Good Enough to Dream by Roger Kahn - 4 stars (Subdue)

[Joy D]

Good Enough to Dream by Roger Kahn - 4* - My Review

Roger Kahn takes the reader into the heart of small-town America in the days when baseball was still considered “America’s pastime.” He provides a glimpse into the workings of a minor league baseball team, the Utica Blue Sox, in upstate New York, which was in the “A” league and had no parent team. Kahn relates his experience as the owner-general manager, and the many challenges of working on the ownership side of a struggling team. He also delves into the lives of several players and the reception the team receives from residents of Utica. Themes include dreams, goals, community, resilience, and perseverance.

Kahn discusses baseball as a symbol of hope and opportunity, while not ignoring the obvious fact that most minor leaguers never make it to the major leagues, and it was even more difficult for anyone on an independent minor league team. Kahn is a great storyteller. His writing is a blend of anecdotes and astute observations. Published in 1985, it is a bit of a period piece, as there have been many changes to the way teams are run since this book was written. It is nostalgic, humorous, and a pleasure to read. I can see why this book is considered a classic of sports literature.