Forced Out-Stephen Frey

Forced Out
Stephen Frey
Atria, Aug 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 9781416549635

In Sarasota, Florida sexagenarian Jack Barrett suffers from arthritis and anger as he was the fall guy for the Yankees’ collapse in the playoff against the enemy Red Sox. He brings in chump change bagging at a nearby store and to reduce costs he lives with his adult daughter. Jack was once a highly regarded scout for the Tanks, but was fired though he is not sure why and the dismissal cost him his pension; unlike most of baseball’s sub-groups scouts are on their own with no union to coddle them.

It has been four years since he was FORCED OUT and four years since he has gone to a baseball game; now his daughter Cheryl and some insolent date of hers force him to attend the local Tarpens minor league game. He realizes the centerfielder has major league talent, but apparently no one, fans or teammates likes Mikey Clemants. Jack realizes Mikey is his ticket back to Yankee Stadium (the reincarnation that is), but his meal ticket seems to not care about the majors. However, Luchesi hitman hit man Johnny "Deuce" Bondano from the Shea Stadium area has been hired by Angelo Marconi to murder the allegedly dead Kyle Mclean, the person who killed a chieftain’s beloved grandson. Soon these three men will collide at home plate.

Although the number of support players could fill the entire Tarpon team roster and their family members, fans will enjoy this fun baseball thriller. Especially entertaining is the tales of Jack and Mikey as sports fans will want to know how the former became a bag packer and the latter gained his uncaring attitude. In spite of the Mafiosi subplot adding unnecessary extra inning suspense to a well played nine inning game, fans will enjoy Stephen Frey’s fine sports tale.

Harriet Klausner