First and foremost, the book is a must-read for any Mets fan. If you grew up anywhere in the tri-state area since the 70s and have even the slightest interest in baseball, I think you’ll enjoy this book because it’s like taking a very pleasant stroll down a very charming Memory Lane. I grew up mostly a Red Sox fan in a NY Suburb in the pre-cable area. That meant 90% of my baseball was from WPIX 11 and WOR 9 in NY. Being a huge baseball fan, I watched a lot of Mets and Yankees. Shea stadium was where my Indian Guides summer trip went. It was great reading some of the names from the past that I had forgotten—John Stearns, Joel Youngblood and Craig Swan to name a few.
But this book was more than just about the Mets. It was about being a sportsfan and how vital a role our teams can play in our lives. After reading the book I realized that while the Mets don’t define the writer’s life, they definitely shaped a large part of who he is.
There are some great behind the scenes stories about the author’s time working as a vendor at Shea. Truly “inside stadium” information, as well as some poignant moments about the writer’s personal life and how it intersected with the Mets. The book jumps around chronologically, but I never felt lost because the narrative voice was so perfect.
By the end of Send the Beer Guy, you feel like you know the writer and that he’s the kind of guy you would want rooting for your team. Never takes himself or the Mets too seriously while always respecting the fact that being a devoted fan is a serious commitment.
One of the most authentic narrative “voices” I have read because the style gives you the feeling it’s just you and the writer and he’s speaking directly to you.
I think any sports fan who loves their team and read this book would say many times throughout the book “That’s exactly how I felt.” Great read and one that will help any baseball fan forget it’s the off-season, at least for a couple of days.
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