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Freddy the Pig #23
Freddy and the Baseball Team from Mars
Mr. Boorschmidt's circus arrives in Centerboro with a new attraction, six real Martians, but to make sure customers get their money's worth he asks Freddy the pig to organize them into a baseball team
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1955
9 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Walter Rollin Brooks
51 books64 followersWalter Rollin Brooks (January 9, 1886 – August 17, 1958) was an American writer best remembered for his short stories and children's books, particularly those about Freddy the Pig and other anthropomorphic animal inhabitants of the "Bean farm" in upstate New York.
Born in Rome, New York, Brooks attended college at the University of Rochester and subsequently studied homeopathic medicine in New York City. He dropped out after two years, however, and returned to Rochester, where he married his first wife, Anne Shepard, in 1909. Brooks found employment with an advertising agency in Utica, and then "retired" in 1911, evidently because he came into a considerable inheritance. His retirement was not permanent: in 1917, he went to work for the American Red Cross and later did editorial work for several magazines, including The New Yorker.
In 1940, Brooks turned to his own writing for his full-time occupation. Walter married his second wife, Dorothy Collins, following the death of Anne in 1952.
The first works Brooks published were poems and short stories. His short story "Ed Takes the Pledge" about a talking horse was the basis for the 1960s television comedy series Mister Ed (credit for creating the characters is given in each episode to "Walter Brooks"). His most enduring works, however, are the 26 books he wrote about Freddy the Pig and his friends.
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Born in Rome, New York, Brooks attended college at the University of Rochester and subsequently studied homeopathic medicine in New York City. He dropped out after two years, however, and returned to Rochester, where he married his first wife, Anne Shepard, in 1909. Brooks found employment with an advertising agency in Utica, and then "retired" in 1911, evidently because he came into a considerable inheritance. His retirement was not permanent: in 1917, he went to work for the American Red Cross and later did editorial work for several magazines, including The New Yorker.
In 1940, Brooks turned to his own writing for his full-time occupation. Walter married his second wife, Dorothy Collins, following the death of Anne in 1952.
The first works Brooks published were poems and short stories. His short story "Ed Takes the Pledge" about a talking horse was the basis for the 1960s television comedy series Mister Ed (credit for creating the characters is given in each episode to "Walter Brooks"). His most enduring works, however, are the 26 books he wrote about Freddy the Pig and his friends.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 29, 2021
I stumbled across this book while visiting my parents for Christmas. As a child, I read this series and loved it. Rereading this novel brought back many happy memories of reading about Freddy and Mrs. Wiggins and Jinx and all of the Bean animals. A very charming story with many laugh out loud moments. The mystery was very obvious and easy to solve, but the fun of the book is the silly process and side adventures anyway.
December 14, 2022
Play ball
If you are not familiar with Freddy, I suggest you read "Freddy the Detective" first to see how he became a detective.
Now, this may very well be his greatest adventure for kids of all ages.
Once again Freddy is confronted with many overlapping mysteries. One of the Marinas (Two Clicks) is missing. And Freddy must use some of his best disguises in the investigation. As with “Freddy” stories, there are many adult concepts that are brought up in the story and one must know where loyalty lies and beware of deceit.
Now have fun and learn how the ABI (Animal Bureau of Investigation) helps solve the mysteries.
I read the 1955 copy in 1955. Looks like I should have kept it.
If you are not familiar with Freddy, I suggest you read "Freddy the Detective" first to see how he became a detective.
Now, this may very well be his greatest adventure for kids of all ages.
Once again Freddy is confronted with many overlapping mysteries. One of the Marinas (Two Clicks) is missing. And Freddy must use some of his best disguises in the investigation. As with “Freddy” stories, there are many adult concepts that are brought up in the story and one must know where loyalty lies and beware of deceit.
Now have fun and learn how the ABI (Animal Bureau of Investigation) helps solve the mysteries.
I read the 1955 copy in 1955. Looks like I should have kept it.
June 10, 2018
Another delightful book in the Freddy the Pig series. This time around, Freddy is teaching the visiting Martians to play baseball. It's decided to create a baseball team composed of Martians and members of Mr. Boomschmidt's circus, human and animal alike. Trouble ensues when the team decides to play Tushville. Tushville is up to their normal tricks, including hiring professionals to play on their school team. Freddy's old nemesis, Mr. Anderson, is back and creating trouble, too. It's up to Freddy and his friends to save the day. My kids and I always enjoy the Freddy books and this was another fun one.
February 11, 2018
Freddy the pig coaches a baseball team of circus animals and Martians while looking into a series of robberies.
I've read four of this series and enjoyed them all. In this one, Freddie masquerades as both Mr. Arquebus (baseball coach) and Mrs. O' Halloran, the cook. Because the only thing less obvious than a pig in disguise in a fake beard is a pig in a wig with a dress!
I've read four of this series and enjoyed them all. In this one, Freddie masquerades as both Mr. Arquebus (baseball coach) and Mrs. O' Halloran, the cook. Because the only thing less obvious than a pig in disguise in a fake beard is a pig in a wig with a dress!
November 9, 2022
That title would really justify you in thinking "Brooks, you have officially run out of ideas." I don't mind the premise per se, but it's pretty tedious stuff. Brooks spends too much time giving boring play-by-plays of baseball games, and the way the good guys win is just lame and cheesy. Arguably the worst of the series, though alas, there are other contenders.
September 16, 2025
Is started this book realizing it was #26 in a series. I think I would have enjoyed it more having been familiar with the characters as it does build upon the past. Also there was very little Martian baseball happening in the book which was a disappointment.
How did this book find me? It is available in the Audible+ catalog until September 23, and it had baseball in the title.
How did this book find me? It is available in the Audible+ catalog until September 23, and it had baseball in the title.
January 7, 2025
I prefer the earlier books in the series personally; but, as always, the book is packed with charm and humor.
November 25, 2023
Another fun Freddy book! John McDonough’s narration really brings out the fun of the characters, and the addition of baseball adds a layer of interest to the story.
September 30, 2015
One of my favorite set of stories when I was young was the series developed by Walter R Brooks called Fredy the Pig. It is a remarkable set of work. Brooks was the author of a series of short stories about a drunken horse and his owner which became Mr. Ed on TV. But in many ways the Freddy series is much better.
Brooks was able to produce this series with two characteristics that I think are essential to children's literature. First, he constructed a fantasy that had some interesting characters - Freddy is a pig who lives on a farm but is also a part time poet and detective; Jinks the cat is a mischief maker (early in this story he points out, after seeing Freddy's card "Freddy is queer"(Freddy had added Esquire to his card!); Mr. Bean the farm owner where Freddy lives; and the little town of Centerville. There are all sorts of other animals and insects that are in the plots. But he then adds a plot that can interest even very young kids. The animals talk and are smart. In this one there are a group of Martians who learn to play baseball. There is always a villain in the plot. All of the books are about 20 chapters - so long enough to keep one's attention to a story but not so long so it is a slog to get through them.
His second skill was his use of language - Brooks used enough puns and plot twists to keep the grownup interested as he reads it to the little one who is going to sleep. I read most of these when I was first starting to read. Some of the plots could be a bit dated but the humor is not. If you have a child or grandchild you like to read to - this series would be great for them.
Brooks was able to produce this series with two characteristics that I think are essential to children's literature. First, he constructed a fantasy that had some interesting characters - Freddy is a pig who lives on a farm but is also a part time poet and detective; Jinks the cat is a mischief maker (early in this story he points out, after seeing Freddy's card "Freddy is queer"(Freddy had added Esquire to his card!); Mr. Bean the farm owner where Freddy lives; and the little town of Centerville. There are all sorts of other animals and insects that are in the plots. But he then adds a plot that can interest even very young kids. The animals talk and are smart. In this one there are a group of Martians who learn to play baseball. There is always a villain in the plot. All of the books are about 20 chapters - so long enough to keep one's attention to a story but not so long so it is a slog to get through them.
His second skill was his use of language - Brooks used enough puns and plot twists to keep the grownup interested as he reads it to the little one who is going to sleep. I read most of these when I was first starting to read. Some of the plots could be a bit dated but the humor is not. If you have a child or grandchild you like to read to - this series would be great for them.
October 10, 2023
Play ball
If you are not familiar with Freddy, I suggest you read "Freddy the Detective" first to see how he became a detective.
Now, this may very well be his greatest adventure for kids of all ages.
Once again Freddy is confronted with many overlapping mysteries. One of the Marinas (Two Clicks) is missing. And Freddy must use some of his best disguises in the investigation. As with “Freddy” stories, there are many adult concepts that are brought up in the story and one must know where loyalty lies and beware of deceit.
Now have fun and learn how the ABI (Animal Bureau of Investigation) helps solve the mysteries.
I read the 1955 copy in 1955. Looks like I should have kept it.
If you are not familiar with Freddy, I suggest you read "Freddy the Detective" first to see how he became a detective.
Now, this may very well be his greatest adventure for kids of all ages.
Once again Freddy is confronted with many overlapping mysteries. One of the Marinas (Two Clicks) is missing. And Freddy must use some of his best disguises in the investigation. As with “Freddy” stories, there are many adult concepts that are brought up in the story and one must know where loyalty lies and beware of deceit.
Now have fun and learn how the ABI (Animal Bureau of Investigation) helps solve the mysteries.
I read the 1955 copy in 1955. Looks like I should have kept it.
October 12, 2023
Play ball
If you are not familiar with Freddy, I suggest you read "Freddy the Detective" first to see how he became a detective.
Now, this may very well be his greatest adventure for kids of all ages.
Once again Freddy is confronted with many overlapping mysteries. One of the Marinas (Two Clicks) is missing. And Freddy must use some of his best disguises in the investigation. As with “Freddy” stories, there are many adult concepts that are brought up in the story and one must know where loyalty lies and beware of deceit.
Now have fun and learn how the ABI (Animal Bureau of Investigation) helps solve the mysteries.
I read the 1955 copy in 1955. Looks like I should have kept it.
If you are not familiar with Freddy, I suggest you read "Freddy the Detective" first to see how he became a detective.
Now, this may very well be his greatest adventure for kids of all ages.
Once again Freddy is confronted with many overlapping mysteries. One of the Marinas (Two Clicks) is missing. And Freddy must use some of his best disguises in the investigation. As with “Freddy” stories, there are many adult concepts that are brought up in the story and one must know where loyalty lies and beware of deceit.
Now have fun and learn how the ABI (Animal Bureau of Investigation) helps solve the mysteries.
I read the 1955 copy in 1955. Looks like I should have kept it.
February 6, 2015
Maybe I've read too many Freddy books in the last year, but even though this features spidery Martians -- who communicate solely by squeaks and clicks -- travelling 1940's upstate New York as a barnstorming baseball team, it falls into the old Freddy-the-Pig trope of a smiling local businessman trying to get ahead through kidnapping and assault, though constantly scrutinized by bird and insect detectives. Sounds pretty terrific! But I've read too many Freddies in a row.
October 9, 2019
I liked it. It's about Freddy and the circus stays in Centerboro for the winter and how these martians are here and Freddy designs a baseball team with them. One martian is kidnapped and how he tries to get him back. So he plays 3 different people - Freddy, Mrs. O'Halloran to help get the martian back. And it's funny.
March 15, 2019
i liked it. This is one of my favorite Freddy book.
February 20, 2016
A favorite book from the Freddy series: the interaction of
a team of visitors from another planet with the national pasttime is
wonderfully expanded to book length.
a team of visitors from another planet with the national pasttime is
wonderfully expanded to book length.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews