Rebel in Right Field

by Duane Decker

Danny Redd has just finished high school when he turns pro and almost at once gets called up the major leagues, the famous Blue Sox franchise. It's the beginning of a great baseball career - if Danny can "stick" with the big club, perform as well as expected, and learn to make an effort on every play.

Genres: Sports

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Duane Decker wrote a beloved series about an imaginary major league baseball team called the Blue Sox from 1947 to his death in 1964. During World War II, he served in the Pacific with the Marine Corps. After participating in several island invasions, he became a combat correspondent on the Leatherneck, the official Marine Corps publication, where his tour of duty took him to Peleliu, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. One of the highlights of his military career came when he witnessed the formal surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay as a Staff Sergeant and editor of Leatherneck.

After the war, he had a notable career writing for leading magazines, residing in New Hampshire. An enthusiastic baseball fan, his books have been enjoyed by thousands. He was a graduate of Colgate University.

Reviews

[D.W. Frauenfelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the seminal books of my childhood, Rebel in Right Field is about a talented young baseball player who develops a fear of being injured on the field. Until he gets over the fear, he cannot fulfill his potential. I would love to re-read this one as over at Amazon there is a review that says this is not one of Decker's best. I wonder how it has aged.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outfielder who won't risk injury racing after fly balls or running the base paths will not last in the major leagues. On the other hand, if he injures himself he won't get much playing time either...

[Mark Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book from my childhood. I loved the Duane Decker authored Blue Sox series about a fictional pro baseball team and the large number of books about individual players on the team. These books are increasingly rare, hard to find, and will make a dent in your wallet when you do find one. Good sports fiction!

[Martin Herbordt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this over 50 years ago (in late elementary school) and always remembered it as a story of life in the low minor leagues - small cities in nowhere, lousy lights and long bus rides - and about personal demons.