Perfect, Once Removed: When Baseball Was All the World to Me

Perfect, Once Removed chronicles a pivotal year in author Phillip Hoose's childhood as a baseball-obsessed 11-year-old in 1960s Indiana. The story centers on Hoose's connection to his distant cousin Don Larsen, who pitched the only perfect game in World Series history. Hoose recounts his experiences playing Little League baseball while following his cousin's major league career through newspaper clippings and radio broadcasts. The narrative captures the perspective of a boy whose entire world revolves around baseball, from collecting cards to practicing pitches to following every development of the MLB season. Against the backdrop of small-town Midwest life in 1961, Hoose details his relationships with family, friends, and teammates as he navigates the ups and downs of youth baseball. The story traces parallel journeys - Hoose's own baseball aspirations and Larsen's path through the major leagues. This memoir explores universal themes of childhood hero worship, family legacy, and the powerful role sports can play in shaping identity during formative years. The book captures a specific moment in baseball history while telling a broader story about growing up and finding one's place in the world.

Readers describe this memoir as a warm, nostalgic look at growing up as a baseball fan in 1960s Indiana. Reviews focus on Hoose's relationship with his cousin Don Drysdale and how baseball shaped his early life. Readers highlighted: - The authentic portrayal of childhood fandom and hero worship - Historical details about 1960s baseball culture - Personal connections to similar childhood experiences - Straightforward, accessible writing style Common criticisms: - Some found the scope limited and wanted more about Drysdale - A few noted the storytelling could meander - Several mentioned it's too short at 192 pages Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (114 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (22 reviews) "Takes me back to when baseball truly was magical," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader noted: "Perfect capturing of what it means to be young and in love with baseball, though the Drysdale connection feels underutilized."

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🌟 Author Phillip Hoose is a National Book Award winner for his young adult biography "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" ⚾ The book centers around the 1961 baseball season, when Hoose's second cousin, Don Larsen, played for the Chicago White Sox. Larsen is famous for pitching the only perfect game in World Series history in 1956 📚 Hoose wrote this memoir while working as a conservation planner for The Nature Conservancy in Maine, where he has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of Maine's landscape 🏆 The book captures a pivotal year in baseball history when Roger Maris hit 61 home runs, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record 🌍 The story is set in Speedway, Indiana, a small town famous for the Indianapolis 500, showing how baseball connected a young boy to the wider world beyond his hometown