Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Shortstop
- Author: Zane Grey
- Narrator: Rowdy Delaney
- Length: 05:18:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2011
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Sports & Recreation, Baseball
- ISBN13: SABLIBX978321
The crack of a bat, the smell of fresh-cut grass, the roar of a crowd – these sensations came flooding back to me as I listened to Zane Grey’s “Shortstop” while driving through the rural backroads of Pennsylvania. There’s something magical about experiencing a baseball story while watching golden fields roll by your window, the same landscapes that might have inspired Grey when he wrote this early 20th century gem.
Grey, better known for his Westerns, brings his signature earnestness and attention to detail to this coming-of-age baseball story. “Shortstop” follows Chase Alloway, a seventeen-year-old with dreams of lifting his family out of poverty through his baseball talents. As someone who’s spent years documenting human stories across continents, I was particularly drawn to Grey’s portrayal of Chase’s journey – it reminded me of countless young athletes I’ve met in Latin America and the Caribbean, all hoping sports might be their ticket to a better life.
Rowdy Delaney’s narration perfectly captures the period feel of the novel. His voice has that warm, slightly gravelly quality that makes you feel like you’re sitting on a porch somewhere in 1909, listening to a favorite uncle tell stories. Delaney particularly shines in the baseball sequences – you can practically hear the dust rising from the infield as he describes the action. His pacing during the game scenes creates genuine tension, even when you know the outcome from Grey’s somewhat predictable but heartfelt plotting.
The story unfolds like an old photograph coming to life. Grey’s own baseball experience (he played at University of Pennsylvania and in the minors) lends authenticity to the descriptions of early 20th century baseball culture. The equipment, the training methods, even the financial struggles of players – all are rendered with a journalist’s eye for detail. I found myself thinking about my grandfather’s stories of watching Negro League games in the 1930s, how the rhythm of baseball then was both familiar and foreign compared to today’s game.
What surprised me most was the emotional depth Grey brings to Chase’s relationships. The scenes between Chase and his family, particularly his mother, have a quiet power that reminded me of those evenings in Oaxaca listening to family stories. There’s a tenderness here that you don’t always find in sports narratives, a recognition that athletic dreams are never just about the game itself.
The audiobook’s production (courtesy of LibriVox) maintains good consistency, though occasional variations in audio quality remind you this is a volunteer effort. These minor imperfections somehow add to the charm, like finding an old baseball card with slightly worn edges. At just over five hours, it’s a compact listen that doesn’t overstay its welcome – perfect for a road trip or a few evenings of nostalgic immersion.
Modern listeners should be prepared for some dated social attitudes (this was written in 1909, after all), but Grey’s core message about perseverance, integrity, and chasing your dreams remains timeless. While it may not have the literary complexity of later baseball novels like “The Natural”, “Shortstop” offers something equally valuable – an authentic window into how America’s pastime captured hearts over a century ago.
For baseball historians or fans of early 20th century fiction, this free audiobook is a rare treat. Pair it with a visit to a minor league park or a vintage baseball exhibition for the full experience. And if you’re like me, it might just inspire you to dig out that old glove and play catch with someone you love, remembering that every game begins with a simple love of play.
With appreciation for stories that connect us across generations,
Marcus Rivera
