No comments about THE MEANING OF NOLAN RYAN.

1 comments about How Far do You Wanna Go?.

1. Inspirational story by a reluctant baseball coach and mentor who helped 16 inner-city kids avoid the streets and succeed in sports and life. Tru Dixon is not perfect but he is honest, caring and willing to give of himself. When you read this book you will feel like doing something good today!

1 comments about It Takes a Team: Mike Cameron.

1. Great inspirational all ages book by Seattle local favorite Mike Cameron. I would recommend it for any young sports fan.

1 comments about Ted Williams: A Portrait in Words and Pictures.

1. For many Ted Williams remains a mystery wrapped in an enigma. This well written and nicely crafted book does much to untangle the mystery, intrigue, and controversy that seems to orbit Ted Williams to this day.

   Williams, like Ruth, was both wonderfully flawed and wonderfully talented. This book reveals both with honesty and candor.

   It has been said that in learning about others we find ourselves. I found this to be the case here. For example, which is not specifically a book about and for adult children of alcoholics Ted Williams definitely was one (in his case, the son of a religious addict). If you find yourself on the recovery path you will find much to glean from here! I found myself in this book time and time again. Perhaps you will too. Now if only I could HIT like Williams...

   And on top of everything else it's a Baseball book with photos and stats galore! What more could you ask for?

   I adored this book and believe that you will too!

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.

5 comments about Mike Schmidt: Philadelphia's Hall of Fame Third Baseman.

1. There have been many players to grace the hot corner, Arky Vaughan, Pie Traynor, George Brett, Wade Boggs, George Kell, however none of them hold a candle to Michael Jack Schmidt and this book tells why.

   From his days at Ohio State to his glory years in Philadelphia, Mike Schmidt is the standard by which all other third basemen are measured. He set a record for most home runs in a season by a third baseman.

   He also holds the record for most home runs in a career, and on magical day in Chicago he belted 4 home runs on consecutive at bats. The reading of this book was truly a pleasure.

   Ranking tied for second on the best of 1999 in my reviews, you'll be hard pressed to find another book like this. The true book for the serious Phillies fan and for those true baseball purists. I can't say enough great things about this book!




2. "Although I have not personally attended a game in well over 35 years, I can appreciate the personal heroism and character attributed to Schmidt by Dr. Kashatus.



3. As far as the book itself goes, it is a very factual, general account of Michael Jack and his career. Mostly gleaned from old newpaper clippings and quotes, it reads more like a history book than anything. (although I was able to skim through it in just an hour at the library). Not being a fan of baseball whatsoever, this biography actually did nothing for me. So why the 4 stars?

   I'll tell you why. I am from the Philadelphia area and am very familiar with our reputation as fans. I am a Flyers, Sixers, Eagles and Phillies fan, I will never sell out no matter how bad those clowns are and no matter where I live. Schmitty always whined and cried about the treatment he received there and there's one little passage in this book thats worth your time to read.

   One snowy morning, Michael "2 Bad knees and a dream" Jack was chasing after his daughter when 2 kids saw him and excitedly started yelling his name. Turning to happily acknowledge the tykes, he was then proclaimed a, "choker." He cried. Now thats funny stuff.




4. The danger when someone writes about a childhood hero (which the author admits in his introduction) is that the author can idolize the subject without question, apologize for certain aspects of his baseball life, or worse, both. Kashatus' book is well-researched, but it falls prey to both temptations. The result is a somewhat saccharine effort whose goal is to lionize Schmidt without much critical analysis regarding Schmidt's approach to the game and the fans. If you don't know much about Schmidt, then the book might be helpful, but if you do, you'll be disappointed.



5. The author does a nice job recounting Schmidt's career -- that is to say, his research was good. That being said, there's a temptation when someone writes about his boyhood hero (and the author expresses his admiration for Schmidt in the introduction) to put the subject on a pedestal no matter what, to apologize for perceived problems, or, worse, both. Unfortunately, the author falls victim to both temptations, and the book suffers because of it. The book will serve those who don't know much about Schmidt fairly well. For those who know more about him, you won't learn much that is new. The book also lacks meaningful analysis about Schmidt's career. In summary, I expected more on this subject and from this author, and I was disappointed.

2 comments about Jim Bunning (Baseball In America).

1. Perhaps my view can be attributed to the inherent skepticism of being a Philadelphia sports fan, but the tone of this book rings more like a political endorsement than biography. It's very thin on Bunning's early life, devotes very little space to his time with the Pirates and Dodgers, and spends an inordinate amount of time on the campaign trail. About the only time I got a sense of the real Jim Bunning was in the chapters devoted to his minor league managing career. As the Phutile Phillies were apt to do during Bunning's career, Dolson doesn't get enough run support and does an admirable job with very thin material.



2. My name is Chad, and I'm a Philadelphia Phillies' fan. Yes, that's correct. I'm the one.

   Having followed the Phillies my entire life, I was already a fairly big Jim Bunning fan. So, I went into reading this book slightly biased. Unfortunately, the book leaves a bit to be desired as far as a biography goes. I would say it's more of a baseball memoir.

   There was very little about his private life, and his childhood and early life was practically skipped. However, the professional baseball chapters were, by far, the best. Bunning has an incredible knowledge of the game of baseball, and he was one of the smartest pitchers in the history of baseball. His hard work ethic could not be matched, and he truly did a lot for the game.

   His pitching days are nicely summed up in the book. I was captivated by his recounting of the perfect game against the New York Mets. In all of the baseball chapters, the detail was phenominal. I could almost feel myself being at the game in person. The personal stories (i.e. - Ted Williams' 3 strikeouts)were nicely mixed in.

   His minor league managerial career is also nicely documented, and I liked getting a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in a professional baseball organization. I was amazed at the amount of politics involved in the front office.

   I realize that the chapters on his politcal career had to be included, but they seemed a little long winded. There also seemed to be too much of a do-or-die situation involved every single time he ran for office. It was made out to be more dramatic than it probably was. In all honesty, the end of the book (the politics) got quite dry and I had some trouble staying completely interested like I was with the exciting baseball sections.

   Overall, Jim Bunning's book is a pretty decent read. The flow for the first 3-quarters of the book is really smooth, and fairly exciting. The personal stories peppered throughout the book keeps you wanting to read on. It is a must for any fan of the game of baseball.

No comments about Nolan Ryan : Texas Fastball to Cooperstown.

2 comments about Big Papi (Spanish edition): La Historia de Mis Anhelos y Mis Grandes Batazos.

1. Is baseball good? Truly a thought to siphen, nor weary and lasting is the prime thought. I'll concede Senor David Ortiz is great, but only if you stop waiving that violin in my face.



2. I bought the book for my cousin, he and myself love it. Is very easy to read and funny

2 comments about Hello Everybody, I'm George Kell.

1. That George's book turned out to be a long, tall, cold drink of water on a hot summer day came as no surprise to me. We in Michigan, who watched George throughout his years as the premier Tiger TV announcer and as one of the great players of his time, have long known of his commitment to to all that is good and right about America's pastime. But he also served as a prophet concerning the aspects of the modern game which led to a slow decay not only in the quality of the game, but in the character of some of the game's players and management. Even so, how can a baseball aficionado not feel the warm sunshine of yesteryear as we read of a living Hall of Famer's account of playing under Manager Connie Mack, alongside and against Ted Williams...Joe DiMaggio...even Minnie Minoso! George's book is special. I can virtually guarantee you will not read the likes of "Hello everybody, I'm George Kell" ever again. It is an easy-reading account of baseball's glory days, when a nation came out of a war against the forces of evil, and after looking in the mirror, realized the color line must be obliterated in what was then the undisputed King of American sport. George's decency shines through the entire book, just as his light has shined his entire life. Bravo!



2. I know...I know...Ernie Harwell is a legend in Detroit and a Man of God. I would never take anything away from Mr.Harwell.
   
   But, having listened to them both for years growing up, I can tell you that George Kell DEFINED baseball for many more Detroiters than you might think.
   
   And this book helps resurrect the feeling he brought to the game for those who still miss him.
   
   He had so many great lines. Every Tiger fan knows what kind of play he was describing when he said "...And it's a dandy."
   
   And what about "...that helps." Maybe too obscure of a reference for some but Kell's voice uttering those words pop into my head almost everytime a fortuitious circumstance occurs in my life.
   
   A little old fashioned, maybe even uptight by the standards of the 1990's when he hung it up, George would be PERFECT as the ultimate retro announcer in today's baseball climate where fans, so jaded by one disillusionment after another, would relish a rock-solid influence like the GREAT George Kell...