Average customer rating:
- Amusing, Revealing and Fun
- Its Great
- Journey to a big league lockerroom from a unique perspective
- What a Ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I Ain't an Athlete, Lady...
John Kruk
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0671897942 |
Customer Reviews:
Amusing, Revealing and Fun .......2006-03-24
This is a highly amusing look at baseball by one of the game's most colorful characters. John Kruk looked more like a beer-swilling softball player from the corner tavern than a pro athlete - maybe that's why so many fans rooted for him. But Kruk was a good ballplayer, not to mention a decent and intelligent human being. Here he recounts the 1993 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, a colorful squad that won that year's NL pennant and faced Toronto in the World Series. Kruk describes himself, many of his teammates, and that very enjoyable season. He is both funny and revealing without being disrespectful. Kruk clearly enjoyed himself as a player and a teammate, and isn't baseball supposed to be fun?
This book may be no compendium of deep ideas, but it's a fun read by a player with a nice balance of decency and humor.
Its Great.......1999-02-17
I think this book is great it was written so neatly and i think you should all call the publisher and tell them to bring it back.
Journey to a big league lockerroom from a unique perspective.......1998-12-17
Simply, there are three main reasons to read this book One, it provides the reader with an inside look at the lifestyle of Major League Baseball Players. This is especially interesting because the Krukker is not the stereotypical mold for a baseball player, physically, or as you will know when you finish the book, he has a more humble attitude then baseball players are given credit for. It really makes you wish you could live your life playing baseball Two, it is hysterical, especially the second or third time you read it (I have read it at least 5 times) Three, even non-baseball fans can appreciate this down to earth look at life generally.
What a Ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......1998-07-04
John Kruk was not known in Philly for his neatness therefore you cannot expect his book to be neat either ! Instead the book is everything that embodied Krukker,and the rest of his team mates during that wonderful season 1993. He is honest, open and caring. He is straight forward where criticism is needed and gentle and kind where emotions ran high. His story about his bout with cancer was touching and human. I ain't an athlete lady, maybe not but you are a heck of a human being. Thanks for a terrific experience. This book makes us all part of the 93 Phillies. Welcome to Macho Row !
Book Description
In 1964, thousands of Philadelphia baseball fans were caught up in the Phillies' unexpected run at the National League pennant. Nearly a decade of continuous defeat had earned them little more than the reputation for an unprecedented record of consecutive losses. But in that '64 season the Phillies shocked the baseball world, taking over the National League in mid-July and holding on to first place for 73 consecutive days. And then, as the team's first pennant in a generation seemed within reach, the Phillies collapsed in the greatest meltdown in baseball history.
This account traces the rise and fall of that year's Phillies team and attempts to disentangle the complex issues that ultimately cost them the pennant. The book sheds light on the influential events of the fifties and sixties that rendered the team first futile and then undefeated, beginning with an exploration of Philadelphia itself and its team in the 1950s. Early chapters discuss the acquisition of a new manager (Gene Mauch) and the dramatic additions of a dynamic new pitcher (Jim Bunning) and the first great African American player produced by the farm system (Richie Allen). Following chapters focus specifically on the 1964 season and its critical moments, from Jim Bunning's perfect game and Johnny Callison's winning home run in the All-Star game, to Chico Ruiz's steal of home that began the devastating 10-game losing streak at the end of the season. Final chapters analyze what went wrong during the season and discuss the Phillies' position in baseball today. Three useful appendices provide the statistics for the games of the '64 season and for the individual players on the team, and detailed statistics for the 10-game losing streak.
Customer Reviews:
THE COLLAPSE OF ALL SPORTS BOOKS.......2007-09-18
Without question,John Rossi's book on the 1964 Phillies is the most inept attempt at sports literature that I've read in 59 years on planet earth.Not only does the author fail to convey the true feeling of the 1964 season,he fails time and again with the English language.Grammatical errors abound,factual data is constantly presented in repetitious banalities,much of the data is convoluted or simply erroneous,and the slipshod boxscores at book's end are simply unacceptable to all but those who still prefer crayons.Rossi was given an excellent topic and just simply wasn't up to it.Since I lost $30 and gained little or nothing in the process,just label me "Losing Pitcher Mulcahey-2006"
A very good book.......2007-06-04
If you're a Phillies or MLB fan, then you should read this book. The book really starts about 1960 and what lead up to the 1964 season. It also talks about 1965 through the Curt Flood trade to the Phillies in 1969. As billed, the book talks a lot about segregation in Philly and Richie (later Dick) Allen. The book paints an entirely different pictures of Richie that what fans remember him as. I won't say the book made Richie a saint, but it minimizes his character flaws. Richie definitely walked to a different drum beat. The book paints an interesting picture of Gene Mauch and several times points out that he was a poor people person. I wonder if Gene would have as much success managing today as he did in the 60-80s.
1964 Phillies - Unlike the Phillies, the Book Doesn't Fold! .......2006-11-10
This book covers a legendary year and event in baseball history. Although not a world class writing job, it does a workman-like job describing the events of the season. As a Phillies fan, I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to other people, although don't expect any great work of art. It includes a lot of recounting of events pretty much out of the boxscores and not an awful lot outside of that.
I'd give it a "B".
The Sad Story of a Summer Long Ago.......2005-10-16
In this book, John Rossi tells the story of the 1964 Phillies, most famous for being in first place with a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 games to play, only to suffer a 10 game losing streak and end up in second place. This Phillies season did more than anything else to define the psyche of the Philadelphia sports fan, who is now conditioned to always expect the worst. I was a 9 year old Phillies fan that summer and have vivid memories of my father, grandfather and uncle enjoying the success of the team, led by manager Gene Mauch, in the days before playoffs when winning the National League pennant meant a trip to the World Series.
Rossi, a history professor at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, does an excellent job of providing the historical context for the season, describing the City of Philadelphia, the Phillies' losing tradition, the management of the team in the lean years after the Whiz Kids of 1950 won the pennant, and the emergence in the early 1960s of the Phillies under Gene Mauch. (However, throughout the book Rossi annoyingly refers to the Phillies' stadium as Shibe Park, when it had been renamed Connie Mack Stadium in 1953 and virtually no one called it by its former name in 1964.)
Rossi then goes through a game by game description of the season, including the fast start, grabbing first place in mid-July and holding on for 73 fateful days. The Phillies were having a magical summer, highlighted by Jim Bunning's perfect game on Father's Day, Johnny Callison's All-Star game winning homer, and Richie Allen's Rookie of the Year season. The author explains how all season long the Phillies really were playing above their heads, with a lineup that on paper was not the equal of the Reds, Giants and Cardinals, all of which were stocked with future Hall of Famers.
The ten game losing streak is then described in excruciating detail, including an analysis of what went wrong. For decades, the common wisdom was that Mauch cost the Phils the pennant by panicking and repeatedly starting Bunning and Chris Short on 2 days rest. This book shows that Mauch's genius was largely responsible for the Phillies 1964 success, and that the 10 game losing streak was an untimely combination of weak offense, uncharacteristically bad defense and an exhausted pitching staff. Once the losing began, the psychological burden on the Phils of failing to fulfill everyone's high expectations just seemed to steamroll the team.
Philadelphia has never fully recovered from 1964. At key times of the Phillies "dynasty" in the mid-1970s and early 1980s, whenever things would start to go wrong the spectre of 1964 would be raised. Some say that the roots of the current attitude of Philadelphia sports fans generally, and in particular Phillies fans, are traceable back to 1964, although rooting for the Phils with their history of losing more games than any team in any professional sport ever may also have something to do with it. Rossi's book brings the 1964 season back to life and with it the opportunity to relive both the summer of magic as well as the crushing collapse.
Bad Memories Well Told.......2005-09-02
John P. Rossi's factual account of a sweet summer that turned to ashes in the final two weeks of the season is a must read for all long suffering Phillies fans and baseball historians. It brought back a flood of memories from that summer of my second year of medical school. Many a night the Phillies were my companion as I labored over my medical textbooks and studied for my tests. My anticipated reward was to be the 1964 World Series. Like the rest of Philadelphia, I witnessed the Fightin Phils collapse in stunned disbelief at the end of the season. John P. Rossi explains the story behind the Phillies unexpected success and the reasons for their ultimate defeat. Many of my "memories" of the losing streak were shown to be innacurate when the record was closely examined. Rossi examines the role of manager Gene Mauch in the late season collapse. He analyzes the strength and weakness of the pitching staff, the season long vulnerability to left handed pitching, the role of race in Philadelphia baseball, the emergence of Rich Allen and Johnny Callison as stars, the impact of GM John Quinn and the long term impact of the collapse upon the Phillies. I highly recommend this book.
Book Description
Sports Publishing is proud to present one of the first titles in our new series of books celebrating the lost legends of American sports. Phillies, Where Have You Gone? will focus on fan favorites and memorable personalities from the Philadelphia Phillies franchise. Written by one of the country's best sports authors, Fran Zimniuch, Phillies, Where Have You Gone? will help fans relive shining moments and remember the heroes of their past Phillies teams.
Customer Reviews:
A QUICK LOOK TO THE PAST.......2005-06-26
THIS IS A VERY NICE READ ABOUT SOME OF THE PHILLIES FROM THE PAST. SOME WERE GREAT AND SOME HAD A CUP OF COFFEE AND WERE GONE. I ENJOYED THE VERY SHORT AND TO THE POINT BIOS ON EACH PHILLIE. FROM MIKE SCHMIDT, ROBIN ROBERTS, TO MIKE GOLIAT THIS IS A NICE TRIBUTE TO EACH PLAYER. A MUST READ FOR ALL PHILLIE FANS AND BASEBALL FANS WHO LIKE NOSTALGIA. JUST WISH IT WAS LONGER AND MORE DETAILED, BUT A MUST READ.
Mr. Zimniuch hits a home run in my book!!!.......2005-05-04
As a long time Phillies fan, I've often wondered what happened to many of my favorite players from years past. Mr. Zimniuch did a wonderful job of researching the post-Phillies careers of so many beloved Phillies players. I'd definitely recommend this book to any Phillies fan.
Phillies: Where Have You Gone? .......2005-05-03
Both my son and I read this and loved it. Brought back so many great memories of the old Phillies we loved!
For the casual Phillie fan.......2005-04-01
Book offers little in terms of new information. Much of research could have been accomplished without an interview. Profiles seem to have been chosen randomly. This is a read for those who have a passing interest in Philadelphia baseball.
Don't miss this book.......2004-05-23
Phillies Where Have You Gone brings back wonderful baseball memories from as far back as the Whiz Kids team of 1950. Many players are included, some were stars, some weren't. But they all played for the Phillies and have done something of interest. It's fun to find out what happened to them after their baseball careers ended.
If you like baseball, you'll like this book. If you love baseball, you'll love this book and wish it was bigger.
Book Description
The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the most colorful histories in professional sports, having kept their fans on the edges of their seats for nearly a century and a quarter. Whether they were capturing division titles or struggling to stay out of the cellar, the Phils have always managed to keep things interesting and entertaining both on and off the field. If you're a diehard fan trying to test your knowledge or a casual observer looking to upgrade your status, Phillies Essential has everything you'll ever want to know about this star-studded 123-year-old franchise.
Average customer rating:
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Phillies '93: An Incredible Season
Rich Westcott
Manufacturer: Temple University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1566392314 |
Book Description
Descriptions of the players, manager, and front office personnel
Over 100 photographs of the season's highlights
Complete '93 statistics and selected box scores
Post-season game-by-game summaries
The 1993 Phillies had more winning games than all but two Phillies teams in the club's 111-year history, and highly talented and entertaining top-ranking players like Lenny Dykstra, John Kruk, Darren Daulton, Curt Schilling, and Mitch Williams. The Phillies enjoyed sweet victories over their toughest competitors, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Montreal Expos, and the Atlanta Braves.
A follow-up to The New Phillies Encyclopedia, which Allen Lewis of the Baseball Hall of Fame called "the finest and most complete book about any team in sports," Phillies '93 covers the spectacular plays, outstanding performances, and thrilling victories of the 1993 Phillies season.
Author Rich Westcott, a veteran sports writer, traces the evolution of one of the most colorful teams in Phillies history, from the off-season roster decisions, through spring training, the ups and downs of the championship season, and culminating in an in-depth look at what happened on and off the field during the National League Championship Series and World Series.
Book Description
Most people think of Philadelphia as the place where the principles of freedom on which our nation was founded were first set down on paper. But the City of Brotherly Love can boast of a long tradition of "firsts," in every area of daily life, over the past three centuries.
Where would we be without hospitals, volunteer fire departments, and public libraries--not to mention inventions like the lightning rod, bifocals, and the computer? From the conventional to the unusual, and from the earliest date of the city's settlement to the present, Philly Firsts celebrates the ingenuity, creativity, and perseverance of the denizens of this great city.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent insight into Philadelphia's fascinating history........1999-09-30
This book is great read for anyone interested in Philadelphia or American history in general. I have lived in Philadelphia all my life and did not know half of the things that are presented in this book.It is filled with fascinating facts about this great city.Get this book today.
Book Description
An anthology of some of the best writing about the up-and-down history of the Philadelphia Phillies, this updated paperback edition features several new essays—including one about Citizens Bank Park—and the team's recent history. The stories herein provide fans with some of the best sportswriting about the woes and triumphs of Phillies baseball.
The Phillies Reader features essays on the athletic achievements of such legendary players as Chuck Klein, Richie Ashburn, Dick Allen, and Mike Schmidt; the political turmoil surrounding the "ok" from manager Ben Chapman to "ride" Jackie Robinson about the color of his skin; the bizarre shooting of Eddie Waitkus; the heroics of the Whiz Kids; the heartbreak of '64; and the occasional triumphs and frequent travails of controversial managers Gene Mauch, Frank Lucchesi, and Danny Ozark. It asks why fans boo great players such as Del Ennis, but forgave Pat Burrell for his horrendous 2003 slump.
Featuring essays by Red Smith, Pete Dexter, Roger Angell, and James Michener, among others, The Phillies Reader presents a compendium of Phillies literature that reveals what it is that makes legends.
Customer Reviews:
The Ultimate For All Phillies Fans.......2001-06-09
Yes, I am one of the few, the proud,.....the Philadelphia Phillies' fans. And was this book ever perfect for me.
I have always been a baseball fan, and my favorite team has always been the Philadelphia Phillies. This book allowed me to travel back through the wild history of the ball club. The stories are wonderful, but more importantly, most of them are written by top-notch newspaper reporters or well-known authors. Some of the more personal stories, written by players, etc., are also well-done, and give a nice human touch to the book.
This was an intersting and entertaining read, and one that could be enjoyed by all fans of America's Pastime.
This is one for the ultimate Phillies fanatic!.......1999-11-29
Some books I read for the history, some I read for the story, and then there is The Phillies Reader. Being a life long Philadelphia Phillies fan, this book allowed me to read about some of my boyhood heroes and bring out the kid in me once again.
Follow the 300-page trail of one of baseball's oldest and most storied franchises in this remarkable collection of Phillies archives. From the earliest days of Ed Delahanty and his four home run game to Billy Hamilton to the roaring 20's with Pete Alexander.
Travel back in time to watch the Whiz Kids like Robin Roberts and Ritchie Ashburn of the 50's to the Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton lead powerhouses of the 70's and 80's. You'll read about the Wheeze Kids with Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez of 1983.
I was amazed at the ups and downs, the trial and tribulations, the emotional roller coaster this book presented and how it all falls neatly into place. A true must have for any Phillies Fan at a price that should be of no objection. Congratulations on a spectacular job well done!
Great for any Phillies fan; could have been even better.......1998-06-07
This is a wonderful and educational chronological collection of newspaper columns written about the Phillies from the 1930's through the 1993 World Series. There is a pleasing array of writing styles, perspectives and events chronicled. I wish the book were bigger, though. For instance, I hoped for more detail about the infamous 1964 "stretch drive." I was born in 1958 and first started rooting for the Fightins in 1970. 1964 is not in my personal memory bank, thank goodness. But, even in the absence of material I had hoped to see, this book is very entertaining reading, and a must for any Phillie fan - or baseball fan - who appreciates the history of the Phils or the game itself.
Book Description
Everything seemed to be going the Phillies' way. Up by 6 1/2 games with just 12 left to play in the 1964 season, they appeared to have clinched their first pennant in more than a decade. Outfielder Johnny Callison narrowly missed being the National League MVP. Third baseman Richie Allen was Rookie of the Year.
But the "Fightin' Phils" didn't make it to the postseason—they lost 10 straight and finished a game behind the St. Louis Cardinals. Besides engineering the greatest collapse of any team in major league baseball history, the '64 Phillies had another, more important distinction: they were Philadelphia's first truly integrated baseball team. In September Swoon William Kashatus tells the dramatic story—both on the field and off the field—of the Phillies' bittersweet season of 1964.
More than any other team in Philadelphia's sports history, the '64 Phillies saddled the city with a reputation for being a "loser." Even when victory seemed assured, Philadelphia found a way to lose. Unfortunately, the collapse, dubbed the "September swoon," was the beginning of a self-destructive skid in both team play and racial integration, for the very things that made the players unique threatened to tear the team apart. An antagonistic press and contentious fans blamed Richie Allen, the Phillies' first black superstar, for the team's losing ways, accusing him of dividing the team along racial lines. Allen manipulated the resulting controversy in the hopes that he would be traded, but in the process he managed to further fray already tenuous race relations.
Based on personal interviews, player biographies, and newspaper accounts, September Swoon brings to life a season and a team that got so many Philadelphians, both black and white, to care deeply and passionately about the game at a turbulent period in the city's—and our nation's—history. The hometown fans reveled in their triumphs and cried in their defeat, because they saw in them a reflection of themselves. The '64 Phillies not only won over the loyalties of a racially divided city, but gave Philadelphians a reason to dream—of a pennant, of a contender, and of a City of Brotherly Love.
Customer Reviews:
reliving a bittersweet time.......2006-06-05
As a 13-year-old Cookie Rojas fan, I thought '64 was finally the Phils' year. Everything was looking hopeful in Connie Mack Stadium. Kashatus does an admirable job of capturing that moment in time. His interviews with players from that '64 team are particularly interesting, as is his look at the managing dilemmas facing Gene Mauch--a man who probably overanalyzed things in the final weeks of the season: odd because Mauch was one of the all-time staunchest believers in basic baseball. But anything could happen in Connie Mack, as Phillies fans were all too aware. Kashatus tries to be impartial about the situation surrounding Richie Allen, and Kashatus successfully deals with the various facets of Allen's considerable talent and amazing '64 season, along with his unpredictable and sometimes problematic personality. To baseball fans in general, however, the most fascinating aspect of "September Swoon" is how mercurial the game can be, even when things are supposedly in the bag.
Middle-aged Phillies fans should read this.......2005-09-21
Now that we're all older we can look back on this sad chapter in Philly sports with a bit more perspective. It's hard to stay mad at Richie Allen after you read this, especially if you aren't familiar with the story of his shameful treatment in Little Rock in 1963. If anything, you'll remember why you liked him in the first place. A decent read for a die-hard Phillies fan.
An interesting look at the 1964 season and more.......2004-11-07
I thought this book was going to be just a day-by-day recap of the 1964 Phillies famous skid at the end of the season to give the NL pennant to the Cardinals, but it was much more.
Kasthaus does a good job of capturing the racial tensions of the time and he does give the Phillies management of the time a chance to respond to allegations of racism within the organization.
Ultimately, it is a book more about the relationship of Dick Allen with the city of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia press. Stan Hochman, who receives some severe criticism in the book, is not well-portrayed in this book, nor is Larry Merchant. However, neither man is interviewed for the book as Kasthaus states that no Philadelphia writer of the era returned his phone calls except for Allen Lewis.
A professional baseball history.......2004-08-10
This archivally-bound, well-written book is a professional
historian's account of the season of the 1964 Phillies. It is
well illustrated with portraits of the major players in this
story. In 1964, I made a bet with my brother: that Richie Allen
would some day be considered as great as Mickey Mantle. We still
argue the comparison, but thanks to this book, I better appreciate
the reasons I may not have won the bet- yet. The book
ends with a well reasoned plea for Allen's admission to the Hall
of Fame, an appropriate move once "character" is taken fully into account.
This book will be enjoyed by baseball fans, students of the history of integration,
and the general reader, as insightful, well researched, and a
meaningful contribution to American social history.
A Good Read for Any Season.......2004-07-09
September Swoon, by William Kashatus has a vivid feel that hits home for me and probably would for anyone else who endured the historic end-of-season collapse that happened in what was later known in Philadelphia as "the year of the blue snow." Blue it was indeed for my then fifth grade psyche. I LOVED the Phillies. Johnny Callison was my hero and it seemed that 1964 was all going our way from the June 21st perfect game by Jim Bunning, to Callison's walk-off 3-run homer to end the All Star game to the six-game lead that the Phillies held in the NL before losing ten of their last twelve games. Just as true, though is the tragic career of Richie (later "Dick") Allen, the Phillies' Rookie of the Year third baseman. Race relations for me had little to do with baseball, the Phillies and every other team had always had colored players (at least to my awareness) and frankly, I hadn't given the matter any thought at all by that time. Like the author`s, my memories are of faithful listening to late night west coast games with a transistor radio under my pillow and the crackle of lightning-generated static cutting through the play by play of By Saam, Rich Ashburn and Bill Campbell.
But it is undeniable that Richie Allen came to be a figure inescapably linked to the racial boil-over that was occurring nationwide throughout the sixties. Intelligent and articulate, Allen later admitted to having been thrust reluctantly at first, into the role of baseball's poster child for black belligerence. The Philadelphia baseball franchise was notorious for its lily-whiteness until 1957, when it hired its first black player. These facts were unknown to a ten year old, but Kashatus artfully weaves the race scene that erupted into riots together with the baseball collapse that the Phillies suffered. A fight between superstar Allen and journeyman Phillies' player Frank Thomas in 1965 sparked a torrent of media, and consequently, fan scapegoating of Allen, who did little to pour oil on the troubled waters, opting instead for a Stagga-Lee in red pinstripes persona. If we were becoming modern, multicultural and tolerant at the time, it wasn't instantaneous, and a considerable amount of racially charged derision did certainly befall this tragic player, who had he been born ten years later, would surely have been a Hall of Famer.
In the end, neither the Phillies of 1964 nor Dick Allen got the prize they might have. The world has held together, I witnessed in person the Phillies' world championship in 1980, and life has continued on. But the hope and dreams that were mine along with so many others in 1964 would never come to pass. If the wheels came off for the Phillies in 1964, the event certainly coincided with the beginnings of a world so different and cynical by comparison, that it would have been unimaginable to most, regardless of color, at that time. There is no doubt that the racial strife of the sixties led to an accelerated timetable for the legal elimination of racism, but it is probable that the matter has remained uglier for much longer because of this hasty era of impatience and insistence. Dick Allen the man is just a man, he is not the cause of anything, not even his own fate. But he symbolizes a thought that is bestride the before and the after: What if things had gone differently?
September Swoon is a good read for any season. It's poetry and baseball, history and biography. It's a true story from the Birthplace of the Nation. Every so often, someone writes a book from the heart and so Kashatus has touched this heart many miles and years removed.
Book Description
Stubble scruffed up their chins. Tobacco wads ballooned their cheeks. The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies had the look of a slow pitch softball team itching to kick some serious butt. And they did kick butt?on and off the field. Though they weren't a photogenic bunch, their mugs were everywhere, on Baseball Today, on the Late Show with David Letterman, and on Saturday Night Live (Chris Farley made a helluva John Kruk). Even President Clinton quipped about them. A gang of baseball throwbacks, they quickly seduced the hometown fans. By season's end, they had won over the rest of the country, too. America's Most Wanted Team became Team America in a heartthumping Fall Classic against Toronto.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Book About A Great Team.......2007-05-17
I absolutely loved this book. The author brought me back to a time when the Phillies were on top of the world and had the Philadelphia area and soon, the whole country, rallying around them. They called themselved 'gypsies, tramps and thieves' and even though they were, to a certain extent, they were also great ballplayers who cared about winning and each other. I love sports books and what I especially love about this book is all the behind the scenes stories off all the athletes. They were a bunch of jokesters and the pranks and the one-liners they pulled on each other were hilarious. But they knew when to put the jokes aside and just go out and play ball. I also loved the sidebars from the Phillie Phanatic. It was good and inciteful to see the game from his viewpoint as well.
What this book showed me is that all the talent in the world is not totally necessary to having a winning team. You just need a bunch of guys who think they can win and have fun with each other and have complete trust in each other to breed success. That is what that team had and what the book truly showed.
Great memories.......2006-10-25
This book brought back some great memories of an unforgettable team, the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies, told by the author and many members of the organization as well. It also gives good information about the years preceding the magical '93 season, with Lee Thomas taking over as general manager in 1988, then acquiring players like Lenny Dykstra, John Kruk, and Terry Mulholland in 1989. It also captures the public outcry during the winter between the 1992 and 1993 seasons, when the Phils negotiated with several high-priced free agents such as David Cone and Kirby Puckett, but ended up with retreads such as Danny Jackson and Pete Incaviglia.
Things quickly came together in spring training, and it carried over to the regular season. The team got off to a fast start, and went on to win the National League East, holding first place for all but one day during the season. In the National League Championship Series, the Phils upset the heavily-favored Atlanta Braves. Many Phillies players detested the Braves, feeling they didn't respect the Phils or any other team in general. The book ends with the World Series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays and the immediate aftermath, followed by a "where are they now?" listing of the team's players.
Also included are a series of anecdotes from Tom Burgoyne, the main man inside the Phillie Phanatic costume since 1994. Burgoyne was the backup Phanatic to Dave Raymond during the 1993 season. Though many are not relevant to the main story, they are entertaining nonetheless.
The only problem I had with the book, and it is a minor one at that, is that it plays up the Philadelphia-New York rivalry a little too heavily. Had the Phillies and Mets been battling for the NL East title that season, or if the Phils had met the Yankees in the World Series, then this would have been an interesting aside. As it was, the Mets lost 103 games in 1993, and the Yankees were in the beginning stages of what would become yet another dominant run (as of this writing, the 1993 postseason was the last one to not include the Bronx Bombers), so this angle seems a little out of place.
All in all, an excellent read, especially for those of us who enjoyed that magical ride and have been waiting ever since for the next one.
Half Great, Half Lame.......2006-06-17
This is really two books in one. The white pages which depict the '93 team, and the gray pages which are stories about the Phanatic's exploits since 1978. The white pages are very, very good. There are lots of quotes from the major people involved, and the author does a great job of weaving them in with the story of the season. On the other hand, the gray pages are beyond worthless. I recommend this book, but just read the white pages. It serves as a reminder of what it means to have a baseball team to be proud of in Philly. The only downside is that as you read it, you will probably become angry at the current Philles roster. You'll catch yourself wondering..."why can't these guys play this way."
love these guys!.......2005-05-10
This was one of the greatest teams I've seen in my lifetime! I don't think there will ever be another group like them. This book really captures what it was like from the beginning to the end of the '93 season! I couldn't put it down!!!
1993 Revisited...........2004-04-09
This is a great book for every die hard Phillies fan as it takes you back to the magical ride of 1993. Burgoyne provides a unique 'insider's look' at the 1993 team and recaptures the cavalier spirit and 'never say die' attitude this team embodied. Interspersed througout his narrative are several anecdotes about the players as well as some of the more infamous moments of that summer. These anecdotes heighten the reader's understanding of the players, the team as a whole and the dynamic that captured the city. This is a must read for all of the fans of Danny Jackson and the 'DJ Pump Me Up', John Kruk ("I ain't an athlete, lady. I'm a ballplayer."), Pete Incaviglia, Nails, Wild Thing, Darren Daulton and his 'Ghetto Row' and the rest of this motley crew. You can't help but get excited about being a Phillies fan-past, present, and future, after reading this book.
Books:
- I Am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion
- I Am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion
- I Am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion
- iPod & iTunes For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
- Is Belief in God Good, Bad or Irrelevant?: A Professor And a Punk Rocker Discuss Science, Religion, Naturalism & Christianity
- Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn't Really Funny
- Liquid Jade: The Story of Tea from East to West
- Louis Comfort Tiffany At Tiffany & Co.
- Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time
- Making Rustic Furniture: The Tradition, Spirit, and Technique with Dozens of Project Ideas
Books Index
Books Home
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