Baseball players are superstitious creatures. They know never to step on the baseline or mention that a no-hitter is in progress, and some have been known to wear the same shirt throughout a hitting streak or eat the same meal before every game. Ballplayers tend to be wary of the supernatural forces that may affect their success - whether they really believe in them or not. But what happens when events seem to suggest that something other than harmless superstition is at work? The Baseball Astrologer examines 50 strange, quirky, and often spine-tingling examples of bizarre coincidences and freakish occurrences throughout baseball history, from specters in the stands to ominous predictions. Did Roberto Clemente Jr. predict his father's death? Did a ouija board tell Lou Gehrig of his fate? What's the real story behind Boston's "Curse of the Bambino" - and what will it take to break it? The Baseball Astrologer reveals these and many more chilling baseball tales.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Baseball Astrologer is actually a misnomer for this odd little book; the section on astrology (Capricorns are great at stealing bases but make lousy batters, Sagittarians make great batters but lousy pitchers, etc.) is the briefest--and least interesting--in the book. Where Baseball Astrologer shines is in its look at superstitions, coincidences, and downright spooky occurrences in the world of baseball. For example, author John B. Holway delves into the 1911 American League pennant race between the New York Giants and their good luck charm Charles Victory Faust, and the Philadelphia A's with their talisman, a diminutive hunchback named Louie Van Zelst. "As every baseball fan knows, rubbing a hunchback's hump was the best luck in the world for a ballplayer." The A's prevailed and went on to beat the Giants in the World Series.
Even more interesting is Holway's explanation for Boston's World Series drought. It's not the Babe, it's "Tessie"--a hot Broadway waltz the fans bellowed from the stands between 1903 and 1916. Perhaps BoSox fans will take Holway's advice and readopt the tune.
Though it sometimes suffers from a lack of focus, Baseball Astrologer is an enjoyable, light read--when taken with a grain of salt. --M. Stein
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By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I don't believe a bit in astrology. That being said, I have always enjoyed offbeat, oddball books on baseball - and this one qualifies as both. Fans of baseball history and stats often touch on odd coincidences and circumstances. Ballplayers themselves have - many of them - long been known to have a variety of superstitions and quirks that they hope might improve their play. We've all heard the stories and enjoyed them on one level or another.
Some of us have ourselves ritually worn certain articles of clothing to ballgames in hopes that it could somehow make a difference. Being from Boston, I have indeed sometimes worn red socks to a game. In Boston this year, the story came out about a local man who placed a Red Sox cap atop Mount Everest - and burned a Yankees cap in base camp. Well, it didn't seem to work this season, but there's no harm in trying.
And you won't get harmed reading John's book. In fact, you'll probably have a lot of fun - as I did. There's a lot of baseball in there and a lot of thought-provoking comment as well.
Some of us have ourselves ritually worn certain articles of clothing to ballgames in hopes that it could somehow make a difference. Being from Boston, I have indeed sometimes worn red socks to a game. In Boston this year, the story came out about a local man who placed a Red Sox cap atop Mount Everest - and burned a Yankees cap in base camp. Well, it didn't seem to work this season, but there's no harm in trying.
And you won't get harmed reading John's book. In fact, you'll probably have a lot of fun - as I did. There's a lot of baseball in there and a lot of thought-provoking comment as well.
--Bill Nowlin, Cambridge MA
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It's hard to believe that respected Negro League historian John Holway could write a book this utterly wrongheaded. "The Baseball Astrologer" collects a host of anecdotes, then labors to find some paranormal explanation for them. But correlation is not causation: look hard enough at a large collection of data and you're bound to find some patterns, even if they have no significance whatever.
Hilariously, Holway devotes several pages to debunking biorhythms, which are no more ridiculous than astrology, "good luck charms," "omens" or any of the other foolishness the book presents as fact.
Odds-on favorite for Silliest Baseball Book of the Year. Total Sports should be ashamed of itself for publishing this.
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