Review of "A View from Two Benches"

To finish off a very busy April for this site, this is my review of the biography of Bob Thomas, a successful kicker for the Chicago Bears in the 1970's and early 80's and his later rise in prominence in the legal profession by becoming a justice on a state Supreme Court.  Here is my review of "A View from Two Benches."

Title/Author:

“A View from Two Benches: Bob Thomas in Football and the Law" by Doug Feldman

Tags:

Football (American), biography, legal, Bears, Lions, Chargers, Giants

Publish date:

May 15, 2020

Length:

264 pages

Rating: to

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

While it isn't common, there are examples of professional athletes who have studied law while they were still playing sports and some have gone on to prominent legal careers.  One such athlete is Bob Thomas, an associate justice for the Illinois Supreme Court. His football and legal careers are the subject of this biography by Doug Feldman.

Thomas kicked 11 years in the National Football League, primarily with the Chicago Bears, but also kicked for the Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers and New York Giants during his football career.  Feldman does an excellent job of portraying the life of a NFL kicker being a nomadic one, as most kickers will often be signed by teams for brief periods to either replace an injured kicker (as Thomas was in San Diego and New York) or to find yet another kicker who will consistently perform under pressure. Thomas proved that during his time with the Bears, setting team records for scoring and remaining highly ranked in those categories for the team.

Despite the many changes, Thomas had settled in Chicago and that is where his family life was settled and where he not only studied law but became a practicing attorney, including late in his career when he kicked for other teams.  His family's adventures were handled by his wife Maggie, whom Feldman does mention prominently, especially when they are moving around.

Once Thomas's career track changes from football to the law, the book also takes a different track as Thomas's faith is discussed more frequently. There are Biblical scripture readings that Bob and Maggie used to help them get through troubled times.  Bob's legal career was very successful, moving up quickly through the process to become first a judge, then a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.  There is even a trial in which Bob sues a small newspaper for defamation that reads like a quick, exciting legal thriller. 

While the book is approximately 70 percent about Thomas's football career and 30 percent about his legal career, both parts are equally engrossing and make for good reading.  Anyone interested in football, especially kickers, will enjoy that portion of the book while those interested in his time on the Illinois Supreme Court will like the book as well.

I wish to thank University of Northern Illinois University Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

                                    

Book Format Read:

E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/View-Two-Benches-Thomas-Football-ebook/dp/B07Z9NKFFY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=  

Review of "The Called Shot"

Having read a book on the myth of the "Called Shot" by Babe Ruth in the 1932 World Series, I was interested to see what this book contained for new material about that home run. Instead, what I found was a complete picture of the 1932 baseball season and the two teams in the World Series that made for a great read.  Here is my review of this book by Thomas Wolf.

Title/Author:

“The Called Shot: Babe Ruth, the Chicago Cubs and the Unforgettable Baseball Season of 1932” by Thomas Wolf

Tags:

Baseball, professional, history, championship, Yankees, Cubs

Publish date:

May 1, 2020

Length:

408 pages

Rating:

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

Nearly 80 years after the event took place, a home run in the fifth inning of game three of the 1932 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs is still being discussed and debated. Yankee outfielder Babe Ruth came to the plate and while being heckled by players from the Cubs dugout, he supposedly pointed to center field and proceeded to homer in the area to which he pointed.  The verification of that event, while still being debated today, is only one of a number of topics about the 1932 baseball season on display in this excellent book by Thomas Wolf.

The possibility of a reader getting confused by the title and not reading anything about the “called shot” until near the end is the only thing about the book that may not sit well with that reader.  Otherwise, the reader is treated to great writing about the 1932 Yankees, Cubs, key personnel on both clubs, a little bit about teams that challenged them to their pennants and also the social, political and economic issues of that year.

Wolf dives deep into some of the better known baseball players of that time, especially if they were with the Yankees or Cubs that season. Of course, Babe Ruth is prominently mentioned throughout the book.  Another well-known player is Rogers Hornsby, who is given a less-than-flattering portrayal as he was fired as the Cubs’ player-manager 99 games into the season. Hornsby’s penchant for gambling is also on display here, getting him into financial difficulty to the point he was borrowing money from Cubs teammates.

There is also an excellent write up on the Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges, who was shot by his girlfriend Violet Popovich.  Wolf does include that among the many Cubs fans in attendance at Wrigley Field that year was Bernard Malamud, who used a fictional account of this incident in his novel “The Natural.”  There is also an excellent story about how two prisoners were able to attend one of the World Series games with the prison warden at Wrigley.  It is connections to non-baseball people like this that make the book an excellent read as it does show that baseball, especially at that time, had an impact on so many people in all walks of life.

The book also delves into the political and economic landscape at the time.  America was in the midst of the Great Depression and the presidential campaign is also discussed.  Especially noteworthy is the fact that both parties had their convention in Chicago that year. The writing on these topics is just as engrossing and informative as the baseball writing.

As for the subject of the title, readers who wish to know whether this really took place or not will be disappointed to learn that Wolf doesn’t engage in that debate, leaving it for others. But his description of that home run, as well as the rest of the material in the book, make for outstanding reading and readers who are interested in baseball or history should add this book to their list.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

                                                                       

Book Format Read:

E-book (PDF)                                                                                                                                   

Buying Links:

https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/university-of-nebraska-press/9780803255241/

https://www.amazon.com/Called-Shot-Chicago-Unforgettable-Baseball-ebook/dp/B07ZQVVCJQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Review of "Bouton"

Every avid baseball reader has at some point read the book "Ball Four."  Whether a reader likes it or not, no one can deny it had a profound effect on the game.  A biography has been written about the author of "Ball Four", Jim Bouton, and it is just as compelling a book.  Here is my review of "Bouton"

Title/Author:

“Bouton: The Life of a Baseball Original” by Mitchell Nathanson

Tags:

Baseball, biography, author, Yankees, Pilots, Astros, Braves

Publish date:

May 1, 2020

Length:

456 pages

Rating:

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review

When the book “Ball Four” was published in 1970, it shook the baseball world to its core. It was basically a tell-all book, and it wasn’t the first book of its kind as “The Long Season” was a similar book published a decade earlier and “Behind the Mask” also previously released. But given the some of the lurid (for the times) details of the day-to-day life of a ball player, the exposure of just how one-sided contract negotiations were before the days of free agency, and some other secrets exposed, “Ball Four” was so controversial that the commissioner of baseball, Bowie Kuhn, demanded a meeting with the author, pitcher Jim Bouton. This book is a wonderful biography of Bouton by Mitchell Nathanson that shows there is much more to Bouton than just a baseball player.

The reader will learn that early on, while Bouton was a competitive person and loved to play sports, he also wanted to learn other facets of life as well.  This isn’t to say he was an outstanding student, but he was a keen observer and liked to acquire knowledge from many different sources, not just textbooks. Something else that is interesting about his early life is that his youth sports experience was ahead of its time as he wanted to devote all his energy to one sport, baseball, instead of multiple sports.

His baseball career is a very interesting section of the book as Nathanson not only talks about his time as a successful pitcher for the Yankees, but also about Bouton’s relationship with pitching coach Johnny Sain.  Like so many other pitchers, Sain not only made Bouton a better pitcher but also left a lasting impression.  Nathanson even makes talking about Bouton’s quirk of having his hat fall off his head on nearly every pitch seem intriguing.

But injuries and a fastball that wasn’t as fast any longer led to a decline in Bouton’s effectiveness and he ended up with the expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969.  But that season turned out to be the most important one in Bouton’s life as he took copious notes, recorded many conversations and basically documented nearly everything that happened during his season with the Pilots.  Bouton also never got rid of those papers and cassette tapes, storing them in what became the “butter yellow box.” He took those notes and wrote “Ball Four” with the help of sportswriter Leonard Schecter. While it was a hit with many baseball readers, especially younger ones with whom Bouton shared many similar political and cultural beliefs, it caused quite a commotion in the baseball establishment.  Not only in the commissioner’s office, but in locker rooms and press boxes all across baseball, “Ball Four” exposed many secrets that weren’t too kind to the game.

While the book was a best seller, it did effectively blackball Bouton from not only the Yankees, who would not invite him back to the stadium for nearly 30 years, but also from baseball.  He did attempt comebacks (this trait is shown time and time again by Nathanson with some wonderful prose) in all levels of the game, which culminated in a short stint on the roster of the Atlanta Braves in 1978, but for all intents and purposes, he struggled with baseball after writing the book.

Of course, the thirst for knowledge outside of baseball kept Bouton busy on other projects, including writing other books.  These included follow-ups to “Ball Four” titled “I’m Glad You Didn’t Take It Personally” and “Ball Five”.  There was also a book about the town of Pittsfield, Massachusettes when they proposed replacing a very old ballpark with a newer one called “Foul Ball.”  While the incentive behind writing that was to expose corruption in the town instead of anything about the game of baseball, Bouton met the same fate as he did with “Ball Four”, namely that he made many new enemies.

Nathanson’s account of these endeavors of Bouton, as well as the sharing of his personal life that resulted in a divorce and subsequent re-marriage that changed him profoundly, make for great reading that will be difficult for a reader to put down.  If the reader has ever read “Ball Four”, then this book is one that he or she must add to their library as well as it is a great account of the man behind the legendary book.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

                                                                       

Book Format Read:

E-book (Kindle)                                                                                                                               

Buying Links:

https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/university-of-nebraska-press/9781496217707/

https://www.amazon.com/Bouton-Baseball-Original-Mitchell-Nathanson/dp/1496217705/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=   

Review of "The Baltimore Stallions"

Believe it or not, there was a team based in a United States city that has won the Grey Cup, the championship of the Canadian Football League.  While this team lasted only two years in Baltimore before heading north to Montreal, they left behind a legacy that has surprisingly maintained its allure in Baltimore football history despite such a short time in the city.  Here is my review of "The Baltimore Stallions"

Title/Author:

“The Baltimore Stallions: The Brief, Brilliant History of the CFL Champion Franchise” by Ron Snyder

Tags:

Football (Canadian), history, championship

Publish date:

April 9, 2020

Length:

204 pages

Rating:

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

Baltimore is a football town, as they have proved with their support of the Colts before that team left for Indianapolis in 1984 and the Ravens since 1996.  However, in between those two NFL franchises, there was a Canadian Football League (CFL) franchise that called Baltimore home for two seasons, 1994 and 1995, and they were also welcomed by the fans and the city. That team, the Baltimore Stallions, also became the first and only team based in the United States to win the Grey Cup, the CFL’s championship trophy. The short but interesting life of the Stallions is the subject of this excellent book by Ron Snyder.

The book starts off with a brief history of Baltimore football before the arrival of the CFL team, with much of that section devoted to the Baltimore Colts. Here, Snyder gives the reader a good description of the pain felt by many in the city when that team left in the middle of the night with their items packed in Mayflower moving trucks. Quotes from many people attached to Baltimore football, whether fans, former players or media personnel are quoted or mentioned when Snyder shows how the city was painfully feeling the void of no football.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Football League, facing a difficult financial situation, wanted to try to expand its market into American cities.  Businessman Jim Speros decided to bring one of these teams to Baltimore and after persuading first city officials, then league officials, that Baltimore was the right place for a CFL team, he was awarded a franchise to begin play in 1994.  Not everything went smoothly for the franchise at the start, as Snyder tells the reader about the poor condition of the old home of the Colts, Memorial Stadium, as well as the legal challenge by the NFL when Speros wanted to name the new team the Colts. The NFL was successful in obtaining an injunction just before the 1994 CFL season started, so for that season the team was known as the Baltimore CFL team, or CFLers. For the 1995 season, they were officially known as the Baltimore Stallions.

However, once the games actually took place, the team was a success both on the field and in the stands. This topic is where Snyder does his best work as he not only recaps the games from both seasons but has these passages liberally filled with quotes from players and coaches, most notably Tracy Ham, the popular quarterback for the team, and general manager Jim Popp. These stories and quotes from so many of the people associated with the team gives the reader a better feel for how popular the team was in the city and in return, how much the players and coaches appreciated the support they received.

The ending of the team was sudden and the book reflects this as well.  No sooner had the Stallions defeated the Calgary Stampeders to win the 1995 Grey Cup was it known that the end of the franchise was near as while the CFL playoffs were taking place, the Cleveland Browns had announced their intention to move to Baltimore for the 1996 NFL season. Knowing that there couldn’t be room for both teams and also knowing that the CFL was going to end its experiment with U.S. teams, the Stallions had filed for a move to Montreal and became the latest version of the Montreal Alouettes. This was so sudden that there wasn’t even a victory parade or ceremony for the team in Baltimore.  The shock for this was illustrated by Snyder in the same manner that he wrote about the team’s success on the field, and even includes a reunion ceremony many years later in which several of the players and coaches were able to finally celebrate properly.

While some of the topics raised about the team are covered in more pages than would normally be the case for a book about a history of a team, Snyder manages to pull it off in a way that is entertaining and informative. It is a quick read and also an impressive work to be able to get a 200 page book out about a team that lasted only two seasons. This is highly recommended for readers who are interested in the CFL or Baltimore football history.

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

                                                                       

Book Format Read:

E-book (PDF)                                                                                                                                   

Buying Links:

https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-baltimore-stallions/

https://www.amazon.com/Baltimore-Stallions-Brilliant-Champion-Franchise-ebook/dp/B086DQQYRP/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Review of " '67 "

The Toronto Maple Leafs, despite their rich history, has one of the longest championship droughts in sports, having not won the Stanley Cup since 1967, the last year of the NHL's "Original Six" era.  How that came about, as well as a recap of their playoff run to win that championship, is told in this excellent book.  Here is my review of " '67 "

Title/Author:

“’67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory and the End of an Empire” by Damien Cox and Gord Stellick

Tags:

Ice hockey, professional, championship, history, Maple Leafs

Publish date:

January 21, 2014 (e-book. Original publication date 2004)

Length:

386 pages

Rating:

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

One of the longest current championship droughts in professional sports belongs to the Toronto Maple Leafs.  They were one of the “Original Six” NHL teams and their last championship came during the last season of that era, 1967.  The next season saw the league double in size from six teams to 12 and the expansion has continued to the 31 teams now playing.  Think about that for a second – the Maple Leafs, who have long been the heart and soul of Toronto – have not won a Cup during the time the NHL grew more than five-fold. 

While the title of this book may lead a reader to believe that this book will simply relive that last Stanley Cup championship, which ended a six year stretch of dominance by the Leafs, authors Damien Cox and Gord Stellick weave many reasons why the team has been struggling to regain that glory ever since that last year of the Original Six.

Cox and Stellick pull no punches in spreading the blame for the woes of the Maple Leafs.  Just about everything that was wrong with the Maple Leafs is covered, including a horrendous pedophile scandal at Maple Leaf Gardens. The downturn actually began during their championship reign as the authors illustrate numerous lapses of judgement when it came to scouting and signing young talent to replace the aging stars of those great Leafs teams of the 1960’s. At that time, the Leafs had practically a stranglehold for acquiring players from the province of Ontario but one player in particular, who wanted to play for the Leafs but did not appreciate the low offer he was given, instead signed with the Boston Bruins. That young player’s name – Bobby Orr.

That was just one example of a common theme of the Maple Leafs under the guidance of Punch Imlach, Stafford Smythe and Harold Ballard, were known for not only their tight fisted ways when negotiating with players but also for their disdain of the newly formed players’ union.  Ironically, that was headed by the now-shamed Alan Eagleson who was also the agent for Bobby Orr and several other players including Maple Leafs stars.  Those who have followed hockey for a long time know about the many sins of Eagleson and that is the only issue I had with this book – he is practically given a free pass while Imlach, Smythe and others in the Maple Leafs organization are routinely criticized. That may be rightly so but it doesn’t explain how Eagleson is not held to the same standards.

The actual play on the ice for the 1967 Stanley Cup is not forgotten and each chapter is divided into the eleven playoff games played by the Leafs that season. The exploits of their veteran goaltending tandem of Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuk are told in great detail, especially Bower’s feud with John Ferguson of Montreal in the Stanley Cup finals. Many other stars from that team are portrayed such as Dave Keon, Bob Pulford, Ron Ellis and Frank Mahavolich.  Lesser known players who still had played a significant role in that championship season are also featured such as Brian Conacher, Larry Hillman and Marcel Pronovost. The story of this Maple Leafs team and the subsequent demise of the franchise is a terrific story with many interesting characters and is one that hockey fans will enjoy reading.  Unless, of course, they are Leafs fans.

                                                                        

Book Format Read:

E-book (Nook)                                                                                                                                 

Buying Links:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/67-damien-cox/1123773623?ean=9781443429566

https://www.amazon.com/67-Maple-Sensational-Victory-Empire-ebook/dp/B00H7M9G0Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Review of "The Conman"

While I very rarely read sports fiction, this novel of a baseball pitcher's career that was based on the career of former major league pitcher Keith Comstock, I decided to take a look. This was solely due to the fact I recognized Comstock as a former pitcher of the Minnesota Twins, one of the teams Conor Nash pitches for in this book.  Here is my review of "The Conman"

Title/Author:

“The Conman” by Michael Murphey with Keith Comstock

Tags:

Baseball, professional, fiction

Publish date:

November 11, 2019

Length:

389 pages

Rating: to

4 ½ of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

Every young boy who has played baseball has dreams of one day playing in the major leagues.  For Conor Nash, that dream not only became a reality, it became an obsession and addiction to be able to pitch as long as possible.  Conor's adventures into becoming a major league pitcher with MANY different teams in both the major and minor leagues is the story of this novel by Michael Murphey.  The story is based upon the real-life career of Keith Comstock, who was listed as a contributor to the book.

The premise of the story is that as Conor's career is winding down and he is becoming more and more delirious, he is talking to his baseball angel Rita while downing a bottle of champagne. This is an interesting symbol (the champagne) since neither drugs nor alcohol can be considered the vice that has gripped Conor.  He becomes a man that no one who has played with or managed him on the field recognizes.  This version of Conor is also unfamiliar to his wife Kate who has stood by Conor in every promotion to the majors, demotion to the minors, training camp, aborted trips overseas and countless releases. 

Nonetheless, the game has gripped Conor, a character that will grow on the reader, especially a reader who is a baseball fan. That reader will recognize many names from major league baseball in the 1980's.  Conor pitched for the Oakland Athletics organization, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners in that time, just for starters.  

Of course, Kate is another character whom the reader will identify with as well as some of Conor's friends such as AJ Brad and Basil. Well, maybe not Basil, who was the funniest of the bunch as he always found a way to attract women when he drank his scotch and when something went awry, he always claimed it wasn't his fault.

The career of a baseball player, no matter how far he advances, is a complicated journey, from the beginning to the end.  This book is much the same way, especially the ending, but it is an enjoyable and fun journey as the reader takes the mound with Conor Nash every step of the way.

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

                                                             

Book Format Read:

E-book (Kindle)

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Conman-Mike-Murphey-ebook/dp/B07ZJNDSHD/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Review of "Tough Guy"

When it comes to hockey, I am not one who is a big fan of fighting.  I believe it has its place, but I prefer my hockey games to be fight-free.  However, I do realize that enforcers have their place in the sport and often times they become one of the more popular players on their team.  Such was the case with Bob Probert during his time with the Detroit Red Wings and his book is his chance to tell his story the way he wanted it told.  While he wasn't completely done with the project when he died too soon in 2010, it was finished and fans of his should read this if they have not already done so.  Here is my review of "Tough Guy"

Title/Author:

“Tough Guy: My Life on the Edge” by Bob Probert with Kirstie McClellen Day

Tags:

Ice hockey, professional, memoir, Red Wings, Blackhawks

Publish date:

October 1, 2010

Length:

272 pages

Rating:

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Bob Probert was the type of hockey player called an enforcer. His game was more about intimidation, protecting his teammates and fighting. He played the game hard during his career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks and lived life off the ice just as hard.  His memoir, written with hockey author Kirstie McClellen Day, was nearly complete when he suddenly died in the summer of 2010 from a heart attack.  Fortunately for hockey fans, the book was eventually finished and Probert’s story was told.

The book starts off on that fateful summer day when Bob was doing something he loved, boating on the lake with his wife Dani and her parents when he suffered that heart attack. Dani’s frantic cries really set the tone for Bob’s story as he was always making others scramble, whether it was Dani, teammates, Red Wings front office personnel or his lawyers.

His early life and hockey career isn’t much different than that of many other young Canadians who are looking for a path to the NHL through the Canadian junior leagues.  That he discovered he was going to need to use his fists to advance in the ranks was also not unusual as there are many players who do that as well.  What makes his story a little different is the twists and turns his life took once he made to the NHL with the Red Wings.

Here is where the book gets as crazy as Probert’s life. While he was very popular with Red Wings fans, he was in a constant state of trying to get more ice time.  While many enforcers have this issue as part of their career, what made more difficult for Probert was not only his injuries but also his penchant for alcohol and drugs off the ice.  He was in rehab, whether voluntary or mandated by either team officials, NHL officials or law enforcement, a total of 10 times. He was essentially deported from the US, as there was a long period where he could not play games with his team in Canada as he would not be allowed back into the US.  He gave Red Wings staff not only headaches but he also played hardball for contract negotiations, which eventually led him to become a free agent and sign with the Chicago Blackhawks where he ended his hockey career.

Probert writes the book in a manner and language that he is talking with the guys in either the locker room or at a bar in one of the many late nights he had during his career. While that lends an air of authenticity to his story, it also sounds immature and complaint-filled at times – which again, leads to its authenticity.  Probert wanted to write this to tell his version of what happened without the judgement that he felt would be shown from only reports of his issues with substance abuse and encounters with law enforcement.  On that front, he does a good job with a book that fans of the Red Wings or of Probert himself will enjoy.

                                                                       

Book Format Read:

E-book (PDF)                                                                                                                                   

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Guy-My-Life-Edge-ebook/dp/B0049P1LWS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tough-guy-bob-probert/1102044117?ean=9781617493102