Tales from the Dodgers Dugout
Carl Erskine
2004
The Pitch
In Tales from the Dodger Dugout: Extra Innings, former Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine drops the reader into the world of baseball in the 1940s and 1950s. Filled with stories, anecdotes, and quotes, Erskine captures the essence of Brooklyn baseball. Best Quote
"Who's pitching today?" asked Roy Campanella.
"Preacher," someone answered.
"Well," said Roy, "they can cut cut the middle of the plate out and
throw it away - 'ol Preach ain't gonna use it."
Highlight
- During World War II, foul balls hit into the stands were thrown back on the field. The balls were collected and sent to servicemen around the globe for recreation. A fan was booed if he did not throw it back.
Overall Rating: Single
Though I couldn't wait to read Tales from the Dodger Dugout, I did not finish it. Boredom set in halfway through and I found myself lamenting reading it to the end. Eventually, I gave up. And then I struggled to write this review - which is why you only see one "highlight" above. There are some good tales in here to be sure as Carl Erskine was a Dodger at a most nostalgic time, but far too many of his stories are rather dry and uninspired. With no chapters to organize his thoughts, the book reads like a bunch of scattered, random notes with headings. Maybe I've missed something.This site is not affiliated with the Dodgers, MLBP, or MLBAM
