Review of Baseball Humor
- Julius Peters
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Review of Baseball Humor
“Baseball Humor" by Ward Paxton, Editor and Narrator, is a delightful anthology that captures the lighter side of America’s pastime. This collection, featuring 14 charming and rib-tickling tales originally published in the 1910s and 1920s, offers a nostalgic glimpse into an era when baseball was the dominant professional sport and a significant part of everyday life. The stories cover a range of human emotions and experiences, from the struggles and quirks of players and managers to the passions and antics of fans and their families.
The lineup of authors includes literary giants like P.G. Wodehouse, Zane Grey, and Grantland Rice, among others, all of whom bring their unique flair to the game. The stories are not just about baseball; they are timeless yarns that explore universal themes of ambition, greed, romance, and humor. Whether it’s the hilarious “The Pitcher and the Plutocrat” by Wodehouse or the entertaining “The Red-Headed Outfield” by Grey, each tale is a joy to read, even for those who may not be die-hard baseball fans. The beauty of this collection lies in its ability to appeal to a broad audience through well-crafted storytelling.
What stands out is the collection’s ability to transport readers back to a time when baseball truly was the national pastime. The anecdotes, whether funny or heartwarming, offer a wonderful feel for how the game was intricately woven into the fabric of daily life. The humor in the stories is both lighthearted and insightful, poking fun at the idiosyncrasies of the sport and its enthusiasts.
In addition to the written version, the narrated edition, performed by Ward Paxton, adds another layer of enjoyment. Paxton’s performance of classic pieces, including the well-known tale of Casey, is particularly noteworthy and enhances the overall experience. His excellent narration makes it worthwhile to consider getting both the written and narrated versions, especially as a gift.
It’s difficult to find anything truly negative to say about this anthology. It’s a captivating collection that beautifully captures the essence of baseball’s humor and nostalgia, which I find particularly endearing. The only issue is the editing; the book was not professionally well edited, and I noticed several grammatical and typographical errors. As a result, I’ll rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. Despite these issues, the collection’s overall charm and quality of storytelling make it a memorable read.
“Baseball Humor" is a delightful read that will make you chuckle, reminisce, and appreciate the timeless nature of good storytelling. Whether you’re a baseball aficionado or just someone who enjoys a good laugh, this collection is a wonderful addition to your shelves. I highly recommend it for its humor, historical insight, and the sheer joy of experiencing great stories from some of the best writers of the early 20th century.
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Baseball Humor
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- Rachael Stephen
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Ward Paxton’s Baseball Humor brings the reader to the amusing part of America’s pastime. Most of the works selected for this anthology are humorous and reflect baseball’s particularities and its capacity to induce laughter.
Paxton did a great job with the editing combining old school jokes and wrenching it up to new school which made fans of all ages happy. Divided thematically, the book deals with players’ idiosyncrasies and umpires’ gags, slipshod play and amusing stories stemmed from baseball. Every section presents a new funny twist on baseball, as the previously hidden humor can be easily seen in different aspects of the game.
The choice of the material, on the one hand, is immense and on the other uncensored, which guarantees everyone will find something they like. Laughs from the leaders of the comedy such as Yogi Berra and the humorous writing current sportswriters present the comedy in the sport. All the choices made by Paxton depict how he was fully aware of the nature and culture of baseball and how it is entertaining besides the field.
Obviously, I will begin with one of the major advantages, readability of the book. It is a show that makes its audience laugh and giggle, so no matter what your stance is whether you are a supporter or an observer, the comedy factor in the show is not very hard to identify. The choice of anecdotes and jokes is good and includes both things from the past and the present that will make people, novice or experienced in reading baseball literature, enjoy the book.
Thus, Baseball Humor is an entertaining look at the subject. These qualities are discernible here, for the most part, enabled by Paxton’s curatorial talents which present a pleasing, as well as informative, package. If there is any person excited about baseball in diifferent style and in particular a humorous outlook, then this book is perfect.
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