11-04 | Meet the Author – Pat Harris

A broken team. A battle for dignity. A summer of softball that united them against the odds. Marty’s fast-pitch softball team is far from typical. He and his unlikely teammates represent the Residence, a haven for chronic alcoholics—where forgotten men, written off by society, drown in their addictions. Yet they find something worth fighting for on a dusty Minnesota baseball their dignity. As the men square off in a rec league against polished corporate teams with everything going for them, Marty and his gang must battle their inner demons and society’s prejudices on an extraordinary path to redemption. The teammates form a fragile bond as they discover that their magical season offers more than just wins and losses—it’s a chance to reclaim their identities and find purpose in a world that has long forgotten them. Based on a true story, A Season on the Drink chronicles the raw, unforgettable story of redemption. Pat Harris masterfully weaves together themes of addiction, friendship, and resilience in this gripping narrative that transcends traditional sports literature. Through intimate portraits of the residents, the story reveals the transformative power of community and the unexpected joy found in life’s darkest corners. Can the spirit of sports triumph over the crushing weight of addiction? As the season unfolds, these men discover that sometimes the greatest victories happen far from the scoreboard, in the quiet moments between pitches where hope takes root and friendship blooms. Pat Harris is a lifelong Saint Paulite and dedicated community leader. His public service began in 1989 as a VISTA volunteer at Catholic Charities, where he first encountered the Saint Anthony Residence and its remarkable untold stories. This experience sparked a career of civic engagement, including 12 years on the Saint Paul City Council, where he championed poverty relief, library access, arts, and homelessness, earning honors like the Catholic Charities Lifetime Service Award.