VB's Book of the Month Club presents: "The Big Fella" by New York Times best selling author Jane Leavy as our choice book to highlight for the month of February. Leavy's book is about the famed baseball player Roger Angell, known famously as "Babe Ruth". Babe Ruth was the biggest baseball player not only of his time but maybe ever. In his prime, he lived a big and well to do life. He made the most money of any player during the time he played, he rubbed elbows with the rich and famous and they treated him to a lavish lifestyle, and rumors have it that he had his fair share of good times with "women of the night".
We choose "The Big Fella" as February's "Book of the Month" in spirit of Babe Ruth's real birthday being February 6th.
On author Jane Leavy's website her book "The Big Fella" has a description of what to expect from this book and it's as follows: " After hitting his 60th home run in September 1927—a total that would not be exceeded until 1961, when Roger Maris did it with the aid of the extended modern season—he embarked on the mother of all barnstorming tours, a three-week victory lap across America, accompanied by Yankee teammate Lou Gehrig. Walsh called the tour a “Symphony of Swat.” The Omaha World Heraldcalled it “the biggest show since Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey, and seven other associated circuses offered their entire performance under one tent.” In The Big Fella, acclaimed biographer Jane Leavy recreates that 21-day circus and in so doing captures the romp and the pathos that defined Ruth’s life and times."
We had the pleasure of talking to Leavy on "VB in the Middle" this week as our February "Book of the Month Club" feature. Take a listen to our great conversation with her about the wild life of Babe Ruth:
"The Big Fella" by Jane Leavy is available in all major book stores and book retailers. You can purchase the book directly right HERE on Amazon.
Jane Leavy is a huge baseball fan and this latest book from her is not her only book written about baseball. Some other books include: "The Last Boy- Mickey Mantle And The End of America's Childhood", "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy", and "Squeeze Play" to name a few. Visit her website HERE to find out more about her books!
We want to thank Jane Leavy for coming on "VB in the Middle" and sharing her new book with us! If you're a lover of baseball or just fascinating biography's this is a book to check out!
-Producer Lightning