"Dogs Chase Cars," the fictitious glance into the newspaper industry's downturn through the eyes of a longtime sports columnist, continues to earn strong reviews since launching in the spring.
Pat Sangimino's debut novel is now available on several publishing platforms including Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
The story takes place over a single day, but flashes back to those memorable stories and meaningful people who shaped the life and career of sports columnist JP Pasquale, who is driving to work one day fearing he will be the latest casualty in a mass layoff.
The downsizing of the newspaper industry has created a trickle down where coverage of things like high school baseball is now not possible. It's the reason PeninsulaPrepBaseball.com launched in February.
The book is filled with several sports stories – from the coverage of a World Series game interrupted by a massive earthquake to some of the behind-the-scenes banter that takes place in profession sports locker rooms – but is more a tale about the importance of relationships, those that have endured and others that were allowed to fizzle, while illustrating the need for striking a balance between one’s homelife and career.
It’s a story of love shared by father and son and the lessons passed onto all of us during life’s journey. It’s a cautionary tale of chasing your dreams – and following your passions – but understanding that such a pursuit doesn’t come without sacrifice and pain, often times to those we love most.
And it's an homage to a time when the morning newspaper and a cup of coffee was the perfect breakfast. It's a flashing red warning light to all of us that the local paper – which have always served as the guardrails of government and our elected leaders as well as being the binding element to most communities – are necessary.
Sangimino, PeninsulaPrepBaseball.com's editor, was born in San Francisco, raised in Pacifica and went to journalism school at San Jose State University. He moved to Kansas City, where he covered the National Football League and Major League Baseball – first as a beat reporter and later as a columnist.
Please consider giving it a read this summer. To order on Amazon.com, click here.
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