High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania - by Paul Haddad (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For Dodger fans, the years 1977 to 1981 mark the team's glory days, and High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomaniachronicles the highlights and disappointments that marked those four tumultuous seasons.

Told from lifelong fan Paul Haddad's perspective, the story of the Dodgers during this time period is enhanced by transcripts of radio and TV calls that are woven into his personal recollections, capturing famed Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully at the top of his game.

From Jerry Ruess's no-hitter and Rick Monday's epic homer against Montreal to the magical rookie year of Fernando Valenzuela and the 1981 World Series, all of the famous Dodger moments are commemorated in great detail.

In addition to the chronological narrative, each chapter contains lists, trivia, sidebars, and interesting statistics that make the exciting culture and fan frenzy that surrounded the Dodgers' last great dynasty come to life.

Review Quotes

"With Vin Scully's broadcasts as a touchstone, Paul Haddad revives the glory years of the Dodgers. His recollections are as rich and wonderful as Scully himself." --Chris Erskine, Los Angeles Times

"Warm and fuzzy time! Paul Haddad's account is the shirt from the back of the closet that still fits and never goes out of style. I enjoyed it thoroughly." --Jerry Reuss, Los Angeles Dodgers, 1979-1986

"An evocative, playful, exuberant tribute to the sunniest days of the Los Angeles Dodgers and to the unmatched purity, intensity, and hilarity of fandom as a child, High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania is a crystal-clear signal breaking through the static of fading memories and the distance of time. Reading it is like somehow finding your hometown team's game on the radio while hundreds and hundreds of miles away."--Josh Wilker, author, Cardboard Gods

"We never forget our first loves--whether it was a fresh-grilled Dodger Dog, a double bag of salted-in-the-shell peanuts, or Tommy John's bionic arm. All my adult life I've wondered if someone could bring back to life those wonderful days of a childhood lost to Vin Scully on the transistor radio and the team that dared you to believe even when they crushed your heart. Now somebody has." --Les Carpenter, Yahoo! Sports

"As a fan of sharp writing, warm childhood memories, and all the visceral elements of baseball, this book left me exhilarated. As a die-hard Montreal Expos fan who'd love to never hear the name Rick Monday again, this book left me saddened and furious. I want to buy Paul Haddad a beer, shake his hand . . . then punch him in the face." --Jonah Keri, author, The Extra 2%

"If you bleed Dodger Blue and want to relive a championship time, this is an ideal read -- breezy, funny and unsparing in its praise of the Blue Crew and its criticism of all other teams." --Jim McConnell, Pasadena Star-News

"Haddad's sense of humor shines throughout the book, particularly when detailing some of the low points of the hometown team." --James Bailey, Baseball America

"Extremely unique... The author does a good job of splitting [the book] up and giving the reader different topics about the Dodgers to focus on throughout each chapter. Even if your team is not the Dodgers, all fans will be able to relate to Haddad's thoughts, actions and words throughout the book." --Bill Jordan, Baseball Reflections.com

"Haddad explores one of America's most important teams the way only a true fan can." --Larry Mantle, AirTalk, KPCC 89.3 FM

"It will invoke warm nostalgia among those who were present, and it is a purposeful guide to others who may not realize how dominant radio broadcasts were now that we live in a time when you can purchase and watch the entire baseball season on your television, computer, phone, even a watch... Haddad has hit one out of the park." --Mike Terry, San Fernando Sun

About the Author

Paul Haddad is a television writer and producer who has worked with Discovery Networks, Fox Sports, the Travel Channel, and VH1, among others. His articles have appeared in such publications as Filmmaker, LA Sports & Fitness, and Los Angeles Times Magazine. He was featured in ESPN Films' Emmy-nominated 30 for 30 documentary series in an episode recapping the phenomenon of Fernandomania. He lives in Los Angeles.

Jon Weisman is the proprietor of Dodger Thoughts, a writer and editor for Variety magazine, and has contributed to Sports Illustrated's SI.com. He is the author of 100 Things Dodgers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.