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Mark Zimmerman, a broadcaster by day and an author by night, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his book, Eli: The Phenom’s Story. Combining Amish with baseball, he sits down to chat about how and why he has illustrations on the book, what he knew about the Amish when he started writing it and what he learned along the way, and so much more. Patrons will get to hear what other hobbies he has.
Bill Veeck has just purchased the Cleveland Indians in June, 1946.
He has two of the games biggest stars… but a team that’s mired in sixth place.
Veeck needs something more than his off-the-wall promotions to draw fans to the ballpark every day, and his best scout finds a full-fledged phenom in a Holmes County cornfield.
There are 86 games left in the Tribe’s season.
Eli Weaver can really play… but will he stay…?
Get your copy of Eli: The Phenom’s Story
Praise for Eli: The Phenom’s Story
“I so much enjoyed this book. It’s so clever how the author combined a fictional character and fictional story with non-fictional people and non-fictional places. This story kept my interest from start to finish. A good story has likable characters. This book offers that.”
“Mark Zimmerman carefully wove together a believable story that shines a respectful light on the Amish people – their faith, traditions and family values – and takes the reader on an “electrifying” journey from the fields of farmers to the fields of dreams. The book is an easy read and a real page-turner.
“As the season progresses you feel the suspense building as Eli faces the decision each young Amish man must make: hold on to the simple, traditional way of life, or leave that behind for the bright lights and big city life. Is success measured by statistics or by a simple life well lived. I found myself teetering between the two choices not sure which way I wanted Eli to choose. Read for yourself and enjoy the journey.”
“Mark Zimmerman scores a home run with this novel. He rounded first by telling a good story. The pacing—along with intermingling of players, reporters, and family—kept the story moving. He breezed past second by nailing the “history” part of historical fiction. I appreciated his attention to historical accuracy through the ’46 Cleveland Indian’s season. He passed third by presenting characters who were both believable and likable.
“Whether the fictional Eli or the larger-than-life Bill Veeck, I found myself rooting for the hapless Indians. And Mark crossed home plate with the “obituary” at the very end. That was a wonderful way to pull all the strings together without resorting to a formulaic ending. I bought the book thinking it would help pass the time this summer, but I ended up reading it in less than two days!”
A native of the Cleveland area, Mark Zimmerman graduated from West Geauga High School in Chesterland. At Bowling Green State University, he majored in Broadcasting, and minored in American Literature.
He entered the working world at WUAB-TV in Cleveland, working behind the scenes for 6 years. His 12-year advertising career followed. Starting as a copywriter, he became a producer, and a creative director – winning local, regional, national and international recognition.
In 1993, concurrent with his advertising career, he re-entered the radio world, working mainly as the morning drive host at WCRF – 103.3fm in Cleveland. Currently, Mark is the morning drive host for Heartfelt Radio at 91.9fm, with studios in Barberton.
Mark Zimmerman and his wife Wendy have been married for over 35 years, have three grown daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two grandchildren.
A lifetime Cleveland baseball fan, Mark wants – with the rest of us – “just one before I die.”