by the way, I learned at the ’96 games that every country pronounces their name in a three-syllable chant – thus, at those games, I heard for the first (and likely last) time “Tun-ee-shee” (Tunisia)

“Steinbrenner: The Last Lion of Baseball” – great baseball book to get me hungry for the season to come – Steinbrenner bought the Yankees for $10 million in 1972 – they’re worth over $1.5 billion today – he was an iron-fisted leader for much of his early years – lots of what I thought I knew about him, I didn’t

“Never Quit” – story of the closest US miler to break four minutes before and shortly after WWII – the guy’s story was what my grandfather’s story was – out poverty and hardship into the modern life – so reading the book made me miss my granddad – but in a good way

“Olympic Dream” – sad biography of a Kenyan who set four world records in less than 100 days – just amazing – and amazing in a sad way, he never was able to compete in an Olympics – boycotts and then age did him in – just makes me appreciate how rare it is to run and run well – and have a chance to win things

“The Heart of the Sea” – my favorite reader, WillRo, read it and said good things about it – so I was curious – he was right – gripping story – I’ve read Melville and read other books by Philbrick so I had more background than a seventh grader, and it still was an amazing read – field trip to Nantucket!!!!

remember, no serious blogs this week b/c you’re memorizing monologues

maf