BIG-TOP LIFE.

Scorecard: Life On and Off the Field GAMEPLAN: THE SMART FAN'SGUIDE TO RIGHT NOW: READ Few things in the sports world are as romanticized as minor league baseball, a universe of young people chasing a dream while being paid a mere pittance. In recalling that season, McGee - who ultimately struck it big with ESPN - has crafted a memoir that is charming and heartfelt. In late 1993, McGee, dreaming of becoming the next Mel Allen, instead hooked on with the Asheville Tourists in a front-office gig that paid $100 a week in cash and required him to do everything from shepherding Elvis impersonators to dealing with mascot brawls. [Extracted from the article]