What are you reading?

[Kobi]

Calico Joe - John Grisham

"A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of major league baseball."

Sweet story. If you like baseball, sweet stories, the Cubs and/or Mets from 1973, or Arkansas, you might enjoy this.

I liked it tho it brought back memories of Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro, a young man who seemed destined for greatness in baseball until August 18, 1967 when the 24 year old, 5th year pro was beaned by Angels pitcher Jack Hamilton. Tony sustained a fractured cheekbone, dislocated jaw, and severe damage to his left retina. Tho he was eventually able to comeback to play, he was never the same and was forced to retire due to the permanent damage to his eyesight.

Not all was for naught tho. Tony still holds the MLB record for most home runs (25) hit by a teenage player. He is the second-youngest player to hit his 100th homer (after Mel Ott in 1931), and the youngest American League player to do so.

His beaning spurred the use of the ear flap on helmets in MLB. Since 1990, the Tony Conigliaro Award is given annually to the player who best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Conigliaro.

Unfortunately, Tony died in 1990 at the age of 45. He had suffered a heart attack and a stroke shortly there after. He remained in a vegetative state for 8 years before his death.

One pitch forever changed the lives of 2 men. Jack Hamilton never fully recovered, either --- unwilling to pitch inside for fear of severely injuring another batter, Hamilton's strikeout rate declined, his opponents' batting average rose, and his earned run average soared. He retired in 1969.