Opening Day: 50-for-50

One Fan. One Game. A Half-Century of Baseball Stories

Opening Day is the biggest regular season baseball game of the year. Michael Ortman never missed it, not once, for 50 years.

Opening Day: 50-for-50 is a baseball tribute like no other—a well-researched work of love representing a half-century of great stories and historical context linked to each of those 50 days. This emotional journey connects three cities, six stadiums, five home teams, and four generations while overcoming life events, baseball’s labor unrest, and the 33-year absence of a hometown team. Along the way, Ortman encountered five U.S. Presidents and more than 50 future Hall of Fame players, coaches, and broadcasters: from Reagan to Obama, Robinson to Scherzer, Weaver to Torre, Caray to Kalas and hundreds more.

©2022 Michael Ortman (P)2022 Michael Ortman

Entertaining, Especially for Baseball Fanatics

The author shares many accounts and facts about modern day baseball since the 70s. His story relates mostly to Baltimore’s and Washington, DC’s experiences. The short chapters and narrative style lend themselves well to listening. I recommend the title to committed baseball fans.