Gary Morgenstein wants to take readers out to the ballgame again.
The veteran author and cable publicist is throwing out the pitch on a refashioned Take Me Out to the Ballgame, now a political baseball thriller for the 21st century.
Available on Amazon.com, Take Me Out to the Ballgame delves into the unfulfilled world of the Buffalo Matadors, 37 years removed from a world championship. Enter flamboyant Harry Witowsky, a current day version of a certain Boss who owns a baseball team in The Bronx. The self-made plumbing supply store millionaire is committed to doing whatever's necessary to change the "Door Mats" fortunes on and off the field.
High-priced veterans are replaced by kids, while sexy cheerleaders, the Mattettes, incite recession-weary fans. But the Mats turn it around, and with sell-outs now the norm, the "us versus them" mentality intensifies, unleashing violent resentment exacerbated by an all-seeing digital scoreboard.
When Mortgage Day -- a lucky fan wins mortgage payments for a year -- lands Witowsky in legal trouble, he becomes a political hero. COBRA Day and a Tea Party on July 4th follow, as "Harry in 2012" signs flourish.
The rally cry of "Where's My Bailout" replaces "Let's Go Mats." Buffalo's surprising success resonates with a nation afraid of losing jobs and homes, shadowed by terrorism, frightened for the future. The upstart Matadors become America's Team.
"I confess to being a baseball purist. In completely rewriting my original novel, I kept the slender spine of a rags-to-riches baseball story, weaving the 21st century world of baseball and politics," said Morgenstein in a statement. "Some things haven't changed. While now we have blogs, ESPN and fake traditional stadiums, fans still resent $9 beer, tickets that require a second mortgage and athletes who don't run out pop-ups. Fortunately, despite the greed of owners and players, the shadow of steroids and the broken promises of politicians from both parties, nothing can destroy America's fervent love of our wonderful game."
Morgenstein's most recent acclaimed novels, Jesse's Girl, about a widowed father's search for his adopted teenage son, and the romantic triangle Loving Rabbi Thalia Kleinman, are also available on Amazon.com. His prophetic play Ponzi Man performed to sell-out crowds at the New York Fringe Festival.
Currently working with the soon to become syfy, Morgenstein's career has included stints at A&E Network, Lifetime Television and ABC News.
Contact the Brooklyn-based author at garymorgenstein9@aol.com
