Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.35764097309049
EAN num: 9780670887767
ISBN number: 0670887765
Label: Viking Adult
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 224
Printing Date: August 01, 1999
Publishing house: Viking Adult
Sale Popularity Level: 2149475
Studio: Viking Adult
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
When Mark McGwire sent the very first pitch from Montreal Expos rookie pitcher Carl Pavano rocketing into the left field stands at Busch Stadium on September 27, 1998, it was baseball's latest 'shot heard round the world.' A 26-year-old research scientist named Phil Ozersky happened to be sitting in those left field stands that fateful afternoon, and when he dove on the ball and hugged it close, his world was remade.
The Ball offers readers an inside account of what happened subsequent --and what happened first. Author Daniel Paisner retraces the arc of this one ball, from the moment it was stitched by factory workers in a Rawlings plant in Turrialba, Costa Rica; to the moment it was finally sold at auction for a staggering $3.005 million to comic-book publisher Todd McFarlane.
This is a tale of fortune and legend, honor and greed, substance and style, based in large part on Paisner's unique acess to Ozersky and his advisers, including St. Louis sports agent Michael D. Barnes. The Ball is the only in-depth account of the remarkable aftermath to this remarkable baseball season, shot through with compelling personalities, backroom dealings and unearthed legends from our national game. It is itself a gem of a collector's item, sure to find a place on the bookshelves of baseball fans and observers of the American scene.
Amazon.com Review:
'The Ball' begins innocently enough in a Costa Rican factory as a Rawlings baseball, like thousands of others each year, is wound and sewn for use in the major leagues. The story ends months later at auction, when that very ball is sold for more than $3 million. Between those two events, Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire has hit it--and, up in the stands, a young research scientist named Phil Ozersky has retrieved what turned out to be a shot for history, the Mighty Mac's 70th home run of the season. Now, a hunk of horsehide is suddenly baseball's ultimate object of desire, an instrument of potential wealth and thus ineffable greed.
The story of this ball and its movements--and what it tells us about who we are as a society--makes for an odd and riveting cautionary tale, almost totemic in quality. McGwire made it clear during his hunt for Roger Maris's legendary record of 61 home runs in a season that he'd never pay for any of the record-breaking homers he hit and that their rightful place was on display in Cooperstown. Still, the smart money knows that everything yesterday has a price, and someone is always willing to pay it. 'We live in a time,' Paisner reminds us, 'when dollar bills change hands as carelessly as if they'd been printed by Milton Bradley ... when money burns the kinds of holes in our deep pockets that can't keep us from our impulses.' On cue, Ozersky sleeps with the ball the very first night and then puts it in his girlfriend's parents' safe the subsequent day before securing it in a safe deposit box the day after. Then the marketers, agents, and auctioneers take center stage. Interestingly, the only person who exits the tale with hands completely clean is the star himself, Mark McGwire, happy to do his part and leave it at that. --Jeff Silverman
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
Daniel Paisner has hit another home run. The absurdity that has entered into the sports memorabilia market is clearly exposed here. He accuarately illuminates just how hard it is for the average fan to collect that "special piece." Unfortunately, sports memorabilia collecting can no longer be just for the love of the game. The book was a great read and highly recommended!
Rated by buyers -
You'll be amazed how quickly 200 pages turn with this well-written, fast-paced dialogue of Mark McGuire's 70th baseball and the hoopla that endured for a lucky scientist in St. Louis. Even if you're not a huge baseball fan, this story is likely to keep your attention. Thanks to Barron's newspaper for the recommendation!
Rated by buyers -
an adventure of a young scientist into the world of big money and big people with "good" guys and villans...with cameos from mcgwire, sosa and donald trump....this was a home run catch with a home run ending
Rated by buyers -
Round and round and round she goes... Someone, maybe you, could strike it rich at the ballpark and bring home #62 or #63 or, heaven forbid, #70. Here it is, the great lottery of the magical 1998 baseball season. The buzz about Sammy and McGwire was matched by an undercurrent of instant fame and wealth, the American pastime promising to bestow the American dream. THE BALL captures it all. And it is truly a fascinating and highly entertaining read. I recommend this book not only to baseball fans (for whom it is a must) but also for anyone interested at a look behind the scenes of one of the great fairy tales of our times.
Rated by buyers -
This book captivates you as you get a very first hand look into the pursuit of the so-called American Dream. Not only is the story interesting in itself but it prompts you to analyse and question your own values. This book is just marvalous on so many levels. I can't wait for the subsequent Paisner book to again enjoy his insights into the human personality.
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