Lately I have been listening to a lot of books on Audible. So far in 2025 I have gone through 5. They range from biographies, to history books, to books on baseball. I have loved listening to the stories as I drive to and from work or just relaxing with a cup of coffee on the weekend. The latest one I finished was The Wax Pack: One the Open in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife by Brad Balukjian.
I ordered the book on Audible a while ago and just never got around to it. The premise is amazing, and honestly, I am sad I did not think of it. I LOVED THIS BOOK. It brought back so many of my childhood memories, and while I think this book will hit home with the 40-something crowd, it is just a great story worth reading, or in my case listening to, for any baseball fan.
Balukjian’s idea was to open an old pack of Topps Baseball Cards (he chose 1986), and then hunt down and interview the players in the pack. What an epic road trip this would make. And from the sound of it, it was epic.
Brad takes the reader along with him on the road as he sneaks into country clubs, goes on tours of small-town America with former major leaguers, and sometimes missed out on an interview due to the player or his current team. Many of the players you may not remember. Players like Rance Mulliniks or Lee Mazzilli might be a few that some remember depending on which team you grew up rooting for. Some, all baseball fans will know like Carlton Fisk and Dwight Gooden. And some I did not remember and had to look up on Baseball Reference like Don Carmen.
I do not want to give away any spoilers because I think you should really read this book, but I was rooting for Brad to find every one of his “Wax Packers” as the players became to be known. All but 1 were still alive. The late great Al Cowens passed away in 2002, but he was able to find some family members to speak to.
The story winds through backroads of America as Balukjian speaks to players in the home towns and sometimes in their own homes. The players that openly invited him in for a day in their lives I thought were really cool. Randy Ready will always be remember by me as a member of the hated Phillies (I am a die-hard Braves fan), but he won me over from this book. Rick Sutcliffe was one Wax Packer that I would have loved to have met. Many may know him more from ESPN Baseball broadcasts, but I remember him as a pitcher with the Chicago Cubs.
Honestly, I was envious of Balukjian for this trip. It sounded amazing even though it was a lot of miles on the road. I loved the fact he counted the two things I would have, miles and coffees consumed. Also, the fact that he did this as an adjunct professor is amazing. Most of the readers will not understand how little adjuncts are paid. Many professors struggle piecing together adjunct jobs from various universities just to pay the bills. Oh, and these jobs do not come with benefits. I know. I am one. But fortunately for me I also teach full-time at a high school where I get a salary and benefits. Although college professor is a dream of mine one day. Perhaps when I go back to finish that dreaded Ph.D.
Anyway, back to the book. If you are a baseball fan, you will enjoy this book. Brad gives some insights through his interviews on what life is like after baseball for many players. One was a real estate agent, another was an accountant, and some had gone into coaching or other aspects of the game they grew up playing. Their careers ranged from Hall of Fame to journeyman to only in the league a short time. And this is why the book was so interesting. He had the chance to talk to a variety of players who all had different careers.
So, go check out this book. You can find it on Amazon, Audible, or anywhere else books are sold. It is just a fun trip down memory lane and an insight into players lives after retirement.
Definitely 5 *****
See more about Brad and his other book on Wrestling here at his own website TheBradPack.com.
And be sure to follow us as I review more books – currently I am reading The Eastern Stars: How Baseball Changed the Dominican Town of San Pedro de Macoris by Mark Kurlansky.