WHAT IS ROMEO READS?
Read ~ Attend ~ Connect
Romeo Reads is…
An invitation to all Romeo, Washington & Bruce Township residents to
- collectively read a specially selected book and to
- attend free events connected to its content.
We wish to:
- promote literacy
- foster an appreciation of books and reading
- provide a forum to connect and
- enhance civic unity through literature.
This is our SIXTH year of Romeo Reads. We hope you’ll join in.
This year we are reading The Final Season: Fathers, Sons, and One Last Season in a Classic American Ballpark by Tom Stanton.
What is The Final Season about?
Growing up in the ’60s and ’70s, Tom Stanton lived for his Detroit Tigers. When Tiger Stadium began its 88th and final season, he vowed to attend all 81 home games in order to explore his attachment to the place where four generations of his family have shared baseball.
Join him as he encounters idols, conjures decades past, and discovers the mysteries of a park where Cobb and Ruth played. Come along and sit beside Al Kaline on the dugout bench, eat popcorn with Elmore Leonard, hear Alice Cooper’s confessions, soak up the warmth of Ernie Harwell, see McGwire and Ripken up close, and meet Chicken Legs Rau, Bleacher Pete, Al the Usher, and a parade of fans who are anything but ordinary.
Tom Stanton’s The Final Season offers a powerful memoir of fathers, sons, and the end of a baseball era.
Read and experience with us
The Final Season
for Romeo Reads 2026.
Who is the author?
Tom Stanton is author of several nonfiction books, among them Ty and The Babe and the New York Times bestseller Terror in the City of Champions. A journalist for more than 40 years, he cofounded The Voice Newspapers in suburban Detroit and served as editor for 16 years, winning numerous press awards.
Stanton served as associate professor of journalism at the University of Detroit Mercy and was a longtime member of the Detroit board of the Society of Professional Journalists. He also edited The Detroit Tigers Reader and is a past recipient of the Michigan Library Association’s Author of the Year award.
He lives in New Baltimore, Michigan.
What do others think of the book?
“That’s just right: Stanton’s is another entry in the roster of excellent works devoted to baseball, sure to please fans of the game.”
“Baseball books rarely reach the heights of Stanton’s.” – The Chicago Tribune
“This book celebrates the stadium as a place that spanned the generations for countless players and fans. It’s about the traditions that tie family and friends together; it’s about life, love, loss…all the things in life that truly matter.”
“Exceptional recount of the love and history of baseball passed from one generation to the next. A must read! The Final Season will be enjoyed by readers, whether baseball fans or not. This book is a human interest story, making one realize the importance of the connection between father and sons. The last hurrah for a team in a beloved, historical landmark.”
How do I get the book?
Buy a copy of Stanton’s book for $17.00 at the circulation desk of either branch, payable by cash or personal check, while supplies last.
Or, place a hold for a copy of the book through our library lending system.
Hoopla offers the title as an e-book.
Enjoy your read!
Read The Final Season on your own, or meet up with others. Discover other readers on our Facebook Group (Romeo District Library Group) AND don’t miss Romeo Reads 2026 Trivia, posted every Monday, March 2-April 20! Small prizes for the first correct responses!
THE EVENTS
Monday, February 23, 2026, 6:00 pm
The First Pitch: Viewing of Movie “Tiger Town” + Ballpark Snacks
Enjoy this blast back to 1983! “Tiger Town” tells the story of a 12-year-old Detroit Tigers fan and a veteran ballplayer (patterned after Al Kaline) who leads his team to a pennant after a midseason slump.
Join us for this fun movie night complete with ballpark hotdogs and caramel corn! Bring pillows and blankets and hunker down for some all-American fun!
Copies of The Final Season are available for purchase at both branches for $17.00 while supplies last.
Thursday, March 10, 2026, 6:00 pm
Play Ball! Honoring Vintage Base Ball
Learn about vintage base ball with Paul Hunkele of the Regular Base Ball Club of Mt. Clemens: the history, the game then and now, some legends of the game, and why vintage base ball is still such a great American pasttime!
Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 6:00 pm
Bases Loaded: Tiger Trivia Night
Hey Tigers fans! Let’s play! Join us for a night of trivia with some great Tigers- and baseball-themed prizes… ballpark snacks, too!
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 6:00 pm
From the Bullpen: The Tigers—The Tigers’ Playing Fields Then & Now
Jeremy Dimick with the Detroit Historical Society shares the history of the Tiger’s stadiums—from the first time they played in 1894 to their current modern home of Comerica Park. Discover the history of the team & their beginnings, their championships, their legends… Find out something new about your hometown heroes.
Copies of The Final Season are available for purchase at both branches for $17.00 while supplies last.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 6:00 pm
7th-inning Stretch: Book Discussion
Let’s discuss this unique book! What did you like? What do you want to ask the author? What memories of Tiger Stadium do you have? Join this community chat led by Librarian Stacie Guzzo.
Copies of The Final Season are available for purchase at both branches for $17.00 while supplies last.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 7:00 pm
Author Visit with Tom Stanton
The event all Romeo Readers have been waiting for!
It’s a home run! Grab a seat for the final play: an in-person visit with celebrated author Tom Stanton!
Copies of The Final Season are available for purchase at both branches for $17.00 while supplies last.
How do I register?
Register online for EACH program that interests you.
- www.rdl.org, Library Information, Calendar.
- Then navigate to each event date to register.
Or, click through the direct links on this page. Please remember to include your email address.
Need to register by phone? Have a question? Call 586-752-2583
TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
We want as many participants as possible to enjoy this awesome program! Pick up a postcard with all the details at both branches.
ROMEO READS 2026 is sponsored by Romeo District Library &
Friends of Romeo District Library.