RobKirkpatrick.com

I wanted to post a quick review of a new book called Faith and Fear in Flushing: An Intense Personal History of the New York Mets, by Greg Prince (Skyhorse Publishing, 2009).  With a cover that includes images from the 1986 World Series and Yadier Molina’s home run off Aaron Heilman in the 2006 NLCS, Prince’s memoir chronicles both the triumphs and heartbreaks of the Mets team – not from the jaded lens of a reporter but from the unique perspective of a fan who grew up at the same time the Mets franchise did. There are many books out there covering the Mets championship seasons, but Prince is the type of fan who remembers 1970s team favorite Steve Henderson just as clearly as he does the Amazin’s’ overcoming Dave Henderson’s home run in Game 6.  (He might have titled his book Praying for Ron Hodges.)  In this day of naming rights, luxury-suite ballparks, and alternate batting-practice jerseys, Prince reminds us of the true charms of being a baseball fan.

- Rob