By Doug Glanville
Sport and Cinema's Guide to Books
Where did the author stand? Primarily in centerfield. The former Phillie, Cubs and Ranger player, Doug Glanville presents a cornucopia of the everyday occurrences, rituals and pressures that operate hand-in-hand as a major league ballplayer.
Playing in the steroid era of 1996 to 2004, the Ivy League grad with an engineering degree presents a wide-ranging exploration of life through a ballplayer’s life.
Glanville covers a wide range of topics including:
*clubhouse justice
*using an alias on the road
*drug tests
*the fear of vulnerability that plagues young major leaguers
*the choice of aging naturally or artificially in the Steroid Era
*the steady decline of the number of black major leaguers
*competing with veterans for starting jobs
*An eclectic list of the Best of- Best Parking Lot, PreGame Music….
*The under-reported stats for retired players, which include DFP’s (Depressed Former Players) and DARs (Divorces After Retirement).
*The role of ritual in baseball
