It looked like for ever

Henry Wiggen, Mark Harris' larger than life pitcher, is on the comeback trail. This is one return that will be welcomed--and not by baseball fans alone. Wiggen is now 39, a fading veteran with a floating fastball, a finicky prostate, and other intimations of mortality. Released from his team after 19 years, he rebels against retirement.

What drives Henry to pitch against Fate, to trek to California and on to Japan? He still has a few seasons, a few innings left to play. Hero or buffoon? It's a close call as Harris plays out male menopause on familiar American turf.

"If I had a vote, I would put Henry Wiggen up for Cooperstown." (The New York Times)