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Extra Innings: He was the greatest hitter of all time. Cryonics brought him back to life in 2092. Would he use this second chance to win his first World Series or to become a better man?
In the year 2092, Ted Williams, the greatest baseball hitter of all time, is brought back to life through the science of cryonics. Once again playing for the Red Sox, Williams finds himself trapped in a world he hardly the corruption of the game he loves with über-juiced batters and robot pitchers; difficult love affairs clashing with his old desires; and a military conflict of the future in which he must harness the fighter pilot skills he used in his first life. Dr. Elizabeth Miles is the cryonicist who brings him back to life, initiating a dramatic sequence of medical achievements. She and her young son Johnnie are a constant reminder of what Williams lacked in his first trip around the bases, never devoting much time to love and family. But old habits die hard. With enemies and allies both on the field and off, Williams must make sense of it all and play on against a machine that he detests, pressure to take the “giddyup” he abhors, unrelenting media mania, and a dystopian world he can’t ignore. The narrative resonates with the consequences of the major issues we face in our world today—the steroids debate in sports, global warming, corporate greed, technology run rampant, and the moral ambiguity of war. Extra Innings is alternately poignant and humorous, heartbreaking and joyous. Thought-provoking throughout, it’s a rollicking ride that looks at second chances and redemption, the ability to triumph over adversity, and the search for meaning in this life and the next. Flawed in his first life, Williams must decide in the second what’s more important, the chance to win his first World Series, or the chance to be a better man? The Greatest Comeback of All Time is More Than Just a Game.
412 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2012
About the author
Bruce E. Spitzer
1 book10 followersBruce E. Spitzer is a public relations executive, magazine editor and columnist. His writing has won awards from the New England Press Association, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Publicity Club of Boston. He is a graduate of Boston University and Rutgers and lives in the Boston area with his wife and young son. Extra Innings is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 23, 2012
I grew up passionate about a couple of things--science fiction and the great game of baseball, especially its rich history. So this made Bruce Spitzer's "Extra Innings" impossible for me to resist. The premise lies in fact: we know that the son of Ted Williams, one of the game's all-time greats, had his father's head cryogenically frozen after his death in 2002 in hopes that science would reach the point where he could be revived someday.
That day arrives in "Extra Innings." It is 2092, and not only is medical science able to repair the brain damage caused by strokes late in Williams' life, or in this case FIRST life, it's also able to reattach said head to a donor body (from a brain-dead 25 year old) and restore his famous 20-10 vision in the bargain.
Spitzer paints a vivid and believable picture of the world of the late 21st century, in some ways very much like our own, in others radically different. The grand game of baseball is now played internationally and robots have replaced human pitchers. Fenway Park is still the home of the Red Sox (though it's now situated on Fenway Island due to global warming and fans arrive in water taxis). The newly-revived Ted takes a pass on returning to the game he loved at first, preferring his other great love, fishing. Before too long, he's unable to resist another chance at a World Series title, though that pursuit is interrupted once again when the U.S. Marine Corps comes calling in need of pilots in time of war. There's even a love interest along the way.
It's clear that Spitzer has read deeply in the Williams literature, and the man in these pages rings true to the image of the fiercely competitive, intensely loyal, rugged individual who patrolled the Green Monster for nineteen seasons. This story packed an emotional punch I did not expect, and I don't want to be guilty of any spoilers; I will say I finished "Extra Innings" with both a smile on my face and a lump in my throat. "Extra Innings" will stay with me for a long time to come.
That day arrives in "Extra Innings." It is 2092, and not only is medical science able to repair the brain damage caused by strokes late in Williams' life, or in this case FIRST life, it's also able to reattach said head to a donor body (from a brain-dead 25 year old) and restore his famous 20-10 vision in the bargain.
Spitzer paints a vivid and believable picture of the world of the late 21st century, in some ways very much like our own, in others radically different. The grand game of baseball is now played internationally and robots have replaced human pitchers. Fenway Park is still the home of the Red Sox (though it's now situated on Fenway Island due to global warming and fans arrive in water taxis). The newly-revived Ted takes a pass on returning to the game he loved at first, preferring his other great love, fishing. Before too long, he's unable to resist another chance at a World Series title, though that pursuit is interrupted once again when the U.S. Marine Corps comes calling in need of pilots in time of war. There's even a love interest along the way.
It's clear that Spitzer has read deeply in the Williams literature, and the man in these pages rings true to the image of the fiercely competitive, intensely loyal, rugged individual who patrolled the Green Monster for nineteen seasons. This story packed an emotional punch I did not expect, and I don't want to be guilty of any spoilers; I will say I finished "Extra Innings" with both a smile on my face and a lump in my throat. "Extra Innings" will stay with me for a long time to come.
May 19, 2013
Title/Author: “Extra Innings” by Bruce Spitzer
Genre: Fiction, sports, baseball, Ted Williams
Published: October 16, 2012
Length: 386 pages
Rating: 4 of 5 stars – very good
Review:
When baseball legend Ted Williams died in 2002, his son John Henry wanted to preserve the DNA that made him one of the greatest hitters in the history of Major League Baseball. A process called cryogenics was used to preserve his genetic makeup. But could this really be used to recreate a baseball legend?
Bruce Spitzer’s novel “Extra Innings” gives us a glimpse of what might happen with this science. In the year 2092, William’s head and brain are surgically attached to the body of a young tennis player who died in an accident. The surgery is performed at the CryoCorp headquarters by the world-renowned Dr. Elizabeth Miles. What follows is a story that covers many topics and may even be considered a futuristic biography of Williams.
Being a reader of sports books first and foremost, I was not disappointed with the baseball aspects of the book. These did not take place until about 25% into the book, as Williams had to first adjust to his new body in a new era. Major League Baseball is much different than during the “first” Williams’ time, with teams all over the globe, a longer season of 200 games thanks to warmer weather, and the elimination of human pitchers. His introduction to the “Botwinder”, the robot pitchers who use technology to throw fastballs at 120 miles per hour, was one of the many humorous parts of the book.
Another aspect of the game that is addressed is the use of performance enhancing drugs. In 2093, the first season in which Williams plays for the Boston Red Sox, every player is using some form of a drug. Williams staunchly refuses to do so, and initially performs remarkably well without them. Without giving away too much of the baseball story, Williams and the Red Sox both have roller coaster rides during the second baseball career of the “Splendid Splinter.”
However, there are some baseball traditions that are kept. Despite most of Boston being flooded now, Fenway Park still exists, complete with the Green Monster, but is now called Fenway Island. Players (human ones, anyway) are still introduced and take their place on the baselines to applause by the fans, and
Spitzer develops the “second” Ted Williams character with painstaking detail, ensuring that his personality, characteristics and mannerisms are kept the same as the person Red Sox fans in the 1940’s and 1950’s grew up worshipping. Williams was as well known for his love of fishing, his foul language and his dedication to the military (Note: there is a lot of cursing in the book by Williams, so younger readers and parents should take note). Ted even repeats history by interrupting his baseball career in 2093 by joining the Marines by becoming a pilot.
Military combat is next for Williams, and the book does a good job of placing the reader in the cockpit of his plane and in his mind. When Williams’ wingman is killed after her plane is hit, the reader feels the anguish in his mind. Even those who have never served in the military can feel comfortable reading this and will understand the camaraderie that is shared by Marines. The second Ted Williams underscores the Marine motto of “Semper Fi.”
Spitzer also touches on other topics that can be considered controversial, and does a good job of not tipping the reader or the story one way or the other about them. These include climate change, the existence of Heaven, and the aforementioned performance enhancing drug use in baseball. The climate change has already taken place with warmer temperatures year round and the flooding of some major cities.
Ted has many more ups and downs during this second life, including brawls, romance, time with children (another aspect of Williams that is remembered here – the time he spent in hospitals with kids) that is wonderfully portrayed in his interactions with the young son of Dr. Miles, Johnnie. These are all interwoven in the story of the baseball season and the military missions. No one part of the story seems to be interrupted when another is taking place – they are all interwoven together to create a well-written novel that is worth the time to read. A very good look into the possible future of cryogenics, baseball and life.
Did I skim?
During the military combat chapters, I did skim a few of the paragraphs with more complex military vocabulary. As long as I understood what was happening, such as the jets being fired upon, I felt that I was still able to follow the story. No skimming during any other chapters.
Did I feel connected to the characters?
Yes. Even though this story takes place 90 years into the future, the reader will feel no different when any of the characters are speaking. Whether Ted is in the CryoCorp lab just after he is reanimated, on the baseball field, in the cockpit of his fighter jet, or even just having a chat with Johnnie, the reader is right there. The other characters are portrayed just as well, especially Dr. Elizabeth Miles and her son Johnnie.
Pace of the story:
Very good. Whether the topic is Ted adjusting to life in the late 21st century, the action taking place at Fenway Island, or flying missions over the Middle East, the story moves along and does not get bogged down in too many details.
Positives:
All topics covered, including baseball, science, and military, are well researched and written in language that will be easy enough for a reader not familiar with them to understand, but at the same time not too basic as to bore those with a lot of knowledge of the topic.
The more controversial topics were handled well. While the story does show what would happen if one side of the issue happened (i.e. for climate change, the world’s temperature did rise enough to melt ice caps and in baseball, players are using performance enhancing drugs), Spitzer does not portray these as controversial. His writing simply describes them as something that happened or is taking place now and the world is adjusting.
Negatives:
At times, I did feel that the particular topic was getting to be too dominant. Depending on where I was in the book, I wondered if there would be a very long section on science, on Ted’s budding romance, or on military fighter pilot training. These suspicions did not last long, however, as when this started to kick in, another chapter with another topic began. Hence, the good pace to the book.
Do I recommend?
Yes. This book covers many topics that will appeal to a wide range of readers. There is enough baseball action that sports fans will enjoy it, but also readers who like political topics (climate change), military topics (Middle East conflict), and romance will also enjoy this book.
Book Format Read: ebook (Nook)
Author Media Links:
www.ExtraInningsTheNovel.com
www.Facebook.com/TedWilliamsBook
www.Twitter.com/BruceSpitzer1
Extra Innings Video Book Trailer: bit.ly/Mp1xZo
Genre: Fiction, sports, baseball, Ted Williams
Published: October 16, 2012
Length: 386 pages
Rating: 4 of 5 stars – very good
Review:
When baseball legend Ted Williams died in 2002, his son John Henry wanted to preserve the DNA that made him one of the greatest hitters in the history of Major League Baseball. A process called cryogenics was used to preserve his genetic makeup. But could this really be used to recreate a baseball legend?
Bruce Spitzer’s novel “Extra Innings” gives us a glimpse of what might happen with this science. In the year 2092, William’s head and brain are surgically attached to the body of a young tennis player who died in an accident. The surgery is performed at the CryoCorp headquarters by the world-renowned Dr. Elizabeth Miles. What follows is a story that covers many topics and may even be considered a futuristic biography of Williams.
Being a reader of sports books first and foremost, I was not disappointed with the baseball aspects of the book. These did not take place until about 25% into the book, as Williams had to first adjust to his new body in a new era. Major League Baseball is much different than during the “first” Williams’ time, with teams all over the globe, a longer season of 200 games thanks to warmer weather, and the elimination of human pitchers. His introduction to the “Botwinder”, the robot pitchers who use technology to throw fastballs at 120 miles per hour, was one of the many humorous parts of the book.
Another aspect of the game that is addressed is the use of performance enhancing drugs. In 2093, the first season in which Williams plays for the Boston Red Sox, every player is using some form of a drug. Williams staunchly refuses to do so, and initially performs remarkably well without them. Without giving away too much of the baseball story, Williams and the Red Sox both have roller coaster rides during the second baseball career of the “Splendid Splinter.”
However, there are some baseball traditions that are kept. Despite most of Boston being flooded now, Fenway Park still exists, complete with the Green Monster, but is now called Fenway Island. Players (human ones, anyway) are still introduced and take their place on the baselines to applause by the fans, and
Spitzer develops the “second” Ted Williams character with painstaking detail, ensuring that his personality, characteristics and mannerisms are kept the same as the person Red Sox fans in the 1940’s and 1950’s grew up worshipping. Williams was as well known for his love of fishing, his foul language and his dedication to the military (Note: there is a lot of cursing in the book by Williams, so younger readers and parents should take note). Ted even repeats history by interrupting his baseball career in 2093 by joining the Marines by becoming a pilot.
Military combat is next for Williams, and the book does a good job of placing the reader in the cockpit of his plane and in his mind. When Williams’ wingman is killed after her plane is hit, the reader feels the anguish in his mind. Even those who have never served in the military can feel comfortable reading this and will understand the camaraderie that is shared by Marines. The second Ted Williams underscores the Marine motto of “Semper Fi.”
Spitzer also touches on other topics that can be considered controversial, and does a good job of not tipping the reader or the story one way or the other about them. These include climate change, the existence of Heaven, and the aforementioned performance enhancing drug use in baseball. The climate change has already taken place with warmer temperatures year round and the flooding of some major cities.
Ted has many more ups and downs during this second life, including brawls, romance, time with children (another aspect of Williams that is remembered here – the time he spent in hospitals with kids) that is wonderfully portrayed in his interactions with the young son of Dr. Miles, Johnnie. These are all interwoven in the story of the baseball season and the military missions. No one part of the story seems to be interrupted when another is taking place – they are all interwoven together to create a well-written novel that is worth the time to read. A very good look into the possible future of cryogenics, baseball and life.
Did I skim?
During the military combat chapters, I did skim a few of the paragraphs with more complex military vocabulary. As long as I understood what was happening, such as the jets being fired upon, I felt that I was still able to follow the story. No skimming during any other chapters.
Did I feel connected to the characters?
Yes. Even though this story takes place 90 years into the future, the reader will feel no different when any of the characters are speaking. Whether Ted is in the CryoCorp lab just after he is reanimated, on the baseball field, in the cockpit of his fighter jet, or even just having a chat with Johnnie, the reader is right there. The other characters are portrayed just as well, especially Dr. Elizabeth Miles and her son Johnnie.
Pace of the story:
Very good. Whether the topic is Ted adjusting to life in the late 21st century, the action taking place at Fenway Island, or flying missions over the Middle East, the story moves along and does not get bogged down in too many details.
Positives:
All topics covered, including baseball, science, and military, are well researched and written in language that will be easy enough for a reader not familiar with them to understand, but at the same time not too basic as to bore those with a lot of knowledge of the topic.
The more controversial topics were handled well. While the story does show what would happen if one side of the issue happened (i.e. for climate change, the world’s temperature did rise enough to melt ice caps and in baseball, players are using performance enhancing drugs), Spitzer does not portray these as controversial. His writing simply describes them as something that happened or is taking place now and the world is adjusting.
Negatives:
At times, I did feel that the particular topic was getting to be too dominant. Depending on where I was in the book, I wondered if there would be a very long section on science, on Ted’s budding romance, or on military fighter pilot training. These suspicions did not last long, however, as when this started to kick in, another chapter with another topic began. Hence, the good pace to the book.
Do I recommend?
Yes. This book covers many topics that will appeal to a wide range of readers. There is enough baseball action that sports fans will enjoy it, but also readers who like political topics (climate change), military topics (Middle East conflict), and romance will also enjoy this book.
Book Format Read: ebook (Nook)
Author Media Links:
www.ExtraInningsTheNovel.com
www.Facebook.com/TedWilliamsBook
www.Twitter.com/BruceSpitzer1
Extra Innings Video Book Trailer: bit.ly/Mp1xZo
January 2, 2021
Honestly one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.
Great fiction book, especially for middle school/high school sports fans.
Would definitely recommend this book!
Great fiction book, especially for middle school/high school sports fans.
Would definitely recommend this book!
September 11, 2012
I'm going to admit that I didn't know much about Ted Williams other than the bare bones information about him that pop culture circulates. I read this story not only to learn a bit more about Ted Williams but about the interesting world of the future that the author created to surround the story.
The author's knowledge about TW is definitely comprehensive and I have no doubt that he reproduced the speech and mannerisms of the "Kid" accurately. That isn't the problem. The problem exists in the fact that the rest of the characters in the story are poorly developed and, honestly, not that interesting or believable. Since the story is told from TW's point-of-view, I am not sure what the author could have done to improve this aspect of it.
The conflict in the story is pretty light for most of the story, only ratcheting up toward the end where he is asked to re-enlist (which was a twist that I saw coming) after he started playing baseball again. The conflict between Ted and his recovery team, the board, and then the press and fans all seemed minor to me and not really having any stakes to it at all. Ted doesn't seem to have much to lose when taking on any of these obstacles, so it is hard for me, the reader, to buy into the significance of it.
The future world situations were interesting and I wish the author would have explored them a bit more, since TW is a man-out-of-time, it would have been better to explore some of them in depth.. global warming, the use of the "cocktail", the change in technology. It seems like he adapts a bit too easy to a world that has changed significantly since his first passing.
The book kept me interested enough to keep reading and the author's love of TW and baseball does shine through in his words. If you are a fan of Ted Williams, Red Sox baseball, or of baseball in general, this book is worth a look.
The author's knowledge about TW is definitely comprehensive and I have no doubt that he reproduced the speech and mannerisms of the "Kid" accurately. That isn't the problem. The problem exists in the fact that the rest of the characters in the story are poorly developed and, honestly, not that interesting or believable. Since the story is told from TW's point-of-view, I am not sure what the author could have done to improve this aspect of it.
The conflict in the story is pretty light for most of the story, only ratcheting up toward the end where he is asked to re-enlist (which was a twist that I saw coming) after he started playing baseball again. The conflict between Ted and his recovery team, the board, and then the press and fans all seemed minor to me and not really having any stakes to it at all. Ted doesn't seem to have much to lose when taking on any of these obstacles, so it is hard for me, the reader, to buy into the significance of it.
The future world situations were interesting and I wish the author would have explored them a bit more, since TW is a man-out-of-time, it would have been better to explore some of them in depth.. global warming, the use of the "cocktail", the change in technology. It seems like he adapts a bit too easy to a world that has changed significantly since his first passing.
The book kept me interested enough to keep reading and the author's love of TW and baseball does shine through in his words. If you are a fan of Ted Williams, Red Sox baseball, or of baseball in general, this book is worth a look.
July 10, 2012
Cool read for a hot day!
In the year 2092, Ted Williams, the greatest baseball hitter of all time, is brought back to life through the science of cryonics.
Once again playing for the Red Sox, Williams finds himself trapped in a world he hardly recognizes: the corruption of the game he loves with über-juiced batters and robot pitchers; difficult love affairs clashing with his old desires; and a military conflict of the future in which he must harness the fighter pilot skills he used in his first life.
Extra Innings is alternately poignant and humorous, heartbreaking and joyous. Thought-provoking throughout, it’s a rollicking ride that looks at second chances and redemption, the ability to triumph over adversity, and the search for meaning in this life and the next.
Flawed in his first life, Williams must decide in the second what’s more important, the chance to win his first World Series, or the chance to be a better man?
Put your sunglasses on and take this book to the beach. It's a fun read!
In the year 2092, Ted Williams, the greatest baseball hitter of all time, is brought back to life through the science of cryonics.
Once again playing for the Red Sox, Williams finds himself trapped in a world he hardly recognizes: the corruption of the game he loves with über-juiced batters and robot pitchers; difficult love affairs clashing with his old desires; and a military conflict of the future in which he must harness the fighter pilot skills he used in his first life.
Extra Innings is alternately poignant and humorous, heartbreaking and joyous. Thought-provoking throughout, it’s a rollicking ride that looks at second chances and redemption, the ability to triumph over adversity, and the search for meaning in this life and the next.
Flawed in his first life, Williams must decide in the second what’s more important, the chance to win his first World Series, or the chance to be a better man?
Put your sunglasses on and take this book to the beach. It's a fun read!
May 18, 2013
Liked the idea, liked the way the author did his homework on Ted but thought there should have been more character development. Not enough stuff going on inside his head, just reactions to things happening.
July 2, 2013
If you are a Red Sox fan, it's worth reading especially on Kindle for 3 bucks. Given that I love baseball, military thriller and science fiction, I would have thought this would have been a guaranteed winner. Writing was ok, story was ok. Just loved the baseball parts.
Want to Read
June 1, 2012Ted Williams get reanimated and gets a second chance.
July 19, 2012
I went this story set at the end of the century and am glad. It was a really good read.
July 31, 2012
It was a good read, but Ted seems to have lived his life in pretty much the same way the second time around too.
September 10, 2012
Ted Williams the great ball player gets extra innings in life, as a ball player, as a marine, even as a better father through his Doctor's Son.
September 5, 2012
Very good book about Ted Williams reanimation from cryonics. Very thought provoking...
Want to Read
February 15, 2016414pgs, futuristic, he comes back in 2092, as the best baseball player of all time. but he can't deal with the times.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews