First published 1986
Keith Hernandez steps into the batter's box as the New York Mets chase their championship dreams during the pivotal 1985 season. The veteran first baseman navigates the pressures of professional baseball while his team fights for position in the National League East. Hernandez faces the daily grind of a 162-game schedule, from pre-game rituals in the clubhouse to crucial moments under stadium lights. He watches teammates struggle with slumps and celebrates breakthrough performances that could make or break their postseason hopes. The locker room becomes a second home where personalities clash and friendships form under the weight of expectation. Hernandez must balance his individual performance with team chemistry as the Mets battle division rivals. Each game brings new challenges that test both his skills and his leadership on a roster filled with rising stars and seasoned veterans. The season unfolds through wins and losses that will determine whether this Mets team can build the foundation for future success. At its heart, this is a story about the human side of professional sports and the bonds forged between players chasing the same dream.
Genres: american-fiction, sports, biography-memoir, baseball
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate
Tropes: found-family, sports
Setting: New York
Period: 1985
329 pages · Hardcover · McGraw-Hill