Castro's Curveball

Recently widowed and now retired, Billy Bryan is “coming to the end of many things.” Then a long-forgotten scrapbook stirs memories of a distant past—and beckons him and his grown daughter on a reluctant journey to relive his role in history. In 1947 Bryan was playing winter ball in Cuba, his future as uncertain as the island country’s. Then one fateful night Bryan witnessed a young student radical named Fidel unleash an amazing curveball. So begins Bryan's tug-of-war with destiny.

Library Journal

A retired minor-league catcher recalls 1947 Cuba--and a pitching prodigy named Fidel. From top sportswriter Wendel.

José Luis Villegas is a staff photographer with the Sacramento Bee. His work has appeared in the books Away Games and Home is Everything.

Tim Wendel is the author of four books, including Castro's Curveball: A Novel and The New Face of Baseball. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Weekend, GQ and Esquire. Visit the author at www.timwendel.com