SPORTS & RECREATION

The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife

by Brad Balukjian
Univ. of Nebraska. Apr. 2020. 280p. ISBN 9781496218742. $27.95. SPORTS
COPY ISBN
Imagine buying a pack of baseball cards from the mid-1980s. Each pack has 14 random cards, many of which feature players you do not know. In this fascinating book, Balukjian (Merritt Coll., CA) describes how he tracked down every single player in the pack, an adventure that led him to travel thousands of miles through 30 U.S. states. One by one, the author locates the players, and through this journey readers learn about the extraordinary experiences of athletes such as Rance Mullikins, Steve Yeager, Gary Templeton, and Rick Sutcliffe. While not everyone featured here is a baseball superstar, all of the stories offer captivating tidbits for fans of the sport.
VERDICT Will appeal not only to baseball fans but also to enthusiasts of sports history nostalgic for a bygone era.
Reviewed by Gus Palas, Ela Area P.L., Lake Zurich, IL , Feb 28, 2020
0 COMMENTS
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.
Fill out the form or Login / Register to comment:
(All fields required)

RELATED 

NONFICTION

It’s Only Drowning: A True Story of Learning To Surf and the Search for Common Ground
by Litt, David
NONFICTION

Formula 1, 75 Years: At Speed with the World’s Greatest Motorsport
by Codling, Stuart & James Roberts
NONFICTION

Arum and King: Six Decades of Boxing Gold
by Corwin, Marty
NONFICTION

Open Play: The Case for Feminist Sport
by Bekker, Sheree & Stephen Mumford
MEDIA

Coming Home
by Griner, Brittney
NONFICTION

Magic in the Air: The Myth, the Mystery, and the Soul of the Slam Dunk
by Sielski, Mike
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?