Death of a Childhood: A Memoir of 1989 and the “Why Not?” Baltimore Orioles by Ryan Basen
Death of a Childhood: A Memoir of 1989 and the “Why Not?” Baltimore Orioles
Ryan Basen
The Sager Group LLC (2025)
978-1958861547
Reviewed by Jordan Waterwash for Reader Views (10/25)
https://readerviews.com/reviews/death-of-a-childhood-basen/
5/5
Ryan Basen, previously known for his work in sports journalism, guides readers through the year he transitioned between child and adolescent in his memoir titled Death of a Childhood: A Memoir of 1989 and the “Why Not?” Baltimore Orioles. Paired with notable baseball games he attended or witnessed in his youth, Basen speaks about what he felt during the closing years of his childhood.
In 1989, on the precipice of becoming a teenager, Basen struggled to keep anxiety at bay as he underwent hit after hit. Changing schools, dealing with the illnesses of his grandparents and childhood pet, learning about loss—it all came to a head in 1989. We can all relate to the grandiose feelings associated with childhood, but Basen’s journey from carefree kid to worried preteen reached unbearable levels. Alongside his personal troubles, Basen experienced the ups and downs of rooting for the Boston Orioles during their comeback season.
Even as someone who doesn’t follow baseball, I found the depictions of games enjoyable to read. For those who count baseball as a favorite pastime, I’m sure the enjoyment would be even greater. I think it’s important to note that while this book is accessible to those who aren’t huge fans of baseball, it leans more toward baseball being the main attraction while the memoir elements act as support. In most chapters, the split is pretty even, but some are more baseball heavy than others.
Basen’s recollections of his youth are given in great detail, which elicits clear vignettes into his family life. We see his mother, father, and grandparents as distinct personalities; it’s clear the family is full of characters, and it was nice to see them all depicted with depth. The sibling relationships between Basen and his two brothers also felt real and sympathetic. The friend group added to the close-knit nature of the whole crew. At times, I thought I was reading a version of The Sandlot—a high compliment from a 90s kid.
Death of A Childhood captured my attention because of how heartfelt and sympathetic it was toward the author’s younger self. It was clear Basen wrote this almost as a love letter to who he was when he was young. Overall, an engaging and touching read.
