My long-time friend and devoted Washington baseball fan David Gough penned a brief review of my book “A Whole New Ballgame: The 1969 Washington Senators.” I’m posting it here with a lot of gratefulness. Dave is an author of two fine books himself (“They’ve Stolen Our Team” – a story of the 1960 Senators and “Lil’ Nel” a biography he co-wrote with Jim Bard on Nellie Fox, the ‘69 Senators first base coach and Hall of Fame member). Dave provided inspiration and mentoring for me as I developed the ideas and path for “A Whole New Ballgame.”
Here’s Dave’s review:
I have just completed your book and want to congratulate you on a wonderful remembrance of a memorable season. I suppose that the 1969 season will long live for many of us as a high point of our earlier years. You have done a great job not only recreating that baseball season but setting the context with many memories and anecdotes of that time. I was filled with nostalgia as I turned the pages and sensed the love and commitment on your part in putting so much research together. Thank you for adding to the heritage that we can pass along to those who did not have the privilege and the pleasure that we did to live through such an unforgettable year. May the Lord bless you and may you be able to enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Recap of my appearance on Sports Talk with Glenn Harris, WJLA News Channel 8, on July 3: I enjoyed the privilege of appearing on Glenn’s fine show. He’s a gracious, kind host who put me at ease immediately. Despite being a television show host, he puts on no airs and treated me like his good friend. His producer, Terry Cornwell, found amazing footage of Frank Howard mashing home runs into RFK’s outermost regions. Thanks to all who watched and called the show. I’m hoping to get a DVD of the show soon. Please continue to support Glenn and Sports Talk.
Update: Just a reminder that I will be speaking about “A Whole New Ballgame” this Saturday, July 11, at 9:00 A.M. at the Brighton Gardens, 7110 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD as part of our local SABR chapter’s “Talkin’ Baseball” monthly series. Please come and bring a friend.
SABR stands for “The Society of American Baseball Research.” The Baltimore-Washington area chapter is called the Bob Davids chapter in honor of one of the organization’s original founders. I highly recommend that you become a SABR member. It is a fabulous, fun organization! Check it out at www.sabr.org.
A huge thank you to all who came to my book signing at the Dugout Zone in Ellicott City on June 20! I enjoyed being able to take some time to talk to each person who was kind enough to purchase my book. After you’ve read it, please drop me a line to tell me what you thought of it (and, if you liked it, please post a review on amazon or with Pocol Press, www.pocolpress.com). The signing marked the start of a great few days of baseball. My son Christian and I saw the Nationals-Blue Jays game on Father’s Day. I enjoyed a better result four days later as the Nationals gave me a great birthday present — a 9-3 win over the Red Sox!
If you liked “A Whole New Ballgame” please tell a friend about it, especially any old Senators’ fans. There’s a lot of us out here!