Baseball mania

Those Damn Yankees, their dynasty and more, all at the library

NEW HAVEN -The New Haven Public Library will launch its 2008 Baseball Series at 6 p.m. Oct. 22, as author Frank Strauss shares highlights from his recent book Dawn of a Dynasty: The Incredible and Improbable Story of the 1947 New York Yankees.

The book documents one of the most memorable seasons in the history of Yankee baseball, library officials said. Veteran players Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Tommy Henrich, and Charlie Keller were joined by rookies Yogi Berra, Bobby Brown and Frank Shea to win 19 straight games, claim the pennant, and winning the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The program is suitable for all ages: those who remember, and those who love to hear the stories. It will be held at the Downtown Library, 133 Elm St.

Follow up with a baseball movie at 6 p.m. Oct. 29, when Damn Yankees, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen, a classic Hollywood musical, will be shown. The film stars Tab Hunter, Gwen Verdon, and Ray Walston as the devil. All ages. Also at Downtown Library, 133 Elm St. Or, catch Fever Pitch, a 2005 Farrelly Brothers remake of an earlier film based on Nick Hornby's book of the same name, starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore. Filming took place on location at Fenway Park during the 2004 regular season, and the Boston Red Sox World Series victory necessitated a re-write of the script. At Mitchell Branch Library, 83 Harrison St. There is no charge for this series, and free parking is available at each location. Call Carol Brown 946-8835 for more information.