books, his father and his memoir was released in 2020 and selected for The London Times Literary Supplement’s Books of the Year List.

Reviews

[Anneliese Grassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Miracles

What starts out as a sad, down on your luck type of story turns out to be quite the Christmas miracle. After Max has a string of bad luck - loses his job, his father passes, his wife packs up the kids and leaves, gets an eviction notice - he doesn't have long before his money will run out. He asks Santa on Christmas Eve for anything, anything at all to just help him through the next month or so. What he discovers in an old box of his father's belongings is exactly what he was hoping for.

A very well told story about life, loss, hope, the love of the Yankees, and sharing what means most down through family generations.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Laura Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. This book will make you realize that no matter how low you go, someone is unfortunately going lower. Maximilian’s life is spiraling out of control. Unable to make rent he looses everything and everyone that means anything to him. In this interesting short story that takes the reader into the life of someone who loves the Yankees and wants a victory in every way possible you will root for max all the way with a home run.

[Ronpoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!

I was wonderfully surprised how much I loved this story. My favorite baseball player of all time is Mickey Mantle and to have him as part of this story was awesome. If you like a nice short read I highly recommend this tale. I will now look for more of Mr Tate's work. Definitely a five out of five stars.

[John Cooksey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

A heartwarming short and sweet happy ever after Christmas fairytale. I would have enjoyed a bit more interaction in the final scene with Ashley and Max III, but perhaps that would have distracted from the central idea. Very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from Duke Tate.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from a Goodreads Giveaway. I very much enjoyed this easy to read, short story. It reminded me of my childhood and collecting baseball cards. The story was a nice reminder that there are many people in this world that are struggling and looking for a little bit of hope and joy. It's a good reminder of the things that are really important in life.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned to love the Yankees because my husband has loved them most of his life. This is a feel-good story of the Yankees saving Christmas and more for a man and his family down on their luck.
Nice read to start my day!
Go Yanks!

[Sean Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Very enjoyable little story about live, loss, hope, and the love of Baseball, as well as passing on that love to each generation.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through enjoyed the storyline and read

[Angela Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Diane Hassler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads giveaway

Quick read and very nostalgic if you are old enough. Takes the readers back to a different time when things were more predictable.