CWS Book Well Worth the Read

I recently finished reading The Road to Omaha: Hits, Hopes, and History at the College World Series, by Ryan McGee. I can't recommend it enough.

McGee writes about each game of the 2008 CWS, from LSU's frantic comeback against Rice to Fresno State's improbable run to the title. He describes the atmosphere, the players, the teams, and everything else in extraordinary detail. If you've never been to the College World Series, the book makes you want to jump out your chair and go get tickets.

The best part, though, is that McGee weaves tales of the sport's history into the recap of the '08 tournament. For instance, half of the chapter of the Florida State/Stanford game goes to describing FSU catcher Buster Posey, or "The Pick". Past heroes such as Warren Morris and Dave Winfield are detailed. In other chapters, the author delves into the careers of college baseball coaching icons such as Ron Fraser, Skip Bertman, Mark Marquess, and Augie Garrido.

McGee adroitly captures the magnificence of the College World Series, present and past, in his book. He gives a real glimpse into the lives of players, parents, coaches, groundskeepers, fans, and more during the Series. He also writes about the fascinating luminaries of the game's past. The Road to Omaha is a spectacular look at a sport that is never appreciated enough. For college baseball fans, it is truly a must-read.

*Photo courtesy of www.espn.com