The Yankee Years by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci

Genre: Non-fiction

As a Yankee fan, I couldn’t resist reading what Joe Torre had to say about his 12 year reign over the team. For the most part it was a good run, but when a team starts losing, it’s never any fun – regardless of what team or sport it is.

The book is well written and tells us things we didn’t know, but mostly things that had already been pretty well publicized. There were a few conversations between Torre and individual players that I felt should have been kept quiet. Not everything is our business  In the last few years, he had some very troubled and messed up players, as their manager, I believe that should have been kept between him and the individuals. However, none of it was really shocking to me.

It was an interesting look back over those years and did give me a bit more insight on why he made some of the decisions he made during games. As your typical second guessing fan, I always found something to question and always thought I knew best, but now I understand more why these decisions were made.

All in all, an interesting book but not worthy of the media hoopla that the New York newspapers gave it when it was first released.

For Reading Challenges: A to Z Reading Challenge, Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge

Yankee For Life By Bobby Murcer

Yankee for Life by Bobby Murcer

Genre: Biography

This book was written by Bobby Murcer shortly before he passed away. He takes us on his journey beginning with when he learned he had brain cancer and then taking us through his career as a New York Yankee. A team he always wanted to play for.

Murcer takes us through all of his high points, as well as the low points both personally and professionally. We experience his happy times and the disappointments he had along the way. I felt as if he was actually telling me the story in his own voice. There was humor to it, as well as some sadness. What a brave man he was and what a brave family supporting him.

The book is very well written and very poignant and sad, knowing that not long after the book was released, he passed away. For me, this was a fast-paced book and I finished in only a couple of days ( a record for me – I’m a slow reader).

If you are a Yankee fan, I recommend this book highly.

Strike Zone by Kate Angell

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Taylor Hannah was a thrill-seeker. She led adventure-packed tours all the time, but when it came to getting married…she ran scared. The Richmond Rogues pitcher, Brek Stryker, waited at the altar for her, but she never showed. Now, Taylor has faced her commitment issues and wants the sexy pitcher back in her life. There’s only one problem, he’s engaged to another woman.

Brek Stryker was hurt for the last time. Taylor ripped his heart out and stomped on it. He decides to go for a less adventurous, quiet woman like Hilary Talbott. He’s convinced she will be the perfect wife for him. She was safe.

When Brek sees Taylor dressed as the team mascot, the sparks fly all over again. As soon as their eyes meet, the sizzle is back and their chemistry is hotter than ever. Brek tries to fight his feelings, but will he succeed?

I love, love, love this book! I was a bit disappointed in the second book of this series, Curveball, but Strike Zone brought this series roaring back to life. There are actually two romances in this book and both are enjoyable reads. I found myself actually caring about these fictitious characters and not wanting to leave them after the last page was turned. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Kate Angell hit a homerun with this one!

Curveball by Kate Angell

Genre: Romance – Comedy

This is the second book in Kate Angell’s baseball series. It was good, but I didn’t think it was as good as the first one.

Three members of the Richmond Rogues are suspended as the baseball season gets underway for brawling with a fellow teammate. Their absence from the game is quite costly to their team and could cause them to lose their shot at a championship.

The leader of the bad boys is Psycho. At the insistence of the Richmond Historical Society, Psycho is forced to have his home renovated. Keely Douglas shows up on his doorstep claiming to be an interior decorator. Psycho is so anxious to get the historical society off his back that he hires Keely, even though he’s sure she lied about her abilities as a designer.

Romeo has to use his charms on a female reporter, after he has a run-in with her causing damage to her suit. Emerson Kent isn’t easy to win over and Romeo has his work cut out for him.

Chaser decides to spend his off time with the girl next door. Jen Reid happens to own the concession stands at the baseball stadium. After all these years, Chaser finds himself quite attracted to his lifelong friend.

Although there were some great one-liners in this book and some fun scenes, it was a bit hard to keep up with all three romances. I felt as if the author couldn’t devote enough time to each romance to truly develop each couple’s story properly. I did, however, enjoy re-visiting the Richmond Rogues and meeting up with some of the characters from the previous book. I’m still looking forward to the next book, Strike Zone.

Squeeze Play by Kate Angell

Genre: Romance - Comedy

I’ve been so lucky lately as I’ve been reading some great books and Squeeze Play is one of them. I love baseball, so this book was off to a great start for me.

After winning the World Series for his team, pro baseball player Risk Kincaid, takes a well-deserved vacation in his hometown of Frostproof, Florida. Jacy Grayson is thrilled that her childhood friend is coming home. Every time one of Jacy’s relationships go bad, Risk is there to pick up the pieces. She needs her friend’s magic touch once again. Risk has no intentions of letting her down.

Stevie Cole is a genius when it comes to baseball trivia. She can compete with the best male baseball fans around. The one thing she can’t compete with is the beautiful fiancé of pitcher Aaron Grayson. Everyone in Frostproof knows she loves the popular baseball pitcher, everyone except Grayson himself. She’s publicly humiliated by his engagement announcement, until she meets Risk’s teammate Zen Driscoll. Aaron quickly becomes a distant memory.

I was surprised there were two romances going on in this book and the secondary romance seemed to get more time than the main story, but I didn’t mind. I loved both couples and enjoyed watching their antics. Kate Angell is excellent at romantic comedy. This was a fun story that is perfect to read during baseball season.