Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
The story of how The Art of Fielding was published is almost as dramatic as the events in the book itself. What other book gets covered to such an extent in Vanity Fair magazine that doesn't involve any number of shades of grey? (Source.)
If you're a baseball fan, Aparicio Rodriguez might seem familiar. He's completely fictional, but he's a combo of two real-life baseball players: Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio and a shortstop who appeared on The Simpsons, Ozzie Smith. (Source.)
Feel like playing some extra innings? Chad Harbach adapted part of his novel for a short story in Vanity Fair—like DVD bonus features, but for a book. Most of it will seem familiar if you read the novel, but the beginning gives a little more insight into Henry's life pre-Westish. (Source.)