At Home Plate - Book Review: Haunted Baseball: Ghost, Curses, Legends, and Eerie Events

Book Review: Haunted Baseball: Ghost, Curses, Legends, and Eerie Events

Written by Rob Swift (Contact & Archive) on July 23, 2008

Haunted Baseball: Ghost, Curses, Legends, and Eerie Events
By Mickey Bradley and Dan Gordon
Copyright 2007 – The Macmillan Company

Regardless of whether you are a believer of the paranormal or a skeptic, if you’re a fan of America’s pastime, “Haunted Baseball” is a book that will satisfy both sides of the fence. Not only does it investigate reports of hauntings and other accounts of ghostly activity, it discusses legends and some curses that you might not be familiar with.

Every fan knows about the famous curses in baseball; the Cubs and their Wrigley Field Goat, the Red Sox and their “Bambino” curse, and the White Sox curse dating back to the 1919 Black Sox scandal. The latter two have apparently been “broken” with World Series victories by both teams. But how about the Tampa Bay Rays and the rumors of a curse about their original team name, the “Devil Rays”? Did you know about the St. Louis Cardinals’ “Curse of Keith” or the Indians’ “Curse of the Rock”; these and others are addressed in “Haunted Baseball”.

I will tell you straight up that I am a total skeptic when it comes to ghosts, curses, and anything that involves superstition. You cannot tell me that Nomar Garciaparra’s ridiculous batting glove ritual before every pitch makes him see or hit the ball better. The thing about a superstition though is that it doesn’t matter if its real or not to me, it matters to the individual. I don’t believe in Nomar’s antics, but if he does and he feels it gives him an advantage, then it is in fact real.

Let’s get me off of my soapbox; Gordon and Bradley are the experts on this subject. And besides, regardless of if you believe in superstitions, ghost, or curses, they are fun to read about. Many of these stories are news to me and being a lifelong fan of the game I also find this book interesting in the historical sense.

The writing is smooth and the chapters are long enough to be informative but short enough not to lose your interest. Additionally I could not tell what teams Gordon or Bradley were fans of, which to me is always important in non-fiction books about the Major Leagues. They were completely objective in their reporting and storytelling which will appease the skeptics. At the same time though, it is interesting enough that believers in the paranormal will find it a great read too.

Both Dan Gordon and Mickey Bradley are seasoned authors who have written about the paranormal before, this ain’t their first rodeo. They seamlessly switch from writing about ghosts and eerie events to touching stories about life and baseball meeting at a crossroads.

Chapter two is the touching story about Cleveland Indians’ trainer Jimmy Warfield and the influence he had on players such Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, Sandy Alomar, and others that played for the Tribe from the early 1990s until Warfield’s sudden death in July of 2002.

In chapter 10, Bradley and Gordon devote the entire chapter to stories about the occurrences surrounding some of the games played following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. These accounts are written with such care and emotion that even a cynical skeptic such as myself got goose bumps.

And then there is chapter 24 and the story about Becky Cornelius; it’s inspiring but at the same time a little disconcerting. Becky’s relationship with the Triple “A” Iowa Cubs is something you will just have to read for yourself and form your own opinion. I will say this though, if you ever make it to an Iowa home game and Becky is there, do not root against the Cubs!

All in all “Haunted Baseball: Ghosts, Curses, Legends and Eerie Events” is a great book for all levels of baseball fans. It not only takes you into the world of the paranormal, but also touches your heart and gives you a few lessons in history too. In the AtHomePlate.com rating scheme, I give it “three and a half balls”. Mickey Bradley and Dan Gordon have collaborated on a very interesting and unique book that would make a great gift to any fan of the game, including yourself.

(Check out the book’s website, http://www.hauntedbaseball.com or you can find “Haunted Baseball: Ghosts, Curses, Legends and Eerie Events” on most book selling sites including Amazon.com.)

Recommend article:

Comments (28)

This kind of post is very rare.. its so hard to seek a post like this. very informative and the contents are very Obvious and Concise .I will look more of your post. Thank you for sharing.

This post is one of a kind. Sharing this is a great help for the readers in order for them to widen their knowledge about the subject. More power to the author.

Great article, I think you covered everything there.

My dear friends, do you want to be fashionable? Just come in, please!
We are international trade that specializes in the True Religion Jeans. The latest styles of True Religion Jeans are on large sales now. The originator of ture religion is the Levi’s Company. People all like the fashion jeans and jeans became more and more popular. Our products are authentic quality with original box. Many different shapes and styles will fit you. Discount True Religion Jeans will cost you less money. So, please don’t hesitate. I am sure that True Religion Jeans online shopping is your best choice. Just contact us for details to get the Cheap Religion Jeans! We will be your reliable business partner!
Welcome to our website: == http://www.fashionjeanshop.com == Thank you!

thank you for the wonderful post

Excellent tips. Really useful stuff .Never had an idea about this, will look for more of such informative posts from your side.. good job...Keep it up

Accutane is available purely using a great scheme also known as iPLEDGE. You should be subscribedin your method and then sign docs proclaiming that you are aware of the dangers of the particular treatment so you conform to start using pregnancy prevention just like necessary for the system. Ask a doctor as well as get in touch with the drug manufacturer when you have doubts about the method as well as composed conditions.

I was just looking for this info for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what is the Google's issue that does not rank this type of informative sites closer to the top. Generally the top sites are full of garbage.

This is very informative post and helpful for those who are searching for it.I away get wonderful information from your blog.I hope you will provide more information in future.Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for making such a cool project. I've been checking the site for the Windows version, but I never left a comment about it. I know you are working hard and doing it for free so you shouldn't feel rushed or anything.

interesting article, I believe in the paranormal, and I too believe that objects could have some kind of paranormal possession, thanks for your post.

Fascinating thoughts makes me want to keep coming back for more.

I came to your article from another article and am really interested in this learning about this. , I feel strongly about information and love learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information?

Very good post with informative information. I really appreciate the fact that you approach these topics from a stand point of knowledge and information. This is the first time, I visited at your site and became your fan. You are bookmarked. Please keep on posting.

very informative and supportive post, thanks for sharing.

This is a topic of my interest. I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts.

north face sale

The review is pretty interesting. I will read this book.

Doctors of my generation have experienced dramatic changes in the way we access the information we need to care for patients.

Your article shows tells me you must have a lot of background in this topic. Can you direct me to other articles about this? I will recommend this article to my friends as well. Thanks

Its not the case that reader must be completely agreed with author's views about article. So this is what happened with me, anyways its a good effort, I appreciate it. Thanks

I am happy to find so many useful information about Boat Speed here in the post, a good player can change the situation using these tips, thanks for sharing

Your article is very exciting and informational. I am trying to decide on a career move and this has helped me with one aspect. Thank you so much!

completely agreed with author's views about article. So this is what happened with me, anyways its a good effort, I appreciate it.

I seriously love the best way information presented in the post. I have included in you inside my social bookmark…and I'm waiting your future post

Spot on keeping this write-up, Many of us in reality suppose that the site ought to have way more notice. Let me likely feel just as before to find also way more, because within the articles.

Nice to be visiting your blog post again, it has been months for me. This article that I am waited for way too long.

Wow!I seriously loved reading your blog site. It had been perfectly written and to know. Unlike additional blogs I have got read.