Dog-Eared Corner: Offseason incoming

The season isn’t over, and the Guardians are trying to make things interesting — bless their hearts — with offensive explosions in the Bronx over the weekend. But even those games, fun as they were, won’t stop this season winding down. Even after demolishing Gerritt Cole and the Yankees, Cleveland’s elimination number is down to four. Thus, my mind (perhaps like yours) has drifted away from the box scores. While there are certainly some interesting questions lingering for the Guardians — Who will be the first baseman? Who catches? Outfield?!? — other issues feel more pressing.

Like books.

I’m back on my BS and reading as much as I can to escape the humdrum of whatever Cleveland is or isn’t doing (like hitting). Once again I’ve picked a few books and I’m letting you, the distinguished reader of our fair site, have the final say as to what gets read and discussed. Check out the descriptions and vote below. The final pick will lock in next week and we’ll get reading — of course you’ll be reading with me, right?

Jackie Robinson by Arnold Rampersad

4.18/5 stars on GoodReads, 1,046 ratings

Jackie Robinson’s widow, Rachel, selected Rampersad to compile this lengthy biography and allowed access to documents previously unseen by reporters or biographers. The result is a highly rated and in-depth look at who Robinson was, a complex and nuanced individual that was far more than just a groundbreaking athlete.

The Big Fella by Jane Leavy

3.73/5 stars on GoodReads, 1,130 ratings

Babe Ruth was the first modern sports superstar and remains one of the most well-known figures in American history. With research including more than 250 interviews, untapped documents, and Ruth family documents, Leavy presents a more fully realized version of the man rather than the legend.

Till the End by CC Sabathia

4.03/5 stars on GoodReads, 226 ratings

I can’t wear a hat without it tilting a little to the side, the byproduct of watching so many games Sabathia pitched for Cleveland in the early 2000s and trying to emulate him in the backyard and on the ballfield. Sure, when Sabathia’s called to Cooperstown in a few years his plaque will have “NY” on the cap, but I’m no less of a fan of his for that. Hearing his story, from him, about growing up in baseball, dealing with racism, performance-enhancing drugs, and addiction, seems like quite a good read.

The Great American Novel by Philip Roth

3.61/5 stars on GoodReads, 2,403 ratings

The greatest and only homeless big-league ball club, but you’ve never heard of it because of a communist plot and capitalist scandal. Philip Roth’s satirical take on baseball is unlike any other. Irreverent and comedic, with a terribly unreliable narrator, Roth’s creates another world that’s just familiar enough to be believable.

There you have it, four choices. Now it’s up to you to make the final call. See you in a week when we start reading.