Glory in the Fall - Book Review

Take a walk down memory lane and reminisce in some of “the greatest moments in World Series history.” Glory in the Fall is a new book outlining baseball’s championship highs and lows. Edited by sports journalist and author Peter Golenbock, the book is an anthology that lists some of baseball’s landmark and infamous moments in the history of the World Series.

Bring on the nostalgia with moments such as Joe Carter’s walk-off home run in 1993 with the Blue Jays versus Phillies, Luis Gonzalez’s series-winning single in 2001 with the Diamondbacks versus Yankees and of course, the momentous win the Red Sox had over the Cardinals in 2004.

The book is a collection of various works of other acclaimed sports writers including Roger Angell, Peter Gammons, Robert Creamer, Stephen Jay Gould and David Halberstam.

Golenbock, who has written various sports books, which include Dynasty: The New York Yankees 1949-1964, steps away from his typical coverage of the Yankees, Dodgers and Mets to format a go-to-guide for baseball fans. The bestselling author shares some of his favourite moments in this anthology, which include Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956, Willie May’s catch in 1954 and Carlton Fisk’s home run in 1975, to name a few.

Earlier memorable moments that our parents (and grandparents) may remember include the first-ever World Series in 1903 with the Americans vs. Pirates, Babe Ruth’s called shot in 1932 with the Yankees versus Cubs, and when Jackie Robinson steals home in the Dodgers vs. Yankees series in 1955.

This book is a must-have for any baseball fan. Whether you want to look back at the moments you have witnessed or regretfully may have missed, this book is great to reflect on the sport that is the American national pastime.

Golenbock has done a stellar job in the selection of baseball’s historical moments. But the author strikes out with the lack of photos included in the book. With the exception of the dynamic cover photo, readers are left with dull, black-and-white photos. I guess it was Golenbock’s intention for readers to use the creativity of their imaginations to help illustrate the sport’s historic moments. But a brief photo section in the middle of the anthology (rather than page-by-page illustrations) could help emphasize these historic moments in baseball history. 

As for someone who is not a baseball enthusiast by any means, this book provides an interesting look inside the sport. The anthology format allows readers to sift through the book to find the moments that have captured them most. It also helps educate readers about moments that may be past their time. It is a home-run resource for those of us who have no idea about the sport and want to know what the hype is all about.

With the playoffs in full swing, this may be the most fitting season to think about baseball and Glory in the Fall also allows us to reflect on the sport year-round. Now that’s what I call “hitting it out of the park.”

— Veronica Boodhan