Saturday, October 3, 2015

Slider, by Bud Sparhawk

Analog Science Fiction and Fact, May 2015; ~6,600 words
Rating: 3, Good, ordinary, story

Around 2050, a failed minor-league baseball star has high hopes for his son, but when the boy gets an unexpected offer from the Orioles, there are strings attached.

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Pro: It's a very moving story about choosing what matters to you, even if it's not what gains the most fame or makes the most money. The ending is not unexpected--the doctor did tell us that he was relying on Todd's report of the pain. The vivoplasty idea was an interesting one.

Con: We hate the narrator. His disregard for his son's health and future is disturbing, and he never gets over it--never realizes he was wrong. Instead, he just moves his focus to his grandson.

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