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    A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace
    A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace
    A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace
    Audiobook6 hours

    A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace

    Written by Ralph Branca and David Ritz

    Narrated by Traber Burns

    3.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Ralph Branca is best known for throwing the pitch that resulted in Bobby Thomson#8217;s #8220;Shot Heard #8216;Round the World,#8221; the historic homerun that capped an incredible comeback and won the pennant for the Giants in 1951. And so Branca was on the losing end of what many consider to be baseball#8217;s most thrilling moment, but that notoriety belies a profoundly successful life and career. A Moment in Time is the remarkable story of a man who could have been destroyed by a supreme professional embarrassment-but wasn#8217;t.#160;#160;Branca came up as a young phenom, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers during their heyday. He was a staple of the Dodgers#8217; teams in the late 40#8217;s, dominating the National League. New York City itself was immersed in post-war optimism, and the three teams produced passionate rivalries. It#8217;s no stretch to say that New York baseball was the center of the sporting universe. In those days, the players were part of the fabric of the neighborhoods, of the city itself. It#8217;s a world populated by legendary characters like Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Gil Hodges, Leo Durocher, Branch Rickey, and Walter O#8217;Malley. This is the world that Branca#8217;s memoir evokes. #160;#160;The infamous homerun is, of course, still deeply ingrained in that story. Seven years ago, Joshua Prager reported in the Wall Street Journal that the Giants had cheated, illegally stolen signs, and that Bobby Thomson knew a fastball was coming on that fateful pitch. Prager#8217;s story made international headlines and produced a bestselling book, but it wasn#8217;t news to Ralph Branca, who found out from a teammate in 1954. Over the years, Branca has always declined to comment on the scandal, out of respect for his friendship with Thomson. He is finally ready to tell his story, which is as entertaining and inspiring as any classic baseball tale.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHighbridge Company
    Release dateSep 20, 2011
    ISBN9781611746082
    Author

    Ralph Branca

    Ralph Branca was born in 1926 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was 18 years old when he signed his professional contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1947, Branca won 21 games and lost 12 with an ERA of 2.67. He appeared in three All-Star games, and was the starting pitcher in the 1947 All-Star Game at the age of 21. Branca made two post-Season Appearances in the 1947 and 1949 World Series. He played professional baseball for twelve seasons, from 1944 to 1956, during which he won 88 games and lost 68, with a career ERA is 3.79 in 1,484 innings pitched. Branca, still active as a Chartered Life Underwriter, is a successful businessman living in Rye, New York, with his wife Ann.

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    3.5/5

    6 ratings1 review

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    • 3/5
      Ralph Branca is best known for the pitcher who gave up Bobby Thomson's "shot heard round the world" in the 1951 playoffs. What too many people don't remember is that he was a real ace for several years. Branca writes about his baseball career. For the baseball fan, this is a good read. It takes you inside New York baseball in the late 40s and 50s, which many consider the golden age. Regardless, it was definitely the golden age of New York baseball. Well-written and moves well.