I went to Brookline yesterday afternoon to see a talk about politics and sports sponsored by the Brookline Booksmith. On the panel were historian Howard Zinn, David Zirin, author of What's My Name, Fool: Sports and Resistance in the United States and the real reason I was there, Jim Bouton, the author of Foul Ball the one and only book I have ever been mentioned in.

My father-in-law accompanied me to the talk. There was a good crowd at the Coolidge Corner Theater for the talk, filling most of the upstairs theater. Jim, Zirin and Zinn spoke for a good portion of the hour, then took questions from the audience. There was some good give and take with the liberal Brookline crowd. I tried to catch Jim after the talk, but he got whisked out a back door and I figured I would catch him at the bookstore.

We went across the street and I picked up a copy of the book for Jim to sign to my friend The Hey, plus a copy of Zirin's book, since he had impressed me so much during the discussion. We were waiting to pay for the book when Jim and his wife Paula walked in. Jim said "There's Capn Ho!" We shook hands and they both asked me how I was feeling and we chatted for a moment, then Jim made his way to the table to sign books.

We got in line to get our books signed. As we got up there, Jim mentioned to Dave Zirin that I was one of the investors in Pittsfield, and that I had attended the Parks Commission meeting. He seemed very impressed, and signed my book, "To Capn Ho, and the saving of all our old ballparks!" A couple of other people overheard Jim and I got to bask in some reflected glory for a few moments, as I talked about my experience, and how the meeting was exactly like what Jim described in the book.

It was great to see Jim and Paula again, and it was a very enjoyable afternoon. I'll let you know what I think of the Dave Zirin book once I read it.