Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for Molina by Bengie Molina - Available

Molina

The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty

by Bengie Molina
Joan Ryan
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
The inspiring true story of the poor Puerto Rican factory worker, Benjamin Molina Santana, who against all odds raised the greatest baseball dynasty of all time: Molina's three sons Bengie, Jose, and Yadier have each earned two World Series rings, which is unprecedented in the sport, and his story is told by one of them, Bengie. A baseball rules book. A tape measure. A lottery ticket. These were in the pocket of Bengie Molina's father when he died of a heart attack on the rutted Little League field in his Puerto Rican barrio. The items serve as thematic guideposts in Molina's beautiful memoir about his father, who through baseball taught his three sons about loyalty, humility, courage, and the true meaning of success. Bengie and his two brothers Jose and six-time All-Start Yadier became famous catchers in the Major Leagues and have six World Series Championships among them. Only the DiMaggio brothers can rival the Molinas as the most accomplished siblings in baseball history. Bengie was the least likely to reach the majors. He was too slow, too sensitive and too small. But craving his beloved fathers respect, Bengie weathered failure after deflating failure until one day he was hoisting a World Series trophy in a champagne-soaked clubhouse. All along he thought he was fulfilling his fathers own failed dream of baseball glory only to discover it had not been his fathers dream at all. Written with the emotional power of sports classics such as Field of Dreams and Friday Night Lights, Molina is a love story between a formidable but flawed father and a son who, in unearthing answers about his fathers life, comes to understand his own.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 12, 2015

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781622319329
      • File size: 235159 KB
      • Duration: 08:09:54

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Narrator Henry Leyva is beautifully faithful to the heartfelt emotion that Bengie Molina wraps into his memoir of struggling to enter the big leagues of baseball, of marital unhappiness and finding new love, and, most importantly, of striving for the approval of his father, Pai. Bengie, and his brothers, Jose and Yadier, grew up in Puerto Rico; were all coached by their father; and all became big-league catchers with World Series rings. Leyva seamlessly transitions between English and Spanish, adding to the authentic atmosphere of the story. Bengie always believed that Pai himself wanted to be a baseball star, but after his unexpected death, learns his real motivation was always family. To Bengie, it's no surprise that Pai produced three catchers--the caretakers of the team and protectors of home base. A.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      June 29, 2015
      More than a standard baseball memoir, this glowing tribute to Molina's father, Pai, rates as one of the most heartfelt, earnest accounts of a son assuming his father's dream of reaching the major leagues. Molina, teamed with journalist Ryan, writes with warmth and respect of the father who trained his three sons in the lessons of baseball in a barrio in a small Puerto Rican town, grooming them to become All-Star catchers in major leagues. Carrying Pai's pro ball dreams, Molina played for the Anaheim Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants. No baseball position requires as much stamina, pain tolerance, and skill as the catcher, which all three Molina brothers played, leaving them with swollen hands and bruised limbs. Molina soldiers through the challenges of breaking through professionally to two World Championship rings and two Gold Glove Awards, after laboring in the minors and contending with a strained marriage and the financial needs of a family. In precise and thoughtful prose, Molina celebrates his famous bloodline as well as his own success, mastering the game behind home plate with skill and style for the enjoyment of the fans.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading