MAN LOVE

Lucky old ballplayers had love instead of money (Mike Barnicle, May 18, 2003, NY Daily News)

"The Teammates" is a love story. It revolves around the deep affection and eternal respect that endured among four men across 67 years. They were baseball players, and their names are Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky, Dominic DiMaggio and the always larger-than-life Ted Williams. Thinking that Halberstam's book is just about baseball, though, is like thinking that "Moby Dick" is a fishing novel.

"There was an element of dependence that these men had on one another that was both wonderful, charming and innocent in a way I don't think is possible for athletes today. There was a sweetness to them." Halberstam said. "The huge sums of money, free agency and the inherent immodesty of the age we live in makes it impossible now."

The story revolves around a trip, car trip, in October 2001. It was a few weeks after 9/11 and DiMaggio, Joe's younger brother, wanted to go to Florida to see his old pal Williams one last time before the ailing and failing Splendid Splinter died.

Dom's wife, Emily, didn't want him to fly. A decision was made that he and Pesky, two old ballplayers in their eighth decade of a wonderful life, would drive. Emily granted her permission after a friend of Dom's, Dick Flavin, offered to be the wheel man. From Boston to Hernando, Fla., with a stop in Philadelphia, they never listened to the car radio. They told stories, made memory come alive and realized again that their friendship and love for one another were worth more than any acclaim or fortune that modern era players attain.

"There is a modesty to these men that is unusual today," Halberstam said. "They know how lucky they were to play with each other, to haveeach other."

We've posted our review of this excellent little book, though you're certain to find that of Steven Martinovich superior: -REVIEW: of Teammates (Steven Martinovich, Enter Stage Right). Posted by Orrin Judd at June 3, 2003 01:16 PM