Comments on: As I Lay Dying: The Anatomy of a Failed Minor League Career http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:10:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: FutureAngels http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155064 FutureAngels Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:50:28 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155064 By the way, I'll also note that I promoted your interview on my blog today, and because of that the link to your inteview is now on several Angels fan sites as well as the Orange County Register. But I suppose that was self-serving too. By the way, I’ll also note that I promoted your interview on my blog today, and because of that the link to your inteview is now on several Angels fan sites as well as the Orange County Register.

But I suppose that was self-serving too.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155063 Alex Belth Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:20:47 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155063 Future Angels. I'm not sure how Matt should be blamed for the way that his publisher is promoting the book. You have your own story to tell, and I understand that it is a different take from Matt's but I have to say, your post here comes across as self-serving. Future Angels. I’m not sure how Matt should be blamed for the way that his publisher is promoting the book. You have your own story to tell, and I understand that it is a different take from Matt’s but I have to say, your post here comes across as self-serving.

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155062 Cliff Corcoran Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:01:27 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155062 I don't know, having not read the promotional materials, the two things I found most striking about the book were the accounts of steroid use and the divide between the Latino and American players, a lot of which stemmed from a very racist attitude. Heck, one guy retires when he finds out he'll have to room with a Latino player, calling it "the last straw." I don’t know, having not read the promotional materials, the two things I found most striking about the book were the accounts of steroid use and the divide between the Latino and American players, a lot of which stemmed from a very racist attitude. Heck, one guy retires when he finds out he’ll have to room with a Latino player, calling it “the last straw.”

]]> By: FutureAngels http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155061 FutureAngels Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:59:48 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155061 Alex, an excellent interview ... I hope you don't mind a link to my review: http://futureangels.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/01/odd_man_out_futureangelscom_re.html My web site has covered the Angels' minor leagues since 1998, including the 2002 Provo Angels season described in the book. The early feedback I'm hearing from individuals named in the book is that they're all pretty irate, one reason being that they're saying events and incidents described in the book didn't happen. Personally, I take exception to the promotional materials sent out by the publisher. The press release alleged "rampant steroids" and racism in the clubhouse. Well, that turned out to be untrue. The only significant discussion of steroids was one scene at the local Applebee's after a game. According to McCarthy, several of his teammates were discussing whether an innocent comment by the manager meant they should consider taking steroids. He then quotes the third-string catcher as claiming he could get them steroids, but throughout the book McCarthy writes the guy tells a lot of tall tales, so he shouldn't be believed. That's hardly "rampant steroids." As for the racism and bigotry allegations, that's not really in the book either. You have a cramped clubhouse with a bunch of American kids and a bunch of Latin kids, all away from home for the first time, with two languages and cultures. Needless to say, those who speak the same language are going to talk to each other. But the racism simply didn't exist; in fact, I was told by one American player named in the book that he was best friends with a Latin player and they often had dinner together. I'm also aware of some factual inaccuracies in the book, just basic stuff like the names of the team owners. The book is an entertaining read, and McCarthy captures the basic sense of lower minor league life, but the accuracy of it is another matter. Alex, an excellent interview … I hope you don’t mind a link to my review:

http://futureangels.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/01/odd_man_out_futureangelscom_re.html

My web site has covered the Angels’ minor leagues since 1998, including the 2002 Provo Angels season described in the book. The early feedback I’m hearing from individuals named in the book is that they’re all pretty irate, one reason being that they’re saying events and incidents described in the book didn’t happen.

Personally, I take exception to the promotional materials sent out by the publisher. The press release alleged “rampant steroids” and racism in the clubhouse. Well, that turned out to be untrue. The only significant discussion of steroids was one scene at the local Applebee’s after a game. According to McCarthy, several of his teammates were discussing whether an innocent comment by the manager meant they should consider taking steroids. He then quotes the third-string catcher as claiming he could get them steroids, but throughout the book McCarthy writes the guy tells a lot of tall tales, so he shouldn’t be believed.

That’s hardly “rampant steroids.”

As for the racism and bigotry allegations, that’s not really in the book either. You have a cramped clubhouse with a bunch of American kids and a bunch of Latin kids, all away from home for the first time, with two languages and cultures. Needless to say, those who speak the same language are going to talk to each other. But the racism simply didn’t exist; in fact, I was told by one American player named in the book that he was best friends with a Latin player and they often had dinner together.

I’m also aware of some factual inaccuracies in the book, just basic stuff like the names of the team owners.

The book is an entertaining read, and McCarthy captures the basic sense of lower minor league life, but the accuracy of it is another matter.

]]> By: Elle26 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155060 Elle26 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:06:44 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155060 That looks great, thank you for putting up this interview. Also, it's available for Amazon Kindle! Yay! That looks great, thank you for putting up this interview.

Also, it’s available for Amazon Kindle! Yay!

]]> By: Cliff Corcoran http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155059 Cliff Corcoran Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:47:51 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155059 I'm about two-thirds of the way through my advance copy of McCarthy's book and highly recommend it. It's a quick, easy read that does a great job of putting you inside McCarthy's head from the lead-up to draft day through his lone season in pro ball. It's not a staggering work of brilliance like <em>False Spring</em> (which I just completed prior to picking up <em>Odd Man Out</em>), but it's a rare look inside the game today that's uncomplicated by the baggage of fame or home-team allegiances. It's honest, amusing, revealing, and a great way to get your head back in the game for the coming season. I’m about two-thirds of the way through my advance copy of McCarthy’s book and highly recommend it. It’s a quick, easy read that does a great job of putting you inside McCarthy’s head from the lead-up to draft day through his lone season in pro ball. It’s not a staggering work of brilliance like False Spring (which I just completed prior to picking up Odd Man Out), but it’s a rare look inside the game today that’s uncomplicated by the baggage of fame or home-team allegiances. It’s honest, amusing, revealing, and a great way to get your head back in the game for the coming season.

]]> By: Chyll Will http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155058 Chyll Will Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:21:44 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155058 Good stuff as usual, Alex. I caught onto the question about anti-intellectualism in the clubhouse; I used this argument in yesterday's thread to explain why we should maybe lower our expectations about what athletes say and do when approached candidly. I've noticed that the smarter one appears, the more suspicious the people are who are around them, but somehow, someone's press conference seemed to generate the total opposite effect... moving on, I am definitely more interested in this book for reading this, thanks! Good stuff as usual, Alex. I caught onto the question about anti-intellectualism in the clubhouse; I used this argument in yesterday’s thread to explain why we should maybe lower our expectations about what athletes say and do when approached candidly. I’ve noticed that the smarter one appears, the more suspicious the people are who are around them, but somehow, someone’s press conference seemed to generate the total opposite effect… moving on, I am definitely more interested in this book for reading this, thanks!

]]> By: rbj http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155057 rbj Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:00:48 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155057 Good post Alex. As for the pressure from being away from home, do clubs do anything to help mitigate that nowadays? If you're going to invest a lot in developing someone who could help you down the road it doesn't make sense to ignore the mental half of the equation. Good post Alex.

As for the pressure from being away from home, do clubs do anything to help mitigate that nowadays? If you’re going to invest a lot in developing someone who could help you down the road it doesn’t make sense to ignore the mental half of the equation.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155056 Alex Belth Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:53:33 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155056 The one thing Matt was able to express is how, for some guys, it is the pressures of being away from home, from family, that does a percentage of the guys in, not their abilities. That was really interesting. It's often a very funny book too. The one thing Matt was able to express is how, for some guys, it is the pressures of being away from home, from family, that does a percentage of the guys in, not their abilities. That was really interesting. It’s often a very funny book too.

]]> By: ms october http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155055 ms october Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:52:05 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155055 really good interview alex. i read the excerpt in si last week and quite enjoyed it. i found it funny that it was in the same issue as selena robert's arod story. really good interview alex.

i read the excerpt in si last week and quite enjoyed it. i found it funny that it was in the same issue as selena robert’s arod story.

]]> By: Bum Rush http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155054 Bum Rush Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:51:32 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155054 Good stuff. Thanks for the read. On a related publishing note, the latest Torre-Verducci collaboration is now #1 on the Times non-fiction list. I think we can now safely say each has pocketed a few million from selling their ethics. But then Verducci first did that for Torre years ago. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to find out if Torre used greenies as a player. Good stuff. Thanks for the read.

On a related publishing note, the latest Torre-Verducci collaboration is now #1 on the Times non-fiction list. I think we can now safely say each has pocketed a few million from selling their ethics. But then Verducci first did that for Torre years ago.

Meanwhile, I’m still waiting to find out if Torre used greenies as a player.

]]> By: Yankee Mama http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155053 Yankee Mama Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:38:26 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155053 Alex. Thanks for the post. I particularly enjoyed your well-thought out questions. It must be hard living in minor league limbo. You could really sense that. Alex. Thanks for the post. I particularly enjoyed your well-thought out questions. It must be hard living in minor league limbo. You could really sense that.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155052 Alex Belth Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:32:05 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155052 Thanks. Matt is not crazy introspective like Jordan was in "A False Spring," but he really paints a good picture of the anxieties of that life. I really appreciated that aspect of the book, just putting the reader in that enviornment. Thanks. Matt is not crazy introspective like Jordan was in “A False Spring,” but he really paints a good picture of the anxieties of that life. I really appreciated that aspect of the book, just putting the reader in that enviornment.

]]> By: pugzilla http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155051 pugzilla Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:31:53 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155051 What! Matt is an intern at Columbia Presbyterian? And he has time to write a book and do book signings? Boy, things have sure changed since I interned back in the '60's. You know, maybe I should have accepted that invitation from the Tigers to attend a Florida tryout back when I was in high school. What! Matt is an intern at Columbia Presbyterian? And he has time to write a book and do book signings? Boy, things have sure changed since I interned back in the ’60′s.

You know, maybe I should have accepted that invitation from the Tigers to attend a Florida tryout back when I was in high school.

]]> By: lordbyron http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/19/as-i-lay-dying-the-anatomy-of-a-failed-minor-league-career/#comment-155050 lordbyron Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:16:14 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8189#comment-155050 Alex, Nice post. I read, and very much enjoyed, the SI excerpt from Matt and now look forward to reading his book. Alex,

Nice post. I read, and very much enjoyed, the SI excerpt from Matt and now look forward to reading his book.

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