The Diamond: Baseball Writings of Mark Harris

In this collection of delightful pieces, reprinted from the New York Times , Sports Illustrated , etc., Harris recalls that ``baseball made me a fan by telling me truths about myself.'' Here he shares those truths by showing us the simple pleasures of being 69 years old and playing slow pitch with an energetic 19-year-old. He relates how his novel, The Southpaw , evolved into one of the classic baseball movies, Bang the Drum Slowly ; he takes us onto the sound stage to witness the film's two stars at work: the young Robert DeNiro, who had to learn to throw, catch and hit for the role, and Michael Moriarty, who encompassed the insecurities of the acting profession. Harris goes on to talk about watching the New York Giants play in the Polo Grounds, Carl Hubbell's dentist and what Ladies' Day meant to him as a hormone-throbbing 16-year-old. He rewakens an earlier generation to the significance of Jackie Robinson; the foibles of ``Dr. Strangeglove,'' first baseman Dick Stuart; and the joys of ``watching'' baseball on the radio. Harris's script for Bang the Drum Slowly is included here. A treat for baseball fans. (June)