James S. Currie

NCLA Review: The author is a Presbyterian minister currently serving in Texas. He is obviously a huge fan of baseball and so should be his readers. Each of this book’s chapters is titled after a component of baseball. For example, there is a chapter on baseball as a “game that reflects society.” Currie then relates the story of how baseball became integrated with the signing of Jackie Robinson. This event is placed beside Matthew 13:1-9 relating to the sower who casts some seeds onto the path, and onto the thorns as well as onto fertile ground. The hiring of the first black man by a white baseball general manager is explained as the seed falling onto fertile ground. Examples taken from baseball are used beside parables of Jesus. The book is fascinating for a serious baseball fan. The book would not appeal to those who are not. Rating: 2 —JD… (mehr)