Review: Haunted Baseball by Mickey Bradley and Dan Gordon

[MsMartha]

For the last year or two, at least half a dozen Little Free Libraries have been added to churches, residences, and a community garden in my neighborhood. Visiting these libraries makes my daily walk more fun, and I’ve acquired several books. Haunted Baseball: Ghosts, Curses, Legends and Eerie Events, by Mickey Bradley and Dan Gordon, was the first book that got my attention. I’m not a baseball fan, so as famous as some of these stories may be, I wasn’t familiar with them when I started to read the book. It was “Haunted” that got my attention.

The authors researched for a year and a half, and interviewed over 800 professional players and managers, fans, and other people with interesting experiences and opinions. They found a number of tantalizing stories, often told by people who were personally involved in a ghostly or otherwise eerie event. Fans or not, I think many readers would recognize the famous players, teams, and stadiums that are discussed. There are events and incidents included that everyone does know about, including 9/11.

One of the things the authors did well was sharing the history of various teams. They included the background information that helps the reader understand what happened, and what players and other involved individuals experienced. Chapter 11, about the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks, is a good example. The Yankees not only played baseball, they made many efforts to relieve and support the city and its residents after 9/11. There’s also information about the Diamondbacks, a team that was only four years old at the time. Both players and fans are quoted about how they felt and what they experienced. And, being good reporters, Bradley and Gordon didn’t just include those who believed in the supernatural relation to the World Series. They include nonbelievers as well. As a result, the reader can enjoy the stories, whether he believes in ghosts or not, and see a variety of opinions.

A reader like myself, who doesn’t care for baseball and hasn’t watched a game in many years, can also thoroughly enjoy this book, and learn some facts about the game of baseball as well as the possible links to the supernatural.
I rate this book as 4 out of 4 stars. Bradley and Gordon are good researchers, good reporters, and have open minds and positive attitudes. They don’t try to convince the reader what to believe. I think a reader who’s interested in baseball and ghostly stories would enjoy this book. And if you only enjoy one of those things, give it a try anyway. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!