Listed are a few of many great Baseball and Yankee books, I have read, and know all of you would probably enjoy. I also would like to know if any of you have read the books, noted with *****(5 asterisks, pre-ceding the book title). Any feedback on those and other great reads/books you’ve read on MLB and/or the Yankees, is much appreciated…!!! (I imagine you all have read some great books, we'd like to hear about) *****56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Numer in Sports (Kostya Kennedy) *****The Era: 1947-1957: When the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants Ruled The World (Roger Kahn) ____________________________________________ I highly recommend any/all of these. (Not necessarily in this order): -The Summer of 1949 (David Halberstam-note Original Printing in 1989 is a better book, than the revised version from 02.) -The Unforgettable Season: Joe DiMaggio, Ted Willialms, and the Record Setting Summer of 1941. (Phil Bildner) Originally published as The Summer of 1941. -Murderer’s Row: 1927 New York Yankees (G.. H. Fleming) -I Never Had It Made-(auto-bio)-by Jackie Robinson -Sixty-One: The Team- The Record- The Men, (by Tony Kubek-1987). [not to be mistaken with the book-“1961” by Phil Pepe/ Sporting News Presents:]-I preferred Kubeks book over Pepe’s. which lacks the insight from the dugout or clubhouse. Kubek’s book originally was printed in 1987, prior to the book and movie 61 or 61 in 1961 -1961-The Inside Story of the Maris-Mantle Home Run Chase (Phil Pepe-The Sporting News Presents) -Bums: History of the Brooklyn Dodgers (Peter Goldenbock) -Ball Four: (Jim Bouton)-revised to: Ball Four: The Final Pitch -The Mick-(auto-bio by M. Mantle). If you’ve read any of these, let me know what you thought of these Classic Books, or any other sports book not listed here. Has anyone read a good Berra, or Stengel Biography? or other books by or about any Yankee great(s).
Thanks Rick. You always have served as one huge inspiration to me. I am forever indebted, for your friendship, which is an honor, and a rare gem to me!
Has anyone read a good Berra, or Stengel Biography? or other books by or about any other Yankee great(s), not mentioned herein? A brief note on the book 'The Summer of 1949". Originally published in 1949/50. The out of print original had a painting cover of Joe Swinging ( a classic pic). A few of those originals made it to the bookstores, with a reversed image of DiMaggio swinging in a Left Handed batting posture. The publisher recalled most books from stores and distributors, corrected the covers painting, turning Joe around on the right side of the plate. A few did manage to make it into the hands of readers. If you ever see this book, which now has a totally different cover, than the original, and it shows the old painting, as a Lefty Joe. You indeed have an error book cover. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find out what the value of an error cover is worth, although they are impossible to find.
I read my share of baseball books, most are good easy readings- Ball Four (Jim Bouton) and The Bronx Zoo (Sparky Lyle)- remain near the top of my list as well as Joe Pepitone's Joe, You Coulda Made us Proud -- all are/were very entertaining and enlightening.
_____________ yup- and Pepitone tells a story about how he once gave Mantle some marijuana before a game vs the Twins (If I remember correctly), and Mantle had a rough time striking out a few times before getting the game winning hit. Well, after the game, according to Pepitone, The Mick grabbed him around the collar and said, "don't ever give me anymore of that shit". (or words to that effect) lol
:MARIS61: LMAO....Oooohh My. I wouldn't want to piss off the Mick..... Good story, I've yet to hear of....I'll have to check out Pepitone's Book. Thanks for the lead, that's what I was hoping/looking for, new reading material.
One problem facing readers of Yankee History, is which era is most appealing? They all are really. One can literally find encyclopedia's on Yankee History, spanning day one to present, to big a book to consume let alone read. Pick an era, you like, then go for it: If you want to read of the Ruth-Gehrig era: I'd definitely read: -Murderer’s Row: 1927 New York Yankees (G.. H. Fleming) If you want to read of Joe DiMaggio's magic: I'd try, one of these 2 books. (I enjoyed these more than the other books of any Yankee period or Teams): -The Summer of 1949 (David Halberstam-note Original Printing in 1989 is a better book, than the revised version from 02.) -The Unforgettable Season: Joe DiMaggio, Ted Willialms, and the Record Setting Summer of 1941. (Phil Bildner) Originally published as The Summer of 1941. If you like the M&M era try: -Sixty-One: The Team- The Record- The Men, (by Tony Kubek-1987) .
This is one of my favs; Yankees Century: 100 Years of New York Yankees Baseball admin Books, Reviews, Uncategorized Add you comment Yankees Century: 100 Years of New York Yankees Baseball Yankees Century: 100 Years of New York Yankees Baseball Yankees Century: 100 Years of New York Yankees Baseball Published in September 2002 * Hardcover: 496 pages * Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (September 4, 2002) * Language: English * Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.3 x 1.3 inches * Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds. Order Yankees Century at Amazon.com Editorial Reviews ERIC NEEL ESPN.com Page Two 10/9/02: It says here that 14 percent of Americans root for the Yankees and the other 86 percent root for their demise. No fence-sitting; you’re in or you’re out with the Yanks. When it comes to cheering on the Yanks — it’s all or nothing.It says here that 14 percent of Americans root for the Yankees and the other 86 percent root for their demise. No fence-sitting; you’re in or you’re out with the Yanks. When it comes to cheering on the Yanks — it’s all or nothing. I’m sure the 14 percent have this book already, and that they’re reading it aloud to their kids every night before bed, wiping the tears from the kids’ faces, letting them know how deep and wide the Yanks’ history is. If you’re in the other 86 percent, you ought to be reading it, too. First, because there’s something devilishly satisfying in reading about the early days, when the team was nearly shut out of Manhattan, playing on a sloppy, cobbled-together field with a swamp in right. Second, because as you turn the pages you come to realize that from DiMaggio to Mantle, from Bucky Dent and Reggie to Paul O’Neill and El Duque, these guys and the things they’ve done (sometimes to you, sometimes in spite of you) are part of your history, part of how you remember and imagine your life. And third, because it’s insanely thorough, full of details you’ve forgotten or never knew, and very good looking.
Sounds like a damn fine book. All encompassing too, 100 years Wow. I wish I had amazoned that of late. (and to think its 12 years old-I've obviously had my head in the sand). In my shopping cart..... so I guess the book is saying, We Are A Minority, Here...!
Is that for a Hardcover, I imagine? I'll have to go look at this soon. I have had good luck, buying paperbacks from Vendors, on the Amazon website. I don't like buying used books, one never knows what they are getting. Yet I have found a few books from vendors, with new books, paperbacks, at a fraction of the cost....will check it out, and respond. Sounds like a damn fine historical to present- book tho'.
...yeah, it's a big assed hard cover...well worth the money. I've probably read it 4-5 times. Aside from the recent history we're all familiar with, the beginning of the book and the tangled plot that led to the eventual formation of the Yanx was very intriguing. If it weren't for a couple of shady characters and some shrewd politics, the franchise may never have happened.s ...the corruption that both encumbered and aided the Yanx first 10-15 years was unimaginable.
Thanks 59- Your offering, IS exactly what I was looking for in this post, ie. a great Yankees Book, (which I've either: never read, or heard of yet). Your insight is always appreciated...!
...Matt, I thought I knew virtually everything about the history of the Yanx. I was wrong. Most people are not aware of the things that the team went through before becoming a perennial contender in the 20's. ...the things that went on during their first 20 years will make you shake your head in disbelief...like I said, it was really somewhat of a miracle that the Yanx ever morphed from the Baltimore Orioles into the Highlanders and eventually become known as the Yankees. The Giants were determined to keep the Yanx out of Manhattan and a month before their first season home opener they didn't even have a field they could call their own...but a lot of backroom deals and other sordid events gave birth to the new team. ..you'll love the book.
