Extra Innings: A Season in the Senior League [Hardcover]

David Whitford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1989 the Senior Professional Baseball Association was inaugurated in Florida, enrolling players over 35 (catchers over 32) who had spent time in pro ball, preferably in the major leagues. The eight teams attracted some big names, including Ferguson Jenkins, Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue and Bobby Bonds. Following the league throughout its three-month season, freelancer Whitford discerned the athletes' motivations: quite a few of them needed money (there was a $15,000 salary cap), while others sought to recapture honor and camaraderie or simply to keep learning. Although four of the franchises folded after the first season (and the rest of the league recently), the participants had experienced, in Whitford's apt phrase, a "life-after-death fantasy." Of great interest to diamond fans. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 255 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006016459X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060164591
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,690,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant. damn brilliant., October 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Extra Innings: A Season in the Senior League (Hardcover)

David Whitford captures the second spring of these aging ballplayers with his excellent eye for story and ear for dialogue. The man (Whitford) is a national treasure.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars keeps on ticking, December 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Extra Innings: A Season in the Senior League (Hardcover)

Every word Whitford writes is a marvel. Not too late to put this under your Christmas tree!

4.0 out of 5 stars A good anecdotal review of the Senior League, May 11, 2009

By 

IBR "Iowa Book Reviewer" (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Extra Innings: A Season in the Senior League (Hardcover)

This book is an interesting account of the creation and demise of the Senior Baseball League created in Florida in the early 1990's. Using anecdotal accounts from the players themselves the reader gets a good picture of the type of player attracted to the league and the sacrifice the players made to participate.

The book chronicles several strong personalities and famous players and for fans interested in those players this ia a must read. Some of the famous chronicled are Bill Lee, Mike Marshall, Earl Weaver, and Curt Flood and many more, however at times it feels like you are reading a chronicle of a men's slowpitch softball league with the way the game takes a backseat to the personalities. I would have enjoyed a chapter or two that broke down the style of play and the differences in the game which contributed to the failure of the league. The book does touch on those subjects but its failure to go in depth minus anecdotes from players leaves it just a little short as the ultimate chronicle of the League itself.

Definately a interesting and entertaining look at the league and its players and well worth reading to anyone interested in the subject.