More than Beards, Bellies and Biceps

Darren Stephens turns *More Than Beards, Bellies and Biceps* into a sonic home run. His narration crackles with the kind of energy you’d expect from a team that played like they owed someone money—equal parts gravel and grin, especially when he channels the Philly inflections of Kruk or Dykstra. The production is clean but never sterile, letting the personalities of these players shine without over-polishing their rough edges. Stephens nails the pacing, too, balancing the book’s humor and heartbreak without ever feeling rushed or sluggish. If there’s a misstep, it’s that Gordon occasionally lingers too long on the macro-level Philly vibe, giving short shrift to some of the less flashy players. And while the updated material (including a new afterword) adds context, it sometimes feels tacked on rather than organically woven in. Still, these are minor quibbles for a book that delivers the goods: a vivid, unapologetic snapshot of a team that played the game on their own terms. If you’re a baseball fan who’s tired of sanitized hagiographies, this audiobook will feel like a cold beer at the Vet.