We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball is a wonderful true story about a group of everyday guys from the Czech Republic who share an extraordinary love of baseball. They managed to advance further in the World Baseball Classic than a homegrown team ever had before. It’s truly a great underdog story that shows how the game of baseball can gain popularity even without all of the gimmicks of the MLB.

The Czech team is different because most of the players aren’t professional baseball players. They have regular jobs as firefighters, teachers, electricians, and other working professionals. They work hard during the day and spend their free time playing the game they love. Despite having fewer resources, less recognition, and nowhere near the experience of some of the major baseball powerhouses, they managed to accomplish something incredible by qualifying for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

One of the most memorable moments was when Czech pitcher Ondřej Satoria struck out Shohei Ohtani, one of the biggest stars in baseball. I think that moment really captures what this team is all about. They may not have the money, fame, or professional experience, but they have heart, determination, and a tremendous amount of pride in representing their country. I really enjoyed the premise of this book because it reminds me that baseball is about so much more than big contracts, famous players, and winning championships. There’s something special about a group of ordinary people who love the game enough to make so many sacrifices just to have the opportunity to compete. These guys have families, jobs, and responsibilities, but they still find the time to practice, travel, and chase their baseball dreams.

I found their story incredibly refreshing. In a world where professional sports can sometimes feel like they’re all about money and celebrity, this team brings you back to what sports are really supposed to be about: the love of the game. Being a lifelong Mets fan, I especially enjoyed the underdog aspect of their journey. Who doesn’t love seeing a team that nobody expects much from go out there and prove that they belong? Their accomplishments make you appreciate all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, long before anyone is paying attention.

I also think the story is a great reminder that you don’t have to be the best, have the most money, or have everything working in your favor to accomplish something meaningful. Sometimes having a common goal, believing in one another, and refusing to give up can take you further than anyone expects. I would recommend this book to baseball fans, but I also think you don’t necessarily have to be a huge baseball fan to appreciate the story.

At its heart, this is a book about people, passion, friendship, and chasing a dream. It makes you stop and think about what people are willing to sacrifice for something they truly love. I came away with a real appreciation for this team and what they’ve accomplished. They may not be household names, but their story is one worth telling. Sometimes the greatest stories in sports aren’t about the teams that win it all. They’re about the teams that remind us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, University of Nebraska Press, and author Michael Clair for the advance reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. This has been my unbiased review of the book.