Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees.

BAT BOY; MY TRUE LIFE ADVENTURES COMING OF AGE WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES. Matthew McGough. 2005. Read by Jason Harris. 7 cds. 8 hrs. Books on Tape. 1-4159-2167-9. $36.00. Vinyl; content notes. SA

Almost any baseball fan would give his (or her) right arm to walk on the grass of "the house that Ruth built," shag flies in the outfield that was once patrolled by Mickey Mantle, sit on the bench formerly occupied by Yogi Berra, and tread the same bases as Joe DiMaggio, Roger Maris, Don Mattingly and hundreds of others who wore the Yankee pin stripes. Sixteen-year-old McGough served an unforgettable two-year tenure with the Yankees in the early '90s and shares his adventures and activities both on and off the field. He collected laundry, ran errands, shined shoes, and did other chores that would be regarded as menial most any other place. He talks about balancing his job and school (not very well), socializing with the players, and attempting to attract girls.

Reader Harris sounds like a teen in such an envious position; his voice reflects awe, enthusiasm, and optimism. Much locker room talk and liberal use of the "f-word." Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown, PA