The very first time I saw this deck advertised in my US Games Catalog (we're talking last year now) I had to put down the catalog, I was laughing so hard.  The concept of making a tarot deck of baseball seemed utterly ludicrous.

But then I started thinking.  And now that I have it, I have to agree, this is one of the most startlingly good new decks I have seen in a long time.  Those who are familiar with Rider-Waite decks will notice the similarities, but it is a refreshing new look at the tarot through a sports analogy that, frankly, just plain works.

All of the Major League Arcana (heehee) are titled at the top of the card with the traditional title, and at the bottom with the title relevant to the baseball analogy.  Minor League Arcana has been rearranged to accomodate the new suits of Caps(Pentacles), Bats(Wands), Balls(Swords) and Gloves(Cups).  Court Cards are Manager, Coach, Pitcher and Umpire.

The cards are standard sized and flex easily, making them handle well.  The artwork is rendered in a comfortable style and the coloring is good.  The little booklet that comes with the deck has meanings which have been reinterpreted to fit the baseball analogy.  In other words, the consistency of this deck is commendable.  Both the author and the artist strive to make this tarot a completely working system.  There is a book published to go with it, I can't wait to get my hands on it now.

I highly recommend this deck for anyone who is a sports fan, a collector, or for people who are looking for a better take on the Rider-Waite.  Golden-Dawn tarot traditionalists will get less from this deck than those schooled in the Rider-Waite tradition.  It ism however, an excellent deck.

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Review Copyright 1998 by Gina M. Pace