Reviews

I’m 150 pages into the book and ENJOYING it.
John Holt, WFSB-TV Sports Anchor

Looking for another #baseball book as the season begins? Check out @GalloWinemaker's book on the '89 Trumbull LL Champs!
@erickabakoff, author, Rally Caps, Rain Delays and Racing Sausages

Just finished the book…great read. Good Job! (Being a Trumbull resident during that year made it more fun to read). I gave it to a friend to read, also for his son-in-law who played in the little league world series out of Pennsylvania. Not sure what year.
John Galaty

Congratulations on the publication of your fine book, Chris. I've enjoyed it immensely.
All the best,
Peter Golenbock (author)

I recently had the pleasure of reading your book, Unlikely Champions. It was as if I attended every game in person as you chronicled the trip of the Trumbull L.L. through the State and Regional baseball playoffs and their appearance in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.  It is by far one of the best books written about Youth Baseball. A must read for anyone who likes L.L. baseball. Congratulations.
Best Wishes,
Robert G. Barth
Sports Announcer
Yale University

Gallo Knocks It Outta da Park!
If you hold baseball in your heart, you owe it to yourself to get this book TODAY. Baseball in its purest form of the sport, without the elements that, some may say, have transformed the game into mere "entertainment" at its highest-compensated levels.

I read this book several times, but even upon the first pass, I came to know these youngsters, their strengths, their weaknesses, their character... and that of their adult stewards, those who sought to make the experience the best it could be for these youngsters, win or lose. The ice cream pool parties held as much importance as the drills (and emphasis) upon the fundamentals, which would ultimately underpin the Trumbull victory on the world stage.

Mr. Gallo spins a compelling tale, related to us, the readers, as if he rode the bench while his tiny teammates won their battles one at a time, inch by inch, game by game. By the time I finished my first read, I had hung on every precipice, emotionally exhausted, but I felt as if I knew every player on the team, every coach in the dugout, and even some of the fans, including the "trumpet dad" present at every game to signal the charge.

If you love the game as do I (a hapless Cleveland Indians fan, who sat in the TOP ROW in Game Five in left at Jacobs Field in '97), and its spirit, treat yourself to a perfectly late-summer timed read. Thank you, Mr. Gallo.
Bobby Frufracker

A Great Baseball Story!
Hard to believe it will be 26 years this summer, seems like yesterday. Mr. Gallo does a superb job in taking the reader back in time to a very proud moment in Connecticut history. The accounts by these young men and the details that are brought forth are terrific. If you like underdogs and inspirational stories this is your type of book.
Tim Bartlett

A Fun and Informative Read
This book is, or should be, the definitive account of the 1989 Trumbull Little League team’s magical underdog run to the Little League World Series Championship. Christopher Gallo painstakingly recounts the games that led to that year’s championship game, the Trumbull team’s upset of the heavily favored Taiwan team, and how the major players were affected a quarter-century later. Little League is baseball purity, and this account of unheralded 12-year-olds from Trumbull, CT, who rose to the occasion, is a fun and informative read.
Eric Kabakoff, Author of “Rally Caps, Rain Delays and Racing Sausages”


The 1989 Trumbull LL world championship "Miracle at Williamsport" was certainly that. In my mind it parallels the achievement of the U.S. Hockey team that upset the Russians in 1980 at Lake Placid. Chris Gallo marvelously chronicles the events of that unlikely event in his book.  Although Gallo reveals some interesting statistics, the book is driven by the colorful anecdotes that bring out the human interest aspect. It is that element that primarily drives the book. It's a refreshing read that was written from the heart and a notable contribution to not only LL baseball history but to our national pastime.
Rich Marazzi, Author, Major League Baseball Rules Consultant and Radio Talk Show host

Miracle on a Green Field
Much like the game played in Lake Placid a mere 9 years before, this is another great American story about a group of over-matched but not over-whelmed 12 year olds winning in Williamsport. Thank you, Chris Gallo, for bringing us back to those simpler times when ESPN only broadcast a few LLWS games; when neighborhood pickup games were daily summer events; and the call of "let's play two" was all these boys wanted. Truly, Chris loves the game--his writing reflects what the late Bart Giamatti has said "...I need to think that something lasts forever and it might as well be that state of being that is a game; it might as well be that, in a green field, in the sun."
Ed Sewell

BRAVO
Awesome recap of one of the great sports achievements; Tremendous detail that made this Achievement come to life.  Superstitions, parents, teamwork -- All the things that little League represents.  Proud to know Tom and Sandy. Proud to be a Trumbull resident.
Bob Margolis

Excellent book…well written…especially interesting for those of us who live near Trumbull and know some of these "kids".
Marge Hiller

Ever wonder what is going on inside the mind of a 12 year old.  In this book the author speaks with the players 25 years after their victory and the boys/men open up as to their memories of the experience 25 years earlier. They also reflect on how this experience affected their lives.  Also included is the march to Williamsport in great detail and what it took in the way of talent, effort and luck to win the big prize. This is a great book and I'm so pleased that the story was finally told.
Tom Galla, Manager of the 1989 Trumbull LL World Champions

Five Stars
Great read! Very factual! Inspiring!
George Hairston, Father of Jason Hairston, Third Baseman on 1989 Trumbull LL World Champions

Five Stars
A great read for any baseball fan!
Tony Gallo

Good Story
5If you like baseball, this is a must read!!!
Joe Mazzucco

Unlikely Champions is a wonderful story told in a very enjoyable way.
Even though 25 years have passed, I found myself reliving many of the stories and the Wide World of Sports telecast of the 1989 Little League World Series. Thank you, Chris Gallo, for writing this story and putting together the thoughts, emotions and memories of some very normal kids who lived an extraordinary experience.
Alan Hurst