CHECK IT OUT

Wonder what your favorite Anaheim Angels stars do when they’re not on

the playing field? Many of them make time for reading.

Asked about their favorite literary hits, players and coaches

delivered an eclectic bag of classic and contemporary selections. While

some of the picks center on sports, others are adventure stories,

biographies and timeless tales.

For infielder David Eckstein, career motivation comes from “The

Natural,” Bernard Malamud’s masterpiece about the mythic world of

baseball. Inspiring for both sports fans and readers drawn to

larger-than-life heroes, the story stars gifted athlete Roy Hobbs, whose

promising career is derailed by a youthful indiscretion. When Roy makes a

comeback in middle age, his struggle for greatness spawns an epic about

American champions.

A more personal edge drives “Another Season: A Coach’s Story of

Raising an Exceptional Son.” The favorite of announcer Rex Hudler is

football coach Gene Stalling’s chronicle of achievements, both on the

gridiron and as the father of a child with Down syndrome. The story about

raising a son who was not expected to live past the age of 1 into

adulthood brims with lessons about beating the odds.

There’s escapist fare among the players’ favorites, including “The

Desecration,” “The Mark” and other volumes in Tim LeHaye’s “Left Behind”

series. Along with outfielder Tim Salmon, legions of readers have been

lured by the blend of apocalyptic suspense, conspiracy and romance served

up in these sagas.

Another master of intrigue is popular with coach Joe Maddon, who named

“Pillars of the Earth” as a favorite. In this literary tour de force, Ken

Follett delivers a stunning chronicle centered on the building of a

cathedral in 12th century England.

The setting is more contemporary in the John Grisham novels named by

newly retired infielder Wally Joyner, who recommends “A Time to Kill,”

and by catcher Shawn Wooten, who lauds “The Firm.”

Modern classics are popular with infielder Scott Spiezio, who picked

William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” as a favorite, and with coach

Mickey Hatcher, who singled out Fred Gibson’s “Old Yeller.” For pitcher

Scott Schoenweis, Joseph Conrad’s metaphorical adventure “Heart of

Darkness” tops a list of favorites.

Players’ picks are featured on “Reading with the Angels,” a free

bookmark available at Newport Beach public libraries. Also on hand are

scores of the recently published volumes on America’s favorite pastime.

Among the newest is an updated edition of Leonard Koppett’s “The

Thinking Fan’s Guide to Baseball,” an exploration of the game’s evolution

over the past 150 years. Equally comprehensive in focus is “America’s

Game,” a visual and tactile hit with fascinating facsimiles of documents

from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

“Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn

baseball,” observed philosopher Jacques Barzun. But if it’s just the

locals you want to study, check out “The Anaheim Angels,” Ross Newhan’s

chronicle of a team that’s still striving to make it to the World Series,

that is sure to score with die-hard fans.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Sara Barnicle. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers

by accessing the catalog at o7 https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

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