"Miracle Ball": the story of Bobby Thomson's 1951 Home run ball
Brian Biegel tells the very personal and passionate tale of how he found the no longer lost Bobby Thomson home run ball from October 3,1951. Fifty eight years ago, Thomson hit a shot to left field that left Brooklyn Dodger fans in a daze and NY Giant fans ecstatic as their team was going to the World Series. Biegel spent two years looking for the ball that simply disappeared into section 35 of the Polo Grounds.
I know it's hard to believe today but back then, if someone caught a ball, the first thought was NOT, "how much can I get for this?" But let's say money was not a factor to the person who caught "the shot heard round the world"... who could have this piece of history and have NEVER come forward with it or tell the story behind it? In our interview, Brian takes us through his journey, and without giving it all away, he gives you a BIG hint. Get "Miracle Ball", a great read, at book stores everywhere and on line and stay tune for an upcoming documentary!
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Comments: 14
This was very intresting I love baseball history.
I bought this book on Amazon and could not put it down. The story of the search for the most famous home run ball was amazing, with interesting characters and unexpected plot twists, but the personal challenge of the author touched me deeply. His relationship with his father carried him. I hope I can do that for my son one day.
Well said Anthony...I felt the same way. Pass it along! Krish, pick it up, it's worth it.
Lolita, what a great segment. This book sounds fascinating. How did you learn about the story? Can I get an autographed copy from the author?
I am actually in the book as is Sal Marciano. My part deals with the "spirituality" connected to who caught the ball. Sal speaks about how it felt back in 1951 when that home run was hit. The facts of this story are tied together with personal stories from the people featured in the book quite nicely. Check out www.brianbiegel.com for the author's scheduled book signings. I know there is one in Huntington, LI June 4. I will update if I know more
I am actually in the book as is Sal Marciano. My part deals with the "spirituality" connected to who caught the ball. Sal speaks about how it felt back in 1951 when that home run was hit. The facts of this story are tied together with personal stories from the people featured in the book quite nicely. Check out www.brianbiegel.com for the author's scheduled book signings. I know there is one in Huntington, LI June 4. I will update if I know more
hey Mike - it looks like the authors are doing a book signing at The Book Revue in Huntington, Long Island. Not sure if you're out that way, but if you are, you can definitely pick up the book and an autograph there.
Their website says the signing is Thursday, June 4th, at 7pm.
Hope that helps.
Thanks Matt!
my pleasure. just trying to help.
Thanks Matt!! I'll def go to the signing. I'm going to get the book today. I'm very excited. Have you read it? Pls don't give the end away :-)
I haven't read it, nor do i know the ending. But based on the excitement it seems to be generating, i might have to pick up a copy. it seems like a real cool story
This story is baseball lore. It is fascinating. Great segment. Intrigued about your part in the "spirituality" connection with the person who caught the ball. Sal seems to have a personal account of witnessing this piece of history in 1951. "Miracle Ball..." seems like a good read. Thanks for sharing with us.
Just saw the documentary to come...it's great too!
I read it last night---well into the night--- in one sitting. It is one of the more compelling books you will read, baseball or otherwise. This book is a must read on so many levels.
There is so much more to the story than a missing baseball. It is a father-son story…a story of self-discovery…a story of fortitude. And a story of the times in which we now live and how different it is from the dawn of the TV age. It really sheds light on a time and era, that is "pre media hype."
Startling for me, that I had never thought about this but: how inconceivable it is, that it took 58 years--- given our seeming obsessionas a species of “our need to know”---before someone seriously addressed the question of what happened to the Bobby Thomson HR ball!
It seemed that the first time a big thing was made over a piece of memorabilia like this, was in 1961, when a kid from Brooklyn, Sal Durante caught Maris' 61st Homer at the Stadium (and only 20,000 + people were there that day!). That was "only" ten years after the Thomson HR, so you would have thought way back then, that would have sparked an interest. And it's too bad, because so many eye-witness accounts would have been available.
In a word…fascinating.
Ron Vazzano