Sometimes You See It Coming

Sometimes You See It Coming

Author	Kevin Baker
Language	English
Genre	Fiction
Publisher	Crown Publishing
Publication date	February 17, 1993 (1993-02-17)
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print
Pages	326
ISBN	0-517-59088-3
OCLC	142536982
Dewey Decimal	813.54
LC Class	PS3552.A43143

Sometimes You See It Coming is a 1993 novel by Kevin Baker. The novel follows several fictitious members of the modern-day New York Mets, particularly right fielder John Barr. The book portrays the Mets as a perennial pennant contender, and follows the team through one particular season, with flashbacks.

Characters

Mets

• C Spock Feeley
• 1B No-Hit Hitt
• 2B Roberto Rodriguez (aka Bobby Roddy)
• SS Lonnie Lee
• 3B Terry White/Stillwater Norman
• LF Maximillian Duke (aka The Emp'ror)
• CF Rapid Ricky Falls (aka The Old Swizzlehead)
• RF John Barr

Pitchers

• Moses Yellowhorse

Coaches

• MGR Charlie Stanzi (aka The Little Maniac)
• Coach Plate

Press Corps

• Barry Busby
• Ellie Jay

Others

• Evan Barr (John's father)
• Wanda Falls (Ricky's wife)

Reception

Publishers Weekly noted that while the book had a predictable ending and "uneven", awkward writing, Baker had "an undeniable feel" for the interactions between the baseball players, and was capable of "flashes of quick wit". ^[1] Kirkus Reviews stated that while the book was "baseball as it's meant to be", Barr's backstory was "somber, overripe [...] Freudian glop" that did not fit the theme. ^[2]

References

1. "Sometimes You See It Coming". Publishers Weekly. February 1, 1993. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
2. "Sometimes You See It Coming". Kirkus Reviews. November 15, 1992. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2022.