Now after reading a book like The Bullpen Gospels, one could see how reading a chronicling of a season of a non-prospect might not be completely fair. But the fact of the matter? Steve Fireovid along with Mark Winegardner published their book about twenty years before. That’s right. I’m kicking it old school.
The 26th Man is the story of Fireovid’s 1990 season with the Indianapolis Indians. It was back in the days of three official Triple-A leagues and a team called the Montreal Expos. You may think I’m making a poor attempt at a joke here, but we’re at a point where baseball fans aren’t going to know about these things.
Anyway, Fireovid was 33 and married with two kids with a third one on the way. This fact colors the work with a certain dour tone. Not that it works against the story. But he’s openly wondering why he keeps going on several occasions. It’s a fair question. Outside of a few cups of coffee, he found himself spending the 1980′s firmly entrenched in Triple-A. And he was the sort of Nelson Figeuroa or Joe Roa type who found real success at several points.
But as the oldest member on the team? He had the right to wonder just why he was going on. He was a self-proclaimed turd, and prospects like Chris Nabholz were hitting a wall in Indianapolis and getting to the show.
But that led to an interesting dichotomy as well. One two occasions he asked then pitching coach Joe Kerrigan for advice on throwing two pitches. He doesn’t like where he’s at. But yet he’s still willing to work. It’s a very interesting situation he found himself in.
That being said? You feel as if you’re missing something. Winegardner left this story in a journal form. And unfortunately? Fireovid just isn’t a strong natural storyteller. A more hands on approach would have made this book much stronger.
That’s not to say I don’t like the book. There were flaws to it, but it’s a fast read and there are strong moments. I give it a 3 out of 5. A 55 out of 80. It feels like a missed opportunity.
As an added note, Mark Winegardner is currently a professor at Florida State and is in charge of the dept where I got my bachelor’s degree. He also wrote a Godfather sequel book. This is one of his early works.