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The Baseball
Landon Myers is a retired pediatric oncologist who spends his days diagnosing the ills of his young grandchildren’s stuffed animals while scheming up new ways to spend time with the older ones. When his thirteen-year-old granddaughter Lucy discovers an old Major League Baseball while cleaning his cellar, he faces the difficult task of exposing a family secret that has lain dormant for the past forty years.
Over a long lunch with Lucy, Landon reveals that he was previously married, divorced, and had a son, Alex. Two years after his parents’ bitter divorce, sixteen-year-old Alex receives devastating news that derails the course of his life. In a captivating story about family, relationships, and reconciliation, The Baseball begs the question, “If life gave you a second chance, would you know what to do with it?”
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2019
25 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
James Flerlage
3 books44 followersJames Flerlage is an experienced writer, researcher and speaker. His articles have appeared in national and international magazines and in syndicated publications. Among other credentials, he holds a master's in business administration and is a graduate of Sewanee University’s Education for Ministry program. James is happily married, the proud father of two daughters, and active in his church and community. In his spare time, he enjoys drumming, fishing and reading. He is currently working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 25, 2020
A poignant story that focuses on family and relationships. Generations are linked by one boy’s love of baseball and the hope it gave him.
Retired pediatric oncologist Landon Myers reminisces with his granddaughter when she finds an autographed baseball in his basement. He tells her about his son, Alex , who was a big fan of the Cincinnati Reds when he was sixteen. Landon was devastated when Alex was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he couldn’t save him. The boy’s love of baseball is carried on through the years by his family , creating memories that will never be forgotten.
I received this Ebook from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. It brought tears to my eyes but was heartwarming at the same time. Highly recommended!
Retired pediatric oncologist Landon Myers reminisces with his granddaughter when she finds an autographed baseball in his basement. He tells her about his son, Alex , who was a big fan of the Cincinnati Reds when he was sixteen. Landon was devastated when Alex was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he couldn’t save him. The boy’s love of baseball is carried on through the years by his family , creating memories that will never be forgotten.
I received this Ebook from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. It brought tears to my eyes but was heartwarming at the same time. Highly recommended!
December 9, 2019
A baseball story
Okay, I have to admit to being a sucker for stories involving baseball. With an interesting twist, the author blends baseball, medicine and divorce to a riveting tale that left me with wet eyes and yet a smile. Brilliant!
Okay, I have to admit to being a sucker for stories involving baseball. With an interesting twist, the author blends baseball, medicine and divorce to a riveting tale that left me with wet eyes and yet a smile. Brilliant!
February 5, 2021
Quick, clean, and easy read with a bittersweet ending.
January 16, 2020
This was a very well written story that will tear your heart out.
January 10, 2020
I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
A beautiful heart warming book - very well
written!!!
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
A beautiful heart warming book - very well
written!!!
January 5, 2020
Wonderfully crafted story that takes the reader through the bitter sweet moments of life, loss and heart wrenching times of a difficult diagnosis. A must read for anyone who loves Cincinnati, the Reds and Children's Hospital. It gives a gentle push to expose family secrets. Bravo!
January 5, 2020
This is a heartwarming tale of one man’s journey to discover how to prioritize work and family. The man is a pediatric oncologist, and my daughter is a leukemia survivor so this one was at times a bit emotional for me. This is a well written quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2019
Whew! What a story! Very well written. As one reviewer stated “sad, but happy”. I did learn a few things about baseball. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway and I thank the author for the opportunity to read and review this work. I look forward to more novels by James Flerlage.
December 19, 2019
A short but powerfully touching book about family, focusing on what really matters and love. Oh and baseball.
Although it is fairly obvious from the beginning how the book will end, Flerlage takes the right paths to get there and will certainly leave your eyes moist.
Although it is fairly obvious from the beginning how the book will end, Flerlage takes the right paths to get there and will certainly leave your eyes moist.
December 8, 2019
A nice and easy read with a sad but happy ending.
February 9, 2021
I felt while I was reading The Baseball, like I had known some of these characters my whole life. There was such a familiarity there, which made it easy to want to hear their story. In just a few chapters I not only heard their story, but I connected with it as well. I read it aloud to my husband, and at the end he said, "This will make a great movie." This small but mighty story is Flerlage's second book and I highly recommend it! For baseball fans, families who have been impacted by cancer, and for all of us who have ever gotten a second chance, this book is a must read!
January 29, 2020
A very human tale that tackles issues of family and grief with grace and realism. Well-researched and lovingly crafted.
Baseball lovers will enjoy the nostalgic remembrances of some of the all-time greatest players of the Cincinnati Reds, and anyone who loves Cincinnati will recognize the countless references to some of the city's most beloved foods, locations, and other local culture. Highly recommend!
Baseball lovers will enjoy the nostalgic remembrances of some of the all-time greatest players of the Cincinnati Reds, and anyone who loves Cincinnati will recognize the countless references to some of the city's most beloved foods, locations, and other local culture. Highly recommend!
June 25, 2021
Lucy finds a baseball sweeping out the cellar, and discovers a story that her grandpa has never told her. A story of loss and love.
As with many "brief novels", the author misses an opportunity to expand the story by exploring open avenues and characters that are only briefly glimpsed. I appreciated the historical accuracy of 1975 Cincinnati, the people and the streets, but the book left me wanting much more.
As with many "brief novels", the author misses an opportunity to expand the story by exploring open avenues and characters that are only briefly glimpsed. I appreciated the historical accuracy of 1975 Cincinnati, the people and the streets, but the book left me wanting much more.
April 8, 2020
Could not put it down
Felt like I was in Cincinnati again. Following the Reds was something my new bride and I loved. Only thing missing was the City View bar. The struggles of doctors with relationships while trying to save every patient can be more than difficult. Make sure your box of Kleenex is handy
Felt like I was in Cincinnati again. Following the Reds was something my new bride and I loved. Only thing missing was the City View bar. The struggles of doctors with relationships while trying to save every patient can be more than difficult. Make sure your box of Kleenex is handy
April 25, 2022
family
This is a wonderful story about a family secret. We see Lucy helping her grandpa by cleaning up the cellar when she found a baseball. She was surprised to see him get emotional when she showed him. That is when Landon her grandpa tells her all about the secret. Their story is one that is at times sweet yet also very sad.
This is a wonderful story about a family secret. We see Lucy helping her grandpa by cleaning up the cellar when she found a baseball. She was surprised to see him get emotional when she showed him. That is when Landon her grandpa tells her all about the secret. Their story is one that is at times sweet yet also very sad.
August 2, 2020
The Baseball
What a beautiful, loving story. Enjoyed the characters and the loving story of a young man, named Alex. Couldn’t put the book down till the last page.
What a beautiful, loving story. Enjoyed the characters and the loving story of a young man, named Alex. Couldn’t put the book down till the last page.
October 12, 2025
Not what I expected…
…it was better than I expected. Grab some tissue, because you will definitely need it more than once by the end of this book.
…it was better than I expected. Grab some tissue, because you will definitely need it more than once by the end of this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews