Full Count: Inside Cuban Baseball

Rating:
Summary: Good as far as it goes
Review: Full Count is an easy to read documentary about baseball in Cuba. This book is especially topical because of both the recent influx of Cuban baseball players in the U.S. Major Leagues, as well as the Elian Gonzalez situation in Miami. Baseball in Cuba has always been of interest to fans in The United States, as many Cuban-born players such as Orlando and Livian Hernandez, Rey Ordonez, and others have enjoyed success in the major leagues. Many stories have been romanticized about how these Cuban stars have defected from their homeland to enjoy the freedoms of the United States. Full Count tells the truth of these stories, and also describes how these players have developed into Major League talent. A development system that is very reminiscent of Eastern European athletic programs in the height of the Cold War. Full Count is a good read for anyone who is interested in both baseball and the political situation in Cuba.

Rating:
Summary: Full Count: Inside Cuban Baseball
Review: Full Count is an easy to read documentary about baseball in Cuba. This book is especially topical because of both the recent influx of Cuban baseball players in the U.S. Major Leagues, as well as the Elian Gonzalez situation in Miami. Baseball in Cuba has always been of interest to fans in The United States, as many Cuban-born players such as Orlando and Livian Hernandez, Rey Ordonez, and others have enjoyed success in the major leagues. Many stories have been romanticized about how these Cuban stars have defected from their homeland to enjoy the freedoms of the United States. Full Count tells the truth of these stories, and also describes how these players have developed into Major League talent. A development system that is very reminiscent of Eastern European athletic programs in the height of the Cold War. Full Count is a good read for anyone who is interested in both baseball and the political situation in Cuba.

Rating:
Summary: Good as far as it goes
Review: Jamail does a good job of sorting out the politics behind the Cuban baseball league and setting the record straight on the often distorted stories of Cuban defectors. But from a baseball fan's standpoint, there is little here that transmits what the presentday Cuban league actually feels like and looks like on the field of play. That book remains to be written and is sorely needed.