FanFest Book Club — Larry LaRue and Jim Street

Two veteran sports scribes, both with books about their experiences in and around the press box, will be featured at the upcoming Mariners FanFest held Jan. 26–27 at Safeco Field.

Larry LaRue, who was the Mariners beat writer at the News Tribune in Tacoma for over 30 years, will read from and talk about his book Major League Encounters.

Jim Street, who covered pro sports for over 40 years, more than half as a Mariners beat writer, will do the same with his newly published book Life from the Press Box.

The FanFest Book Club will be in the Ellis Pavilion at Safeco Field starting at 12:30pm both days. The audience is open to all FanFest attendees.

LaRue’s book takes readers inside the clubhouse and behind the scenes to reveal what drives the men who play the game of baseball at the highest level. Baseball Roundtable noted in its review that readers benefit not only from LaRue’s sportswriter’s access, “but from his knowledge of the game, powers of observation, interview skills and way with words.”

In Life from the Press Box, Street reflects on 40+ years as a sportswriter covering MLB and NFL teams, professional golf and Division One college sports. He spent more than 20 years covering the Mariners for the Seattle P-I and mlb.com. His book goes behind the scores to put a face on the writers, managers, coaches and players who dedicate their lives to sports. MLB.com called the book “fascinating,” and “completely different from most of the sports memoirs to be found on shelves” today.

Tickets to Mariners FanFest are on sale now. Adults are $10. Kids 14 and younger are free. Doors open each day at 11am. Volunteers from Northwest Harvest will be at the doors collecting non-perishable food and cash donations.