Sunday, March 25, 2018

Review of "Masters of Modern Soccer"

While I have never been an avid soccer fan, I have casually followed the sport and have become a fan of Grant Wahl, a soccer writer for Sports Illustrated since the mid 1990's. When I saw he has a book coming out this spring and advance copies were available for review, I jumped on the offer as soon as possible. Mr. Wahl did not disappoint as this was a fantastic book on the modern game.  Here is my review of "Masters of Modern Soccer"



Title/Author:
Masters of Modern Soccer: How the World’s Best Play the Twenty-First Century Game” by Grant Wahl

Tags:
Soccer, Football (European), coaching, strategy

Publish date:
May 1, 2018

Length:
304 pages

Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:
Long-time players and fans of soccer will notice how different the contemporary game is compared to the matches played in the 1970’s and 1980’s. There are several reasons for this, most notably the changes in responsibilities of the positions and the use of analytics. America’s premier soccer writer, Grant Wahl, interviewed seven men who are the premier people in their position or job in international soccer and the result is this excellent book.

This book has been compared to the best-selling baseball book “Men At Work” by George Will. In that one, Will broke down baseball by writing about various jobs done by people in the game and wrote about how the best performers handle that job.  Wahl does the same thing for soccer as he interviews the best players and management personnel.  The players are American midfielder Christian Pulisic, Mexican forward Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez, Belgian centerback Vincent Kompany, Spain’s Xabi Alonso and German goalkeeper Mauel Neuer.

Their insight into the game makes for compelling reading as they each share what they do to be the best at their position.  Whether it is how Kompany positions himself in relation to the opponent’s best goal scorer, the “Wow moments” Pulisic provides to fans or the drills on which Neuer works to improve his reflexes, each section is a lesson in how today’s game is played and why the sport has changed so much over the last few decades.

These changes are noted often by Wahl as he talks about positions that are no longer in vogue, such as the sweeper, or how drastically the skills have changed in order to be an elite player.  This is clearly evident for a goalkeeper, where Wahl writes that shot blocking, once considered the primary job of the keeper, is now only one of several skills at which a goalkeeper must excel. Neuer’s insight backs up this assertion.

Coaching and management get the same treatment as players do in this book as Belgium coach Roberto Martinez and Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc are also interviewed and share their secrets for success as well. The biggest takeaway from these chapters was also mentioned in some of the players’ chapters.  The used of advanced statistical analysis is just as prevalent in professional soccer as it is in other sports, again most notably baseball. There is even a reference to “Moneyball” in the book as much like the Oakland A’s, Borussia Dortmund does not have the same financial resources like some other clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid or Barcelona.  As a result, they do some creative thinking in the front office and Zorc’s insight will provide readers with some new information about this part of the sport.

Written with American readers in mind, this work is truly a masterpiece of the modern game. Wahl was the first author to write a soccer book that became a New York Times bestseller with his 2009 biography of David Beckham. This book could very well become his second.  If a reader has any interest in the sport, no matter how much or how little, this is a book that must not be missed.

I wish to thank Crown Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:




Thursday, March 22, 2018

Reveiw of "Sports Talk"

When you use a phrase you know is sports-related in everyday conversation, do you ever wonder how it got started?  This book is probably the best source for that type of information as it contains many different phrases from many sports.  Here is my review of "Sports Talk", another book that qualifies for the Blogger Shame challenge as the author sent it to me many months ago.  File this one under "better late than never."



Title/Author:
Sports Talk” by Colin McNairn

Tags:
Sports, language, culture

Publish date:
February 6, 2017

Length:
282 pages

Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:
If someone tries to count all the various idioms and phrases in everyday language that have their origins tied to sports, he or she would have a huge task. Instead of simply counting them, lawyer and author Colin McNairn went one step further and collected 650 of the most popular of these phrases and writes about them with plenty of humor, anecdotes and trivia mixed in. 

The book is organized by sport – each chapter will describe phrases used from each sport that are widely (or even not-so-widely) used in business, politics or regular conversation.  The list is far too extensive to write here, but not to worry – the index of the book not only has an alphabetical listing of subjects, but there is also an alphabetical list of each phrase mentioned in the book.

The sports where these phrases originate vary widely as well, from archery to baseball to Australian Rules football.   As one might imagine, the “ball” sports in North America are the origin for most of the phrases, but a few other sports also have their fair share of idioms used every day, especially horse racing.

The author does mention that the phrases documented in the book are used in English-speaking areas such as North America (mainly Canada and the United States), the United Kingdom and Australia.  The book is one that flows well and the reader will finish it rather easily in one sitting.  Describing any particular phrase in this review would not do the book justice as the book does an excellent job at explaining each phrase used.  A reader does not have to be a sports fan in order to enjoy this book.  If one is either a sports fan or one who is intrigued by language, it is one that should be read by that person.

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

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:









Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Review of "Baseball and Black Gold"

Baseball - any type of baseball - sure sounds good in late March when yet ANOTHER snow storm is forecast to hit the Northeastern United States.  So, why not read a book about baseball history in another part of the country?  Not only did this book help take my mind off the snow, but it also is one that is part of the Blogger Shame challenge as the author sent this copy in October 2016.  With my sincerest apologies for such a late review, here is the review of "Baseball and Black Gold: Tulsa's Love Affair with America's National Pastime."




Title/Author:
Baseball and Black Gold: Tulsa’s Love Affair with America’s National Pastime” by Elven Lindblad

Tags:
Baseball, professional, minor leagues, history

Publish date:
May 16, 2016

Length:
380 pages

Rating: 
4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:
The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma has a long and colorful history of minor league baseball. From the first team in 1905 to its current affiliation with the Los Angeles Dodgers, just about anything a reader would want to know about Tulsa baseball is found in this comprehensive baseball history book by Elven Lindblad.

No matter what kind of information the reader wishes to find about Tulsa teams, usually nicknamed the Oilers or the Drillers, the ballparks, the players, the radio broadcasts or the records, it will be found in this book.  The chapters represent each decade from the 1900’s until the 2010’s and the information is complete for every season in which a team played in Tulsa.  Like many other minor league cities, there was no baseball during some war years and there was a brief period when no one would step up to own a team. But for the most part, there was baseball played in Tulsa.

Not only is there good information on Tulsa baseball, but there is also extensive information on the Texas League and many stories about players and their accomplishments while suiting up for a team in the league. Because Tulsa was a member of this league for most of its years, it is appropriate to include these stories and I found them to be the most interesting.  Here are just three of the many great Texas League stories:

-       In 1977, a player for the Arkansas Travelers and Midland Cubs decided to retire after three knee surgeries.  He then earned a law degree and decided to return to the game as an agent.  That agent’s name is Scott Boras.

-       Joe Wilhoit of the Wichita Witches in 1919 set a professional baseball record that still stands today by hitting in 69 consecutive games.  He had two or more hits in 50 of those 69 games and batted .512 during the streak.

-       A former member of the Tulsa Oilers was an important player in one of the most historic home runs in baseball history.  When Bucky Dent hit the go-ahead homer in the 1978 playoff game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, he hit the homer off of former Tulsa pitcher Mike Torrez.

Stories like these, even though they may not be directly related to Tulsa baseball, make this book one that any baseball fan will enjoy.  While I read this cover to cover, a better use for it would be one as a reference book as the structure of the book and the information provided is extensive and makes a very good source for research. 

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

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:



Monday, March 19, 2018

Review of "Court Justice"

While not planned, this post can be filed under "irony" - during the NCAA basketball tournament, I read a book about Ed O'Bannon's court case against the NCAA.  The book was just as good as the basketball in the first two rounds.  Here is my review of "Court Justice"



Title/Author:
Court Justice: The Inside Story of My Battle Against the NCAA and My Life in Basketball” by Ed O’Bannon and Michael McCann

Tags:
Basketball, college, UCLA, legal, memoir, race

Publish date:
February 6, 2018

Length:
304 pages

Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:
Starting with the images from a video game, Ed O’Bannon decided to take on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in court, arguing that current and former college athletes should be compensated for the use of their likenesses.  The course that this lawsuit takes, as well as O’Bannon’s life and career as it relates to the case, is captured in this book that is a must-read for fans of college sports and readers interested in this case.

The book takes the reader through the case, starting with the motivation of the lawsuit, through the discovery and testimony of several NCAA officials, the verdict rendered by the judge and the aftermath.  Through it all, O’Bannon shares stories from his college life as well as basketball, his frustration through his NBA career and the successful career he has had since leaving basketball. 

The overwhelming point made throughout the book was that the NCAA has been exploiting college athletes by generating billions of dollars through their activity and their images and likenesses.  Not just during the actual games, but O’Bannon uses examples like jerseys, promotional material and press releases to add to his point.  He also refutes those who believe that athletes are compensated because they receive scholarships and therefore have no grievance.  He believes that these athletes, especially those who came from poverty, can’t afford a “normal” college life (something the NCAA continuously tries to illustrate), athletes are not guaranteed sufficient medical care should they suffer injuries and that because many athletes have to spend up to 50 hours a week on athletic-related activities they don’t get to obtain the true educational experience. 

There is also one other inconsistency with the NCAA that O’Bannon mentions with athletes being able to speak to “advisors”, usually meaning agents and the professional drafts.  If a college hockey or baseball player speaks to an “advisor”, he is not subjected to his NCAA eligibility being revoked.  Nor is it in danger if he is drafted by a professional baseball or hockey team – as long as he doesn’t sign a contract, he can still play at the college level in his sport.  These are not afforded to football or basketball players (both men and women in the latter) because in order to retain eligibility, a player who is considering being eligible for the draft must withdraw before the day of the draft and cannot have contact with any outside “advisor.”  While stopping short of calling the NCAA a racist organization, he does make the reader think because college hockey and baseball players are mostly white whereas college football and basketball players are mostly black. 

Inconsistencies like this are at the crux of O’Bannon’s case and the reader will be captivated with his account of the trial, his life and how the NCAA needs to undergo serious changes.  O’Bannon ends the book with twelve suggestions he has for this last point and the reader will be left hoping that something can be done for these athletes to be fairly compensated for the hard work they do for the schools and NCAA.

I wish to thank Diversion Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:



Friday, March 16, 2018

Review of "Walking with Tigers"

Since spring is just around the corner, that will mean soon it is time to take the golf clubs out of storage and hit the links.  Even for those of us here in the Northeast where there is still plenty of snow on the ground.  Between that and realizing I haven't read a golf book in a long time, I decided to pick this one up from NetGalley - and it turned out to be even better than I hoped.  Here is my review of "Walking with Tigers" 






Title/Author:
Walking with Tigers” by John Black
Tags:
Golf, professional, biography
Publish date:
January 4, 2018

Length:
246 pages
Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (Outstanding)
Review:
Qualifying for the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour can be one of the most difficult challenges in sports. Almost as difficult once a golfer gets there is to maintain that spot. Joel Dahmen lived through this and his adventure is chronicled in this informative and entertaining book by John Black.

The book starts at the last hole of the Web.com qualifying rounds at the end of the 2016 season.  A golfer must place in the top 25 spots of this playoff format in order to qualify for the PGA Tour. Joel qualified when another golfer missed a birdie putt and finished just behind Dahmen. It was a lifetime dream for Dahmen – he had survived testicular cancer as had his brother and they lost their mother Jolyn to pancreatic cancer. While this helped him place the game of golf in the proper perspective, it was nonetheless a time to celebrate for Dahmen and his longtime caddie Geno Bonnalie. 

However, life on the PGA tour was not the same glamourous life for Dahmen and his girlfriend Lona Skutt as it was for the top players, called “Tigers” throughout the book.  They had to scramble for travel and accommodations frequently.  When Joel failed to make a cut, that meant he wasn’t paid and when he was struggling the money was tight.  When Joel finally brought home his first check, Lorna was able to not only pay the bills but also to make their “first major purchase…a vacuum cleaner.”  Reading that passage, and many others like that one, makes the book one that will entertain as well as inform.

As much as Dahmen had to scurry for these accommodations, it was even more so for Bonnalie.  While money was a little easier for him and his wife Holly because she had a good paying job, Geno still tried to keep his expenses to a minimum as he would only be able to earn a share of Dahmen’s earnings.  His thriftiness on travel and lodging expenses were legendary.  The flights Bonnalie would book when he traveled from his hometown of Lewiston, Idaho would often take strange paths for connections.  These would become the “Lewiston Flightmare”.

But through it all, both golfer and caddie were enjoying the experience tremendously.  The book takes the reader through each tourney they entered, the good shots and the bad ones and has a short write-up about the winner at each one of them, whether or not it was a “Tiger” or another golfer just trying to earn a good paycheck for the week.  The golf writing is superb in the book as the reader will feel the emotions of every shot, good and bad.  The descriptions of the course, lie of the ball, putts, even the gallery when an errant ball struck a spectator – all of them are richly illustrated by the author’s talent. As for walking with a “Tiger”, the best story of these is when Joel was playing in the same group as Dustin Johnson, who was the top ranked player in the world at the time, and was matching him shot for shot – easily the best experience Dahmen and Bonnalie had on the 2017 Tour.

A golfer has to place in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings in order to be assured a spot on the PGA Tour for the next year.  If a PGA tour golfer fails to do so, then he must quality in the Web.com playoffs – which is how Dahmen qualified in 2016 and because he was outside the top 125 golfers, he had to do again at the end of 2017.  This can be just as stressful as any tourney and this time, Joel was able to qualify without needing a missed putt by another golfer. 

This book is a wonderful account of the ups and downs of a young golfer trying to succeed in the grind of the PGA tour without a lot of the fancy perks that are provided to the “Tigers”. The reader will close the book smiling for Joel Dahmen and Geno Bonnalie and will be rooting hard for Joel to become one of the” Tigers”.

I wish to thank Black Rose Writing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:


Sunday, March 11, 2018

Review of "Hurricane Season"

With opening day of the new baseball season just a little less than three weeks away, it is only appropriate to post a review on an upcoming book on the current world champions, the Houston Astros.  However, this book is much more than a baseball book - it is one that captures the heart and soul of the team and how they helped a city recover and heal from one of the most devastating storms, in terms of rain, in American history.  Here is my review of "Hurricane Season."


Title/Author:
Hurricane Season: The Unforgettable Story of the 2017 Houston Astros and the Resilience of a City” by Joe Holley
Tags:
Baseball, professional, Astros, championship
Publish date:
May 1, 2018

Length:
272 pages
Rating: 
4 ½  of 5 stars (Excellent)
Review:
Winning the 2017 World Series meant much more to the Houston Astros and their fans. After Houston suffered so much devastation from Hurricane Harvey that summer, some wondered if the Astros were going to be able to concentrate on baseball. That question was answered with a trade for one of the game’s best pitchers, a strong postseason and winning an exciting World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers in which two of the games (games 2 and 5) are considered to be two of the best games played in World Series history. 

This book by Houston Chronicle columnist Joe Holley is a very good account of not only all seven World Series games, but also a moving description of the devastation caused the flooding from the hurricane and the long road to recovery for many people.  The three chapters that described the horrific rainfall - nearly 60 inches, the most from one rain event ever recorded in the United States) and the heroic efforts of first responders to rescue thousands of stranded people. 

While the storm did result in 88 deaths, much credit is given to the first responders and volunteers to prevent that number from climbing much higher. Holley’s accounts of the storm, stories about people who were helping strangers, a woman who started a rescue team from social media and so many more will move a reader to tears.  He even goes as far as to make a statement that the Astros would not have won the World Series without the standard set by Houstonians that the team had to aspire to reach – and one that is hard to disprove. This is one instance where the non-sports sections of a sports book are so much more gripping than the chapters on the sport or team itself.

This is not to say that the writing about the baseball or the Astros is inferior. The accounts of all seven World Series games are filled with not only recaps of the action on the field, but stories from the players and even fans. One of the more entertaining anecdotes was the musings of a fan who attended the exciting see-saw game 5 which saw both teams take the lead and promptly relinquish it.  The fan was seated just in front of the box where the Astros’ baseball operations staff was located (the staff affectionately called the “nerds” throughout the book) and noted that these “nerds” never bothered to catch any of this exciting game as they would be constantly looking down at their phones trying to find any new information on social media. 

This story illustrates the new paradigm for both the Astros and all other major league teams – the reliance on statistical analysis for making decisions on players and game strategy. The Astros were one of the first teams to rely on this analysis almost exclusively and were struggling at the start, enduring three consecutive seasons with more than 100 losses. The patience paid off in 2015 when they secured a postseason berth and then the ultimate payoff in 2017.  While the book doesn’t dig deeply into the nuts and bolts of this operation, Holley writes very informative chapter about general manager Jeff Luhnow and owner Jim Crane – the former for developing the analytics department and the latter for his approval and financing.

The only aspect of the book that keeps this from being a true five-star book in my mind is Holley’s account of the unfortunate incident in which Yuli Gurriel made a racially insensitive gesture toward Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish. After it was captured and reported on social media, the ensuring controversy resulted in Gurriel’s suspension at the beginning of the 2018 season and an apology. Holley wrote that there wasn’t much more about the incident after the apology, which was accepted by Darvish, but the gesture was, according to Holley, “bigger than it seemed”. That, to me, was an unnecessary comment as it was unfortunate but shouldn’t be constantly overshadowing the action on the field.  Also, something that Holley did leave out was the gesture Gurriel made during his first at bat in game 7.  Darvish was on the mound for the Dodgers and Gurrriel tipped his cap to Darvish, who in turn acknowledged the gesture with a nod of his head.  My thought was if the two men involved could make peace and move on, why couldn’t the author do the same thing?

Aside from this small matter, the rest of the book is a terrific and moving account of a baseball team, its success and its attachment to a city that needed all the good news it could get during a very tough year. Baseball fans, especially Astros fans, will want to add this one to their libraries as soon as it comes out.

I wish to thank Hachette Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:


Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Review of "The Comeback"

Those who follow my reviews know that while I love to read about all sports, I especially enjoy books on baseball, hockey and boxing.  Now I can add a fourth sport to this short list: cycling.  Between Tyler Hamilton's memoirs and this outstanding book on Greg LeMond, I am finding books on cycling just as compelling as the other three.  Here is my review of "The Comeback."


Title/Author:
The Comeback: Greg LeMond, the True King of American Cycling, and a Legendary Tour de France” by Daniel de Visè
Tags:
Cycling, biography, history, performance enhancing drugs
Publish date:
June 5, 2018

Length:
432 pages
Rating: 
5 of 5 stars (Outstanding)
Review:
Greg LeMond woke up the American sporting public to the Tour de France with his upset victory in the 1986 race.  Three years later, after his career nearly ended due to injuries suffered in a shooting accident during a hunting trip, he again won the race by eight seconds over Frenchman Laurent Fignon. The final stage of the race is the starting point of this terrific book by Daniel de Visè.

While the book primarily tells the story of LeMond’s life and career, the reader will learn much about other prominent cycling athletes. The reader will learn why LeMond chose cycling for his sport (he wanted to compete in sports where “I could accomplish something myself without having to depend on others”), the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of a family member and how he became the voice of “clean” racers when the doping culture of the sport became more prominent in the age of erythropoietin (EPO) and later “mechanical doping” in which a small machine would aid a cyclist with his speed.

Of course, the book delves into the fall of Lance Armstrong and Greg’s interactions, both the good and the bad, with the fallen star. It made for great reading, as it almost felt like a soap opera, as Armstrong first was counting on LeMond’s advice on the life of a professional cyclist, then later as the doping accusations became louder, Armstrong nearly destroyed LeMond’s life, including the public revelation of Greg being a victim of abuse.  While much of this material is available in other books, this account felt like a very intimate and personal version.  This was just one example of the outstanding writing that was on display throughout the book.

The story of Fignon is just as compelling in this book as is LeMond’s as their lives seemed to move along parallel paths. Like Greg, Laurent had his own demons and had to come back from a serious injury.  The 1989 Tour de France was the signature race of his comeback, just like LeMond, only with a different result. The reader feels both LeMond’s joy and Fignon’s agony in this result throughout the book as the results affected both men for the rest of their lives.

The strategy of tour racing, how teams work to ensure that their strongest rider will have a chance for victory and the cutthroat nature of the sport are all on display in sections about the races. The description of the peloton, or pack of riders, and what goes on in that mass of bikes and humans, was very compelling and I enjoyed learning just how important a role the peloton plays in the strategy for riders during a race.  

No matter the level of knowledge or interest the reader has in cycling, this book is a must read for all sports fans who love a good story of a classic comeback and of the adventures of athletes, both “good” and “bad”.  I have been enjoying books on the sport and this one is certainly one of the best.

I wish to thank Atlantic Monthly Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:


Saturday, March 3, 2018

Review of "The Immaculate Inning"

After the winter storm that we endured here in the northeastern United States, it's hard to believe that baseball season starts at the end of the month.  Nonetheless, it is spring training time and the new baseball book selections are starting to be more plentiful.  This one written by SABR member Joe Cox is a quick and fun read on accomplishments that have been achieved by famous and not-so-famous players.  Here is my review of "The Immaculate Inning"


Title/Author:
“The Immaculate Inning: Unassisted Triple Plays, 40/40 Seasons and the Stories Behind Baseball’s Rarest Feats” by Joe Cox

Tags:
Baseball, professional, records

Publish date:
February 1, 2018

Length:
256 pages

Rating: 
4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: 
The nature of the game of baseball lends itself to allow players to have one outstanding inning, game or achievement in an otherwise mediocre (or worse) career.  Stories about these events, whether accomplished by a Hall of Fame player or a player who was only in the major leagues a brief time, are told in this entertaining book by Joe Cox.

The title of the book gives a hint as to one of the 30 accomplishments highlighted: an “immaculate inning” is one in which the pitcher strikes out all three batters he faces in an inning while throwing only nine pitches. Other achievements highlighted in the book include striking out 20 batters in a game, walking six times in one game, hitting and stealing for the cycle in a game (the latter is stealing second, third and home in a game – more impressive if done in an inning) and having a hitting streak of at least 40 games.

While many of the players who accomplished these feats will be familiar to fans since nearly every feat has famous players who achieved them, the stories about the lesser known players are what make this book a treat to read.  Examples of this are a pitcher who struck out four batters in an inning – one of only 33 innings Derek Wallace pitched in the major leagues; Mark Witten hitting two grand slams in an inning, and Earl Averill reaching base in 17 consecutive plate appearances in 1962.

One interesting note about that last feat was that only one other player accomplished this record – Piggy Ward, who played for the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds when he had his streak – in 1893.  Including players who accomplished these feats in the nineteenth century, when the records and statistics kept were spotty, is a testament to the research and work that Cox put into the book.

“The Immaculate Inning” is a book that all baseball fans of any era will enjoy as it covers the entire spectrum of the game. The structure of the book is such that it can be read in one sitting or enjoyed in small pieces as none of the chapters are extremely long and once finished, it goes immediately into the next accomplishment.  It is recommended to be added to the library of baseball book collectors.

I wish to thank Lyons Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links: