Fontana

Handsome and charmingly shy, Ricky Fontana may be the greatest ballplayer who ever lived. Hitting a baseball has always come easy for the New York Mets outfielder--his true challenge comes when skyrocketing fame threatens to reveal his deepest secret: Ricky Fontana is gay.

Jeremy Rusch--a tabloid sportswriter hardened by drink and disappointment--follows Ricky Fontana as the young champ aims to break one of baseball's most treasured records: the 56-game hitting streak that immortalized Joe DiMaggio in 1941. As a rapt nation watches Fontana lash hit after hit, creeping toward DiMaggio's impossible number, the idol of the sports pages becomes an American hero. From the White House to Hollywood, everyone wants to shake hands with Ricky Fontana. And it doesn't take long for his carefully guarded secret to come to light--thanks to a front-page expos by Jeremy Rusch.

When he discovers Ricky's secret, Rusch envisions recognition to rival that of his idol. The reporter's obsession creates a national furor, turning one baseball summer into a season that nobody can ignore.

Joshua Martino is a writer from New York. Fontana is his first novel.