Finally a book about baseball memories from my era---the 50's and 60's---first hand accounts from personal interviews by the author. This is nostalgia dripping nonstop. "Tales from baseball's golden age told by the men who played it." An epitome of ORAL HISTORY, the players speaking for themselves.
JIM BOUTON
The author was friends with Jim Bouton. Ralph Houk was a good manager, but a company man all the way when he stepped up to the GM job after the '63 season. After winning 21 games in '63 Bouton asked for a $10,000 raise. He held out briefly and settled for $8,500 with mean Ralph Hour. Houk had no say in the hiring of Yogi Berra as his successor as manager. Despite winning the pennant in 1964, Houk fired Yogi because he simply didn't like him.
(Chatting with Trent, retired academic, who taught at Fordham in the Bronx and who is a big Yankees fan and Mickey Mantle fan)
Johnny Keane didn't work out as the Yankee manager in 1965. The vaunted Yankees had a certain culture and Keane did not fit in. P. 10
The Yankees had a losing record in 1965. Twenty games into the '66 season Keane was fired. The Yankees were out of contention for the next decade. An amazing decline of that historic franchise. P. 1
ED FROELICH
Ed Froelich was a trainer who knew Babe Ruth (he called himself Baby). The greatest character in the history of the game and arguably the greatest baseball player ever. Two points. He did not point to a homer in that series against the Cubs. Babe seldom hit homeeruns to centerfield, always to right field. Why would he had pointed to centerfield. This account puts an end to that legend. Also, he really was a great pitcher. He could change speeds. He could hit spots. He had movement on his pitches. Case closed.
MARTY MARION
Marty Marion, long-time all-star shortstop for the Cardinals, talks about the thrill of playing the Yankees in the World series in Yankee Stadium, I can only imagine the thrill. P. 28
If you don't like Stan, you don't like anybody, a real country boy. P. 30
When Ted Williams bounded around the bases with his homer in the 1946 all-Star game, he said to Marty Marion as he rounded second base, "Don't you wish you could hit like that" P. 33
Country Slaughter scored the winning run in the 7th game of the World Series in 1946 from first on a single to left field. Johnny Pesky, th cut-off man, had his back to the plate, and no one told him to throw home. Slaughter was not going to stop no matter what. P. 34
Marion's defense of the Cardinals regarding Jackie Robinson, that he knew of no threat of a strike by the Cardinals over Robinson, rings hollow. Marion does himself no favors in his account here.
REX BARNEY
The first major league game Rex Barney saw he pitched in it. P. 40
Rex Barney says that Pee Wee Reese was Jackie's greatest champion, more so than Mr. Rickey.
Barney says that Pee Wee put his arm around Jackie. Mrs. Robinson says that never happened.
Mr. Rickey traded people right away who did not desire to play with Jackie like Stankey. P. 45
The abuse that Jackie Robinson was horrendous. P. 45
Jackie Robinson was the most exciting player he ever saw. P. 46
STAN MUSIAL
Native of Pennsylvania.
Though a Pirates fan, his father signed his 17-yr son to a Cardinals contract. P. 52
He started in the minors as a pitcher. Had a strong arm in high school. Every HS has at least one kid who could throw hard.
stan is not bashful about bragging on himself. P. 54
The Cardinals outdrew the Browns but the fans were pulling for the Browns at Sportsman Park. P. 55
"Money was secondary in those days," Stan says. Hard to believe. P. 56
JIM BROSNAN
Clearly a most literate baseball player.
TED WILLIAMS
The Splendid Splinter praise Shoeless Joe Jackson. Indeed, why is Shoeless Joe not in the HOF?
GENE CONLEY
One of only 13 athletes to play both professional basketball and professional baseball.
PHIL RIZZUTO
He says he was the last of the old guard Yankees after DiMaggio retired because Casey wanted him gone in favor of the young kids who would be loyal to him. P. 115
RON SANTO
Ron Santo iwas a great third baseman and one of the great gentlemen of the game.
ROY CAMPENELLA
Maris was a great all-around baseball player, though he will always be known primarily for the 61 homer's in 161 and the home run race with Mickey Mantle. That 1961 season was the most memorable baseball srson of my youth.
His 1957 Tops vasevball card is my all-time favorite.
One of the all-time great catchers in major league baseball. Started in the Negro Leagues with the Baltimore Elite Gains. He was the second African American baseball player to break the color barrier. He became the Dodgers catcher in 1948 and wen to with NL MVP recognition in 1951, 1953, and 1955. His tragic accident ended his baseball ended his career before he could play in Los Angeles.
Grew up in Philadelphia. Bought his first for $25 and had to push it off the lot. As a kid worked for 25 cents a day. Started playing for the Elite Gians in 1937 at the age of 15.
ROGER MARIS
Maris was a great all-around baseball player, though he will always be known primarily for the 61 homer's in 161 and the home run race with Mickey Mantle. That 1961 season was the most memorable baseball srson of my youth.