We’re counting down my ten most dog-eared, beaten-up, food-stained sports books — not necessarily the best or most important, just the ones I’ve gone back to again and again. Each day until September 10 (when I will be announcing my new book), I’ll share one of these beloved books (and, because why not, I’m also pairing each with a fountain pen from my collection).
Reminder: During the countdown, we’re offering 10% off at the JoeBlogs Store. Simply enter PENNANT10 as your discount code at checkout.
No. 9: The Franchise
Author: Michael MacCambridge
Signs of wear: Creased cover, various food stains (spaghetti sauce) on the binding and back cover).
Just beat out: No Cheering in the Press Box, Jerome Holtzman; The Glory of Their Times, Lawrence Ritter.
It was hard leaving out those amazing two books. The Glory of Their Times is the classic of its genre; Ritter interviewed a bunch of early 20th-century ballplayers and the result is an absolute masterpiece as a bunch of old men tell stories and lies (lots of fantastic lies) about baseball in their time. No Cheering in the Press Box is more or less the same concept, but Holtzman’s interview subjects are old sportswriters (who also tell plenty of lies).
But as much as I adore those books, the rules of this countdown are crystal clear: The most worn book wins — and that’s The Franchise.
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