I wrote a book review for The Legend of Mickey Tussler for the online
magazine onmilwaukee.com. In that review I describe how Frank Nappi,
the author, has a firm grasp on bringing forth a magical history through
his novel, weaving in a sense of how a baseball team in the high minor
leagues confronts its challenges throughout the season and how history
played a part in the development of this story.
A thorough reading of this story reveals much more. Make no mistake,
this is a novel of fine proportions. I found the story telling compelling,
and the notions surrounding its evolution to be true to the game of baseball.
Nappi presents this tale within a context which is exciting, without
resorting to gimmickry. It's honest and true writing which belies the
author's familiarity with the intricacies of diamond action, to say the
least.
The historical aspect of the story is kept in perspective, but it's also
a story with a lesson in dealing with people who are different from the
status quo. The central character, Mickey Tussler, starts his career
as a humble farm boy who knows nothing of the outside world, but quickly
learns to adapt to it, for better or for worse. He is not painted as
a hero but more as a tragic figure who confronts difficult adversities
and rises above those challenges.
Nappi's story contains examples of baseball writing which captivated
me. Throughout the story I felt this was the best baseball fiction I'd
read.
Nappi does not overwork the baseball angle. His careful interweaving
of subplot says a lot about his talent as a storyteller. He stays true
to the game but balances his approach by including issues of a more personal
nature. Therein lies the beauty of this story.
As a baseball historian I had bones to pick with Nappi's handling of
the old Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association. There were times
when I felt more historical detail could have enhanced the story. For
example, giving the readers a better sense of what type of ballpark Borchert
Field was could have improved the story. Then again, historical details
were not the central issue of this novel and the story line could have
been diminished with an abundance of secondary information.
Critics might take Nappi to task for being less faithful to the historical
angle, but, in so doing, might miss the point of the story. There were
times when I lost my sense of place, but I tempered my expectations by
realizing this was a tale told to highlight the nature of the challenges
involving the main character, and the effects of those issues. They are
challenges which are confronted daily by those who do not seem to fit
in with their peers and which affect us all on a human level.
Nappi does a wonderful job of bringing those challenges to the fore within
the context of baseball. Whether as a baseball fan or as someone who
simply enjoys the pretext of sports action, you will not be disappointed
by the telling of this poignant and relevant tale.
Please see my review of this book at http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/fnappi.html
R.D. Hamann
The American Association Almanac
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|
Autism wasn't always known as Autism, or even diagnosed. Some
people were just seen as slow. "The Legend of Mickey Tussler" is
the fictional story of one of these people with autism before autism
was recognized. In this tale, Arthur Murphy discovers Mickey Tussler,
a ball player who might just save the Milwaukee Brewers from their
abysmal record. Mickey, however, doesn't seem to be all there,
and faces adversity from both his teammates and the fans in the
stands. A touching story of finding one's dream even when the cards
dealt to one are poor, "The Legend of Mickey Tussler" is
highly recommended for community library literary fiction collections.
--The Midwest Book Review
------------------ |
RON
KAPLAN’S BASEBALL BOOKSHELF
I don’t ordinarily read baseball fiction aimed at the young adult
demographic. Most are simply rehashes of the same story: young athlete,
usually a star, faces adversity in the form of another player on his
own team or a health crises or another at-home situation; learns valuable
lessons, yada-yada-yada; and comes away victorious on the field and off.
The Legend of Mickey Tussler is a different kettle of fish.
Set in the minor leagues in the late 1940s, it tells the story of a pitching
phenom who must deal with a different set of circumstances, heretofore
unexamined in books such as this: young Tussler suffers from what we
now identify as autism. (Although the malady is never given a name save
for within the book’s blurb, the reader quickly deduces some sort
of developmental disability.)
Tussler is serendipitously discovered by baseball lifer Arthur Murphy,
manager of the minor league Milwaukee Brewers, a real life affiliate
of the then-Boston Braves. Like many who suffer from autism, the teenager
has a remarkable talent: throwing a baseball with great velocity and
pinpoint accuracy. Murphy, whose team is struggling, manages to secure
the lad’s services by appealing to the greed of his abusive, no-account
father (who treats his wife just as poorly).
Murphy takes the boy back to Milwaukee, where he is greeted by his new
teammates about as well as you would expect. We’ve all read books
or seen movies such as Of Mice and Men, in which an unenlightened
society treats those who suffer from these conditions with indifference
and condescension at best and downright contempt at worst. Imagine what
that would be like in the traditionally politically incorrect environment
of the locker room. Fortunately there are a couple of good guys to look
out for him, including a “Crash” Davis-type and the little
shortstop with the big heart.
The book follows the fortunes of the team and their new mate, who has
a fair amount of trouble adjusting to his new situation, away from the
routine (if not comforts) of life back home. Author Nappi manages to
keep the tale interesting mixing up standard plot themes with a few twists,
perhaps spending a bit too much narrative developing a romantic relationship
between Tussler’s mother and Murphy as well as making the father
too much of a caricature red neck.There are a couple of other cliches,
but they are unavoidable within the context of baseball and must be accepted
with a smile.
There are aspects of Mickey Tussler that should get readers
to ask questions; if that’s the case. Nappi will have provided
a better service than having merely penned another baseball novel.
-------------------------------
Groundbreaking
Novel Pairs Baseball With Autism
Frank Nappi’s new baseball novel, THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER,
goes where no baseball novel has ever gone before. Sure, there is plenty
of good old fashioned hardball, lots of baseball jargon and feel good
descriptions that every baseball fan can appreciate. But this story is
one that has never been told before. Set in the minor leagues in the
late 1940s, this remarkable tale tells the story of a pitching phenom
who must deal with a different set of circumstances, heretofore unexamined
in books such as this. In short, young Tussler despite notable baseball
prowess, suffers from what we now identify as autism.
The story is a well crafted, artistic account of what may or may not
be an improbable occurrence, one that will both inspire and engender
understanding and compassion, particularly for those touched by autism. Michael
Thomas Tussler, “Mickey,” is serendipitously discovered by
baseball lifer Arthur Murphy, manager of the minor league Milwaukee Brewers,
a real life affiliate of the then-Boston Braves. Like many who suffer
from autism, the teenager possesses a remarkable talent: throwing a baseball
with great velocity and pinpoint accuracy. Murphy’s discovery is
indeed a fascinating one.
“He stood,” Nappi writes, “with his back and left foot flat
against the side of the stable, watching in amazement at the young farm boy,
standing next to a curious pattern of crab apples in the dirt – firing
one at a time from one hundred feet away into a wine barrel turned on its side.” Murphy
watches for a while, eventually engages the boy in light conversation, and
convinces him to try his “trick” with an actual baseball. Much
to Murphy’s delight, his initial impulse is proven correct.
“Murph’s eyes widened like saucers. His breath was gone again.
Then, in the flatness that followed the euphoria, Murph knew, just knew, that
he had stumbled on something special.”
Murphy, whose team is struggling, manages to secure the lad’s services
by appealing to the greed of Clarence Tussler, Mickey’s abusive,
no-account father, who incidentally treats his wife just as poorly. The
signing of Mickey is a God-send for Murph, for he has been warned that
if he does not turn the season around, his position as manager will be
terminated.
Arthur Murphy takes the boy back to Milwaukee, where Mickey is greeted
by his new teammates about as well as one could expect. We’ve all
read books such as Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, or seen
movies such as Rain Man, in which an unenlightened society
treats those who suffer from these conditions with indifference and condescension
at best and downright contempt at worst. That mentality is only exacerbated
in the traditionally politically incorrect environment of the locker
room. Mickey is subjected to all of the usual hazing associated
with the “new kid in town.” His hat is hidden, socks destroyed,
and his shoes are nailed to the floor. In addition to this abuse, he
must endure a daily barrage of insults and invectives, all at the hands
of teammates and opponents alike who are either scared of or intimidated
by the boy’s incomprehensible talent. Fortunately for Mickey,
there are a couple of good guys to look out for him, including Arthur
Murphy, the doddering assistant coach Farley Matheson, and Mickey’s
locker mate Pee Wee McGinty, a little shortstop with a big heart.
The book follows the fortunes of the team and their new teammate Mickey,
who continues to have a fair amount of trouble adjusting to his new situation
while away from the routine and comforts of life back home. It is at
these moments that the reader gets a real glimpse into the world as seen
through the eyes of an autistic person. It is not the safe, predictable
place that most of us enjoy. Rather, it is a frightening, oftentimes
emotionally debilitating prison of sorts, replete with all kinds of treacherous
pitfalls that the boy is unable to navigate. This is when Nappi is at
his best. Through Mickey’s haunting recitation of his favorite
poem “Silver,” to his love for his pig Oscar, the reader
becomes one with the fragile, ill equipped Tussler as he tries desperately
to negotiate situations about which he has no understanding. The book
is an excellent reminder that we all need to be mindful of special needs
individuals when they cross our path. Perhaps New York Yankees superstar
Alex Rodriguez said it best when he proclaimed, “I see all kinds
of challenges facing kids today, and this book does a very good job of
treating gifted kids and teenagers with sensitivity and understanding
in coping with and meeting these challenges.”
Nappi, who has taught English
and Creative Writing at Oceanside High School in New York for twenty years,
published his first novel, ECHOES FROM THE INFANTRY, in 2005. ECHOES, which
is based loosely onevents described to him by several WWII veterans, is the
story of one LI WWII veteran who struggles his entire life with the insidious
residue of war. The book, Nappi said, came as an outgrowth of a WWII
Veteran’s Day Speaker program run through his interdisciplinary class
at Oceanside. Like ECHOES, THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER was
influenced by Nappi’s experiences in the classroom, and by observing
what he calls “so many remarkable autistic young people with whom he
speaks every day.” The creation of his title character is, by all
accounts, a composite of many special individuals.
Whatever
the formula was, readers will agree it works. Mickey Tussler is certainly
an endearing character. Like many special needs children, Mickey is genuine
and soft-spoken. He possesses a simplicity of the heart that distinguishes
him as someone for whom we all want to root. The legend that Frank Nappi creates
for us is one that transcends the baseball diamond into realms that are far
more universal.
“I wanted to tell a special story using baseball as a vehicle,” Nappi
said. “Sure, the baseball storyline is compelling, and at times a lot
of fun. Baseball is a great game. But as is the case with all good fiction,
there needs to be, beneath the surface, something universal, something poignant
that touches the reader at his core.”
Clearly, this remarkable story fits the bill. Parents of autistic children,
as well as those of us who know someone with autism, will find this a
story that celebrates resiliency in the face of adversity, all the while
throwing a spotlight on the many amazing things that special needs kids
and teens are capable of doing. It is a deeply complex look into
the plight of the underdog, and a sobering reminder that everywhere we
turn, and perhaps where we least expect it, there exists these diamonds
in the rough. All we need do is look.
As a father of two handicapped sons playing in the Little
League Challenger Baseball program, The Legend of Mickey Tussler connected
with me in ways you can't possibly imagine,” said Mark Snider, a reader
who offered his praise for the Nappi’s novel. Snider’s comments
have been echoed by many other parents and friends of autistic children, many
whom Nappi has met during speaking engagements at local SEPTA meetings and
Challenger Baseball events. It is this mystique and emotional appeal
of the story that caught the eye of Jason Koornick, Executive Producer at Eye
In The Sky Entertainment in Los Angeles, California.
“Shortly after the book was released,” Nappi explained, “I
received a call from a gentleman who was looking for a baseball property to
develop. Jason was very excited. He was captivated by the way, as he put it, ‘the
story leapt off the pages.’ Everyone there is very excited about the
prospect of Mickey Tussler coming to the big screen.”
Koornick’s company, whose last endeavor was the film Next, starring
Nicholas Cage and Jessica Biel, purchased the film rights and is presently
at work on a screenplay. Nappi said that the screenplay should be completed
sometime this winter, after which all eyes will turn to bringing the
story to theatres across the country.
Certainly, should the film project come to fruition, the media attention
that will undoubtedly accompany the release will thrust Nappi’s innovative
novel even further into the spotlight. And, Nappi’s goal of raising
America’s consciousness regarding the talents that many autistic young
people possess will also be realized. Although there have been countless non-fiction
books to hit the shelves regarding autism, very few efforts have been made
to cast autistic characters as protagonists in fiction. Aside from Mark Haddon’s
bestseller THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, the
autism community has been relatively starved for a quality story that features
one of these special individuals. Nappi’s novel does just this,
becoming a wonderful blend between the classic baseball tale THE NATURAL and
Haddon’s unusual story of Christopher Boone.
As a society, we have become increasingly tolerant of and sensitive to our
special needs citizens. However, many would argue that we still have
much work to do. Frank Nappi’s novel, THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER,
which is available at all major bookstores as well as Amazon.Com, will
do much to get us there, as his wonderful protagonist, the loveable,
fire-balling phenom called Mickey, becomes the poster boy for all special
needs youngsters.
For more information about Frank Nappi and THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER,
please visit the author’s website – www.franknappi.com
The Autism Perspective On Line Magazine
---------------------------
Frank Nappi (Echoes from the Infantry) has
produced a knowledgeable yet unsentimental book starring an autistic
teenager with a fearsome fastball. Milwaukee Brewer's manager Arthur
Murphy recruits 17-year-old farm boy Mickey Tussler as a pitcher for
his team. And though Mickey's slowness enrages his impossibly cruel father
(who abuses his wife and derides Mickey as a “retard”),
the boy's dad is happy to collect his son's pro baseball salary. In
short order, Mickey achieves local stardom despite his mental disability
and his teammates' clubhouse pranks. Lefty Rogers, the Brewers' southpaw
ace, resents Mickey's triumphs on the mound and plots to sabotage his
rival's budding career. At the same time, Murphy romances Mickey's much-abused
mother and leads his resurging team in a hot pennant race. The writing
is clear and direct, and there's no confusing who's a good guy and who's
a bad guy. The baseball elements really sing; baseball fans will find
much to appreciate, while the sports treatment of triumphing over adversity
adds crossover appeal to the YA market.
~Publishers Weekly, February '08
