Perhaps it is fitting that I am reading this book about the 60's Dodgers. The best baseball book ever written remains The Boys of Summer about the 50's Dodgers. I see this is a sequel. As I read, the tone and the writer's voice reminds me of Boys. Vin Scully is retiring as the Dodgers announcer. The 88-year old Scully is the premier baseball voice of our time. It all fits. :)
The author tells the story of several Dodgers who he says epitomize the era of the 60' with all of its newfound diversity, disruptions, and violence. The Los Angeles Dodgers had a hodgepodge of white players, black players, conservatives, and liberals. The wild 60's was on display with this team.
Even though I grew up in Alabama, I always liked the Dodgers for some reason. Sandy Koufax was probably my favorite Dodger.
This is the story about the odyssey of 7 baseball players during the turbulent 60's. P. 3
The long and slow rise of Maury Wills from Washington D.C., eight years in the minors, to major league stardom abetted by Southerner Bobby Bragan. P. 3-31
The travails of rich kid Wes Parker, trying to escape his noxious parents, growing up in wealth in L.A., lonely in Paris, turning to baseball as a last resort, a fielding wizard at first base. P. 32
Maury Wills toiled 8 years in the minors before making the Dodger roster. In 1962 when stealing 104 bases, breaking the legendary Ty Cobb's 96, he was named the National League MVP. Before the days of player agents, he signed for $45,000 raised from $35,000. He didn't have the nerve to ask the parsimonious GM Buzzie Bavasi for more. Bavasi bragged publicly about taking advantage of his players during contract talks. P. 67-70
The chance encounter of JFK and Mudcat Grant in Detroit during the 1960 presidential campaign as the pitcher talked to the future President (and he listened) about his lifelong racial slights and hostility gives me a good feeling for Kennedy. The Kennedys grew up with no connections to African Americans. During this time black pitchers were thought of like black quarterbacks. Were they smart enough? Racism pure and simple. It's amazing that players like Wills and Grant hung in there long enough to achieve their ultimate success. The black pitcher who was king on the mound feared for his life outside of baseball. Has much changed today? In the Indian bullpen on 9/16/60 Mudcat made fun of the national anthem as it ended. One of his teammates hurled a racial insult. Grant left the game and the stadium. The Indian manager suspended him for the rest of the season. Grant returned the next year and won 15 games. Black protests during the Star Spangled Banner are nothing new. P 70-79
The magic of the Dodgers and Yankees 1963. The scramble over tickets at Chavez Ravine. P. 81
The magic of Koufax and Trixie. You have to admire the so-called utility player like Tracewski. Koufax only had two pitches. His secret was pitching outside rather than inside. His smooth delivery was something to behold. P. 95
The story of the integration of Holman Field at Vero Beach. The indignities suffered by black baseball players into the 60's is amazing. P. 106
The leader of the anti-segregation onslaught at Vero Beach was Tommy Davis. P. 110
Reference is made in the book to that crucial Dodger-Cardinals series in September of 1963 as the Cardinals made a run at the Dodgers which fell short. The Dodgers swept the Cards, ending their chances. There was the famous homerun by Dick Nen and the call by Harry Caray. The strange thing is that I'm not sure who I was rooting for, but I assume the Cardinals. This was Musial's last year. P. 115
Game I of the 1963 World Series in Yankee Stadium with Koufax vs. Whitey Ford was like a heavyweight championship fight. Since I don't closely follow major league baseball anymore, I can ask the question: is baseball this exciting these days? P. 116
The author recounts the '63 World Series and even though I know the outcome I get excited reading his prose. I like the limelight on "Trixie" Tracewski and the indomitable Sandy Koufax. P. 119
Koufax throws a curve ball that looks like it's dropping off a ledge. P. 122
The majesty of Sandy Koufax is thrilling to ready about. He was so good. He was so smooth. P. 129
Koufax struck out 15 winning the first game of the 1963 Series 5 to 1. P. 131
The Dodgers won the next game 4 to 1 behind Johnny Podres 4 to 1. Wills opened the game with a single and stole second despite Downing throw to first rather than the plate. The Yankees had not seen this kind of baseball in the American League. P. 135
The Dodgers sweep in the '63 Series. There was no uncontrolled celebration after the game, just professionals who knew they had done their job. It was a pitcher's series. P. 142
Koufax and Bavasi had contentious contract negotiations in the waning years of the reserve clause. P. 150
So much of the narrative in this book is the story of the Dodger black players of the 50's & 60's and the indignities they suffered not only where they grew up but after they became Dodgers. And there is their contract dealings with Buzzy Bavasi.
The paternalism of baseball toward its workers started to fray in the 60's. P. 181
The legendary Vin Scully, long-time play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers, is concluding his career this October as his Dodgers head into the playoffs. I can say that I am retiring with the golden voice of major league baseball.
The Dodgers struck it rich with the growth of California in the 60's. P. 192
Wes Parker HAD to make it with the Dodgers given his life's struggles largely the way his parents put him down. He grew up in a wealthy family and was protected. P. 196
Sandy Koufax seemed like the consumate professional. He was all business on the mound, so highly respected and held in awe. P. 197
He was funny and sociable off the field but a total competitor on the field. P. 198
Koufax was deemed to be totally virtuous. P. 200
Real baseball me listen for the crack of the bat. P. 201
The unlike Major League appearance of Wes Parker who was the 9,830 player to appear in the major leagues. P. 206
Away from ballparks, alone defined Maury Wills. P. 209
With his tortured childhood, his insecurities, his panic attacks, and his fear of failure, Wes Parker is made to sound like a real basket case. How did the poor guy put one foot in front of another much less play major league baseball? P. 268
The beginning of the Watts riot 8/11/65. P. 279
The heated Dodgers-Giants rivalry. Marichal konking Roseboro August of 1965 in San Francisco. P. 286
Overshadowed by Gibson and Koufax in the 60's, Marichal won 20 or more games in that decade. With the high leg kick, the ball looked like it was coming out of his left leg. It was hitting against a spider. P. 287
Solace and strength from everyday pleasures. P. 312-313
Ah, that '65 Series. I remember standing in Oden-Shirey Drugs watching part of one of the games.
No comments:
Post a Comment