THE PERFECT SEASON

McCarver's essay on why 1998 was baseball's greatest year is perfect for fanatics or even anyone mildly interested in the sport. McCarver, a 21-year veteran catcher, is now lead baseball analyst for the Fox network. Davidson's narration makes the listener feel the drama as the story of an unparalleled season unfolds. It's pretty hard to make a book full of facts and figures sound interesting, but Davidson's enthusiastic approach really makes this work special. McCarver's point that 1998 brought baseball back from the skids is, of course, bolstered by the unforgettable home run battle between Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa. To learn about this and other 1998 records, the writer and reader remind the listener about earlier greats, such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker, and their records. There is no question to the listener that reader Davidson has turned writer McCarver's work into a successful double play. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 00]