THE LONG BALL The Summer of '75--Spaceman, Catfish, Charlie Hustle, and the Greatest World Series Ever Played

A blow-by-blow account examines the 1975 Major League Baseball season from Spring Training through "the greatest World Series ever played," between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. The story includes flashbacks and lengthy asides about the on- and off-field lives of many of the principal characters. These true-life dramas are certainly of general appeal, but the book is really directed toward dedicated baseball fans. Richard M. Davidson is convincing as a true fan. He also makes a terrific play-by-play announcer of each World Series game (and the many other games covered in the book). But when he speaks in the voices of well-remembered people, such as Casey Stengal, Bob Prince, or Sparky Anderson, he is convincing only if you didn't grow up with those voices ringing in your ears during weekend games. All in all, though, a delightful performance. R.E.K. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]