[On May 10, 2021 Strange Horizons officially expressed its political support for Palestinian solidarity. The views of Tangent Online reviewers are not necessarily those of Strange Horizons. Fiction critiqued at Tangent Online is, as much as is humanly possible, without prejudice and based solely on artistic merit.]

Strange Horizons, July 3, 2023

“The Greatest Home Run in Baseball History” by P H Lee

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

The title event in “The Greatest Home Run in Baseball History” by P H Lee, the result of a battle between a pitcher using a miniature black hole and a hitter using a time crystal, results in time freezing, causing people to relive events in their pasts as they choose. The narrator revisits an argument over a trivial matter that led to the end of a relationship.

The speculative content is outrageous, making the story something of a tall tale. The section of the narrative dealing with the future of baseball, at a time when pitching is so advanced that all games are no-hitters, seems intended as satire. Baseball fans are likely to enjoy this part of the story more than other readers. The section dealing with the narrator’s visit to the past, on the other hand, is much more serious. This contrast in mood is jarring, and the absurdity of the premise weakens the poignancy of the narrator’s bittersweet memories.

Victoria Silverwolf dislikes baseball less than other team sports.