Review of "Talking Baseball with Major League Stars"

Fairly short book resulting in a fairly short review - but packed with good information.  It did have a little (very little) "Glory of Their Times" feel, but it was less about the stories of these men and more about the game of baseball itself. 

Title/Author:

“Talking Baseball with Major League Stars” by Wayne Stewart

Rating: 

3 of 5 stars (good)

Review:

If one wants to learn about any aspect of baseball, whether it be pitching, hitting, fielding, strategy, or any other topic related to the game, it only makes sense to talk to those who do it best.  That is the concept behind this book by Wayne Stewart, where a reader will learn about these topics and more from interviews with many Major League baseball players and managers.

Through these numerous interviews, Stewart was able to craft a decent narrative on so many different approaches to the game. This is not only due to the sheer number of people who provided quotes and information, but just because of the many nuances of the game. A great example of this is the section on pitching, which was my favorite chapter of the book. Just about any type of pitch that a reader can think of, whether it is in current use (split-finger fastball, cutter) or one that is not used as often as it used to be (forkball, knuckleball), there will be several people giving their opinions or knowledge about that topic. 

While this makes for very interesting reading and even hardcore fans can learn something new, it can get overwhelming at times to read the book.  Not so much because of the information, but because of the sheer number of players and managers interviewed.  I had a hard time keeping track of which person said which quote when many would talk about the same detail.  It was still good to read, just hard to follow who said what.

I wish to thank Rowman and Littlefield for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Talking Baseball with Major League Stars: Stewart, Wayne: 9781538185285: Amazon.com: Books

Review of "Skipper"

Even though hockey and basketball are having their championship games currently, my to-do list is filled with baseball books.  Therefore, with maybe an exception or two, there will be a lot of baseball books reviewed here in the next few weeks.  For my latest review, this was an excellent book on baseball managers. 

Title/Author:

“Skipper: Why Baseball Managers Matter and Always Will” by Scott Miller

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

With the increased use of analytical data in baseball today, there has been talk that the importance and role of the manager of a major league baseball team has been reduced. This book by Scott Miller provides reams of excellent information on that leader, both in the perspective of “old school” and “new school.”

While reading this book, I came across with the sense that Miller was truly objective with his writing and opinions.  He never came across as a grouchy old man that can’t accept the use of analytics to influence in-game decisions, but he also never was dismissive of the authoritarian era of the manager when skippers like Earl Weaver and Tommy Lasorda had total control over the players (on the field) and the decisions made affecting the games on the field. 

That does leave a reader to wonder just how Miller feels about the current status of a manager, but to me, that’s a good thing. That means the reader will need to absorb all of the information, stories and records that Miller provides and come up with their own conclusion. Why Miller doesn’t share much in the way of opinion is known only to him, but while that may not appeal to some, for me it is one of the strengths of the book.

The range of stories is also fascinating plus Miller uses some actual game scenarios to illustrate how the role of the manager has changed. The best example of this to me is shown in his interviews with Tom Kelly and Kevin Cash in two of the more well-known pitching situations in World Series history.  Kelly, considered to be one of the better “old school” managers, had to decide whether to remove Jack Morris in game 7 of the 1991 World Series after he had thrown nine shutout innings. Morris was not going to leave the game without a fight and told Kelly “I can pitch.” Kelly then replied “Oh, hell, it’s only a game.”  Morris pitched a 1-2-3 tenth inning and then the Twins win in the bottom of the tenth. 

Cash, on the other hand, is more known for a move that didn’t work.  Following the plan that was developed between him and the baseball operations department (a department that never existed in Kelly’s time), Cash came out to remove starting pitcher Blake Snell with one out in the sixth inning. Snell at that point had only allowed two hits and struck out nine batters.  But after a single by Austin Barnes of the Dodgers brought up Mookie Betts and the top of the batting order, Cash did not want Snell to face the Dodger lineup a third time.  The bullpen couldn’t hold off the Dodgers offense as Los Angeles went on to win the game and the World Series.

The reason I highlight these two highlights is that they perfectly illustrate the range of time that this book covers, the types of managers highlighted (there’s great information on Terry Francona, Dusty Baker and Gabe Kapler as well, just to name a few) and the unique situations these leaders faced with their clubs.

Also, it should be noted that Miller had an excellent chapter on the lack of Black managers throughout the time covered and the difficulties encountered by those who had a job to find that next managerial position.  The grace in which Baker and Gaston handled those situations makes for wonderful reading.  After this chapter, while I already had great respect for Dusty Baker and his accomplishments, my respect for him grew even more as this revealed what kind of person he truly is.

I wish to thank Grand Central Publishing for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Skipper: Why Baseball Managers Matter and Always Will: Miller, Scott: 9780306832703: Amazon.com: Books

Review of "The Last Manager"

This is one of the books I completed cover to cover on my recent trip to a conference in Washington, DC.  One reason I prefer train travel when I can do so - more reading time!  It was an excellent book on legendary Orioles manager Earl Weaver. 

Title/Author:

“The Last Manager: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented and Reinvented Baseball” by John W. Miller

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

Earl Weaver is considered to be one of the feistiest and colorful managers in the history of Major League Baseball.  He was also very successful, leading the Baltimore Orioles to two World Series championships and five American League championships during his tenure from 1968 to 1982 (and a brief but unsuccessful return in 1985).  His life and career are captured in this very good book by John W. Miller.

While Weaver was mostly known for his legendary arguments with umpires, he had respect for the arbiters of the game and there is plenty of praise for them sprinkled in the pages.  What is also known about Weaver was that he was an early adopter of using data to develop game strategy.  While it is heavily in use today by baseball front offices, Weaver did not have people from the office handing him data and suggesting strategy from the data – he did all that himself. It is just one reason that this book is appropriately titled “The Last Manager” since on-field managers had much more autonomy in making game decisions than today’s managers.

While I enjoyed this aspect of the book, the writing by Miller about Weaver’s playing days in the minor league and his experience in 1952 at training camp for the St. Louis Cardinals (Weaver’s favorite team growing up in Missouri) was probably the best writing in the book.  As a reader, I really could feel Weaver’s frustration at performing so well and yet not making the major league roster because the player-manager saved that roster spot for himself.  It is also clear that Weaver was going to have to make it in baseball in some capacity to succeed in life – and managing turned out to be that capacity.

That managing career, as noted above, was a good choice for Weaver.  The bulk of the book is about his time with the Orioles and also makes for good reading.  In addition to his use of data for strategy and his famous rants to umpires, Weaver knew how to spot pitching talent – his 1971 staff of four 20-game winners is a testament to that.  The relationship Weaver also had with his players is on full display here.  He may have rubbed many players the wrong way while playing but in the end they respected Weaver, were appreciative of how he helped them improve and of course, enjoyed the success of the team. 

For a very good read on an era of baseball where team managers had much more control over the team and the strategy of the game than they do in the current structure of baseball, pick up this book.  You won’t be disappointed.

I wish to thank Avid Reader Press for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: The Last Manager: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented, and Reinvented Baseball: Miller, John W.: 9781668030929: Amazon.com: Books