Review of "Pete Rose: An American Dilemma"

Having been an avid reader of Kostya Kennedy's Sports Illustrated articles, I was eager to pick up this book on one of the most polarizing figures in baseball history, and the book was everything I had hoped it would be.  Here is my review of "Pete Rose: An American Dilemma."  

Title/Author:

“Pete Rose: An American Dilemma” by Kostya Kennedy

Tags:

Baseball, biography, Reds, Hall of Fame

Published:

March 11, 2014

Length:

362 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

Pete Rose has been one of the most polarizing figures in baseball for the last 25 years.  In that time, he signed an agreement that permanently banned him from associating with Major League Baseball, has admitted in a tell-all book that he bet on baseball after denying so for over 15 years, spent time in prison for tax evasion, hawked as much memorabilia and as many autographs as he could and yet still have a lot of support to win reinstatement and enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame.   All of these topics and more are covered in Kostya Kennedy’s outstanding book on Rose.

This isn’t a typical biography in which the story of the subject is told from birth to present day.  Oh, sure, there are pages about Rose’s youth, his relationship with his father and his climb from the minor leagues to the Cincinnati Reds.  However, the focus of the book is on Rose and the manner in which he handles himself with the ban from baseball. 

There are several chapters interspersed throughout the book on his presence in Cooperstown, New York during the weekend in 2012 when two players were inducted into the Hall of Fame.  These stories of Rose and his presence in the hamlet selling anything he can while at the same time being banned from enshrinement in the museum less than a mile away on Main Street smacks of part irony, part melancholy.  Kennedy makes the reader feel like he or she is experiencing induction weekend in Cooperstown during these chapters.  When Barry Larkin, one of the players inducted that year, mentions Rose during his acceptance speech, the reader cannot help but feel Rose is there, thanks to the prose of Kennedy.

Other topics which are captured and vividly described by Kennedy are Rose’s relationship with his oldest son, Pete Jr.  Here another emotional event is illustrated well when Pete Jr. makes his major league debut with the Reds in 1997, but cannot enjoy the moment with his father in the clubhouse because of the ban.  

However, my favorite chapter in the book was chapter 17, simply titled “Gate Keepers.”  The first paragraph in this chapter is all you need to know in order to understand the title.  It ends with the phrase “Keep Pete Rose out of the Baseball Hall of Fame.”   This was the meeting in 1991 when a special committee met and drafted the rule that became known as the Pete Rose rule – simply that a person on baseball’s ineligible list shall not be eligible to be elected to the Hall of Fame.  Kennedy can barely hide the contempt for this rule, calling it “the greatest disservice to be inflicted upon the Hall of Fame induction process…”  and further stating that nothing else “has so deeply stained the procedure, nor delivered such a blow to the integrity of the process as a whole.”   This shows that not only has Kennedy done his research, but that he has a deep passion for the topic.  His writing is a reflection of that passion.

No matter how the reader feels about Rose and whether or not he belongs in the Hall of Fame, this outstanding book should be read by every baseball fan. The stories are rich, the research through, the interviews with other players and Rose’s family members riveting and the entire book is a fine work by Kennedy.

Did I skim?

No. 

Pace of the book: 

Excellent.  Kennedy’s writing keeps the reader engrossed and the pages turning, whether the topic is Rose hustling to third base on a hit, the gambling investigation, Pete Jr. or the latest sale of Rose merchandise in Cooperstown.

Do I recommend? 

This is a must read book for any baseball fan.  It doesn’t matter whether you like Rose or not, nor does it matter how the reader feels about whether or not Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame, this book will keep the reader riveted.

Book Format Read:

e-book (Nook)

Buying Links:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pete-rose-kostya-kennedy/1115995299?ean=9781618939548

http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Rose-American-Kostya-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B00HDSQR68/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1396023709&sr=1-1&keywords=pete+rose

Review of "I Did It My Way"

As a fan of all Minnesota sports teams my entire life, I was naturally excited to pick up a copy of the memoirs of legendary Vikings coach Bud Grant.   I was expecting a lot from this book, and was very happy that it delivered on everything I wanted and then some.  Here is my review of "I Did It My Way." 

Title/Author:

“I Did It My Way: A Remarkable Journey to the Hall of Fame” by Bud Grant and Jim Bruton

Tags:

American Football, Canadian Football, professional, coaching, autobiography, Vikings

Published:

September 1, 2013

Length:

288 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

Bud Grant is a legend to Minnesota sports fans, so when I saw that he wrote an autobiography I immediately picked up a copy.  I was hoping to not only read about his time coaching the Vikings, but also more about his time in the Canadian Football League, his playing days and what he has done since coaching. Those were all covered, but there is a lot more to the book than that, and it is some of those stories that make this an outstanding book.

No matter what topic is discussed, Grant writes much like he coached - he stated his view or point, talked about the important aspects to either give credence to the story or explain his opinion, and then moved onto the next topic.  He stated several times during the book that he would not dwell too much on games that were lost or players that left the team because he felt that it did not help to dwell on the mistakes if the team was to move forward.  He wrote the book with that concept in mind, as there is not a lot of reflection on the four Super Bowl losses by the Vikings during his tenure or other tough losses.  Instead, he talks a lot about the great players he coached such as Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman and Alan Page.  Vikings fans who followed the team during this time will recall fondly those players who were the stars of the team’s heyday.

There were several “firsts” that Grant accomplished during his sports career as both a player and a coach that are covered in this book. One of these are becoming the first “hardship” case when he left the University of Minnesota’s basketball team to play professionally for the Minneapolis Lakers.  Many readers may not know that Grant was a fine athlete, excelling in basketball and baseball as well as football. He also talks about the Vikings running the “West Coast” offense in the 1970’s before the San Francisco 49’ers did, giving it that moniker. His writing comes across as prideful yet not boastful when covering these topics.

However, I believed some of the best sections of this book were not about his playing or coaching career.  His account of how his family got through the tough economic times was fascinating reading (I won’t give away too many details of that.) His chapters on animals and the outdoors are also well written.

But the best chapter was chapter 3 when he describes his ordeal when he was caught outside during the famous Armistice Day blizzard of 1940.  An avid hunter and fisherman since he was a young boy, Grant was hunting when the storm suddenly arrived and the tale of what he did to survive that storm and ensure his hunting companions were safe was nothing short of incredible.  That chapter alone makes the book worth the time to read.

This is an outstanding book written by a legendary coach that captures his life in the same manner as he coached his football teams.  It covers many topics and aspects of the man’s life in an even-keeled manner and comes across as sincere, not boastful or regretful.  Readers who are sports fans, especially Minnesota sports fans, will love this book.

Did I skim?

No. 

Pace of the book: 

Very good. The book does follow a true timeline and does not skip much. There are times Grant will go off on a tangent with a related story, but these are infrequent and short – it doesn’t steer off course for too long.

Do I recommend? 

Pro football fans will like this book, especially Minnesota Vikings fans. Also, those who enjoy the outdoors will like Grant’s chapters on hunting and animals in general. Something for many tastes.

Book Format Read:

e-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Did-My-Way-Remarkable-Journey-ebook/dp/B00F8JIGUY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395617371&sr=1-1&keywords=bud+grant

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-did-it-my-way-bud-grant/1114985380?ean=9781600787867

Review of "Backspin"

A different kind of book on basketball was offered to me for a review on life in professional basketball overseas.  I was intrigued and gratefully accepted the offer.  I am glad I did as I enjoyed this memoir by Pete Strobl.  Here is my review of "Backspin."

Title/Author:
“Backspin” by Pete Strobl

Tags:
Basketball, autobiography, professional, college, overseas

Published:
2013

Length:
327 pages

Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:
When most basketball fans in the United States think of professional basketball, the NBA immediately comes to mind. However, there are many professional leagues in Europe and Asia as well. Several American players will play in these leagues and will face challenges along the way. Pete Strobl was one of these players and he decided to write a book on his adventures in Europe when playing in several countries.

“Backspin” takes the reader through Strobl’s playing career at Niagara University and his stops in various European countries, including France, Austria and Germany. The adventures and experiences he has at each stop is described in vivid detail. Some of the stories are downright funny (the adventures of the grey Omega that he drove from California to Niagara University), some are poignant (how he felt when an inexperienced player took a bad shot at the end of a championship game) and some are uplifting (his story of courting and marrying his wife Sheryl and the birth of their children).

What I like best about this book is that Strobl never comes across as too emotional while telling these stories. Through his writing, he doesn’t come across as getting too excited about the highs, nor too depressed about the lows. He keeps an even keel throughout his career in Europe. He also writes well about his trials and tribulations of being an American in a foreign country and needing to quickly adapt to the culture and languages. My favorite story of these was early in his first stop in France, he was mocked by a store clerk by asking if she had any English language magazines – and she did it in English! Later, after he learned to speak French well, he returned, asked the same question in French, and got a much different reaction.

There is plenty of basketball talk as well for the hardcore fan, especially about his college career at Niagara and his days playing in France and Austria. He recalls important games, some of his memorable episodes with teammates and the work he put in to become a better player at each stop. This work ethic not only helped him on the court but also to be able to quickly adapt to new cultures and languages at each stop in Europe.

Overall, this is a very good book about Strobl’s life before, during and after his overseas professional career. Written in a very even-handed manner, it is a good read for those who like memoirs and for basketball fans. The latter category will even learn a little more about professional leagues that are not the NBA.

I wish to thank Mr. Strobl for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Did I skim?
No. The stories each are an integral part of what has made Strobl who he is today and each one of them tells an interesting fact or tidbit about his life.

Pace of the book: 
Very good. It is not too slow so that it drags, nor is it a quick pace as each story should be absorbed instead of skimmed.

Do I recommend?
For readers who like personal introspection into the lives of the book’s subject, this is the perfect book. It covers more than just basketball - it truly is a book on the adventures of life.

Book Format Read:
Paperback

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Backspin-Pete-Strobl/dp/0988179903/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Review of "Between the Pipes"

As a hockey fan who has always been fascinated with goalies, I picked up this book with high hopes that it would talk not only about the stats, but also some of the strange habits goalies have that are the stuff of legends.  Those are included as well as the career highlights of twelve goalies in this fast paced book.  Here is my review of "Between the Pipes." 

Title/Author:

“Between the Pipes: A Revealing Look at Hockey’s Legendary Goalies” by Randi Druzin

Tags:

Ice Hockey, Professional, biography

Published:

October 1, 2013

Length:

287 pages

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Throughout the colorful history of the National Hockey League, goaltenders have always had a special place that forwards and defensemen do not enter. Whether that is superstition, unusual habits or just being “different”, many talented goaltenders have interesting stories behind their legendary careers.  Randi Druzin’s book on twelve of the best goalies in NHL history takes a look at their careers, their achievements and yes, their idiosyncrasies as well.

The span of time covered by the book is long. Goalies who had success during the time when the NHL had only 6 teams are portrayed are included as well as recent stars such as Ed Belfour and Martin Brodeur. The stories of these legendary net minders such as Terry Sawchuk and Glenn Hall made for some of the more interesting passages in the book. Jacque Plante’s knitting hobby may have earned him some ridicule from teammates, but it served him well while becoming a Hall of Fame goalie. Ken Dryden appeared to be deep in thought while the action was on the opposite end of the rink, leaning on his goalie stick. This book puts that myth to rest, as he states that he simply was relaxing in a different manner than most goalies. Passages like these are the best parts of this book.

The style of Druzin’s writing is easy to read, quick paced and well organized.  Each goalie’s chapter starts with a personal story or two, his amateur career, his NHL career season by season followed by life after the NHL.  None of these sections get too detailed that would drag the book, nor does it skim too much to not be insightful 

I have only one quibble with the book – some of the stories or actions by the men being featured were written in a manner that left me wanting to know more about it or wondering why this happened. One example was in the chapter on Dominik Hasek when he retired from the Detroit Red Wings, only to play the next season in the Czech Republic. There is no reason given for his sudden retirement from the NHL, not even that he did it to play in his home nation.  That left me wondering just why he wanted to leave the Red Wings.  Excerpts like this made me wonder if there is more than what is written in the book.  It doesn’t detract from the overall book, but it would have been even better with a full explanation.

Overall, this is a fun book to read that any serious hockey fan, especially those who are fascinated with the position of goaltender, should add to the reading list. 

Did I skim?

No.  Because each goalie had a unique characteristic about him, I was interested in learning more about their personalities as well as their accomplishments.

Pace of the book: 

Very quick.  Because Druzin concentrated on each goalie’s personality instead of detailing each man’s childhood or extra analysis of their greatest seasons, each chapter was a quick and easy read for me. 

Do I recommend? 

Hockey fans in general should enjoy this book.  For fans like me, who pay extra attention to the goaltenders as they have a special role in the success of the team and have also gained notoriety as being “different”; this book is very informative and fun to read.

Book Format Read:

e-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Between-Pipes-Revealing-Hockeys-Legendary-ebook/dp/B00E257VD8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/between-the-pipes-randi-druzin/1114979877?ean=9781771000147

Review of "Where Nobody Knows Your Name"

I belong to the "Adopt an Author" program at our local library, in which a reader will contribute half the price of new books by an author in exchange for being the first patron to check out the book upon publication.  I have "adopted" John Feinstein and therefore was able to obtain a copy of this book as soon as it was procured by the library.   This was a great book on minor league baseball and here is the review.

Title/Author:

“Where Nobody Knows Your Name: Life in the Minor Leagues of Baseball” by John Feinstein

Tags:

Baseball, professional, minor leagues

Published:

February 25, 2014

Length:

368 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

Triple-A baseball, one step below the major leagues, has its own unique culture and lifestyle.  John Feinstein’s book “Where Nobody Knows Your Name” describes this through the eyes and stories of nine men: three position players (Scott Posednik, Nate McClouth, John Lindsey), three pitchers (Scott Elarton, Brett Tomko, Chris Schwinden), two managers (Charlie Montoyo, Ron Johnson) and one umpire (Mark Lollo). Their experience ranges from a young man hoping for that shot at the majors (Schwinden, Lollo) to a former World Series hero trying to get back to the big time (Posednik, who hit a walk-off homer in game 2 of the 2005 World Series while playing for the Chicago White Sox).

All nine men featured share what they have liked best and least about Triple-A baseball.  For the managers, they agree that the best moments are telling players that they are being called up.  For a good emotional story, nothing beats that of the time an eleven-year veteran was crying when he was finally promoted during September call-ups. There are humorous stories about the ballparks and travel adventures.  There are human drama stories, especially for some of the older players such as Tomko who wonder at the end of the season if it is time to call it a career or try “one more time.”

These types of stories, ones that make famous athletes seem at least a little more like “ordinary people” is a strength of Feinstein’s writing.  He does that in most of his books on any sport, and this is another one of those books that is a winner because of that human element.  Between extensive interviews with each of the men featured (and hundreds of others as well) and the research into each man’s career and achievements, the reader will feel like he or she is sitting in the stands at Lehigh Valley, Norfolk or Durham.  That moment when the player receives his good news of needing to report to Tampa or Boston to join the big club will make the reader cheer.

If you are a baseball fan, like human interest stories or just want to see what it is like to be on the cusp of celebrity status, read this book.  Feinstein has made these types of books a joy to read and this is another outstanding book in a long line of them.

Did I skim?

No. 

Pace of the book: 

Excellent.  The book took the reader through the 2012 Triple A baseball season through all of the stories chronologically and at a very good pace.  The stories in each were long enough to be meaningful but short enough that the reader could follow them easily.

Do I recommend? 

This is a great book for all baseball fans, no matter what level of the game they enjoy. Feinstein brings the experience of the game from the clubhouse to the manager’s office to the field onto these pages that anyone who loves this game will enjoy.

Book Format Read:

Hardcover

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Where-Nobody-Knows-Your-Name-ebook/dp/B00F8F7MJO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394411297&sr=1-1&keywords=where+nobody+knows+your+name

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-nobody-knows-your-name-john-feinstein/1115696833?ean=9780385535939

Review of "Starting and Closing"

I found this book while browsing on the Web site of the New York Public Library, and always having enjoyed watching John Smoltz pitch, I thought I would give it a try.  Here is my review of "Starting and Closing."

Title/Author: 
“Starting and Closing: Perseverance, Faith and One More Year” by John Smoltz and Don Yeager

Tags:
Baseball, autobiography, Braves

Published: 
May 8, 2012

Length: 
304 pages

Rating: 
3 of 5 stars (good)

Review: 
John Smoltz was an integral part of the Atlanta Braves franchise that won 14 consecutive division titles between 1991 and 2005. For a portion of that stretch he was considered one of the “Big Three” in the Braves starting rotation of Smoltz, Greg Maddox and Tom Glavine. 

As is the case for many pitchers, injuries forced him to rethink his priorities in life and what he wanted to do. One of them was whether he should transition to the bullpen and become the closer for his team instead coming back from injury as a starting pitcher.This autobiography shares that decision Smoltz made, as well as his life and baseball career. 

The book does not follow the typical timeline of a biography or memoir that starts with childhood, the revelations and decisions made during the teenage and young adult period, then the accomplishments and struggles during adult life. This book does take you through many of those times, but at different points. Most of the book deals with Smoltz’s baseball trials and tribulations. Those are good passages, and some of the ways he deals with his numerous injuries are good lessons for us all.

Included in handling those situations are Smoltz’s dedication to his faith so readers who are not comfortable with that topic may want to steer clear of it. He also talks about other aspects of his life such as fatherhood, divorce, finding love again and how he handles those while trying to keep his baseball career going after his surgeries.

I just couldn’t get into a nice rhythm trying to read this book. I did finish it, and I was always a fan of Smoltz while he was pitching. In fact, I was hoping he could make it to 150 saves during his time as a closer so that his numbers would be helpful in a future Hall of Fame vote. However, that didn’t help me while trying to piece everything together while reading the book. Fans of Smoltz or the Braves will like this book, but overall, it falls a bit short when compared to other baseball biographies I have read.

Did I skim? 
No.

Pace of the book: 
Uneven. The book skips around between Smoltz’s baseball career, youth, personal life and faith stories too much without much connection or a good chronological line. His baseball career mostly followed that, but even there it skipped at times and as a result, I had a hard time following it.

Do I recommend? 
Fans of Smoltz or the Atlanta Braves will enjoy this book. For those who are baseball fans in general or like biographies, this has possibilities.

Book Format Read: 
e-book (Kindle)

Buying links:
http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Closing-Perseverance-Faith-More-ebook/dp/B0068M2HRI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394159071&sr=8-1&keywords=starting+and+closing