Aeonia Dreams

Artie Abrams, general manager for the Aeonia Lightning, will do pretty much anything to fill ballpark bleachers-a tall order for a Minor League D team in the 1960s. Announcing he can pull someone from the crowd who can play as well than anyone on the Aeonia roster, Artie puts his theory to the test by placing Paul Francis in the lineup.To everyone's surprise, Paul's good. Better than good, in fact-he dazzles the crowd. Artie, against the objections of manager Big Bob Dugan, offers Paul...
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Artie Abrams, general manager for the Aeonia Lightning, will do pretty much anything to fill ballpark bleachers-a tall order for a Minor League D team in the 1960s. Announcing he can pull someone from the crowd who can play as well than anyone on the Aeonia roster, Artie puts his theory to the test by placing Paul Francis in the lineup.To everyone's surprise, Paul's good. Better than good, in fact-he dazzles the crowd. Artie, against the objections of manager Big Bob Dugan, offers Paul a contract.Paul's new teammates are a disparate group. There's "Suitcase Sal" Sullivan, a walking Greek tragedy of alcohol and womanizing. In contrast to Sal is Clarence Kissler, a consummate professional and the team's somewhat eccentric voice of reason. Educated and intellectual, African American Lee Jackson faces the prejudices of the time with grace and dignity, while Cuban teammate Elmo Valdez charms everyone with his brash, good-natured humor. Then there's Lenny D'Amico, a fast-talking shortstop with a contemptible attitude and a tendency to drag Suitcase Sal down with him.A dreamlike ode to baseball, "Aeonia Dreams" offers an insider's perspective on the daily life of players on and off the field-and the enduring allure of the diamond.