FRAMILY (friends considered family) is the third of a trilogy. It continues the sports discussions and escapades of three close friends since childhood, each now reconnected with their first loves.

The saga began with “8” Centerfield in New York, 1951–1957, as three

thirteen year-old amigos argued about the best center fielder in New York in their eighth— grade class. Was it Willie, Mickey, or the Duke? Dopey Bastid follows a reflection of the friends twenty years in the future as one buddy, with the assistance of his pals writes a novel about dumb decisions in the world of sports.

FRAMILY commences at the conclusion of Dopey Bastid. The scene is a 1979 New Year's Eve celebration and concludes in the early summer of 1987. The sports stories herein are authentic, albeit with the addition of the perspective from an author who is writing about events several decades afterward. Historical fiction is the genre.

The sports discussions continue in a format that author, T.A. Olsinski, had previously described as “the famous retelling reminds the reader what it is like to hear stories from the friendly guy sitting next to you at the bar.”

FRAMILY has a diversity of historical event dialogues, inclusive of baseball, football, basketball, hockey, boxing, golf and tennis. You will also share in non-sport history, such as the premature death of the comedic genius John Belushi, the movies of the era such as Chariots of Fire and Stand by Me, and the recollection of the music and poetic brilliance of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Billy Joel.

The book endeavors to have the reader fondly recall sporting events or perhaps become more familiar with them. Moreover, the life events of the protagonists, Joey Kowalski, Bob Murphy, and Lou Marciano, along with their mates, will hopefully have you laughing out loud, shedding a tear, and most importantly reflecting on the true meaning of friendship.

Lou Saulino