A Baseball Book of Days

by Paul Semendinger

May 30, 2025

***

A few weeks ago, my friend Phil Coffin, reached out to let me know that his second baseball book A Baseball Book of Days had just been published.

I just completed reading this wonderful book.

In short, to cut to the chase, and to give a spoiler alert at the start, I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I have read many excellent baseball books and this book ranks among them This is one fun and very special book. Phil Coffin tells a host of baseball stories across 31 unique and sometimes very quirky chapters.

Contained in the book are great stories of baseball history including the last games of Babe Ruth, the first MLB games played in November, Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, the end of Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak, and so much more. In addition, though are hosts of fun facts, random bits of trivia, and humor. The stories are told with the skill of an expert.

Reading this book gives one the impression they're sitting with Phil Coffin (let's say at a BBQ place near the Jersey shore) and listening to him wax poetically about so many unique aspects of the game's history. Phil's writing style is engaging, happy, and light.

The book also tells stories of the game in some other especially fun ways. There is a chapter recounting the careers of every player named Summer, and another highlights the Winters who played big league ball. Phil shares the major baseball events that happened on June 2 (the day Lou Gehrig died). Phil tells about famous players and little-known ones as well, such as Herm Washington, the pinch-runner on the Oakland A's of the 1970s.

One cannot read A Baseball Book of Days and not smile while also learning about the game.

In short, I highly recommend this book. It's a great read, a fun read, and a terrific compilation of baseball history.