37 years ago today, this movie hit theaters. It's one of the few days of the year when it's appropriate to read W.P. Kinsella's personal copy of the shooting script from the summer of 1988. Had that movie never been made, I'm not sure what my professional life would look like.
Really wish I didn't have to teach class. . .
Another Lipscomb guy! He was so much fun to watch in college!
A few days late, but a big thank you to @michaelclair.bsky.social from @mlb.com for joining my Sports Literature class this week on Zoom. The students loved hearing him talk about Czech baseball. As it turns out, Lipscomb had a former player signed by a Czech team just before his talk!
I arrived in my office this morning to find "We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball" by @michaelclair.bsky.social on my desk. It feels like Christmas if Santa only brought you one great baseball book! You should order your copy now! Also, this will help pass the time in the next faculty meeting!
What's better than Spring Training? Spring Training and the latest issue of NINE. Coming soon!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it. Bill was certainly an interesting subject!
If you're sick of being snowed in, looking for an excuse to not shovel the driveway, or just want to get away from your family for the evening, join us tomorrow night as we talk about all things Kinsella! @uvic.ca @iowawriterswksp.bsky.social @cdnbaseballhof.bsky.social @nine-on-nine.bsky.social
If you've not already preordered this book, what are you waiting for? This is going to be a blast to start reading. Great topic and an even better writer!
Thanks for the help! I was told today that the library at the Baseball Hall of Fame has what I need. I appreciate you spreading the word!
Strange ask, I know. I'm working on my next book and am trying to track down any copies of the old Pittsburgh Pirates newspaper, The Pirate Report, from September 2001-Spring 2002. If you know of where I might get copies, please message me. Thanks! @1992pirates.bsky.social @pirates.com
I'm pumped about reading this one! I've already preordered mine and hope you get yours as well. A great story told by an equally great writer. Get yours in time for Opening Day!
Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading this one!
I have this same issue, but it's with the 1979 John Milner Topps card. I tried to get my wife to let me paper the walls of the living room with those cards, but that would only get rid of about half those Milner cards!
This is beautiful.
I love this!
W.P. Kinsella died nine years ago today. I went to see Field of Dreams by myself in 1989 and could have never imagined that it would lead to him asking me to write his biography.
"Hardly anyone recognizes the most significant moments of their lives at the time they happen."
--"Shoeless Joe"
I don't know how I missed this. Larry Gerlach wrote a great biography of Bob Emslie that won this year's Seymour Medal from SABR.
I was bummed it wasn't open when I was up there a few weeks back, but I'm excited to get back up and see this exhibit!
"Shoeless Joe," by W.P. Kinsella. That novel actually began as a short story he wrote in the late 1970s, "Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa." An unknown editor's assistant read a summary of the story and convinced Kinsella to turn it into a novel. It turns out that was a good idea.
Congratulations!
Great piece, Michael!
Burt Lancaster made Moonlight Graham come alive on the screen in "Field of Dreams," but @graigkreindler.bsky.social makes him come alive on canvas. This is one of my favorite paintings he's done. Amazing work!
This is a great deal on an excellent book! If you're looking for a book to take with you on vacation this summer, this is the one!
May 12, 1982 – W.P. Kinsella releases 'Shoeless Joe', expanded from Kinsella’s short story "Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa." The book served as the basis for the 1989 film, 'Field of Dreams' | Our Iowa Heritage [website] ouriowaheritage.com/2025/05/12/m...
I was thrilled to see Kinsella get in there! Any chance you'll attend the induction?
Do yourself a favor and preorder this book now. Tom's work is excellent, and I know this book will be fantastic!
I was back in Pittsburgh for the first time in probably 21 years or so last month. I walked over to where the old stadium was. PNC is fantastic, but I still miss my early days as a Pirates fan there. Great picture, by the way!
What's better than the first day of Spring Training? The first day of Spring Training AND a subscription to NINE! nebraskapressjournals.unl.edu/journal/nine...
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