If You’re Going To The National Book Festival This Sunday . . .

If you happen to find yourself downtown this Sunday, September 23rd, perhaps attending the National Book Festival on the mall, and you want to take a break from the crowds, come see me at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum from noon to 3 pm. I will be at the museum store signing copies of my book  Deadball.   Books will be available for purchase at the museum store.

Here’s the link: American History Museum Calendar.

John McGraw and St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Baltimore

Three miles north of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, at the intersection of Greenmount Avenue and East 22nd Street, is St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church.

St. Ann's Catholic Church, Baltimore, Maryland

The church is forever tied to Baltimore baseball history as the place where former Oriole and baseball Hall of Famer John McGraw married his second wife, Blanche Sindall, on January 8, 1902.

Interior View of St. Ann's Church Where John McGraw Married Blanche Sindall

St. Ann’s plays a prominent role in two of the latter chapters of my book Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel. However, in the interest of not spoiling the the story line, I will leave it at that. For those of you who already have read my book, here is a look at the church described in Deadball.

The Gothic-revival church is constructed of grey stone and white marble.

Side View of St. Ann's Church

The church has two steeples, one soaring high above the church to the right of the front entrance and a second, of lesser height, behind and to the left of the entrance.

The Two Steeples of St. Ann's Church

A pointed stone archway made of alternating blocks of marble and stone frames a set of red painted doors decorated with ornate iron hinges. A simple, yet elegant rose window, framed by a similar stone archway centered above the entrance adds an understated flourish to the front of the church.

Front Entrance to St. Ann's Church

The white plastic lettering of the church’s marquee sign next to the sidewalk announces that the church is “Anchored In Faith.”

Marquee Sign, St. Ann's Church

The reference to “anchored” is a pun, for resting alongside the cornerstone to the right of the entrance way is a large, gold-painted, allegorical anchor once belonging to Captain William Kennedy.

Captain William Kennedy's Anchor

Commander of the Baltimore clipper ship “The Wanderer,” Kennedy prayed for safe return when caught in a storm off the coast of Vera Cruz. He promised to build a church should his prayers be answered. They were, and Kennedy kept his promise, providing the land and money to build St. Ann’s. The good Captain is buried beneath the main floor of the church, along with his wife, both of whom died in 1873, the year the church was built.

Final Resting Place of Captain William Kennedy and his Wife

Behind the church on East 22nd Street is the rectory.

St. Ann's Rectory - The Anchorage

Next door to the rectory is  a three story tan brick row house with a first floor stone. It is the former home of Oriole Hall of Famer Joe Kelley.

Former Home of Hall of Famer Joe Kelley

Joe Kelley and several of McGraw’s teammates were in attendance at his wedding that day, including Wilbert Robinson, Willie Keeler, Steve Brodie, and Hughie Jennings.

Willie Keeler, John McGraw, Joe Kelley, and Hughie Jennings

In her memoir The Real McGraw, Blanche McGraw noted that St. Ann’s was overflowing with people for the 6 pm wedding, which was conducted by St. Ann’s Pastor, Father Cornelius Thomas, who himself was a big baseball fan.

A “church of baseball” or at least a “church with a baseball connection,” St. Ann’s can be visited on the web at anchoredinfaith.com.

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy . . . Deadball, Deadball, Deadball

Last Saturday night (September 1st) I had the opportunity to meet a true cultural icon – Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger. As the inspiration for the 1993 film Rudy, Mr. Ruettiger is someone who transcends the world of sports and entertainment. Mr. Ruettiger was at the Frederick Keys game signing autographs on the concourse. Turns out his nephew, John Ruettiger, plays outfield for the Frederick Keys, a minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

Rudy Ruettiger Holding A Copy of Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel

I was there, too, selling and signing copies of my book Deadball.  It was pleasure talking with Rudy. I hope he enjoys the story of Byron Bennett. I can hear the chants now “Byron, Byron, Byron.”

And now for a word about great places to work. The Frederick Keys were kind enough to put me on the concourse along the first base side of the stadium, giving me a “Grade A” view of the field (that’s a pun, but I’ll spare you the explanation).

A Room With A View

Unfortunately, once the game was over I had to leave. If only I could have that view from my desk every day!

Frederick Keys, Rudy and Me, This Saturday!

For those of you looking for a way to spend the last official weekend of summer watching baseball, come out to the Frederick Keys on Saturday September 1st. Gates open at 5 pm.

I will be there selling and signing copies of my book Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel.

Also there signing autographs at Harry Grove Stadium will be Daniel Eugene Ruettiger – the inspiration behind the movie “Rudy.”

Should be a good night for baseball as the Keys are in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Keys are a minor league affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

Deadball Confirmed As Beach-Reading Worthy

Yesterday, Pete Kerzel of the Mid Atlantic Sports Network (known as MASN for those of you in the D.C./Baltimore area) posted a “Flashback” story on MASN’s “Orioles Buzz” page about the 1890’s World Champion Baltimore Orioles and included with it a favorable review and recommendation of my book Deadball.  In his article, Mr. Kerzel notes that he read Deadball while on vacation in Ocean City, Maryland – the rooftop pool at Captiva Bay on 85th Street, to be exact. I have to admit that while at the beach myself last week (further south in Tybee Island, Georgia), I looked to see what those around me were reading. Although I didn’t actually expect to see someone reading my book, it didn’t stop me from looking.

Many thanks to Mr. Kerzel, not only for his excellent article on the old Orioles and his kind review and  recommendation of Deadball, but also for confirming that Deadball is beach-reading worthy!

Here’s a link to Mr. Kerzel’s MASN Article.

A Day Of Discovery, A Night At The Suns

On Saturday, August 4th I spent the day and night in Hagerstown, Maryland, as part of my continuing mission to get the word out about Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel. During the day, I had a table at the Discovery Station, an interactive children’s museum in downtown Hagerstown. Marie Byers, the mastermind behind the Hagerstown landmark, invited me to sell books at the grand opening of  the museum’s new exhibit “Take Me Out To The Ballgame . . . More Than Just A Game.”

The Mayor of Hagerstown, Surrounded By Local Luminaries,Cuts The Ribbon

Attending the event was former major leaguer and Hagerstown native Leo Burke. Burke played for several teams during his several years  in the majors, including the Baltimore Orioles, the California Angels, and the Chicago Cubs.

Calvin Stinson and Former Major Leaguer Leo Burke

Also attending from the world of baseball were two current Hagerstown Suns pitchers Brian Rauh and Ben Hawkins, both of whom commented on how early it  was to be in uniform (10 am) following the night game they played the previous evening.

Ben Hawkins, Calvin Stinson,and Brian Rauh

Hagerstown Herald-Mail reporter Alicia Notarianni covered the event and filed this story Herald-Mail Discovery Station Article (in which she generously mentions by book).

Included at the museum on the first floor is an exhibit of Hagerstown Suns memorabilia on loan from Hagerstown resident Sean Guy, which includes an autographed jersey, fielder’s glove and cleats, once belonging to Bryce Harper.

Waiting For Customers In Front Of The Discovery Station's Bryce Harper Exhibit

That evening, the Suns game was the place to be in Hagerstown as the team was giving out Bryce Harper garden gnomes to the first 1000 gfans through the gnate. The line to enter the stadium snaked its way through the parking lot at the time  the gates opened at 6:05 pm. If only they had been lining up to meet yours truly.

Suns Fans Line Up To Enter The Stadium For Bryce Harper Garden Gnome

Many thanks to the Suns fans who stopped by my table during the game to talk baseball and Deadball. Thanks also to Suns’ concessionaire extraordinaire Tyler Breeze who, after selling me one of his signature cheesy pretzels, came out to my table during his break and bought a copy of Deadball. As the game was winding down I could see him across the concourse already engaged in the first few pages of Deadball.

Hagerstown Suns' Concessionaire Tyler Breeze Filling The Time Between Customers By Reading His Just-Purchased Copy Of Deadball

Tyler – I hope you enjoyed the story of Byron Bennett.

Back to Hagerstown

This Saturday August 4th, I’ll be back in Hagerstown for two great events.  First, I’ll be selling books at the Discovery Station. The Discovery Station is kicking off the second phase of its baseball exhibit – “Take Me Out to The Ball Game … More than a Game” with a ribbon cutting at 10 am. I’ll be there signing books starting at 11 am. Here’s the link: Discovery Station.

That evening I’ll be on the concourse at the Hagerstown Suns Municipal Stadium (game time 7:05 pm). It’s Bryce Harper Garden Gnome Giveway Night so be sure to come early! Here’s the link: Hagerstown Suns Official Site

Captain Underpants Reality Check

There are events in one’s life that truly define a person, that offer a real measure of what  they have accomplished, and if properly embraced through retrospection, will challenge that person to strive for more. This past Sunday in Bowie, Maryland, I experienced just such a moment.

I knew in May when I signed the contract with the Bowie Baysox to sell copies of my book Deadball, that July 22nd, the date I was  to appear, would be “Summer Reading Night” at the stadium.  Subsequently, I learned that, in addition to a book swap, Scholastic Books would be giving away copies of one of their titles to children attending the game. However, it  wasn’t until a week before the date that I was informed Scholastics,  in addition to supplying books, would be sending to the game one of the true giants of the industry – Captain Underpants!

Upon reflection, I am certain it was fate that brought me to the Bowie Baysox on that Sunday in July, where I found myself  in the midst of a true, literary icon – he a figure beloved by millions of early readers, me a writer still trying to shake off  the not-ready-for-prime-time-label of “local author.”

“How would he act when I  met him? What should I say to him?” These and other questions went racing through my mind as I set up my table in the concourse along  the first base side of Prince Georges County Stadium. Just before the start of the game, I was invited onto the  field to throw out a ceremonial first pitch (I bounced it, dammit). “Where was  CU?” I wondered. Surely he would be asked  onto the  field and offered  the same honor.  But no, I was wrong.

After returning to my table, the game was soon underway. It was then that I saw him, lumbering down the concourse in my direction, each clopping step he took  growing louder as he approached. He stopped directly in front of my table, chased down by some tiny admirers. He was much bigger in real life, certainly larger than he appeared on the covers of  his books. Indeed, he seems to have grown quite a bit  in the 15 years since his debut in 1997.

A gaggle of children lined up to pose for a picture with him. He readily complied. I watched  him with a measure of awe and a measure of trepidation. Once the line of admirers dispersed, I had my chance.  I walked around to the front of my table and called out his  name. He turned toward me and I reached out my hand. As I embraced his grip, his pudgy fingers seemingly collapsed into a smaller hand, as if I were squeezing a balloon with a candy bar inside. “That’s odd,” I thought.

He spoke not a word and I found myself doing all the talking. “You’ve sold quite a lot of books,” I said. He simply nodded. “Would you mind if I took a picture with you?” He moved his stumped arm in front of him as if to say “be my guest.” “Would you mind holding a copy of my book?” He gave me a thumb-up, and I placed a copy of Deadball into his balloon-like hand. My daughter took the shot and, as the camera flash faded, so did my moment amongst literary greatness. After posing for a couple more pictures with his little admirers, he lumbered away, his handler in tow.

Local Author David Stinson With Literary Icon Captain Underpants

I can only hope to one day reach the literary heights CU has achieved, millions of adoring readers who recognize him instantaneously. It may be unrealistic for me to believe I too could attain such a pinnacle of success. But, with apologies to Stephen King, and to paraphrase Andy Dufresne, “get busy striving, or get busy dying.”

And thank you, Captain Underpants.

My Interview With Brett Hollander WBAL Radio

WBAL's Brett Hollander

My interview with Brett Hollander on WBAL radio was broadcast before the Orioles/Angels game a week ago Saturday.  Mr. Hollander is the host of WBAL’s Sportsline, which is broadcast weeknights from 6 to 9 pm on 1090 AM.  Brett also runs feature stories during the weekend before Orioles games, which is when my interview originally aired. The interview aired a second time during one of  his shows last week.

We covered a lot of ground – talking about Deadball, how I came up with story line for the novel, the history of baseball in Baltimore, the World Champion National League Orioles of the 1890s, and many of the famous lost Baltimore Ballparks such as Union Park, old Orioles Park (American League Park), and Memorial Stadium.

In case you missed it, here’s the link to the interview posted on WBAL.com:

My Interview With WBAL’s Brett Hollander

Man am I a fast talker!

Thanks for the opportunity, Brett!

You know You’ve Made It As An Author When . . .

On Friday July 6th I set up a table at the Hagerstown Suns game where I had the pleasure of selling and signing books for fans who had come out on Nora Roberts Night to see the Suns take on the Lexington Legends (the Suns won 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th).

Author David B. Stinson At Hagerstown Suns Game

While I truly enjoyed talking with Suns fans who stopped to chat or buy a book, nothing compared to the sense of accomplishment, the sense of the pride I felt when, quite unexpectedly, I saw my name posted in an Official Hagerstown Suns Publication on the stadium wall . . .

My Name Amongst The Fine Print

just above a men’s room urinal . . .

My Name Up In . . . Well, Up Above The Urinal!!

“What a relief,” I thought, as I read the flyer’s text: Author David Stinson will be available selling his new book, Deadball, and autographing copies for fans. The words flew off my lips.  I read it a second time just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Seeing my name above the urinal in an official Suns publication (as opposed to scrawled in pen on the cinder block as if back in Jr. High) I knew I had attained a new level of, um, well, I’m not sure exactly what, but certainly a new level of something.

Admittedly, I felt a bit uncomfortable bringing my camera into the men’s room to document my level of attainment. But persevere I did, and now I can share with you the proof that I’ve made it.

In a couple weeks I’ll be selling and signing books at the Bowie Baysox – July 22nd to be exact. Here’s hoping I’ll have made it there as well.

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