I've always loved the history and tradition of baseball having grown up watching my two favorite players of all time, Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays in their prime. The evolution of the game has certainly been interesting, controversial and exhilarating, but down through the years the game as stayed remarkably the same, throw the ball, catch the ball, hit the ball. Given baseball's extraordinary history which goes hand in hand with American history I undertook a story line based on old time baseball, starting in 1915, which transitions into the modern era centered around one family's love of the game, set in the small rural town of Washington, Missouri. It's the account of one man's improbable journey from local pitching guru to the game's biggest stage - the World Series. Along the way he must deal with the Great Depression, WWII, personal setback, murder and death. Some of the story is personal for me and my family while the majority comes from my love of the game and all its far reaching implications felt by any and all who have an unwavering passion for it. If you have a keen interest in baseball, baseball history, American history and baseball characters from times gone by, then this is the book for you.