Now I Can Die In Peace

Now I Can Die in Peace is a compilation of Bill Simmons’ columns working for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com, and the writing’s span from his boyhood experiencing the Boston Red Sox baseball team to their championship season in 2004. This New York Times best-seller is filled with comedic phrases about Bill’s life (with or without sports) and the heartbreak of 86 years and no championships with the Sox. They had come close during his childhood, his teen years, and his early adulthood, but they had never sealed the deal. But, about half of the book is about the Red Sox incredible 2004 curse-breaking season (if you don’t know about the Curse of the Bambino, ask anyone from New England about Boston baseball).

“Bill's style is a breeze to read and never gets boring,” says Rotoauthority.com, “His columns read like a barroom conversation, only more pithy.”

Mr. Simmons’ book is, at points, a gut-wrenching yet hilarious read for any Boston sports fan; then again, for anyone. His never-stale wit pops up every paragraph or so, and you could read this book for days without getting sick of it. His combination of pop culture and sports is delectable to any readers’ palate, and it reminds me of a book I read written by Stephen King and Stewart O’Nan, entitled Faithful; it’s not a horror book, it’s actually about the Red Sox ’04 season as well. However, a similar comedic style of writing can be found in both books.

The title of this book was actually put into place for two reasons. The first being that Bill’s editors at ESPN wouldn’t let him call it Love Child of the Impossible Dream; the second being that his dad called him moments after the Sox won in ’04 shouting, “They won it in my lifetime!” spurring Bill to name the book as such. So many of the Red Sox faithful had died before seeing this beautiful occurrence, and this book helps the people who did survive the years enjoy it a little bit more. Plus, Bill’s writing style is quite enjoyable. I actually laughed at loud during numerous points of reading this book. One of the breakouts happened after reading his point of view of the last moments of the ninth inning of the 2004 World Series:

8:40 pm: I’m staring at Edgar Renteria (shortstop for the opposing St. Louis Cardinals) wondering, “Does this look like the guy who will make the last out when the Red Sox win the World Series?”

(You know what? Yes. Yes he does.)

8:41 pm: One hopper back to Foulke (Red Sox closer), underhand scoop to first…

HEE-YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8:41 pm: HOLY $%#%@%@#^%#$@#$@!!!!!!!!!!!!

8:42 pm: All right…

I now, quite frequently, read Bill Simmons’ columns on ESPN.com and enjoy them thoroughly. His clever writing makes me chuckle, and even enjoy sports more than I usually do. I hope that he writes another book soon, so I can rush out to purchase it.

_peter