Column about me in Newsday today
Please check out Mark Herrmann’s column about me and my book in this Sunday’s Newsday:
Guaranteed to Have the Angst of Your Life
Please check out Mark Herrmann’s column about me and my book in this Sunday’s Newsday:
Guaranteed to Have the Angst of Your Life
November 12th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Congratulations Dana.
I did think (when I read the article a second time) that Herman did sort of subtly bash the Mets (and he is often not subtle about doing so).
On the other hand, at least from a business perspective (esp. given direct and indirect costs to the general public for big new stadium projects, esp. with a cross-town rival that geometrically increases costs overall) he does raise some fair questions on whether the team has a “moral” obligation to be like the Yankees (meaning that they are nearly always a playoff force).
I think your book centers on other issues, though.
Either way, its a nice article, and again, congrats.
November 14th, 2007 at 5:00 am
I am glad that Hermann mentioned your book, but since he apparently is not a Mets fan, I would like to review Dana’s Book for those who have not read it yet. All opinions are my own.
As a long time Mets fan, I eagerly awaited the publishing if Dana’s book Mets Fan. When I bought it at the book signing I couldn’t wait to read it, and after reading it, it was definitely worth the wait.
Most books about teams and or players are usually written by sports writers, or the players themselves. Mets Fan is unique as it is written by a fan. Dana Brand is a long time Mets fan, and his remembrances of the Mets and their history make for fascinating reading. The book is made up of essays starting from Dana’s first recollections of what it was like to root for the Mets and goes up to the 2006 season. I like the fact that it is chronological because the younger fans can get a flavor of what it was like rooting for the team in it’s early years, and can see how really special the ‘69 season was, as well as specific teams and eras. Since the Mets are a fairly young team, Dana can actually say he was there from the beginning. There aren’t too many people who can say they were alive when the Yankees first came into existence!
Since I was also there from the beginning, I appreciated reading about the early years, because there were things about that era that I had forgotten, but every essay will strike a chord with Mets’ fans. Some of my favorite chapters were about Ed Kranepool, the ‘69 Mets, and Frequency & the Mets. Since Dana is an English professor, he has a way with words that make the book an enjoyable and a fast read. It is a great reference book too. When you are watching a Mets’ game and the broadcasters refer to an old time player, or a specific season, you will be able to understand where the reference came from by looking it up in the table of contents. I think this book should be required reading for all of the current Mets’ team as well as those in the minor league system. It might help the rookies or those traded from teams outside of NY get an insight into what constitutes a Mets’ fan. This book is a must for all Mets fans, as well as anyone who has ever been a fan of any sports team. I highly recommend it.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:09 am
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February 21st, 2008 at 1:50 am
Useful site. Thanks!!!