Cracking the Show

by Thomas Boswell

A collection of baseball writings by the syndicated Washington Post columnist shares observations and reflections on topics ranging from Fay Vincent's ouster and Pete Rose's gambling to Bo Jackson and the return of George Steinbrenner.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction

350 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason that Cracking the Show does not receive 5 stars is that it makes for a somewhat disjointed read. 80% of the book is Boswell's columns and articles from the Washington Post and other publications. In essence, its a compilation of writing by one of America's better known sportswriters.

But, man, what a compilation this is. It works on two levels. First, Boswell is a baseball fan to which most folks who claim baseball fandom can relate. He detests the game's controversies (labor vs management, etc.) and swoons over the play on the field. And how he waxes poetic about the accomplishments and potential of the players he covers.

On a different level, perhaps unforeseen as Boswell was penning Cracking the Show, the book is a relic of the last days of baseball innocence: The months before the 1994 Players Strike which cancelled a World Series and forced many of us into premature adulthood. It was a time before rumors of steroids. Before World Series ended in November. And before we ever had to pay attention to Brewers owner-turned Commissioner, Bud Selig.

Boswell prophecies that Juan Gonzalez will set every home run record imaginable. Oops. That Ken Griffey Junior will pass Pete Rose for career hits. Not looking too probable. And that Mike Mussina, Frank Thomas, Roberto Alomar, and Joe Carter are headed for the Hall of Fame. Hmm. We'll see.

But that's part of what makes this book a joy to read. I can remember thinking the same things about the same people. Sure, the 15 years since this book came out have given harsh reality plenty of times to dash most of my dreams, and my man-crushes on the likes of Mussina, Jeffery Hammonds, and Ben McDonald. But I think, therein lies some of the fun of Cracking the Show, its a reminder of the strong positive emotions that, when we let our guard down, baseball inspires within us.

[Jasen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started strong and fun to read about all the predications of future HOF and greatness that did and did not come true. Skipped most of the WS sections as most series were forgettable at this point.

“It’s not a destination. Baseball is, as much as anything, a lifelong conversation amongst friends. The game is our excuse to talk. This book continues our lengthening chat.” P.x

“And the relentlessly boring spinning contest between baseball labor and baseball management, the silk destructive purpose of daily journalism is to administer even handed beating to all parties on a regular basis. They expect. They know they deserve it. Still, if we step back, we sense that it’s all foolishness that will pass.” P.x

“For many, baseball cards are the last toy as well as the first position. You fall in love with them as a child, and then leave them behind a puberty. They link the blue-water, lazy-day joy of childhood summers with the pride blossoming maturity.” P.4

“Like most families, we had arguments and painful, and perfect reconciliations. Don’t bother listening for melodramatic theme music here: I’m talking about the usual family stuff that bors everybody else but rips you apart at the time. People gain distance on their childhood and their parents as they grow. But independence has a cost.
“I’d never understood the degree which my memories of growing up and been diminished and sweetness, and intensity, by all those is the adult understandings and demythologizings. I hadn’t realized very from my use still is it had had back then.
Until the baseball cards came back.” P.12-13

“Baseball’s illusion of permanence, in a century of inexably accelerating change, is a teddy bear for adults to lay at the foot of their beds.
A sport was such an image is it curse to all the Chicken Littles of our media age who can’t wait to discover some new piece of the sky falling. That’s why Howard Cosell hated baseball. It ignored him. It knew he would be gone soon. The sky is always falling. Play ball.” P.47

“Anything can be enjoyed so long as the wound is not salted with hope. The Orioles won’t have that problem for at least another year or two...
In a sense, a season without expectations is a less obsessive and, perhaps, more gently enjoyable experience than the nightly agony is following a team that’s “in” contention. Naturally, being human, we much for agony. Still, if wisdom and serenity are going to be shoved down our throats, maybe we can stand it for a little while.
The sanguine baseball fan knows, of course, that his game, more than most, it’s not about the final score. It’s about the stories along the way. Yes, just like life, where are you know the final score before you start. Death wins. So what? Let’s play.” P.156

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Boswell is probably the most literate of all baseball writers I've come across. This collection of his columns and articles from the late 80s and early 90s continues in that vein. Some chapters explore some of the star players from that era, while others chronicle the World Series from those 5-6 years. The Pete Rose gambling saga is covered in earnest along with the brief but important tenure of Bart Giamatti as baseball commissioner, and the early rumblings of owner dissatisfaction with his successor Fay Vincent. The columns cover up to 1993 and include some interesting pieces that provide some of the background to what became the players' strike of 1994 that cancelled the World Series that year. I don't know if Boswell has released any books that cover that era, but it would be fascinating to read his take on that and on the steroid era in baseball. Though dated in some places, it is still a worthwhile read for any baseball fan over 40. Boswell's books rarely disappoint.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Boswell was a sports columnist for the Washington Post. He covered many sports, but mainly wrote about baseball. He wrote about all of baseball, but his regular team was the Baltimore Orioles. This book was published in hardcover in 1994, my paperback edition in June 1995. This was a reread of Boswell's selected Post columns about selected baseball topics. For instance, we get to read six collected columns about Pete Rose and his stupidity. I own 4 other baseball books and 1 golf book by Thomas Boswell and he is a favorite!

[Steve Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Boswell recently received the 2025 Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Career Excellence Award at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 50+ years writing career at the Washington Post, he has proven over and over why he is one of the country’s premier sports writers, especially his baseball writing. This book is a compilation of many of his baseball musings from the late 1980’s / early 1990’s. It is a joy to read for any baseball fan.

[Alan Robisch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting for Baseball fans in the 1980's and 1990's from Washington metropolitan area. Well written but outdated.