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List Price: $22.99 | | Publisher: William Morrow
Salesrank: 377434
Released: March 24, 2009 |
| Our Price: $5.27 |
| Used Price: $4.41 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
Alyssa Milano is in love; she has been for some time. But the object of her affection isn't the subject of tabloid gossip or an actor; in fact, it isn't even a guy. It's a game, a game of nine innings that uses a ball made of leather and cork. A game called baseball.
Now in Safe at Home, Alyssa Milano, the mind behind the bestselling sports-clothing line Touch, tells the story about her lifelong obsession with baseball, revealing what the game has meant to her and why everyone should take a chance on nine innings. Like it does for so many of us, Alyssa's baseball story begins with a father. A native Brooklynite who scorned the Dodgers for abandoning the city he loved, her father was reunited with the team when he and his young daughter moved out west for a fledging TV show called Who's the Boss. It was then that Alyssa learned one of the fundamental truths of the game: No matter where you are, no matter how old you are, baseball connects you to your past.
As it turned out, the Dodgers were just the beginning. More than simply a book about the Dodgers, Safe at Home offers a view from the bleachers unlike any other, as Alyssa gives a fan's perspective on the heart-ache, headache, and joy that make every baseball season worth following. From arguing about the importance of baseball history to appreciating the quiet months of the off-season to criticizing Major League Baseball's response to the steroid scandal, Alyssa intertwines her thoughts about the game with stories from her life, bringing an intelligent, wry, and entertaining female voice to the world of baseball writing.
Throughout all the shifts in Alyssa's life—the madness of growing up a child star, having to navigate life's most awkward phases in front of the cameras—baseball has been her one constant, a distraction that was always welcome. Whether you're already a fan or you need some convincing, Safe at Home makes a compelling case for why baseball is and always will be America's game. The end result is a unique and unexpected book that is equal parts memoir, manifesto, and love letter to our national pastime.
Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic Reviews:
Texas Rangers Fanatic...Loved This Book 
2009-12-13 - I came at this book from an entirely different perspective than it's author. Unlike most baseball fans, I discovered my true love for baseball late in life (early forties, to be exact.) I picked up this book for two reasons--it seemed to be well-written, and was written from a true fan's perspective. I must say that Alyssa Milano exceeded my expectations. This was a loving depiction of a fan's love for baseball and her home team. As a recent baseball convert, and die-hard fan of the Texas Rangers, I can share Ms. Milano's passions and percetions about her home team. What really struck me about the book, however, was how Ms. Milano managed to share details of her personal life in such a way as to highlight her primary point--that baseball, to a large degree, is about life. The game has taught me much in a very short time. I was moved to read that another individual has found similar meaning in the game throughout her life.
In short, this was an excellent read on two levels--for the baseball fan, and for those who will enjoy a well-written love note to one woman's passion for her avocation.
It was ok, I guess 
2009-10-08 - I watched Who's the boss years ago, and in many respects this was like reading about an old friend. but ultimately I found the book to be a bit boring. While I did appreciate and respect all of her knowledge about baseball, it came off a little too much about baseball. I enjoy reading autobiographies, and was expecting this to have a few baseball metaphors....
Actually, it was more baseball then anything else. I am not a big sports fan, so it started to become an exercise in discipline to finish it.... which I am sad to say that I never did. Maybe others would find it more interesting.
AMAZON VINE: I'm NOT a huge baseball fan, but I AM an Alyssa Milano fan 
2009-09-11 - I received this book through the Amazon Vine Program.
I have to admit ... I've never, EVER, liked baseball.
I've been to two (2) major league baseball games (my husband is a HUGE Cleveland Indians fan, and his extended family lives in Cleveland) in my 40-year life, and one (1) minor league baseball game. I played softball in middle school - even went so far as the All-Star team for two years - but WATCHING baseball just makes me sleep. I consider it the equivalent to the vacuum cleaner - when I need a nap, I turn on a baseball game! I'm only in it for the nachos and beer, maybe even a warm, embroidered team sweatshirt.
But I love Alyssa Milano!
Happily for me, this book wasn't about baseball stats (but Alyssa could rattle any stat off the top of her head!), rather how baseball fits into her (hectic) life and how important it is to her and those close to her. Baseball seems to be her "calm", even with her enthusiasm and excitement over the game.
Even as a "non" baseball fan I can appreciate her passion for her baseball "roots" - a strong bond over a game watched with her family, particularly her father.
I enjoyed her style of writing. It was easy to understand, down-to-earth, and was NEVER boring.
I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it. Thank you, Alyssa!
Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic 
2009-09-07 - As a female baseball fan I was impressed when Alyssa Milano and MLB came out with the 'Touch' line. It's great that baseball is recognizing that a lot of us women do come out to the park to support our teams. I have been a Detroit Tigers fan for as long as I can remember and so I can relate to a lot of things Alyssa writes about. Being with my family and the sensory experiences at the park, first the Old Tiger Stadium and now at Comerica Park. I love to think about what I would do if I was manager for a day. The glossary was unnecessary (for me anyway) and thought the margins were larger than necessary (hence only four stars) but other that that this was a very enjoyable book.
I guess book deals are pretty easy to get these days 
2009-08-31 - This book is 100% about baseball. Okay, maybe 99% about baseball with 1% on familiar relationships--mom, dad, brother.
The problem with this book is that it's written conversationally, but the conversation is all one way. When you talk baseball or sports or what have you with a good friend or perhaps the guy in the seats next to you at the ball game, there's an interaction. You can inject your point of view into the conversation. With the book, nothing Alyssa says can be challenged by the reader because it's not subject to change; that's the nature of a publication. So it's frustrating to come across, from time to time in this book, baseball opinion one doesn't agree with, and not have the opportunity to interject.
The bottom line is, either you like baseball or you don't, and either you like Alyssa Milano or you don't. If you don't like baseball, you'd better like Alyssa Milano otherwise you're really going to waste your time. And if you do like baseball, you probably won't like this book regardless of how you feel about the author; unless you happen to be a very agreeable sort.