Miles of Heart As boys, Wynn "Biff" Sherman and John Mueller played Monopoly on their front lawns and baseball in the street, the same street that all their friends lived on. The quiet Woodland Hills neighborhood was typical of the Valley in the '50s and '60s, the site of years of memories.

Now, more than 50 years later, seven of the kids who grew up as neighbors and friends, along with five others, are still getting together to play. Whether in Mazatlan, Lake Tahoe or Las Vegas, the 12 men- most of whom still live within 15 miles of their childhood street- have traded in board games and contact sports for the game of hearts.

The Dan DeSantis Invitational Hearts Tournament is nearing its 39th year, and the stories behind the journey of the 12 men has now gone to print. "Miles of Heart," by Wynn "Biff" Sherman, tells the story of a hearts tournament that has kept a group of childhood friends close after nearly 40 years.

"When my family moved into that neighborhood there were still empty lots," Mueller said. "It was an old orange grove. We all knew each other and played together. It was as all-American as you can get."

The boys grew up together, and most attended Taft High School. After graduating, one of the friends, Dan DeSantis, put together a hearts game with eight of his friends. From there, the tournament grew into an annual tournament. They have traveled far and wide for the boys-only weekend.

"Many of the tournaments have been held at gambling venues," Mueller said. "Sometimes the boys- that's what we call ourselves even as middle-aged men- capture a craps table. Some don't know what they are doing, and some are pretty good. But when we get going, everyone gets pretty excited."

It was moments at the craps tables or on the trains traveling to various locations that some of "the boys" would start talking to strangers about what they'd been doing- getting together for 10, 20, 30, and now almost 40 years.

"People would always think our story was so interesting," Sherman said. "Once we passed 20 and then 25 years, I started saying, 'Guys, we have a unique story that should be told.'"

DeSantis, referred to as "the chairman" of the tournament, had always put together scrapbooks after the weekends. Now there are five boxes of books, memorabilia and photographs from the last 38 years. Sherman sorted through the boxes and started writing down his memories.

"Miles of Heart" is based on a true story, although some situations are exaggerated and names have been changed. The title stems from the song "Heart" from the Broadway musical "Damn Yankees," which the men often sing when they get together.

But Sherman emphasized that the book "isn't for kindergartners," and Mueller agreed.

"The story is about a group of men in their single days, through marriages and divorces," Mueller said. "The book isn't trying to make us all look like the perfect little group."

The men still remain geographically close, but the tournament is often the only time they all get together. The friends live in Calabasas, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and elsewhere in the Los Angeles area. Three have moved to Northern California or Arizona. But, with only occasional absences, they unite for their oncea-year weekend.

"We've heard a lot of stories about groups of men who go fishing or get together to jam music, maybe for 10, 15, 20 years," Sherman said. "But this is more than a high school or a college reunion."

Mueller agreed. "This is the granddaddy of them all," Mueller said.

Sherman weaves true-life world events throughout the book, referencing everything from the Watergate scandal to the "The Exorcist" movie. Sherman said he considered trying to collaborate, but with such a "strong-willed group of guys" he decided to write it alone. The finished product has gotten good reviews from the subjects of "Miles of Heart."

"The strength of it is the dialogue," Mueller said. "He really captured the language of the tournament. When you grow up together, a language develops, and he really captured that."

He so much utilized that language that "Miles of Heart" contains a glossary in the back of the book. There's also a listing of all the tournament locations and winners.

For the 39th tournament this year the group will be traveling to the Torrey Pines resort in the San Diego area in July. There will be a day at the Del Mar horse races, golf at Torrey Pines Golf Course and, of course, the hearts tournament.

"Hearts is the alleged purpose for getting together," Mueller said. "But as you can imagine the cardplaying aspect is the least important. It's more about the camaraderie."

Sherman agreed.

"During the tournament there's a lot of tongueincheek complaining," Sherman said. "But I truly feel like it's very important to these 12 guys to do this, to get together."

Sherman and many of the players will be on hand for a "Miles of Heart" book signing and reception from 2 to 6 p.m. Sat., May 17 at Barnes and Nobles in the Commons.