Title/Author:
“My Cubs: A Love Story”
by Scott Simon
Tag
Baseball,
professional, memoir, Cubs
Publish date:
April 11, 2017
Length:
155 pages
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very
good)
Review:
Many fans of any sport have a team that they “love.” In the case of Scott
Simon, a National Public Radio personality, that team is the Chicago Cubs. This
book is a collection of stories, reflections and accounts of Simon’s team.
Simon tells of his family connection to two people who played big roles
in the history of the team: former first baseman and manager Charlie Grimm and
former Cubs broadcaster Jack Brickhouse. Grimm was married to a good friend of
Simon’s mother and Brickhouse was a godfather.
The tales of “Uncle Charlie” and “Uncle Jack” were interesting and added
to the intimacy of the tales.
The writing was not especially insightful, especially the recap of the
team’s most exciting moment in 108 years, the night when they won game 7 of the
2016 World Series. They were, however, something that a fan would write when
reliving a great memory. The reverence
that Scott feels for the Cubs is very evident throughout the book. One of the more clever aspects is that many
of the infamous moments in the team’s history- the Curse of the Billy Goat
during the World Series in 1945, the black cat as Shea Stadium in 1969 and the
eighth inning meltdown in game 6 the 2003 National League Championship Series –
are written to the same cadence as the famous “Tinker to Evers to Chance” poem.
The best line in the book comes near the end when Simon explains why he
has the feelings for the team that he does.
He explains that his “feeling for the Cubs is love, not loyalty. It has
not always been pure pleasure to be a Cubs fan, but it’s never been a chore…” That
one line explains much about the author, the book and what means to love one’s
team. Most baseball fans can relate to
this sentiment and therefore will enjoy this book written by a fan that truly
illustrates a fan’s point of view.
I wish to thank Blue Rider Press for providing a copy of the book via
NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)
Buying links:
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