Play the Game 2 - by Tim Routch (Paperback)

About the Book

Historical fiction. Play the Game 2 is an adventure and love story with intense interpersonal relationships. The war has ended and Ryan pursues his dream from rural America to the glitter of Hollywood, dealing with fame and loss of loved ones.

Book Synopsis

The saga continues.

Ryan returns home after the Vietnam War to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball. He grinds through the dusty, forgotten diamonds of the minor leagues-long bus rides, small towns, and oddball teammates-before getting the call every ballplayer waits for. In pursuit of glory: a devastating injury and the heartbreaking loss of loved ones send him spiraling into a life of drinking, restless nights and bad decisions.

Life has a way of pitching second chances. As Ryan stumbles toward a purpose beyond fame and a love deeper than regret, he learns that redemption-much like baseball-requires patience, courage, and the willingness to swing again. His turning point arrives in new unexpected relationships and a rediscovery of what life and love-truly mean to him. With humor, sharp banter, and a cast of colorful characters, this emotional tale tracks a proud man's stumble toward purpose, redemption, and a love worth fighting for. It shows that it is the journey not the destination that matters. Told with sharp wit, unforgettable characters, and aching emotion, Play the Game is a big-hearted love story about the cost of dreams and the beauty of finding your way home.

ABC News - In a story of love, loss and more to gain, Play the Game uses the coming of age of Ryan Hutson to push forward another take on the 20th century. Baseball serves as a dream at a point in time when the game defined much of American life. Through Hutson-and characters like Anne Marie and Trey-readers are thrust into a world where morals and one' s word mattered. Enjoy a heart-warming story that reflects upon the seldom seen unkowns that prolong the journey toward the dream.