5 comments about A Nice Tuesday.

1. I know nothing about baseball and did not need to. This was a great story about the authors' interesting life. I highly recommend this book.



2. It must have been my lucky day when I found this gem in a remainder bin. I picked it to peruse from idle curiosity about the cover and title, not because I knew anything about Pat Jordan. Boy, was I ever ignorant.

   I read a sentence, then a paragraph, then a page, and when hypnotized, I didn't want to stop there; so I bought it for the quality of its prose. I couldn't wait to start reading from the front and found it as funny, and occasionally profound, as it was well written.

   First off, this is a memoir or autobiography written by someone that knows a lot about baseball, not a baseball book per se. Only the extremely obtuse would read it solely in the context of some imagined "baseball comeback" genre. The "Nice Tuesday" of the title is the day the author works towards in all his life relationships...baseball paralleling the personal stuff.

   Jordan reflects on his Connecticut childhood, brief baseball celebrity, drag racing, gambling, father/son, brother/brother, dogs, Florida, writing, aging and yes, pitching with this engaging narrative. Above all else it is a book about how a man works out how to handle himself within the context of family (for better or worse) and career. It's a book about how to write the script of your own life. I don't know whether I'd get along with Jordan, the man, but he is a gifted, intelligent, honest writer.

   In spirit, a Cross between Jim Bouton's classic 'Ball Four' and a novel by Hemingway of Salter. As soon as I finished this book I ordered his earlier work "A False Spring" and forced a close friend to read my copy of "A Nice Tuesday." Don't be afraid to pay full price, it's worth twice the cover!




3. This book is not about baseball, and it is not a sequel to "A False Spring," which was a classic in its own right. It is also not about dogs, cigars, fast cars or South Florida, although all of those things figure prominently in the book. Instead, "A Nice Tuesday" is a deeper, fuller portrait of an unusually talented guy living out his life as best he can despite a nagging feeling that he has failed.

   That may not sound particularly interesting, but Pat Jordan himself is a far better subject than 99% of the atheletes he usually writes about. He is an intelligent guy, with a wide range of interests. His writing captures that struggle we all go through of being able to perceive our shortcomings and only have limited success trying to change them. But, at least he does try. In this book, he's completely unafraid to reveal himself through his writing.

   Beyond this, Jordan is a very skilled writer. He has a great sense of judgment as to what will capture and keep the reader's attention. He doesn't abuse this gift by lingering on his stories too long. There are dozens of memorable scenes and vignettes in this book, but it does not come off as being choppy or disorganized. The connections make sense to Jordan, and he convinces the reader that they should make sense.

   Although this is non-fiction, the book "A Nice Tuesday" resembles most closely is "The World According to Garp" by John Irving. I mean that as a compliment; Garp is one of my favorite books of all time. For me, the similarities are in how Jordan and Garp are both fascinating individuals who have improbable life experiences -- much more interesting than the rest of us -- develop a unique way of looking at life, surround themselves with unusual, even quirky companions and still manage to come off as average guys. Just as John Irving novels have wrestling, dancing bears, New England prep schools and scenes in Vienna, Austria, Pat Jordan's life has baseball, dogs, cigars and Florida. We can relate to these elements, but the books are more than the sum of the elements. Neither Irving's novels nor Jordan's memoir are about these things. They just give the writer an excuse to display talent, skill and a unique way of looking at the world.

   "A Nice Tuesday" also conveys Jordan's sense of inevitable doom -- this obviously comes from the heart -- which reminds me of the "Under Toad" in Garp. Jordan knows that he always drives the people he loves away from him, but can't figure out why and can't seem to stop the process. How honest and uncommon to admit this secret fear that so many of us have.

   A Nice Tuesday is an excellent choice for any adult reader, male or female, young, middle aged or old. It has humor, insight and poignancy. It is much more rewarding than any sports book I have ever read and should not be cheapened by that label. It would have been just as good a book if he had not pitched in the minor league game.




4. I don't think I can add much to the praise bestowed upon this book by the previous reviewers, other than to mention two things I found special about this memoir (come on Amazon proofreaders, get it right!).
   1. I found the book an incredibly interesting portrait of a man that is eerily DISsimilar to myself, yet I could relate and empathise with his life and dreams.
   2. Chapter Three, which is a self-deprecating look at a typical day in the life of a man "...rooted in his routine." is one of the best individual chapters of any book I have read recently. He describes an unremarkable S. Florida day with such clarity and humor that I found myself thinking as I read, "yeah, and then what did you do?"

   I am moving on to A False Spring with anticipation...




5. I bought this book because I enjoyed a False Spring many years ago. I was truly not disappointed. Pat Jordan is so honest that it doesn't matter whether you are reading his books as a sports fan or not, you become interested in his life. Unusual events happenn to him and he writes about them unusually well.

5 comments about Rube Waddell: The Zany, Brilliant Life of a Strikeout Artist.

1. Thanks to author Alan Levy we at long last have a biography about Rube Waddell, a great pitcher at the beginning of the 20th century. Contemporaries of Waddell such as Cy Young, Christy Mathewson,Grover Alexander, and Walter Johnson have at least one biography written about them and now Rube joins them in this respect. Author Levy states that Waddell had four loves in life which were pitching, fishing, fighting fires, and liquor not neccessarily in that order. Students of baseball history remember Waddell as a baseball zany for his antics both on and off the field, but what is often overlooked is that he was a very caring person who would give of himself to others. It was in this capacity of standing hour on end in cold water fighting back floodwaters by piling sandbags that led to pneumonia and eventually tuberculosis. Baseball was simply a game to Waddell whether he was throwing his fastball past major league hitters or playing with a bunch of ten year olds. Both Rube Waddell and Babe Ruth were alike in that they both were childlike in the body of an adult. Author Levy gives an excellent account of the scuffle which Waddell got into over a teammate's straw hat that led to him injuring his arm and prevented him from going up against Christy Mathewson in the 1905 World Series in which Matty pitched three shutouts. It would have been interesting to see what the matchups of Waddell and Mathewson would have provided us. It was traditional for straw hats to be destroyed after Labor Day and Rube wanted to destroy the teammate's hat. I don't see that there was any dark deeds involved between Waddell and gamblers who didn't want Waddell to pitch in the Series. Athletics manager Connie Mack gave Waddell some free reign when the two were together while Waddell gave Pirates manager Fred Clarke fits with his erratic behavior. It's true that Rube Waddell had destructive habits, but I also come away feeling that Rube Waddell had a caring side for other people that is too often overlooked.



2. Great book for anyone who loves vintage baseball.



3. The most entertaining baseball book I have ever read! If you ask baseball fans, many have never heard of Rube Waddell. This is shocking because of two reasons: 1) He was one of the best pitchers of his time. 2) His behavior, on and off the field, was completely insane. In fact, Connie Mack said he had the mind of a 10 year old. Rube truly was the best of his times, oftentimes competing and beating Cy Young for pitching titles. In 1904, playing for the Philadelphia Athletics, he struck out 349 batters and this stood as a record for over 60 years. The author, Alan H. Levy, clearly did a considerable amount of research for the book. Each year comes to life in this book, from Rube's time with the Chicago Orphans to his last two seasons with the St. Louis Browns.
   
   It is said that only Connie Mack could handle Rube's behavior. Many times the only way to do this was to just let Rube do his thing and watch in amazement, or perhaps horror. Rube Waddell could be on the mound pitching and if he heard that there was a fire, he would simply walk off the mound and run to help put out the fire. He loved fighting fires! Many times, his coach and teammates would wonder where Rube was and he could be found selling peanuts and hotdogs as a vendor. One of his favorite things to do was to go to the local zoo and wrestle with the bears or alligators on exhibit. Where is Rube they would ask yet again? This time he was found playing marbles with kids under the baseball stands. Rube was also known for leaving a team and playing for another local team. At one point he was on the payroll for three different teams. When Rube was focused he was truly the deadliest pitcher of his time and this pitching allowed his team and fans to watch in awe as he struck out some of the best hitters of that time, such as Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford. Fitting to his overall lifestyle Rube Waddell passed away on April Fools Day. This book is both entertaining and informative. www.fatherachildsright.org Robert Pedersen



4. Rube Waddell had a major league career that was not very long (13 seasons, but in three of those he played in 10 or fewer games), but as with Sandy Koufax, when he played in a full season, he could be dominating. Alan Levy makes the same argument in his book, and the record book bears this out: once leading the league in games pitched, once leading the league in wins, seven times leading the league in strikeouts (six consecutively) and a winning percentage of .574 despite playing for some bad teams (and some good ones, too). So why isn't he remembered as the Koufax of his day? Well, he played 100 years ago, so no one who saw him play is alive today. His contemporaries generally had longer careers with better teams, usually a single team (like Mathewson, Bender, Plank, Brown, etc.). And, Waddell seems to be looked at today as "a psychologist's dream," as someone who does sufficiently odd things or is odd himself, so that there is a question if we're dealing with a crazy person here. I don't believe that Waddell was "crazy" - I don't pretend to be a doctor, either, but the book does make a lot of mention to incidents that would seem to make Waddell out of the ordinary today. And that may be a fault of the world that we live in today, that characters aren't tolerated as much as they used to be. It's perhaps enough to go with Sam Crawford's assessment that Waddell was just a "big kid" and leave it at that. Read for yourself the exploits of Rube Waddell in this well-written book, and reacquaint yourself with a unique character with a precious baseball gift.



5. Being a big fan of turn-of-the-century baseball, I have waited a long time for a thorough treatment of Rube Waddell. I'm still waiting. Rube did some silly things during his lifetime, mostly to amuse himself and his teammates, who were often doubled over with laughter. For this, he has been called "crazy", and possibly semi-retarded. This author falls right in line with those conclusions.
   
   What he briefly mentions, almost as an aside, are the several well-documented lives Rube Waddell saved, in addition to possibly countless others too difficult to estimate. From carrying an injured teammate on his shoulders to a hospital (while everyone else stood around), and staying with him all night, holding cold compresses to his injured head, to preventing a fire in a crowded department store by dragging a dangerous, fiery stove out of it, Rube Waddell was very serious and clear-headed when someone else's safety was at stake. Several times he jumped into rivers to save people from drowning, once when it was just a log in the water. No matter, Rube acted instantly when he thought someone needed help.
   
   The author, like everyone else these past 100 years, mentions Rube's chasing after fire engines as evidence of his immaturity. Lost is the fact Rube wanted to get to the fires to help put them out, often at great personal risk. Connie Mack recalled the particular bravery of one firefighter combating a house fire, standing on the second story roof and pouring water down onto the fire. Suddenly he realized, that was his star pitcher!
   
   In fact, Rube contracted the illness that eventually killed him by working for many hours in freezing water up to his armpits, helping restore a broken levee. He didn't take a break to go fishing, or wander off to play marbles with kids.
   
   Other than doctors or possibly those who served in combat, probably no other Hall Of Fame player saved so many lives, took so many personal risks, and ultimately died in the effort to help strangers. I'm not saying Rube was a saint, and no author should treat him with that reverence, but to write Rube off as "zany", perhaps retarded, is really an injustice of large magnitude. Rube knew there was a time and a place to be zany, and a time and a place to be serious. When the chips were down, he was deadly serious.
   
   So I wait for an author to come along and realize that throwing a little white ball past a guy with a stick, in the grand scheme of things, really isn't as important as chasing a fire engine, to get to the fire, to save someone's life. Rube understood that.

5 comments about Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero.

1. This book is ironically titled because the real Barry Bonds, who you feel like they know after finishing Jeff Pearlman's thrilling biography, is a man one can neither love nor hate. His excellence is tarnished by his personality which is so obviously confused that, despite the brutality with which he treats others, renders one incapable of hating him. Barry Bonds is yet another example of self-esteem having an inverse relationship with success. Had Bonds been a satisfied young man, he would have never expended every particle of his physical and mental energy conquering a craft which would one day make him a national celebrity and a fabulously wealthy person. Bonds's infinitesimal self-doubt caused him to train like, and with, Jerry Rice and even cry on the rare occasion he had to miss a game, but it also alienated almost everyone he came into contact with. He is a petty, abrasive, and irritable man who is entirely devoid of social skills. This reality makes one pity him which is not the reaction one expects to have towards a finger pointing, whining mega-millionaire. When you look at the numbers over the course of his career, it is readily apparent that Bonds really is the Michael Jordan of baseball, and that most of us don't realize it is directly related to the horrendous way with which he interacts with peers, the press, the fans, and your average citizen. I am a fairly hardened person, but I was shocked to read the passages documenting this icon's habit of berating small children who ask for his autograph. He seems to insult and slight others for absolutely no reason whatsoever. As for steroids and BALCO, Pearlman does not hedge on the issue which is quite appropriate considering the evidence. The author is certain that the allegations against Bonds are true, and the stigma he is now under is doubly tragic because the reality is that the Giant would have gone to the Hall of Fame without an ounce of illegal substance. After the scandal, it's now a crap shoot as to whether or not he'll ever make it to Cooperstown. This is a cautionary tale.



2. Excellent book. Very entertaining. If you are a baseball fan this is a must have as it talks of Bonds throughout his baseball career. There are many quotes from his teammates on the Pirates and the Giants as well as items from his college days.
   
   The book talks about his marriages and his relationship with his dad.
   
   I finished this book in a week when it usually takes me a month or so to finish a book. I could not put it down.



3. I thought this would be a good book for a teen to read, however, there was much too much foul language.



4. The author certainly did his homework by interviewing over 500 people who have had some interaction with Bonds over his life in order to write this book. What was grat about this book was that it wasn't written by Bonds or from the perspective of the author it was more other peoples true experiences about Bonds spun into a book. This was a fresh look at this guy and not written to drag him down or to glorify him, you are left to make your own opinion. I liked it.



5. This is quite simply one of the best sports biographies I have ever read. It is written in a very readable and interesting manner. Very highly recommended.

2 comments about I Remember Harry Caray.

1. I Remember Harry Caray is a good book and i highly suggest buying it if you are a die hard Cubs fan like myself. This book has some very good stories in it about Harry and the Cubbies. Harry Caray is in my mind what really kept me watching the Cubs through their terrible years and this book is the perfect tribute to a wonderful man.



2. HARRY CARAY WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BASEBALL ANNOUNCERS OF ALL TIME. I REMEMBER HIM DURING THE LATE 1960'S UNTIL HIS DEATH IN THE LATE 90'S. HE WAS SO ENTHUSIASTIC AND HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME WAS ADDICTIVE. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND FOUND IT BE VERY WELL WRITTEN. I RECOMMEND IT ESPECIALLY FOR ALL CHICAGO AND ST LOUIS FANS WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE TALENT AND CHARACTER OF HARRY.

5 comments about Perfect, Once Removed: When Baseball Was All the World to Me.

1. A great book really hitting the emotions of one's childhood growing up around baseball. A wonderfully written book and a very easy read. It is so much more than just the history of baseball's greatest pitched game. A very special book!



2. With ease and skill, Phillip Hoose recalls his childhood days when baseball ruled his world, consuming his thoughts during the school day, and consuming his play time at night. Hoose chronicles his childhood, from his family's move to the center of the racing world, Speedway, Indiana to his discovery of the great game of baseball, to his relationship with distant cousin Don Larsen, a Yankee great.
   
   The book is an exceptional tale of baseball, and the effect it truly has on so many of our nation's youth. From his intense, yet usually fruitless baseball practice sessions to his late night attempts at finding a signal for a baseball game, Hoose adds a personal touch to the greatest game in the world. His personal touch, then, is what makes this book so special. In an age where baseball is struggling to keep a clean image, amidst steroid use and huge salary contracts, Hoose takes the reader back to the magic of the game. Hoose accomplishes what all good books should do, he transports us into another time, and another place: our youth, and our neighborhood. He reminds us, the kid in us, the joy it felt to first pick up a ball and bat, and the disappointment we felt when we lost our neighborhood pick-up game.
   
   A refreshing and inspirational tale, Hoose's book should not be missed by even the casual baseball fan. Hoose's writing establishes a deep connection between baseball and life, and lessons which each can learn from the other. His tale is one of up's and downs, triumphs and heartaches. Through it all, however, Hoose maintains a sense of hope for life and a sense of love for the game. This hope is what propelled so many of our own baseball dreams, and it is what helps make Hoose's book a truly wonderful read.



3. Served well by its brevity and the honesty of its recollections, Hoose's memoir is a perfect accompaniment as you follow your team through another spring training, because it's not so much about the team or the players as it is about your own hopes.



4. Anyone who grew up loving baseball needs to read this book. It perfectly captures the romance of the game from the perspective of a 9-year-old, back when 9-year-olds lived and breathed baseball. Five stars!



5. If you are a guy or gal who was born before 1950 and enjoy the game of baseball then Phillip Hoose's "Perfect, Once Removed" should be right up your alley. Author Phil Hoose had just moved to Speedway, Indiana with his mom and dad in late 1955. He was eight years old and having an awfully hard time adjusting to his new school and making friends. To make matters worse, no one had ever taught young Phil how to play baseball. He had never swung a bat or even had an opportunity to play catch! Kids being kids, they jumped all over Phil in gym class and at the playground after school. Phil was completely miserable until one day his mom casually mentioned that his dad's cousin pitched for the New York Yankees. And so Phil Hoose took it upon himself to write to his dad's cousin Don Larsen and ask for some advice. A short time later Phil received a postcard from Don Larsen that would literally change his life forever.
   It is always wonderful to read a story like the one portrayed in "Perfect, Once Removed". Sometimes we never realize how such a simple act of kindness can impact someone so much. But Don Larsen not only sent that postcard but he also arranged for Phil and his parents to attend a Yankees--White Sox game at Commiskey Park. While in Chicago Phil had an opportunity to meet several of the Yankee players at the hotel where they were staying. It was an experience that would make him a baseball addict for life. It turns out that as usual the New York Yankees under legendary manager Casey Stengel would win the 1956 American League pennant. This time their opponents in the World Series would be their crosstown rivals the Brooklyn Dodgers. And in Game Five on a Monday afternoon in October Don Larsen would make World Series history! Due to the heroics of his cousin, once removed, Phil Hoose was suddenly the BMOC (big man on campus) at school. Quite a turnaround in just 6 or 7 months!
   If I had to pick one adjective to describe "Perfect, Once Removed" it would have to be "charming". That may sound odd for a book about sports but I think the term fits here perfectly. For this book is so much more than a book about a perfect game. It is also a real period piece. For those old enough to recall those days it will bring back a flood of fond memories. I found "Perfect, Once Removed" to be a great change of pace from the much more serious fare that I ordinarily read. A great book to read while lounging at the beach or relaxing by the pool. This is an extremely well written and thoroughly enjoyable book that is am very pleased to recommend.

5 comments about Safe at Home.

1. I have known Bob Muzikowski for three years now, and he never ceases to amaze me. Reading this book has been a revelation. If you're feeling cynical, or doubt that one man can make a difference in society, read this book. Muzikowski chronicles his life from a tough childhood to a self-destructive early adulthood through his current and permanent persona, a caring, compassionate person who genuinely wishes to spread goodwill. Hopefully, this story will inspire others to follow in Bob's footsteps, and love their neighbors. The narrative is alternately heartbreaking, hopeful, and humorous, but always honest. A seemingly endless parade of intriguing supporting "characters" add color and depth to Muzikowski's infectiously interesting vignettes. Rather than see the Keanu Reeves/Hollywood version, read the real thing. Pass it on!



2. When Bob Muzikowski and I sat across from each other on a plane ride last September, I mostly listened as he told his story. As publisher for Zondervan, I knew by the time we landed I'd be asking him if he was interested in telling this story in print! The world is hungry for stories about "everyday heros" with whom we can actually identify. Bob is a regular guy who, in spite of a rough and tumble first few decades of life, has found a way to live an extraordinary life. His story reads like a novel but the inspiration that drives him is compelling and accessible to all of us. This is a book that you will not be able to just read. You will most definately encourage your adolescent children to read it and you will talk about it with your colleagues and friends. Trust me...for what started as an idle conversation on a plane last September is now a wonderful book that in just over a month is being read by thousands.



3. Although Bob Muzikowski's book, "Safe at Home," is catagorized as an autobiography, it is so much more! This book is a real life story of THE Author's plan for one man. Bob Muzikowski has shown us how one man (and woman, Tina!) can make a difference when he chooses to please an Audience of One - the blessings of God on Bob Muzikowski's life have been multiplied exponentially to others! "Safe at Home" has been described as "inspiring," but Bob's story will only be truly inspiring if it generates a response from its readers; one that takes them out of their comfortable church pews and into the God-prescribed place that He wants them to be! "Batter Up!" The choice is yours: you can take the challenge as the designated hitter or warm the bench in the dugout!



4. This is one of the most AMAZING books I have ever read. Touching, heartfelt and gutsy! I have passed this book on to many friends and they have all had the same response. One of those books that changes your outlook on pretty much everything.



5. I never knew Bob Muzikowski ... nor did I know of the book prior to last month (April 2004). However, I was fortunate enough to meet this amazingly honest, articulate, straight-shooting gentleman [yes ... gentleman] at a prayer breakfast in Albany, NY. After hearing him speak [him being the featured speaker] and hearing his story I simply needed to know more. I spent a little time researching Bob and was interested in reading the book.

   OK ... now for the book review ...
   DON'T READ THIS STORY if you are not interested in changing your heart and mind for a greater good. THE RIPPLE EFFECT will occur in your heart as you realize the full potential each and every one of us has to better the lives of others. HHHMMM ... isn't that what Jesus taught?
   AND if you're an Evangelical Christian, the story will either motivate you INTO service for Him or it will refresh your walk and current service.
   Either way ... this story is SO MUCH BIGGER than Bob and his boys. It's a glimpse of the ON-GOING ACTIONABLE LOVE AND COMPASSION for everyone associated with Bob and Tina ... and for you and I? It's fuel for our hearts ... raw honesty, compassion and love seen through very tough circumstances and people.
   
   BOTTOM LINE ... this book is an example of what God can do when a heart is willing to be transformed.
   PS: Check out the Chicago Hope Academy ... a school opening in 2004 that was built on the fire and determination of these folks.

2 comments about Dice-K: The First Season of the Red Sox $100 Million Man.

1. Ian Browne, who so ably chronicles the Red Sox for mlb.com, has provided us with a wonderful inside look at one of the most compelling stories from the team's 2007 season. In describing the acquisition and first season of Japanese pitching star Daisuke Matsuzaka, he gives us a clear picture of the business decision making process that brought Dice-K to the team and then thoughtfully interweaves vignettes focusing on cultural diversity, team-building, and the road to a World Series championship. The book is far more than an expanded internet column. Even for those of us who follow the Red Sox all season, this book is a nail-biter. It should provide reading pleasure to both baseball lovers and others interested in the interfaces among business, sports, and intercultural challenges.



2. There are some players who produce seasons that transcend mere success or failure, and Daisuke Matsuzaka was one of them in 2007. Fortunately, Ian Browne was able to expertly chronicle what became a rivoting story within a story. The book is thorough, insightful and entertaining, more than doing justice to a year-long drama no baseball fan will soon forget.

3 comments about After the Black Sox: The Swede Risberg Story.

1. This book is of interest to those true baseball fans who understand that the interest in baseball in the 20's was so much different than it is today. Men played for the love of the game, even in sand lot leagues. Towns fielded their own teams, and locals went to see the games. This is a book that will show that deep interest that towns had for these teams.
   
   It doesn't dwell on the scandal, but more on the itinerant life of a ball player of that time.My personal interest comes from living in the town where Swede passed away, although i never knew him. I did visit another town where he lived and talked to oldtimers who knew him well -- what an amazing history to be able to revisit. One of the greatest sports books ever written is " The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence (sp.?) Ritter- I read this when I was about 12 years old - I loved the spirit of the oldtime ball players. This book is a great history of the early days of baseball !



2. This book surprised me, and greatly disappointed me. Having read the online provided "Book Description", which also matches the back of the book verbatim, one would never anticipate that the book itself could not deliver as promised. To call this a book would be reasonably unfair; rather it might be viewed as an essay or series of articles comprising a paper. The preface of writing a book based on partial to missing information, as was identified by the author, would lend itself to some author entitlement to fill in some of the blanks. Alan Muchlinski chose not to do so and the result is an effort that is, in my opinion, incomplete and devoid of character and substance. An interesting subject that should be Swede Risberg is often reduced to only a name in this book. Anyone that has even a passing interest in the after-life of the Black Sox Eight should look to find it elsewhere as there honestly is very little of value to be found inside the pages that represent this piece. Moreso, simply mentioning that you found boxscores with the names "Risberg" and "Felsch" on them is not reason enough to write a book, let alone an article in a magazine or journal...You need so much more than is presented here.
   
   Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed. According to the "Book Description" editorial we should have indeed expected something. To that end, nothing was and is delivered. I wanted to really like this book, but in the end I have felt cheated on two fronts; There is little to no historical value presented, and I am out the cost of the book. It does not get much more disappointing than this for me. I am at a loss as to how a publisher could even consider it?



3. After the Black Sox: The Swede Risberg StoryI HAVE READ AND RE-READ THE SWEDE RISBERG STORY. I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE AMOUNT AND THE THOROUGHNESS OF THE INFORMATION THE AUTHOR WAS ABLE TO FIND. UPON READING THE BOOK I WAS ENGULFED IN THE NOSTALGIA OF THE TIME. BASEBALL WAS INDEED A PART OF THIS NATIONS GROWTH, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AMERICA. MY FAMILY WAS A PART OF THAT TIME AND INTEREST IN THE GAME STILL PERSISTS. THIS BOOK WAS JUST EXACTLY THE KIND OF INFORMATION I NEED.

5 comments about Hitter: The Life and Turmoils of Ted Williams.

1. Ed Linn's HITTER is a excellent biography on Ted Williams life and baseball career. It's a solid 400 pages about Williams, his youth, his personality quirks and flaws, his talent at hitting a baseball, and his glorious seasons at Fenway Park. What Ed Linn does best is to write about The Kid's best seasons and comparing them to other baseball greats using statistical analysis. Also the many stories about Williams' war with the Boston Press. Linn was very careful to write both the good and bad of Williams, and is not afraid to criticize his behavior. The only reasons why this book isnt a home run is because I feel that there could have been more details in certain situations,or maybe Linn suffers from the same problem as Ted Williams had in front of the Fenway Crowd, they both did such a good job that you just wanted a little more from them.



2. Biographies often waste time describing things like the "childhood home". While this book gives an overview of Williams' early life, it focuses on his historical impact on baseball and his attitudes toward the game. Linn does an excellent job of measuring Williams statistically and creating the perspective of his career that, as a 34 year old, I did not get to experience first hand. An understanding of each season, his teammates and adversaries, creates for me an appreciation that did not exist before. Some great segments on Ted's mentality toward the game and hitting specifically, was great not only for me but also my 10 year old. Note: this is a biography NOT an instructional manual - see The Science of Hitting for the "other half of the story.



3. This is an absolutely FABULOUS book. It details not only the career, but also the life of the greatest hitter who ever lived. I am generally not a big book reader, but I could not put this one down, reading it in a little over a day. I guarantee that if you are a baseball fan, you will love this book!



4. If you want to know everything you possibly can about Ted and his effect on the game you need to read this book.



5. Ed Linn says that Williams was the greatest hitter of all-time, he should have won 5 MVP awards, and his 1941 season was more impressive than DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. That he gave up his potentially most productive years to fight in two wars says as much for his character as it does for his projected totals. The biggest hurdle to recognition was his rascally personality that alienated hometown Boston sportswriters.

   In a media age, it is very hard for accomplishments to be recognized without supporting prose. But in Williams' case, his attitude not only cost him prose, but MVP votes from local sportswriters. Had the hometown scribes written glowingly about his .406 average in 1941 the way the New York papers lionized DiMaggio's hitting streak, he may have won his first MVP. Instead it took time for that accomplishment to be realized, and it continues to grow as the years pass without any .400 hitters. Add the two Triple Crowns he won without getting the award and you have to wonder what sportswriters were doing with their votes.

   Linn doesn't comment much on Williams' years as the manager of the Washington Senators. It's just mentioned to say that Williams wasn't cut out to be a manager. He says a little about Williams' service record, but reminds us that he was John Glenn's wingman. And we get just enough about Williams home life to know that he wasn't the best husband. This book isn't about those things it's about Williams the great hitter.

   Linn stresses that Williams proved his greatness by the way he played when his tools were diminishing in the 1950s. While the rest of his body was breaking down with injuries his bat could still light up a ballgame. That he won the 1958 batting title at age of 39 is a feat that Linn says is amazing. Linn makes a dramatic telling of his last at bat home run by explaining Williams before and after the contest.

   This is an informative and thorough telling of Williams the ballplayer and a good choice if you want to know more about Williams and his era in the big leagues.

5 comments about Pride and Pinstripes: The Yankees, Mets, and Surviving Life's Challenges.

1. This is a super baseball book. I have always been a big Mel Stottlemeyer fan. He was the last of the old Yankees from the 1964 pennant winner, and had he played with better teams after that first great rookie season gawd only knows how many games Mel would have won. It deals with his playing and coaching days and the quack medical treatments he received from the then Yankee team physician. I only wish he would have devoted a lot more pages to the years between 65-and 1972 and some of the great games he pitched--the 1-0 two hitter versus AL MVP Vida Blue and Oakland, the 1969 and 1970 All Star Game. Not enough about your playing days Mel during the Horace Clarke/Jake Gibbs/Ron Bloomberg era is my only criticicism. All in all, a super book.



2. A great book with rich history about a time of trouble for the Yankees. Easy smooth reading that keeps you involved with the story. A must read for any Yankee fan or any true baseball fan.



3. A great read for any baseball fan and especially true-blue Yankees fans. Mel's remembrances of the great pitchers he's coached and his relationship with George Steinbrenner were especially interesting. I do wish Mel had written more about his pitching career with the Yankees. He had some great years and great games that I wish he'd told us more about. He also got to play with some of the greatest Yankees of all time. Mel had the misfortune of joining the Yankees just when they started declining, but he still had a great career. I'll always remember skipping junior high school (with my parents' permission!) to watch Mel on TV in the 1964 World Series. Thanks for the memories and thanks for the book, Mel. You're a Hall of Famer in my book.



4. I really enjoyed this book. I was born a Yankees fan just as the Yankees began their decline and the only really quality player they had was Mel. So reading about his career, and family life just help me love him even more.
   
   And then hearing him talk about working with all the great pitchers he has coached. From the father-son relationship with Doc Gooden to the flakey David Wells to Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, Mike Mussina and on and on and on. And of course, he coached and watch mature my favorite Yankee player today - the great Mariano Rivera.
   
   But with all the highlights, he shares the tough times of his life; from losing a child to Joe Torre's cancer to his own fight with cancer.
   
   And of course, I can't help but picturing Mel Stottlemyre watching a World Series game in the clubhouse with George Steinbrenner eating burgers when Mel was too sick to be out in the dugout. So, George can have a human side.
   
   Conclusion - a must for any Yankee fan and a good read for any baseball fan.



5. PRIDE AND PINSTRIPES IS ABOUT THE LIFE AND CAREER OF FORMER YANKEE GREAT MEL STOTTLEMYRE. MEL OFFERS THE READER ALOT IN THIS WELL WRITTEN AND INTERESTING BOOK. FROM HIS LIFE AS A YANKEE PITCHER, DEATH OF HIS YOUNG SON, CAREER WITH THE METS AND YANKEES AS A PITCHING COACH TO HIS LIFE THREATENING ORDEAL WITH CANCER HE KEPT THIS READER TOTALLY RIVOTED TO THIS GREAT BOOK. MEL WAS A GREAT PITCHER AND DESERVES TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME. I ALSO ENJOYED HIS TIMES WITH DWIGHT GOODEN, JOE TORRE AND THE BOSS. AND AN ADDED BONUS IS HIS OPINION OF THE BEST STARTERS AND RELIEFERS HE HAS COACHED OVER THE YEARS WHICH IS AT THE VERY END OF THIS MUST READ FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS. OVERALL A GREAT CHOICE TO READ.