THE FIREBALLER

Frank Ryder can throw a baseball well over 105 mph. But behind every pitch is an emotional weight that comes from a tragic event that happened years earlier. Ryder takes Major League Baseball by storm, but his past haunts him, and much of the league's ownership turns on him. Shea Taylor is outstanding with every voice. He excels at differentiating men's and women's voices and keeps straight Ryder's two girlfriends, a widow, his mother and brother, a team owner, and assorted players and executives. Author Mark Stevens, while a bit heavy in the cynicism department when it comes to the media, has created a well-written book with an intriguing premise and a fascinating plot that is shaped wonderfully by Taylor's narration. Great baseball action, great writing, phenomenal narration. M.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2023]