Dispatches from the Sporting Life

Rating:
Summary: "He's an art form,the baseball diamond his canvas."
Review:
Although this book was published in 2002;I have the distinct honor to be writing the first Customer Review.In my opinion,Richler is one of the best Canadian writers,and if you've never read anything by him;this book should convince you.His perception,observation,experiences and expertise with language is simply masterful.
This book is composed of material he wrote on sports over the years;the bulk of it from the mid-eighties.That means about 20 years ago.I would think that someone at least over 60 would relate more to this material than someone under 40.Personally,I lived in Montreal in the 60's,and was a diehard "Habs" fan and enjoyed seeing the Expos and The Worlds Fair come to Montreal.Those were very heady days.All that has changed and that whole excitement is now a thing of the past.
Reading this book is very illuminating and answers the questions as to what has happened to sports and what is missing today.Richler really brings it home.Let me quote a few lines from his book.

"It is'nt the stars who are expensive,it's the high price of mediocracy."

"After you quit,though,it's a long time between Monday and Friday."

"Beliveau led his team to 10 Stanley Cups in 18 years with the club as a player."

"Dick Irvin used to say it doesn't matter haw hard you hit the glass or the boards,the light won't go on."

"Big, handsome Jean (Beliveau) was a commanding presence,and as long as he was on the ice,the game couldn't degenerate into Ping-Pong:it was hockey as it was meant to be played."

Richler shows how the sports stars played for the love of the game and it's enjoyment and particularly for the respect and admiration of the fans.In the off-season,they lived in the community and were very approachable.
Regretfully,that is a thing of the past.He shows us how it has changed and why things went so wrong.
Imagine,after the rich history of baseball in Montreal,the Expos are now gone and the Canadiens are a dynasty in memory only.
Thanks Mordecai for a great collection and your total rejection of political correctness.

"He might be gone now,but
Mordecai Richler kept his
eye on the ball until the end."
The Globe and Mail

Mordecai Richler died on July 3,2001.