A review by daniellewebb
The Cactus League by Emily Nemens

4.0

I started this book in anticipation of the start of a new MLB season and finish it in a drastically different world where there is no timeline for the return of baseball. Im grateful I was able to “escape” to Scottsdale and immerse myself in the deeply lived in world of Emily Nemens’ debut novel. The Cactus League follows one spring for the LA Lions, a fictional major league team, and their Mike Tout-esque (plus gambling addiction) superstar. Beyond that through line, The Cactus League is also a series of interconnected stories featuring a cast of peripheral characters with less celebrity experience, but provide essential support to a pro team. Characters like the scout, the agent, the hotly anticipated prospect, the aging pitcher, the sports journalist, a cast of baseball wives, the local “cleat chasers,” a stadium hot dog vendor, and a gig-economy organist. The world is rich and detailed, and I was glad I had it to escape to for awhile.