Keith Hernandez opens his memoir in the broadcast booth at Shea Stadium, watching his beloved Mets struggle through what would become the ballpark's final season. The former team captain turned broadcaster examines 2008 with the clear eyes that made him a champion. He watches the Johan Santana trade bring hope to Queens, then sees that optimism crumble as the team falters early. Hernandez speaks directly about Willie Randolph's firing and the steroid scandals that have marked modern baseball. He contrasts the strategic game he knew with today's home run focused style, mourning the loss of old ballparks replaced by newer venues that change how the sport is played. Throughout, Hernandez maintains the sharp observations and honest commentary that defined both his playing career and his broadcasting work. This book captures a man watching the end of an era, both for his team's home and for baseball itself, told with the wit and candor of someone who lived the game at its highest level.
Genres: american, memoir, biography-memoir, baseball, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: memoir, sports
Setting: Shea Stadium, Queens
Period: 2008
256 pages · Kindle Edition