The Little Red (Sox) Book: A Revisionist Red Sox History
by Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Jim Prime

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Book Reviews of The Little Red (Sox) Book: A Revisionist Red Sox History

Book Review: A delight for Baseball fans, History Buffs and Punsters
Summary: 5 Stars

And so it is for the long suffering Red Sox fans. How many "What Ifs" have they dealt with in the years since their last World Championship in 1918. They need wonder no longer - the proper outcomes for the Red Sox have been set right from the creative minds of former Sox gadfly Bill Lee and his co-author - rabid Red Sox follower and Ted William's number one fan Jim Prime. Prime has co-authored several excellent and respected baseball books including: "The Ted Williams' Hit List", "Tales from the Red Sox Dugout" and the best of the Williams tributes: "Ted Williams: The Pursuit of Perfection".

The Little Red (Sox) Book presents an entertaining, but slightly revisionist, Red Sox history combined with many delightful ponderings on the subject of baseball and life by Chairman Lee. Mao's little red book may have been read by billions but surely with far less delight than the comical, and at times thought-provoking, pages of this treat.

The authors begin their historical revisions in 1919. Had the universe unfolded properly, Joseph Kennedy would have acquired the Red Sox from Frazee and paid wisely to retain the services of a star pitcher and fair hitter by the name of George Herman Ruth. The consequences of this decision naturally enough led to the establishment of a baseball dynasty in Boston. This chapter presents an alternate reality where the greatest outfield in history might have been Ruth, Shoeless Joe Jackson and Tris Speaker. Satisfying many a Sox fan's dreams, the chapter also relegates the hated Yankees to a deserved baseball backwater.

This slight change in history had many rippling side effects outside baseball. Think about the melodic strains of the great Sinatra classic: "Up Yours, New York, New York" or wonder about the impact on literature had Marilyn Monroe hooked up with Henry Miller rather than Arthur. It is not every baseball book that provides an opportunity to think about how and where Henry Miller might choose to set his dinner table. One can even learn of a simple misunderstanding that would have kept America out of the quagmire of Vietnam. With only a slight exercise in imagination, the authors could see the Boston Pops becoming the house band for David Letterman.

One might wonder what the authors and friends had sprinkled on their Buckwheat pancakes when some of the puns of this chapter were set on paper but surely Shakespeare could not have put in any better than: "Alas poor Babe, I know his homer ratio". The book is worth the price of admission just for the many variations on the "Curse of the Bambino", Lee and Prime managed to deliver.

The second major "What If" that students of the Red Sox often contemplate would be the career stats of Ted Williams had he not lost several prime playing years defending his country. I'd rather not spoil the surprise of how this was accomplished other than to suggest that in this historical revision, Ted did more for world peace on the field then he ever accomplished in the cockpit of a a fighter aircraft. It was hilarious to read the newspaper sub-head: "Ted swings at first pitch!".

As fanciful as these chapters were, there is yet one history where the book takes a more thoughtful and poignant look at the Red Sox. This was the alternate history I found most interesting. Massachusetts and Boston have a long history of tolerance and liberal thought. Would it not have been marvellous if the Red Sox had the foresight to be the first of baseball teams to integrate rather than the last. Imagine Jackie Robinson making his breakthrough in Beantown rather than New York. Imagine the consequences for the team with Robinson stealing bases and upsetting pitchers who ended up serving more fastballs to the Kid. Suppose the BoSox wisdom had attracted the likes of Willie Mays to follow in Robinson's footsteps. Think how many World Series flags would fly today over the green grass of Fenway.

In addition to these histories the book also provides a chance for Bill Lee to share his unconventional thinking about the game of baseball. It was a delight to read his account of what an honest player interview would truly be like. One sample:

Q. Who do you credit with your team's success this year?

A. Were counting on Satan to carry us through Chuck. God appears to be with the Yankees again this year.

I strongly recommend baseball fans everywhere to pick up a copy of "The Little Red (Sox) Book". Imagining the what ifs or enjoying the wit and wisdom of Bill Lee and Jim Prime will provide delight to a broad audience - not just Red Sox fans, but also for history buffs and pun lovers everywhere. A great read to jump start baseball fever for another summer.

Summary of The Little Red (Sox) Book: A Revisionist Red Sox History

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