Players Books

I'm a basketball fanatic, I love every aspect of the game. I watch it as a spectator, I coach, I ref, I organize, I do whatever to help the game advance. I also read a lot. I bought this book few years back and read it, I loved every minute of it. Every page had something interesting, some piece of advice. I knew most of it, I got a different perspective on a lot of things and a lot of ideas. Unfortunately, I forgot about this book in my bookshelf. I came across last week and started reading it again, it's still as good as it was the first, second and third time I read it. It's something I will likely come back to every now and then, just like some other excellent basketball books. Highly recommended for everyone who loves basketball.

This new version of the late Dick DeVenzio's classic book of basketball 'tips' has been re-typeset and is much easier to read thanks to his Point Guard College protege Dena Evans. Every player and coach should have a copy of this book. Amazon's price is great on this hardcover edition. I bought the original in 1995 when I broke my foot and was unable to play ball for two years. Now I have bought copies for my son and his high school coaches along with DeVenzio's Runnin' the Show.

The things covered in Stuff are not found in any other basketball book I have read-- things many coaches surely know, but don't remember to teach and reinforce- or things they have forgotten and never really put into words. If you are a player or coach or know one, buy this book.

Coaches: You may try, but you can't teach every principle and golden rule in this book. So give it to them on their birthday's and they might surprise you by making the play you wanted them to make, without teaching it to them. Coach Dick "stuff" Devenzio did.
Players: surprise your coach by knowing and performing what he wants, before he even tells you.
As a player I would have liked to keep this book in my sportsbag, as a coach I would have liked to have written this book myself.

Although this book is in alphabetical order it doesn't jump all over the place. They try to keep a continuous flow to make it interesting and informative. The best point of this book is to give you a different approach to almost anything you'd encounter in a game.

It is exactly what I was looking for. The price was right and the book could only be found on Amazon. Thanks

With the recent untimely passing of baseball hero Kirby Puckett, it's particularily worth noting that SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: BLACK BASEBALL IN MINNESOTA includes an oustanding chapter on the life of Puckett.

The chapter on Puckett's life was penned by sportswriter and author Jay Weiner, who was the Twins beat writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune during the 1980s. Weiner does a brilliant job in telling the "rags-to-riches" story of the offspring of the Chicago housing projects who became the smiling face of the Minnesota Twins.

Weiner reveals the essence of Kirby Puckett, warts and all, and gives the reader a deeper sense of the tragic aura of Puck's career, injury, blindness, groping for posterity, and his induction into baseball's Hall of Fame.

Perspective is needed on Puckett and his place in the baseball record in Minnesota and author Weiner does this in SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: BLACK BASEBALL IN MINNESOTA. The book gives TWINS fans a new level of understanding of baseball in Minnesota, tying the past to the present, to see how it all fits together in a lively style, rich in storylines, filled with pathos of the intertwining of the themes of manhood, fatherhood, and brotherhood. A great read for fans of Puckett and of the Minnesota Twins.

Twenty-three articles by a variety of authors, mostly college professors and journalists, cover the different facets of black baseball in Minnesota from its first days in the latter 1800s down to contemporary times. The general theme running through all of the diversified articles is the "America Dream" and the "American Tragedy" reflected in the histories of the teams and the careers and lives of individual players. The American Dream part of the theme deals with how playing baseball allowed players to strive for high personal achievement as well as enjoy various levels of economic security and social recognition. The American Tragedy part takes in not only the racism and discrimination players faced, but also personal troubles and disappointments of some of them. Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, and Willie Mays appear along with many relative unknowns. The exploits of teams named the Fergus Falls Musculars, the Quicksteps, and the Brown Stockings, among others, are related. The vibrant Minnesota black baseball scene going back well over a century is treated in a popular style profiling great and other notable players and following the courses, and occasional dramatic moments, of the teams.

Hoffbeck and his group of writers slice through baseball history in a unique way. Minnesota is not known for its baseball history or its African-American history, so at first glance it does not appear to be a very meaty topic. However, the writers have managed to cull together stories dating from the 1870s, covering the local town team right up to major-leaguers with the Twins. Some of the giants of the game stopped in Minnesota on their way to "the show" and therefore the book appeals to all baseball fans, not just Minnesotans.

"Swinging For The Fences," is a fascinating journey through Minnesota african american baseball history from the late 19th century to the present day. The book focuses on themes such as race, manhood, brotherhood, and fatherhood, and traces the struggles and triumphs of several black ball players who lived and played in Minnesota.Through the stories of remarkable athletes such as Bud Fowler, Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, Dave Winfield, and Kirby Puckett, the authors trace the vivid, if not well known,saga of black baseball in the upper midwest , from the town team days right up to the arrival of the Twins and beyond.Unlike many baseball histories, "Swinging For The Fences," doesn't overwhelm you with mind numbing facts and figures and a real love for the game shines through. The book also contains many never before published photos. Painstakingly researched and beautifully written, "Swinging For The Fences," is as exhilarating and fulfilling as a ninth inning rally !
-Todd Peterson, Member, The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)

When one thinks of "black" baseball, an image of Jackie Robinson trying to break the Major League Baseball color barrier with the Dodgers comes to mind. About the last thing one would expect is to associate the lily-white state of Minnesota with black bseball, yet, in this intrigingly interesting book, Dr. Steve Hoffbeck shows how many other black baseball players suffered the same struggles as Jackie Robinson, their stories being told for the first time.

Dr. Hoffbeck has assembled a team of 11 writers to tell the detailed story of black baseball players in Minnesota that begins in the late 19th century and ends with sad story of the fallen hero Kirby Puckett. This is not a book that revels in baseball statistics; rather, the writers focus on the players themselves: who they were, where they came from, the color barrier conflicts each had to face, and what happened to them after baseball. It is this personalized approach that grabs the mind of the reader, and makes this book so interesting.

The book is divided into 24 concise chapters, each centered on a particular black baseball player or team. My favorite player chapters were as follows:

1. Earl Batty and his attempt to bring racial equality to the southern "plantation" owner of the Minnesota Twins, Calvin Griffith.
2. Satchel Paige's baseball barnstorming days in Minnesota. I am amazed with the pure pitching genius of 'Ol Satch, and how he was not allowed to compete against white major league baseball players until he was 42 years old in 1948. Even at that age (Paige being the oldest rookie to ever play major league baseball), Paige amazed the fans, his teammates, every batter he faced, and even the umpires with his amazing throwing skills. What a shame a man like Paige was denied his chance to excel at his first love while in his prime - just think of how the record books would look if Paige pitched 20-plus seasons in the major leagues!
3. Toni Stone, the first black woman (or any woman of any color for that matter) to attempt to pitch at the major league level.
4. The chapter on the tragic story of Kirby Puckett, the first black Minnesota baseball superstar, who had the fans of Minnesota in his back pocket, and then lost it all to allegations of spousal abuse and infidelity. Minnesota has never gotten over the fall of their hero Puckett and we lament to this day the sad ending to his stellar career.

The above chapters are only my personal highlights of what has come together as an excellent book on black baseball. Other chapters deal with lesser known black players in Minnesota, yet, the themes of persistence through intense racial persecution and taunting, the shared black brotherhood of baseball, and the sacrifices these men went through to pursue their love of the game shine through.

Hoffbeck and fellow writers have contributed a vital link to the previously untold "missing" history of black baseball.

This book should be in the collection of anyone who loves the game of baseball, for it documents the early pioneers of black baseball, and shows the heavy financial and emotional price the players had to pay to seek their places in the game of baseball. Modern-day black baseball players owe a debt of gratitude to these early pioneers, for it was their superior abilities, pride, and persistence that finally brought down the long-standing nearly impregnable racial barrier of American baseball. Cudos to Hoffbeck and Company for telling their compelling stories.

Jim Konedog Koenig

Not only fascinating are these stories, but what I find intriguing is a look into a segment of American History of which I know next to nothing.

The only fault of the book is that, at times, it dissipates into exaggeration. It still comes recommended.

This book has been a big hit with local old time baseball fans as I have loaned it many times.

Not only fascinating are these stories, but what I find intriguing is a look into a segment of American History of which I know next to nothing.

McNary weaves the lively narrative with Double Duty's spicy comments interspersed.

Great, great book. Both for the new rugby player and the old hand. Only criticism I have is that more illustrations and diagrams would be helpful for the total newbie. However, since that wasn't the intended audience it only becomes a problem because there's nothing else comparable out there. Like the Bible, everytime you read it, you learn something new every time. Or something that you weren't ready to understand before becomes suddenly clear. A must-have for the rugby obsessed.

I've been playing rugby for almost 6 years, and I wish I read this book earlier. While I think this book is a lot more useful for coaches than for players, it is still a great reference- for example, diagrams outlining the best way to drive in a scrum, explanations of drift defense- all important stuff, and he also goes into detail about what each position should do- which is great for beginners, who are often out there not understanding their roles. Being a passionate rugger, I finished this book in one day!

Mr. Greenwood has all the basics in here, and it serves as a useful reference beginners wanting to get the basics of the game down, to more experienced ruggers who want to read up on strategy and training tactics.

"Total Rugby" is essential reading for players and coaches - and useful for fans. The book covers the essentials of play, from novice to advanced. "Total Rugby" plus a rulebook will take you a long way in the sport. It's not just for 'students of the game'! Leave behind the 'it's just smear the queer' and 'if I hit 'em hard enough we'll win' attitudes and learn something about your sport. You'll never win against skilled teams until you ingrain the information encompassed by "Total Rugby". If you're ready for advance tactics and strategy, check out "Think Rugby" by the same author.

This is a great book. It's has tons of valuable information. Not for the guy who loves pictures. Your coaches and captains should have this book. It will make you a better coach, and improve the quality of your club's play. If you want to keep losing, but have the best parties, get some other book.

Bob

Bob was my childhood hero, and so seeing that he had written an autobiography was like a dream that I never thought would come true for this private man in the public setting. However, he and his recently famous son Brian felt compelled to write a book that doesn't brag about their on-field exploits, but as a beautiful tribute to the person that appears to be their hero, Bob's first wife and Brian's mother Judi.

From this book's pages I learned a lot about a beautiful woman, someone who graced the earth with her presence, and about the devoted love that her family members had for her. A wonderful, and funny, and touching book about love within a family. First, the Griese's and friends love for Judi, and then, the love that Bob and Brian had for each other as they tried to support one another.

I can truly say that this book had a positive impact on my life. 5+++ stars.

Bob was my childhood hero, and so seeing that he had written an autobiography was like a dream that I never thought would come true for this private man in the public setting. However, he and his recently famous son Brian felt compelled to write a book that doesn't brag about their on-field exploits, but as a beautiful tribute to the person that appears to be their hero, Bob's first wife and Brian's mother Judi.

From this book's pages I learned a lot about a beautiful woman, someone who graced the earth with her presence, and about the devoted love that her family members had for her. A wonderful, and funny, and touching book about love within a family. First, the Griese's and friends love for Judi, and then, the love that Bob and Brian had for each other as they tried to support one another.

I can truly say that this book had a positive impact on my life.

THIS BOOK IS NOT JUST FOR FOOTBALL FANS! It is a compelling and inspirational story about the lives and the unusual parallels of two high-profile people--a father and his son--that involves much more than just the game of football. It encompasses sadness, joy, humor, and much more. It is presented in an interesting and unusual form by co-author Jim Denney. He captures some conversations between Brian and Bob Griese talking with each other about many events the two have shared in their lives, both on and off the football field. Often, these conversations get humorous, dad and son going at it tit for tat, openly displaying their strong, inherent competitiveness, even between their own two football careers. But the affection between them always shows through in their amusing dialogue. Their conversations, as well as inserts from other contributions of family and friends, are very moving as they discuss the life of Judi Griese, their wife and mother, who secumbed to a five-year fight with breast cancer in 1988. They tell of her strong influence on all of their lives. Bob and Brian have courageously revealed much about their family, personal, spiritual and emotional lives, much of which they have previously chosen to keep very private. I thoroughly enjoyed this book in every way. It's a great story, one that great movies are made from.

This book is a heartwarming story of how a family survived the tough times and came out on top. If you like football or not you will enjoy this book and be able to see the love of family between each line. If you think football can't be applied to life, you will find out differently by the end of this book. Truly inspiring!

Suprisingly, this book is not just for football fans. It has a little bit of something for everybody.

The book is written in a very unusual format. It was as if both Bob and Brian Griese were just sitting around talking, discussing many different things, and voila, we have a book. It is written so matter-of-factly, that it becomes a page-turner rather quickly.

The book parallels the two quarterbacks, in their careers, family life, and personal triumphs and tragedies. Dealing with football was only a part of the book. You really get a good feel for these two men when they talk about a myriad of subjects and events, and you can't help but let your heart go out to them when they reflect upon Judi Griese, respected wife and mother.

The book's compelling language is peppered with humor rather nicely, and the overall tone of the book is quite inspirational. I truly enjoyed this book, and it sincerely kept my interest throughout. Undefeated is a real winner.

This was a great book for any Vince Carter fan. It was extremely easy reading and I enjoyed greatly. Great pictures for those who do not enjoy reading. High flying fun.

The book Fast Breaks:The Vince Carter Story by Doug Smith is jam-packed with awesome facts and eight crazy photos of Carter in action.This book is for all basketball and Carter fans because it talks about Carter's struggles and accomplishments throughout his NBA career.I really enjoyed this book becuse it has everything you need to know about Vince Carter,up to how many contests he has won like the famous Slam Dunk Contest when he shocked everyone with three outstanding dunks and where he got the nickname Halfman-Halfamazing.I really admired Vince after reading this book because he's a good player,and he loves his family and friends.I really recommend this book to all basketball fans out there.

The book Fast Breaks:The Vince Carter Story by Doug Smith is jam-packed with awesome facts and eight crazy photos of Carter in action.This book is for all basketball and Carter fans because it talks about Carter's struggles and accomplishments throughout his NBA career.I really enjoyed this book becuse it has everything you need to know about Vince Carter,up to how many contests he has won like the famous Slam Dunk Contest when he shocked everyone with three outstanding dunks and where he got the nickname Halfman-Halfamazing.I really admired Vince after reading this book because he's a good player,and he loves his family and friends.I really recommend this book to all basketball fans out there.

This was a great book for any Vince Carter fan. It was extremely easy reading and I enjoyed greatly. Great pictures for those who do not enjoy reading. High flying fun.

I think the Vince Carter story is a very cool book, because I learned a lot about my favorite player. Also, there are lots of good pictures of him. I never really like to read before, but this book motivated me to pick up a book, and start reading. I would have a good review for this book, because it was easy to read for my grade level. However, any person who loves Vince Carter (like a fan, of course) would definitely love The Vince Carter Story. I myself enjoyed it very much, because of its informational content and facinating photos of Vince's dunks.

Stars, everyday players, and scrubs share their memories of major league baseball from 1946 to 1964. This is a book that I've had for I don't know how long now and when a copy falls apart, I get a new one - this hardcover version for $15.00 is a bargain but shhhhh, don't tell Amazon. Stars like Brooks Robinson and everyday players like Gene Woodling and unknowns like Eddie Joost and one season players like Ed Bouchee and scrubs like Johnny Berardino discuss opponents and also their own experiences in the major leagues. Every true baseball fan should have this easy-to-read book in their library and those who don't really aren't true baseball fans.

I have spent a lifetime reading about baseball and this tops my list.It covers both leagues and gives a rare insight into the stars and the non-stars and how they played and lived.It makes you feel as though you lived through it as well !!!

THIS IS A BOOK COVERING BASEBALL FROM 1947 THRU 1964. THE AUTHOR HAS A FEW PLAYERS FROM EACH TEAM TELL IN THEIR OWN WORDS WHAT WAS GOING ON DURING THIS SEASON. SOME OF THE PEOPLE INTERVIEWED INCLUDE BROOKS ROBINSON, HARMON KILLEBREW, JIM GRANT, RYNE DUREN AND MANY OTHERS. THE BOOK HAS OVER 600 PAGES OF CONTENTS. FOR THE MONEY THIS IS GREAT BUY. THE DETAILED INTERVIEWS ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL AND I RECOMMEND THIS FOR FANS WHO FOLLOWED THE GAME IN THE 1950'S AND 60'S. AN OUTSTANDING READ.

.... then you will love this book. It's an oral history of the game as told by the non-superstars. Unlike similar books, this one is huge, and the stories are long, fun and will make you nostalgic for your youth. You'll see stories by guys like Ed Bouchee, Billy DeWitt, Don Mossi.... names you'll recognize from the days when baseball cards cost a nickel a pack, provided you with a thin slice of bubble gum, and a bunch of cards to trade with your friends or stick in the spokes of your bike wheels.

I'm only part way through and I love this book!

This is the perfect baseball book for all seasons, but especially now with the World Series over, and spring training still months away. It also seems appropriate to me that this book is set during one of the "Golden Ages" of baseball between 1947 and 1964, a time when the only stats that mattered reflected exploits on the field, rather than tallies of bank accounts off the diamond, as we have heard so much about in the past few seasons.

So sit back, curl up in front of the fire, and dip in and out of this massive volume, which is edited and organized in a way that allows just such delights. Packed with stories about the game's greats, and not-so-greats, it offers wonderful insights into how the men who delighted in playing a boy's game actually felt, thought and acted, as told in their own words. There are baseball heroics here aplenty, but also some bitter truths and some all-too human behavior that just serves to make these men all the more real, and fascinating.

Editor and author Danny Peary obviously loves the game, and isn't tainted with the sort of "celebrity awe" that characterizes so much of today's sports' coverage, and its cynical flip-side. Of course, he does pay homage to the greats of this era, but he also rekindles a thousand memories for those of us old enough to remember some of the less celebrated, but nonetheless extraordinary characters who once inhabited the game. Hopefully, younger readers will also delight in meeting these men as well, who had wondrous names such as Vic Power, Minnie Minoso and Pumpsie Green. Need I say more?

What with popular culture, social promotion, and computerized spell checkers laying waste to the quality of mass media, one might be forgiven for wanting books to be the last line of defense against the total corruption of the English language. Some books fulfill that desire. "What I Know `Bout What I Know" does not. It is chock full of misspellings, orphaned clauses, arcane editing, meandering ideas, and home language. But those are the only indulgences that author Butch Robins allows himself.

"What I Know..." is Robins' musical autobiography. At first glance, it seems depressingly typical of the genre -- family dysfunction, prodigious talent, epic struggles with a tyrannical boss, hard partying, famous friends, emotional pain, death of a loved one, chemical dependency, mental illness, professional exile, rehab, redemption. On closer examination, "What I Know..." reveals itself to be anything but typical. Robins never descends into self pity, and never blames others for his mistakes. He is critical of others, but views his own shortcomings with an equally unsparing eye.

His adventures are hilarious and painful by turns. Fun is "Unkle Butchie's" true north (A recording session is only successful if a party ensues), which makes his subsequent excursions into the heart of the darkness (via his journal entries, copied verbatim here) all the more jarring. His tale of time spent in the Carter White House will have you rolling on the floor, and wondering why he doesn't link his encounters there with a later tax audit (Maybe the law of unintended consequences has made him a bit more circumspect?)

By his own admission, bearing witness to pain is not exactly Robins' superpower. But bear witness he does, no matter how tough it gets, and his emotional discipline yields some piercing insights. His pithy post mortems on Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin, though not without empathy, are breathtakingly accurate.

Insightful as he is, Robins is a musician first and foremost. His descriptions of the music he makes are so joyous that one wonders why he hasn't cut a deal with eMusic to release his work (much of which is out of print) for downloading.

As Unkle Butchie's Wild Ride comes to an end, he has endeared himself unexpectedly, even as he puts his new found sobriety in doubt. For all his eccentricities, Butch Robins turns out to be a remarkable, even admirable man who has written a remarkable book.

This is a controversial, but I believe to be truthful book by one of the great living banjo players of our time. It engendered a lot of vitriol among bluegrass fans, as Butch is at times unkind in his assessment of some well-known bluegrass stars who were less than kind to him and others over the years. It's a great read for those familiar with the bluegrass ideom and who can let their star-worship fall by the wayside long enough to experience a bit of truth.

The first professional job I had playing Bluegrass was with Charlie Moore way back in 1972 and Butch was his banjo picker.I can say without a doubt that what Butch says about Charlie is true right down the line.I found my self shaking my head yes to all the things I had experienced while working with Mr. Moore that Butch wrote about.A lot of people don't seem to like all he stuff about drinking,drugs and the flaws in their heros--truth be known Butch's book only scathes the surface of what you could write about many of the band learders and side men of professional music of whatever genre. Not all are that way,thats true,but many more than you may think. I had no problem with the way Butch writes nor was spelling a problem. The whole thing is the information he delivers. I was also glad to see that Butch has come a long way to burying his demons.I will be coming out within the next 18 months or so with my own book that will cover more of Charlie Moore as my time was 1772-74,78. Plus, there will be a lot about many other lesser bands, musicans and personal insights on Bluegrass in General.I am looking forward to reading Butch's new book.

Butch Robins is a great banjo player. His writing style may be somewhat unorthodox, but he shares a wealth of information about what he knows - bluegrass and the people (including himself) who helped to shape it.

In this book you will find some tidbits about some of the "stars" of bluegrass music that you are not likely to find anywhere else. Robins also attempts to put to rest some myths about the father of bluegrass through personal observations made during his tenure with the Blue Grass Boys.

The avid fan of bluegrass will want to read this. Be warned, however, that the English language takes a beating and misspellings are rampant. (Jesse McReynolds' name is mentioned often throughout the book and is spelled correctly only a couple of times.) This work could have - should have - been edited a bit more rigorously. Also, be warned that Butch has no reservations about using words that some might consider offensive - hey, we're all adults here - right!?!?!

If the book had been edited a little better, I could have given it five stars just for the information it contains. But with these problems a weak "four star" rating is about all I can muster. Folks who are hungry for anything bluegrass shouldn't let it stand in their way though - buy it!

I bought this book because at one time I barely knew Butch Robins and wanted to see what he had to say. I came away with a profound respect for him and a much greater understanding of the music he devoted his life to. And, Oh Yeah, I learned a lot about Bill Monroe, bluegrass music, and the hard life of a musician on the road.
Butch Robins is an exceptionally bright, driven, flawed human being who has managed to come to a peaceful resolution of his interesting (in the Chinese curse sense) life and this book is the product of that journey. I remember him as a talented and creative musician from whom music effortlessly flowed. He is that, of course, but is also a minor hero of mine after reading how he dealt with his demons.
I will be the first to admit that Butch is no Marcel Proust, but his writing is compelling and his (at times) stream of concsciousness approach to his biography grabbed me emotionally and helped me understand why I love the music so much.
If you are interested in one man's view on Bill Monroe, this is the best version of Monroe's character I have ever read. You have to read the whole book to get the complete picture as Butch is of several minds on the subject to say the least.
I will enjoy this book again after I examine my own feelings on growing up in the 60s and 70s, my love of bluegrass music, and the effects the honesty in this book.

MIke Keyes
mikeyes@charter.net

I began this book with some trepidation as Yogi has always been looked upon as somewhat of a clown. Someone to be enjoyed, yet not one to be taken too seriously. This book proved my expectations to be far from the truth. Although he is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and utilizes the sport as a metaphor to represent life, it goes into various aspects of Sports and shows how they are applicable in daily life. He writes about issues such as ones attitude, charisma as well as the ability to work together as a team. Much of what is written in this little "gem" of a book is applicable to the business setting and appears to come out of Business 101. When he writes about the effect of Parents upon Children, this hits Home and this is a superbly done book.

This little book is a great read and full of down to earth ideas that will be usefulto the readers in their everyday lives.We have all heard of the one-liners attributed to Yogi.Even if you are still up in the air whether he actually said all these things;you'll really see the thoughts behind these statements.
It's hard to believe that there was ever any other Baseball player who had more love for the game,and that was from the days when he and Joe Garagolia played pick-up ball as kids in St.Louis,all the way through the major leagues,and now in his retirement years.Not only that,you'll see from this book that nobody appreciated more the privilege he had to make a wonderful life and living "playing a kids game".
Yogi tells us the things that helped him through life and he explains the principles as well as any professionally trained person could do.
Most of all,he doesn't preach. he just tells us what has worked for him and should work for anyone ,through his years of observing life.In his own words,he sums it all up with:
"You can observe a lot by watching."
Thanks,Yogi,for all the enjoyment and fun you have given so many of over the years;and also for putting your thoughts in this terrific little book.

I still dont know what inspired me to buy this book, but after every page, I was glad I did. This book was a very unique combination of philosophy, self-help, humor, historical sports and general good writing. I had never been familiar with Yogi Berra other than some of his more famous quote but I understand his way of thinking now and I believe some of the secrets to life lie between the covers of this book.

The book never gets dry, points arent beaten to death and he doesn't try to cram his personal way of thinking down your throat. I like that and really was able to take more out of this book because it approaches everything in a very level-headed and laid back way. There were a lot of interesting stories that presented a nice way to explain a situation. I also appreciated the fact that there were references to very recent happenings as of 2002. There were also some comical and cartoonish illustrations that started off or ended each chapter and the chapter names were "Yogi-isms" which was also a nice touch.

The only problem I had with this book was that I ended up reading it too fast because I couldn't put the thing down. I was very impressed with Yogi Berra, he is truly the man, the myth, the legend that people have made him out to be and I believe that meeting him one day has just been put on my to-do list. As far as the book goes, I highly recommend it. It is a smooth reading book that you will enjoy and recall upon in the future. As I stated, I only like books I'm going to like, and this was one of them.

Read and enjoyed Yogi Berra's WHAT TIME IS IT? YOU MEAN
NOW? . . . the book, written with Dave Kaplan, is subtitled
ADVICE FOR LIFE FROM THE ZENNEST MASTER OF THEM
ALL . . . it contains 26 chapters, one for each letter from A
to Z, that has me believing that Berra was not only a great
baseball player--he's also quite a guy.

Although I have my doubts as to what he wrote vs. what
Kaplan did, I nevertheless enjoyed the thoughts on such
varied topics as family, competition and living in New York City.

Naturally, I also chuckled at a bunch of quotes that have
been attributed to Berra--although he admits that he did not
say them all . . . among them:
Little League is good because it keeps parents off the
streets and the kids out of the house.

It's so crowded nobody goes there.

If you ask me questions I don't know, I'm not going to answer.

You saw DR. ZHIVARGO? Why? Aren't you feeling well?

There were several other parts of the book that I liked; most notably:

I'm Lucky that Carm is a very upbeat, positive person and doesn't dwell on this stuff either. One time, though she did ask me where I should be buried. Our families are from St. Louis, where I grew up; my career was in New York; we live in New Jersey. I told Carm, "I don't know, just surprise me."

If I'm buying a car, I'll leave my wallet home the first time and just ask questions. What are the payments? What kind of warranty? What's the downside of the car? The right questions can help you make the right decisions.

It's no big secret-winning makes you feel better about everything, and losing doesn't. Everybody wants to win, who doesn't? Winning is important, that's why you keep score, but I think maybe overall it's gotten too much so, especially in kids' sports where there's too much stress on winning and not enough fun. I guess that's what's happened as sports have gotten so big in our country. Instead of asking their kids after a soccer or a Little League game, "Did you win?"
maybe the parents should ask, "Did you give it your best?" or
"Did you have fun?"

When it comes to the wit and wisdom of Yogi Berra you have to realize that are two types of Berraisms that you have to keep separate. First there are his classic examples of logic, where they sound wrong but they make sense, such as "Ninety percent of this game is mental and the other half is physical" and "It ain't over `till its over." For example, the latter works because "over" has two different meanings in that sentence, which reflects the fact that baseball does not have a clock. Second there are those that are simply the man misspeaking, such as "I want to thank everybody for making this night necessary" and "You saw Dr. Zhivago? Why? Aren't you feeling well?" Do not mistake the two forms because there is a major difference. The first category is the important one because it proves that while he was uneducated Lawrence Peter Berra was one of the smartest people to ever walk on a baseball diamond. You be sure to distinguish between the two types of sayings that serve as the basis for this book "What Time Is it? You Mean Now?: Advice for Life from the Zennest Master of Them All." (The title would fall in the second category for my money.)

All of this, of course, assumes that Yogi actually did say any particular comment in the first place (we give the man the benefit of the doubt although he admits he did not say everything he has said). There are twenty-six of these sayings, arranged in alphabetical order using the most liberal of standards¸ each with a black and white illustration by Alan Dingman. We are then provided with several pages of reflections and commentary by Yogi, which work in stories from his family life and baseball career. I wonder whether Yogi was actually given these sayings and then proceeded to hold forth on this thoughts or whether Dave Kaplan interviewed the Hall of Fame catcher and then cut and pasted them into this volume. Not that it makes much of a difference, but I am curious. The main thing here is not the recycled sayings, most of which I have heard before in my consumption of all things Yogi (in the fourth grade there were three of us with the same name and I had a catcher's mitt so I was actually called "Yogi" for a year), but to hear what he has to say about the mysteries of time, the meaning of community, and the omnipresence of hope in the direst circumstances (and you thought this would just be light reading). Smart move of Yao Ming in one of his first commercial to team up with Yogi, the most loved and loveable sports figure in the United States today.

This is yet another twist on the Dr. Faust legend, and it follows other similar stories such as "The Devil and Tom Walker" and "The Devil and Daniel Webster." Having not read the Faust legend in its entirety, but having read the other two, I note that whereas Tom Walker failed, both Daniel Webster and Joe Hardy, the hero of this book, overcame Satan. There is a difference, however, in the reasons. Daniel Webster overcame the devli through his goodness, whereas Joe Hardy overcame Satan through his determination. There is a similarity here, because Joe Hardy remained true to his wife's love in overcoming the wiles of the beautiful Lola. Having watched "Damn Yankee," the movie taken from this book, just after reading the book, I saw two different twists to the same story, both applicable to the genre in which they were produced. Overall, a recommended reading either for the sports buff or the casual reader.

man it would take the devil for the yankees to loose the series. This is a great book that isn't to long to read and it is a very good story

This is a wonderful story, and one that I enjoyed for personal reasons - the main character Joe Hardy was inspired by my grandfather Joe Judge, who played first base for the Washington Senators from 1915 to 1932. The story is told in my book Damn Senators.

I first read this as a kid, and loved it then. It's a happy thought that, 50 years ago, the greatest desire a man could aspire to was to have his underdog baseball team beat the undeafeated Yankees, and was willing to sell his sould to the Devil for it. Today he'd probably want at least one oil-producing country.

Well written, entertaining and with some great twists, it still remains one of my favourites for moralistic humour, right up there with the various Don Camillo books. Really gives the flavour of baseball in the 1950's when there were fewer teams, stronger loyalties and better sportsmen.

The novel tells the story of Joe Boyd, a long-time fan of the Washington Senators who have the worst record in baseball. One night after an incredibly bad loss, Joe decides to take a walk around the neighborhood and runs into the mysterious Mr. Applegate. It turns out that Applegate has been keeping tabs on Joe and his Washington Senators and wants to offer Joe a proposition. How would he like to watch his beloved Senators to win the 1958 pennant? Not only watch, but even help the team by becoming their newest star player? Reluctantly, Joe agrees but has Applegate write an escape clause into the contract. Within a few days the old Joe Boyd is transfromed into the 21-year-old Joe Hardy and sets off on a whirlwind ride that moves the Senators up from 7th place to just within reach of the Yankees.

Along the way, Joe begins to realize just what he's given up and what the ramifications are of his joining the team. It's a heart-warming trip, both funny and sad, and delves into a passionate fan's view of the world of baseball. So many temptations to stick with the game, and even stronger feelings tying him to his old life. Until the gorgeous Lola steps into the picture to keep his mind off the old Joe. Author Douglass Wallop's story keeps you enrapt and rooting for Joe and the Senators until the very end, never quite sure just what the outcome is going to be. It's a unique, light-hearted twist on the tale of Faust with many great and wonderful characters.