Here is a story about a boy, Seth, who would have been a golfer had his father lived. But his father died when he was young and Seth is raised by a single mother. That would be the end of the story and not much of one for sure, but he meets Jimmy Winter and Jimmy's father at the park one day and Seth is invited to join them in a round of baseball practice. Jimmy is the Champion of the title and Seth's hero.
Jimmy's father had been a natural baseball player, however his father never pushed him hard enough to go far. Mr. Winter doesn't want to make the same mistake and so he pushes Jimmy above and beyond normal limits in an effort to secure him a career in the Major Leagues. Jimmy doesn't brag when he says he is the best. It is the truth. And he knows it already at eleven.
Seth realizes that he will never be as good as Jimmy, but he is grateful to be along for the ride. They practice together every weekend and when Jimmy tries out for Little League, Seth is right there with him. It is a hard existence for Seth. He is not as good as Jimmy and Jimmy often gets picked to play for better leagues or different teams. But through it all, they remain friends. Even when Jimmy has to move away.
Jimmy's father is an abusive alcoholic. Seth recognizes it early on, but decides that a drunk father might be better than no father. Jimmy's parents separate and Jimmy and his mom move to a neighboring town. It is not that they couldn't make the effort to get together, but they're boys and were fine picking up where they left off. This happens when Jimmy moves back during their freshman year of high school.
There is something amazing about Jimmy Winter. He has heart. He loves the game. He puts everything he has got into the game and his team. If you are feeling off, or anxious, or scared and are left shaking, Jimmy is right there with a pep talk and encouragement to give you the strength to give it your all as well. Everyone looks to him and he is an effortless leader. When Jimmy is out of the game, Seth tries to emulate him. Do what Jimmy would do. Take a hit or sacrifice for the good of the team and give the encouragement.
But every hero has a flaw. Jimmy follows in the footsteps of his father and chooses alcohol to mask the pain his father caused. The team suffers for it and ultimately, Jimmy suffers for it.
Despite the fact that the book is filled with play by plays of nearly every baseball game played at every level from 6th through 11th grade, I loved this book for what was in between. Without Jimmy Winter, Seth would have been ordinary. With Jimmy's support, Seth became extraordinary. Seth learned how to concentrate and focus through all of the baseball practices. This translated into superior grades. Seth becomes an academic without even noticing. He makes many wrong choices, but in the end the right choices he makes are the ones that matter.
Wow. So this is what it means when someone says, "you have heart." You can make little ripples and even waves of amazing in those around you. And it doesn't matter how long or short your life is as long as you make it memorable doing what you love the most to the best of your ability.
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