(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Take me out to the...Library! As MLB races toward post-season play, the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch is pleased to present its "September Grand Slam" – four authors and experts with unique baseball experiences and perspectives beginning September 4, 2024 in Mancini Hall. All programs will begin at 6:30pm.
The all-star lineup features:
* Wednesday, September 4 – Phil Coffin, “When Baseball Was Still Topps” The New York Times editor’s book, When Baseball Was Still Topps: Portraits of the Game in 1959, Card by Card (2024) mulls the National Pastime’s image and role in America’s social upheavals and explores the significance of the 572-player 1959 Topps bubble-gum card issue.
* Tuesday, September 10 – Dan Schlossberg, “Home Run King: The Remarkable Record of Hank Aaron.” The author of The 300 Club (2010) and Called Out but Safe: A Baseball Umpire’s Journey (2014) will recount the legendary slugger’s life and challenges that mounted until April 8, 1974, when Aaron’s 715th career home run eclipsed Babe Ruth’s seemingly indomitable record.
* Tuesday, September 17 – Ed Alstrom, “Yankee Stadium: From the (Organ) Bench.” The New Jersey native has a storied career beyond the Bronx, from rock and roll to houses of worship to Broadway. He succeeded Eddie Layton, who spent 37 years revving up the Stadium crowd with his keyboard antics.
* Tuesday, October 1 – Rick Feingold, “The Miracle Mets of 1969.” The multifaceted historian will discourse on the astonishing “worst-to-first” climb of this aggregation of longtime regulars, trade arrivals and energized young players, building momentum all the way to the team’s first championship.
Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclTrSlam for each of these free programs. Choose one or more of your favorite subjects or come to all four and make it a true Grand Slam!
For more information, stop by the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, call (732) 349-6200 or visit https://theoceancountylibrary.org/events.
Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.
