On a cold Easter morning in 1981, the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox started an early-season Class AAA baseball game. No one knew it would take more than eight hours, scores of at-bats, and hundreds of pitches—not to mention continuation two months later—to complete what became the longest-ever professional ballgame. Dan Barry’s beautifully written, well-researched account covers the participants on the field and behind the scenes. Some went on to greatness (two are in the Hall of Fame); some faded into obscurity. Their stories come alive with the author’s wonderful, at-ease narration. His East Coast accent is perfect for the Rhode Island setting, and production techniques are appropriate when he imitates broadcasters. A fascinating, detailed account.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2011
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062068279
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
More books have been written about baseball than any other sport, and audiobooks such as this allow the genre to flourish. Former pitcher Ron Darling, now a broadcaster, had a distinguished career, primarily with the New York Mets. Darling has met just about everyone in the sport for nearly four decades and demonstrates his knowledge and connections with the anecdotes in this entertaining memoir. Narrator Malcolm Hillgartner's relaxed delivery sounds as though he is in the broadcast booth with Darling. Like most audio sports memoirs, this book succeeds because of the narrator's engaging style. Hillgartner recognizes that even the duller moments in baseball are bolstered by the legacies of so many who have played the game, and were fortunate to have crossed paths with the author.
Pub Date: April 2, 2019
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781721342457
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Willie Mays's baseball life was a long and rich one, worthy of multiple biographies. Known as a five-tool player--he could run, field, throw, hit, and hit for power--Mays enjoyed a long career. The tag-team narration here fits wonderfully: Larry Herron speaks in a serious and deep tone that is commanding, with appropriate doses of emotion. Julian McWilliams uses a higher voice for Mays who, in fact, does have a slightly high voice. Often, when people are quoted--like President Obama--imitations are used and fit seamlessly within the story. Off- and on-the-field anecdotes are interspersed with brief pieces of advice and mini-mantras from the baseball great.
Pub Date: May 12, 2020
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781250240231
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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