No comments about AMERICAN GLADIATOR: The Life and Times of Pete Browning.

5 comments about Ya Gotta Believe: My Roller-Coaster Life As a Screwball Pitcher and Part-Time Father, and My Hope-Filled Fight Against Brain Cancer.

1. Wow! I'm not a baseball fan, or a Tug McGraw fan for that matter, but I read this book in a day. I love, love, love Tug's son Tim McGraw and it was amazing to read how Tug treated his children, Tim especially and they way Tim loved Tug so unconditionally-even paying for his medical bills, rent, furnishing a home for his father and spending hours on end just holding Tug's hand in Tug's final days. It makes me an even bigger fan of Tims. Tug's own childhood/family life was heartbreaking to read about, as well. The baseball parts were interesting, but not very exciting for me, as I am not a big fan of the sport, but baseball fans will definitely enjoy this book.
   There are some great pictures in the book also.



2. Tug McGraw was a bonafide original. From his thigh slap to his screwball to his love of a good time, Tug did things his way. But as he says during the book, sometimes his way was the selfish way. The most compelling part of the book for me was him discussing his relationship with his son Tim. From refusing to acknowledge his fatherhood to completely ignoring him (other than one visit in Houston) to finally coming around and taking responsibilty for himself and his son.
   
   That's a main theme in this book, taking responsibility. Unlike his ex-teammate Pete Rose who seemingly blamed everyone under the sun for his problems other than himself, Tug steps up and admits his mistakes. He says that he was not a good husband or father. He was determined not to make the same mistakes with his youngest son Matthew. His children all rallied around him as he battled brain cancer.
   
   Sadly this story doesn't have a happy ending as Tug passes away in January of 2004, a month before this book was released. The final chapter of this book is very touching as Don Yaeger describes Tug's final days. This book shows that it's never too late to say you're sorry and it's never too late to make things right. An excellent book, highly recommended.



3. Tug McGraw has had a shameful life story that not many people have known about. He had done some very bad things like neglecting his son, country singer Tim McGraw, because he refused to believe that he was his son. When he was dying he forgave everybody and was nice to all of his relatives, and admitted to all of the wrong things he did. He really showed that he was sorry for everything and he would have changed a lot if he could.
   
   I was truly impressed by how he handled everything when he was dying. He is definitely an amazing man, in more than one way.
   
   He had many family-related problems that he got through. He was a little crazy too, but a motivational speaker really got him to the World Series by telling him, "Ya Gotta Believe!"



4. First off I will admit to no small amount of prejucice when it comes to this book. I have been a Phillies fan since the 1970's and was a huge fan of Tug Mc Graw's growing up. In saying this perhaps this book had a deeper effect on me than the average person as I was aware of a lot of the events that Tug relates in this narrative of his life. What I was not aware of was his incredible courage while he was fighting this illness and the amazing warmth and generosity of his son, C&W star Tim Mc Graw. I feel you have to have grown up as part of Tug's generation to understand his motivations and behaviors. I am not saying that excuses the mistakes he made but it did help me to understand the WHY of what he did. In addition it made me appreciate all the more the courage it took him to admit those mistakes and the effort he put forth trying to correct them. This is an extremely moving and emotional tale with tremendous highs and lows and should effect everyone who reads it. Also this is an incredibly honest insight into the psyche of professional athletes in the 70's and 80's. Highly recommended for its' passion and honesty.



5. I grew up a Met fan in the 70's but his career in NY was a bit vague to me. I knew him better down the pike in Philly while unfortunately having to root against him. I learned so much about him while turning every page and he made me laugh and later brought me close to tears. The book was splended and showed many of his peaks and valleys, reminded me and informed me of his baseball career. Its often said that "this (one) is unique," but Tug truly was one-of-a-kind and apparently a joy to many. The adversity he experienced was wide-spread and unfortunately it may've trickled down to his children, specifically the now renown, Tim McGraw. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, especially those that knew him during his sports career; the final 100 pages were riveting as you get a front row seat at his final months riding a bad roller-coaster.

No comments about A Biographical Dictionary of the Baseball Hall of Fame, 2d ed..

5 comments about Ernie Harwell: My 60 Years In Baseball (Honoring a Detroit Legend).

1. As a young boy growing up in a Detroit suburb, I often fell asleep at night with a transistor radio and an earphone, listening to Ernie Harwell and George Kell broadcasting Tigers' games. I've been a fan since. This book brought back a lot of those memories. It was well written and a fitting tribute to a man who has meant so much to the game. Well done.



2. Ernie Harwell has the ability to articulate his thoughts and possesses a vast reservoir of anecdotes and observations based on his lengthy career. The combination made this into one of the more enjoyable baseball books I've read in recent years.



3. Ernie Harwell popped up in a lot of unexpected places in the year 2001. On October 3rd, he broadcast the official recreation of the 1951 Miracle at Coogan's Bluff game for Major League Baseball's official website; later on, he broadcast the final game of a World Series for an all-time-greats fantasy league also run by MLB. Not bad, for a man who was fired by his longtime Detroit Tigers employees over a decade ago for being "too old".

   "My 60 Years in Baseball" has a very unusual title for an autobiography. That's because it's not an autobiography -- it's a standard bio, written by columnist Tom Keegan. Presumably this was done with Ernie Harwell's full cooperation, and reprints of several Harwell newspaper columns highlight the book. I'm just a little confused by the use of the word "My".

   I know Tom Keegan's columns from the New York Post, and "My 60 Years" reads very much like a 275-page human interest story. It's a puff piece, but in the best way possible. Keegan tracks down interviews with athletes, writers and friends who have known Harwell at various points along his 60-plus-year career, and the stories related are mostly heart-warming. The best chapter in the book is an interview with Denny McLain, one-time Tiger pitching ace, from his cell in federal prison. Even repeat convicts love the voice of Ernie Harwell.

   Don't read "Ernie Harwell" because it's the best sports bio of all time, but read it to become more familiar with one of the last of the original (and now "old school") announcers. I listened to Ernie for the brief time I lived in the Detroit metro area, and I'm glad I had the chance. It's a specific style of broadcast, heavy on imagery and game detail, that's no longer in vogue and will be dearly missed when the last of its practictioners hangs up their microphones. Read the stories Keegan finds, and read again the reprinted Harwell columns, which are a delight of word choice, firm opinion, and humor.




4. If we could only have more time to get to know people like Ernie Harwell, there would be a much greater appreciation for life in this world. Despite all of the many changes in his life, the opportunity to be around baseball for so many years, get paid to do it and enjoy it thoroughly...he has remained humble and human.

   He is quick to tell you that he is "just a turtle on fence post", noting that we all know that turtle didn't get there by himself. He credits so many people for the opportunities that he has experienced...yet he has spent so many years positively influencing our lives, about life as seen through the many stories he tells via baseball.

   Although I have only lived in the Detroit metro area for two years which limits my exposure to hearing Harwell call games all my life, I could immediately feel the respect and warmth of his broadcasts. Seeing him at several baseball and community events, I am always impressed with the attention that the sports stars give him when they are around him. Not only professional baseball players but professionals from other sports seem to delight in being around him and hearing the stories he tells with his charming southern drawl.

   Whether you have the opportunity to hear him or you value hearing baseball stories that have something interesting to learn from in each story, you will enjoy this book.

   If you are a person that enjoys learning from people that have shared their life with others and brought a positive influence to the world, you will enjoy this biography of a hall of famer.

   Thanks Ernie!




5. If we could only have more time to get to know people like Ernie Harwell, there would be a much greater appreciation for life in this world. Despite all of the many changes in his life, the opportunity to be around baseball for so many years, get paid to do it and enjoy it thoroughly...he has remained humble and human.

   He is quick to tell you that he is "just a turtle on fence post", noting that we all know that turtle didn't get there by himself. He credits so many people for the opportunities that he has experienced...yet he has spent so many years positively influencing our lives, about life as seen through the many stories he tells via baseball.

   Although I have only lived in the Detroit metro area for two years which limits my exposure to hearing Harwell call games all my life, I could immediately feel the respect and warmth of his broadcasts. Seeing him at several baseball and community events, I am always impressed with the attention that the sports stars give him when they are around him. Not only professional baseball players but professionals from other sports seem to delight in being around him and hearing the stories he tells with his charming southern drawl.

   Whether you have the opportunity to hear him or you value hearing baseball stories that have something interesting to learn from in each story, you will enjoy this book.

   If you are a person that enjoys learning from people that have shared their life with others and brought a positive influence to the world, you will enjoy this biography of a hall of famer.

   Thanks Ernie!

2 comments about Safe by a Mile.

1. Although I don't know much about baseball, I can tell you that you don't have to know much to enjoy this book. This stories are timeless and his love of the game is contagious.
   However, if you do know a lot about baseball you will be delighted beyond belief. This is a great chance to hear inside, candid stories about all of your favorite players. And it seems as though Charlie Metro has met them all.
   This book is a wonderful piece of History that should not be overlooked. Just read the first page and you will be hooked.



2. The author is a baseball mediocrity who failed as both a player and manager. He offers little insight into the game and has nothing interesting to say. Read _Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms_ instead. Eldon Auker is a genuine character, a great baseball man, and his story provides more entertainment in 200 pages than Metro does in 500.

No comments about Ty Cobb: A Biography (Baseball's All-Time Greatest Hitters).

5 comments about A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cooperstown.

1. Mickey McDermott is a name I remember from collecting baseball cards during the 1950's, and I wanted to read about players who were a part of that era in baseball. I found the book to be okay, but it became tiring reading about his alcoholic episodes with teammates and others during his life. Call me square, but I see little humor in anecdotes involving drinking. McDermott, himself, realized he had to get help and has now been sober for a number of years. I knew that Bob Nieman hit home runs in his first two at bats in the major leagues, but I didn't realize that both were hit off of Mickey McDermott. I did find two mistakes in the book. He mentions on page 17 that Walt Dropo's record for twelve consecutive hits over a three game period may never be broken. Mike "Pinky" Higgins shares this record with Dropo. Maybe Higgins did it over more than three games. Also, on page 103 he twice refers to his old catching teammate on the Washington Senators as "Cliff" Courtney. Old Scrapiron, as we all know, was Clint Courtney. I'm sure this may have been an oversight, but to mention it two times made me wonder. As I said, the book was okay, but I certainly didn't find it to be "uproariously funny" as it states on the cover.



2. I had a 3-week gap between the time I finished "A Funny Thing" and the time I wrote this review. In that interim, my enthusiasm for it cooled considerably. My original impression was that it was a howl- a truly entertaining tale of Major League Baseball in its' finest era. That would be the 15 or so years just after WW2 before free agency and most especially talent thinning expansion begot their dual horrors. But upon reflection, the stories of debauchery and wasted ability simply wore out their welcome. I also tired of reading how Mickey tossed away so many second chances. Even with his original skills dimmed by night life and arm trouble, McDermott had three things in his favor Friends, some residue of talent and a few baseball folks who believed in him. He blew those as well. I was almost angered by how he blew his last chance with the Cardinals in '62 or '63. Johnny Keane was right to dump him. Another minor gripe I had with "A Funny Thing" is there was no year by year box of McDermott's pitching career, a very rare -and strange-omission for a sports story. Two minor points: the old Senators catcher was Clint "Scrap Iron" Courtney, not "Cliff". And the real Yankees "Murderers Row" played in the 1920s, consisting of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bob Meusel etc. However, I do give the author (or his editor) credit for his referring his readers back or forward to specific pages to recount incidents. Those searching for a solid baseball tale in the same time frame might enjoy "Baseball's Natural" by John Theodore. It is the story of the late Eddie Waitkus, who also hurt his career immeasurably with his nightlife. At least Eddie was a serious guy and decorated WW2 vet with "reasons" to drink. Would anyone enjoy "A Funny Thing"? Perhaps the hardest of hard core Red Sox fans that remember Mickey from his `48-'55 stint with the team. Sadly, that's about it.



3. I read this book, interesting enough, while on vacation in Cooperstown. I am a big fan of baseball and enjoy reading about our national pasttime. This book had me laughing out loud many times, drawing interesting looks from my wife, kids and other guests of the resort we were at. McDermott's recollections in this book are hilarious and was written in a very funny and lighthearted way. When he died a few months ago I felt I had known him from reading this book. If you enjoy reading funny baseball stories from both on and off the field, especially during the best years in baseball (40's-50's), buy this book, you won't be disappointed.



4. I'll be honest, I had never heard of Mickey McDermott before I stumbled upon this book. I started reading it in a bookstore and found myself laughing out loud, a very good sign I will like a book. I bought it and was not disappointed. Mickey tells how he went from can't miss prospect to washed up and broke. He's had an interesting life filled with numerous hilarious baseball stories and drinking. Lots and lots of drinking, according to Mickey. He made mistakes throughout his life and Mickey owns up to them. Overall, a very good book about the golden age of baseball and a lot of laughs too.



5. A very enjoyable book. McDermott seems to have been the Alfred E. Newman ("What, me worry?") of the baseball world. McDermott is one of hundreds of lads who posessed an amazing talent to either hit a baseball or throw it, but for reasons unknown didn't fully make it to the top of the hill. So what? The reason this book is unique is that McDermott was so much more than a baseball player. He was talented in other areas, was full of vinegar, and was generally fun to be around. And that comes through in his book. Because of a strange bit of good fortune (as explained in the book), McDermott was able to reinvent himself - this is a true, real life happy ending.

2 comments about Ted Williams: A Baseball Life.

1. this is the best book i have ever read if i had the time i would read this book a hundred times. The reason i bought this book is because ted williams is the best hitter in baseballs long history.



2. I am not the type of person to pick up a book about a sports figure even if I am a fan. I love history books especially Civil War, Napoleonic history and biographies of great leaders. I surprised myself by taking the time to read this book. If you are interested in Ted Williams or baseball especially during the era in which he played 1939-1960, this book could not be rated higher. The author has an introduction of Teds early life and then the remainder of the book is broken down so that each chapter covers a year of his career. This puts Teds life in context of World events which the author neatly weaves within its pages. During his career Ted Williams displayed and developed his hitting skills with the desire of becoming the "greatest hitter who ever lived". Hitting the ball was his obsession. His great desire to excel however was balanced by a contentious personality which was easily set off by the goading of the Boston media. Looking at his stats and realizing that almost 5 years of his life during his prime was spent in the military, I have no doubt that he would have broken Ruth's home run record. Ted Wiliams was both an artist and a scientist at hitting. He studied pitchers, strike zones, handling the bat like no other player. When Mickey Mantle was asked about converstaions with Ted Williams on hitting he said "He makes me crazy." Mickey Mantle did not understand the science of hitting.
   Ted Williams probably was the greatest hitter that ever lived, but his personality marred his relationships with the Boston media, sometimes his team mates, and his own family.

   I do have a few criticisms however. The book is called A Baseball Life, and that is the authors focus. Ted Williams was an intensely private man whether the author out of respect for Ted Williams or lack of investigation gives very little information on his private life. We learn some things about his family such as his mother was an ardent salvation army worker, yet we know nothing of how Ted Williams felt personally about spiritual matters. We also are denied any information on his relationships with his wife Doris or his daughter. The last chapter stops without little mention of his business interests or his managerial stint in the late 60's. Despite these ommissions, Ted Williams A Baseball Life is an exciting, informative look at perhaps the greatest hitter that ever lived yet at the same time considered by others a selfish egotist. When Joe Dimaggio was asked "what do you think of Ted Williams?" His reply was "greatest lefthanded hitter that ever lived?" " "What do you think of Ted Williams as a ballplayer?"
   "greatest lefthanded hitter that ever lived".

No comments about Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks: 2001 World Series (World Series Superstars).

5 comments about DiMaggio: Setting the Record Straight.

1. Just an FYI - DO NOT buy this book if you are concerned about wasting your money. This book was written for one purpose ONLY - to set the record straight about Mr. Engelberg himself and to make more profit off the DiMaggio name.
   
   Remember, this book was written by the very man who, according to MULTIPLE news reports, literally ripped the World Series ring off of Joe D's finger immediately after the legend himself passed away. To top that off, this same man, who claims to have been Joe's closest "friend" and confidant, has been continuously investigated by the FBI for defrauding Joe during his lifetime, and for defrauding his estate after his death. Don't believe me? Do the research online...
   
   The intentions are not to "set the record straight" but instead to for the author to defend himself against claims made against him (some verifiably true) about HIS true intentions behind his relationship with Joltin' Joe.
   
   The author of this book is in fact the executor of Joe's estate. His sole purpose is to make as much money off of the DiMaggio name as possible. Greedy and dishonest as he is, please don't help add to his fortune by purchasing the book. If you REALLY want to read it, even out of curiousity, buy it off of eBay or find a friend who can lend it to you.
   
   And if you are a true fan of Joltin' Joe, I don't recommend you read the book at all. Misrepresentations and lies about one of baseball's legends are all you will find. Joe himself is tossing in his grave at the thought of this book having been published in the first place!



2. After knowing little of the Dimaggio, Cramer, Engelberg situation this book sheds little light on who actually was looking out for Joe. Engelberg portrays himself as a Joe D worshipper in most unbelievable ways. He details how he helped Joe make millions of dollars without any compensation while Joe was alive. Basically the book is Engelberg's long winded attempt to clear his name when, in doing so, the book heightens suspicions of Engelberg. In my humble opinion, Engelberg and Cramer were both out to take advantage of Joe and some claims made in each book are likely valid. I enjoyed reading the book up to 80 pages, after which the book goes on to glorify Engelberg to ad nauseam.



3. Had I read the readers' reviews of this book prior to reading the book itself, I might have passed it up and missed out on an exceptionally well-done, thoughtful and moving account of Joe DiMaggio's life (particurly the later years). Engelberg's biography of Joe is, of course (since he is telling the story of a man he knew intimately and worked with for over 25 years) also a look at the relationship between the two men; Sports Icon and shrewd businessman/lawyer/confidant. Too many of the little details about Joe ring true for me to doubt that the overall tenor of this book is not on the mark. I read this with a dual interest (being a long time Marilyn Monroe fan, as well as a fan of the Yankee Clipper), and the relationship between the two, which Engelberg recounts based on his own conversations and knowledge, rings true. Engelberg makes no attempt to hide his disdain of Joe's brother, Dom, nor of a few other folks that apparently there were conflicts with, particulary concerning memorabilia and what happened to Joe's World Series rings. This is no way detracted from the story itself. Setting the Record Straight takes on the task of doing that, at least from the viewpoint of someone who appears to have been a dear friend of DiMaggio's. While I am sure there are other agendas out there, particularly in the readers review section, those issues are beyond the scope of the book itself.
   
   I found this moving, sad at times, and altogether a sensitive and sympathetic view of Engelberg's hero, who became his friend as well. Other books may be better for biographic details, particularly of Joe D's playing years, but this book makes an effort to maintain the dignity that DiMaggio displayed his entire life, and rebuts and/or clarifies some incidents that were reported in other biographies.



4. Very enjoyable book! It's amazing how devoted Morris was to Joe D. What a great friendship they shared. I admired both men in reading about it. And what a pro Joe D. was! I liked how he always insisted on looking his best and would not sign those bats!! He was tough and men today just aren't as strong as the great Dimaggio was! He's such a legend and his 56 game hitting streak amazes me every time I read about it. I can't imagine anyone being good enough to break his record. He was an amazing man and a real class act. Great book!



5. Joe Dimaggio was a pompous jerk, who mandated that had to be call when he was introduced at the "stadium." He also had to be the "last" person to enter, and therefore have the most attention, where ever he went too. His brother Dom had more class in his baby finger than Joe. There is no doubt that Joe was a great ball player and very well could be the greatest to ever play the game, but he destroyed, in my opinion his greatness, with his own narcissism. Setting the record strait never does.