Book Review: Sometimes You See It Comingby Jonathan LeshanskiAugust 21, 2004
Sometimes You See It Coming I have to admit that I love a good baseball story as much as the next guy - especially when the story involves the New York Mets. In this book, which is Kevin Baker’s first novel, we are treated to a New York Mets team that never existed - a dynastic team that has won 5 World Series in the past 11 years with playoff appearances in each of them. The team leader is the mysterious John Barr a player with a secret past and a closed mouth attitude about everything including what happens on the field. Barr is a combination of Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson and Ted Williams all rolled into one and held together by his secret past, which is slowly but surely uncovered chapter by chapter. Thankfully this is not another stereotypical baseball novel though all the elements required by one are certainly there - the pennant race, the love interest, the slump, the heroic slugger and even a villain from the rival team. However my reading of this novel (which was given to me for the holidays by an At Home Plate colleague) seemed particularly appropriate in an election year since the parallels between the far left and far right of the political spectrum can be seen on the ball field in this book and it all comes to a head in a big game that has a ending far different from what is expected in this type of novel. The book is well written and changes perspectives often between characters involved in the novel, writing each segment from a different viewpoint. This is handled well and helps weave a story that is much more balanced because of the effort. Perhaps notably the only character whose perspective we don’t see (until the end) is that of John Barr himself. Who we do see are other players, most noticeably leadoff hitter and centerfielder Rapid Ricky Falls AKA The Old Swizzlehead, whose colorful narratives smack of a combination of Satchel Paige and Mickey Rivers (who was called Gozzlehead). Falls is one of the main characters of the novel but far from the only one of importance. Next come the reporters Ellie Jay, the love interest, and Barry Bushby (whose nickname would not qualify to be used in a family oriented site) who believes that modern ballplayers can’t hold a candle to the old timers. Lastly there is manager Charlie Stanzi (AKA the Little Maniac), who has taken over a championship quality Mets team and is slowly but surely ripping it apart from within by subtle and not so subtle moves and machinations that eat into the mind and confidence of solid veterans. In doing so he is progressively a destroying the team - although they often manage to win despite him (and where he can take the credit). Predictably the book draws to its conclusion with a big game but the outcome and the way it gets there is a delightful surprise and makes this a book well worth reading. Despite the quote on the cover it’s not a match for Bernard Malamud’s The Natural (which was much better than the movie based on the books), but was obviously inspired by it and proved enough of an inspiration that Baker wrote an introduction to the Natural in a later edition. Give this one 2.0 balls out of 4. Take it for what it is - a good but not great first novel and one which sadly has been the only baseball novel he has written.
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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