Book Review: The Fenway Project -Sixty-four of baseball's most knowledgeable fans chronicle one night on the field, in the stands, and behind the scenes at America's oldest ballparkby Jonathan LeshanksiMay 29, 2004 The Fenway Project: Sixty-four of the game’s most ardent and knowledgeable fans chronicle one night on the field, in the stands, and behind the scenes at America’s oldest ballpark. Edited by Bill Nowlin and Cecilia Tan Published by Rounder Books. p. 169 On June 28th, 2002 roughly 750 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) attended Fenway Park to see an interleague game between two old rivals - the Boston Red Sox and their former city mates the Atlanta Braves, who prior to 1953 played about a mile from Fenway and were known as the Boston Braves. Members of SABR are among the most knowledgeable fans in the game today and they have interests that span almost every aspect of the game ranging from numerical analysis to the arts and sciences surrounding the game to history and the geopolitical effects of the game and just about everything else that you can manage. Each season SABR chooses a major city to hold its annual conference, which features lectures, panel discussions, statistical analysis, and of course taking in a couple of games. The 2002 Boston convention was no different except that on this night many of the SABR members were taking part in the “Fenway Project”. The Fenway Project was not a tribute to a grand old ballpark nor was it a part of the efforts to save Fenway park. It was actually the thoughts and musings of a large number of SABRites that attended the game, watched it on TV or listened to it over the radio or Internet or maybe even worked at the game. While the game that night was the focal point around which the project ran - it was not about game coverage (though the game is well covered in the articles), but about the different impressions, thoughts and interests that a fan might bring to the game. What this does is produce a kaleidoscopic view of that single night, which covers such diverse viewpoints as the history of the rivalry, the problems with technology in listening to the game on the internet, how much one writer hates the Braves, coverage from the writers booth, what it’s like to sing the National Anthem, the view from the bleachers, the thoughts of a fan who has never seen a major league game in person, what it is like inside the scoreboard, and far too many more topics to mention. This diversity certainly makes the book intriguing and it provides a far more intensive look inside a ballgame - or a ballpark that most fans have never experienced. One of the most remarkable things about the book is that it does take you behind a lot of closed doors and into nooks and crannies of the oldest ballpark in the majors. That in itself would make the book worthwhile but it is more than that - it’s a treasure trove of knowledge and opinion from the minds of some of the best and most knowledgeable fans of the game anywhere. Inevitably there are some flaws to any book of this type - the number of different voices (or writing styles) can at times be discordant and distracting forcing the need for a break now and again. Not all of the articles or musings will be for everyone but for the most part they are fascinating although the game accounts themselves do become a little redundant as many of the pieces do include them - but usually only as a secondary point to the written stories which are contained in the book. While I can’t recommend this book for everyone - and it’s certainly over the head of children and casual fans - it is a book that every diehard fan, every Red Sox fan, and most fans who have visited Fenway will greatly enjoy especially with all of the behind the scenes information that is contained within. Give this book 2 out of 4 balls for its unique look both at Fenway Park and into the minds of some of baseball’s greatest fans. Our
Rating System is based on a four ball system as follows: One Ball: Average. It has something to say but is nothing special. Two Balls: Something men usually have - also means its a cut above average, and worth reading/owning. Three balls: Stands out from its peers and is highly recommended. Four Balls: More than just what two men have when hanging out together, it means it is an exceptional book that truly earns a walk - straight to the local book store to get a copy. |
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