Book Review: Wild Pitch

Wild Pitch
by Mike Lupica
Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
p. 352

In a story as improbable as a David Cone comeback, but far more amusing, Mike Lupica in Wild Pitch gives us the story of another 40-plus year old ex-Met pitcher who gets a chance to make a comeback. Based on the timeline of the novel “Showtime,” Charlie Stoddard would have actually been a teammate of Cone’s, had he existed. In the ‘88 season when the Mets choked in the playoffs, “Showtime” Charlie Stoddard blew out his arm and ended his career, or so he thought.

Fifteen or so years later Charlie is making his living at card shows, hating having to talk about his glory days, and generally taking his life one sleazy day (and especially night) at a time. Charlie’s reputation from back in his playing days was that he would never miss an opportunity to start a game, and never miss a party. This holds true as the story unfolds, except for the fact that his starts have long since dried up. Then Charlie has a one-night stand which changes his life.

He awakens the next morning suffering and almost half paralyzed. His date of the evening (a soap opera actress) hands him a card with a mysterious name and phone number on it along with the promise “that he’ll fix you up.” Needless to say, he calls, and proceeds to get much more than he was hoping for. The mysterious contact identifies himself only as “Chang.” Chang practices a unknown form of healing called “ART.”

Enter Charlie’s ex-wife Grace, a woman who puts Martha Stewart to shame by Martha’s own standards. She has power, wealth and success, all of which she earned by being her own woman. Still, she has a thing for bad boy Charlie Stoddard, a guy who made Pedro look like a number three starter. Charlie had screwed up his marriage and his relationship with his son long ago through his partying ways, but he and his ex-wife manage to become friends again.

At this point, Charlie’s arm starts coming back to life and he tries a comeback. He hits up his old battery mate (that’s a catcher for those not familiar with the term) Ted Hartnett who now manages the Boston Red Sox for a shot at pitching once again in the majors. The Red Sox are desperate. Their pitching is heading to the disabled list one arm at a time, and the Yankees are breathing down their necks, while Boston tries to cling to a lead in the AL east.

After many adventures Charlie ends up in Boston to face new teammates, his best friend, ex-wife, the mysterious healer known as Chang, and someone who I’m not going to tell you about - so you’ll have to read to find out.

It’s a terrific baseball story about a pennant race, a comeback, human emotions, party girls, and maybe even about growing up, or why we never do. Lupica writes brilliantly, in a comic fashion which compares with Carl Hiaasen and Lawrence Shames, but better because it’s on the subject of baseball. It’s a book which any lover of baseball will enjoy, both for its reality and the storyline which twists deliciously at times. Even if you don’t want to, you’ll find yourself rooting for an old Met who becomes one of the Red Sox and tries to hold back the curse of the Bambino.

It might even make you believe in David Cone... well maybe not.

Give this book 3 out of 4 balls.

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.

At Home Plate

Review: Wild Pitch