The Essays

Before you order your copy of Remember Who You Are, we’d love to have you read some of the essays for free. For now, we’re offering a free look at Steve’s Introduction, Ron Washington’s essay, “He Listened,” Brian Murphy’s phenomenal evocation of being on the road with Pedro in New York, “Always Grab the Corks,” Jason La Canfora’s powerful account of the impact meeting Pedro had on him as a young sportswriter, “Let Enthusiasm Rule,” and Keith Olbermann’s essay to close out the collection, “All Friends Are Best Friends.”


 Introduction by Steve Kettmann

1. Like A Mike Tyson Left Hook, by Frank Martin

2. The Day the Music Died, by Dave Sheinin

3. ‘Come On!’ by Tim Keown

4. When You Went Deep on Baseball, by Bruce Jenkins

5. A Bridge, by Rachel Nichols

6. Be Where Your Feet Are, by Mark Kreidler

7. Have Fun Every Single Day, by Max Scherzer

8. The Art of the Interview, by Bob Ley

9. An Open Letter to President Bill Clinton: March 1999, by Pedro Gomez

10. ‘Know and Understand Cuba’ by Peter Gammons

11. Speechless, by Howard Bryant

12. Does Baseball Matter? by Mike Barnicle

13. Always Grab the Corks, by Brian Murphy

14. At the Front of the Circle, by Chelsea Janes

15. A Man You Could Trust, by Dusty Baker

16. Remember Who You Are, by Rob King

17. He Was My Biggest Fan, by Rio Gomez

18. Countenance, by Ross Newhan

19. He Watched Out for Us, by Jon Daniels

20. Can You Believe We Get to Do This? by Ken Rosenthal

21. Where’s Pedro? by Buster Olney

22. Our Colleague, Our Friend, by Shelley M. Smith

23. How Do You Want to Be Remembered? by T.J. Quinn

24. Pedro Gomez Day, by Scott Boras

25. The Heart and Soul of Baseball, by Sandy Alderson

26. A Brotherhood, by Dan Shaughnessy

27. How a Professional Works, by Mike Swanson

28. Remember KGB, by Robin Carr

29. The Night We Traded Jose, by Tony La Russa

30. Let Enthusiasm Rule, by Jason La Canfora

31. Tell the Story Without Pandering to It, by Ray Ratto

32. He Listened, by Ron Washington

33. Our Colombia Connection, by Chuck Culpepper

34. With the Angels, by Tracy Ringolsby

35. He Made the Room Better, by Bud Black

36. The Walls Came Down, by Tim Kurkjian

37. The Music Never Stopped, by Jack Curry

38. Definitely a Stones Guy, by Michael Zagaris

39. Show Me Who Your Friends Are, by Paul Begala

40. ‘Gotta Love the Shooters,’ by Brad Mangin

41. Those Yearly Glimpses of the Gomez Family, by Jeremy Schaap

42. The Big Question, by Jeff Passan

43. Don't Be Afraid to Go Out On a Limb, by Bob Melvin

44. What It Was Really Like on the Road, by Scott Ostler

45. The Gomez Glide, by George A. King III

46. His Eyes Lit Up, by Terry Francona

47. A Unifying Force, by Derrick Goold

48. Making Time for Empathy, by Alex Coffey

49. Let Me Tell You ‘Bout Some Friends I Know, by Sean McAdam

50. Like a Good Bench Coach, by Brian Snitker

51. A Natural Teacher, by Brett Kurland

52. He Carved a Path for Me, by Alden Gonzalez

53. He Was My Idol, by Sarina Morales

54. A Beacon, by Marcos Bretón

55. Voice to the Voiceless, by John D’Anna

56. Cubanidad, by Steve Fainaru

57. Yo Soy de la Misma Tierra by Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez

58. Do Right by People, by Dante Gomez

59. You Should Call Frank, by Bud Geracie

60. A Bright Light, by Dennis Eckersley

61. Deep Down a Tigers Fan, by AJ Hinch

62. All Friends Are Best Friends, by Keith Olbermann