Teams Books

I beleieve the Braves won the 1960 CDE Title!

Few fans remember, or realize, that the Red Sox dominated baseball for the first 20 years of the past century. They had great pitchers from Cy Young to "Smoky" Joe Wood, to the Babe, and hall of famers Harry Hooper, Tris Speaker, Young, the Babe... yes, the Sox had it all, and it all culminated in 1918, the last time the Babe-led Sox won the World Series.

Waterman's book is a delightful piece of Americana, complete with old tyme sketches, photos, box scores, standings, and everything else that made 1918 what it was- a simpler time in baseball. The stories, from the trade of Speaker to the Indians to the many showcasing the Babe's probelms but undeniable charisma and popularity, to that of Harry Hooper's fight against MLB that lasted all of his life, are fascinating and riviting. The newspaper writers were more than that in those days- they became part of the saga, as well.

This book is a remarkable historical document that fans of baseball, no less those of the Red Sox, will appreciate. Many of the day's brightest stars are mentioned, and it hearkens back to a day when to play baseball was a privledge, not a job. ..and while the 1918 Red Sox were a dysfunctional lot, they played the game hard, and loved what they did. The book, cartoons, and stories from the writers clearly show this. Baseball today can learn more than a thing or 2 from the 1918 Red Sox and baseball of that era. A delightful and informative read.

Another interesting thing about this book is the news clips which is how you, as a reader, follow along with the season. The interesting part is not just the information from long ago, but how a ball club is written about back in 1918, and how it differs today. Sure the players had "issues" back then, but now days we can get bogged down on the importance of player's personal problems and the effect that has on the team. Looking foward to digesting the next Ty Waterman fact filled book.

It has been instrumental in motivating under compensated employees into thinking they have a chance of achieving the American Dream. The "team" concept is brilliant!
This book is great for the high technology company trying to compete with low wage Asian labor.
The "team" concept of Rose & Buckley with show you how to motivate "team members" while paying them subsistence wages.

OUTSTANDING!

Mickey takes us through his World Series appearances - 1951 when he permanently injured his knee, 1952 when Jackie Robinson told the press that Mantle beat the Dodgers and that the Yankees didn't miss DiMaggio, 1953 with Mickey's tape measure homeruns, 1955 when the long suffering Brooklyn Dodgers won their only World Series, 1956 when the umpire gave Don Larsen that final strike, 1957 when Yankee reject Lew Burdette beat the Yanks, 1958 when Bob Turley returned the favor by beating the Braves, 1960 when Casey failed to use Ford 3 times against the Pirates, causing the most heartbreaking disappointment in Mantle's baseball career, 1961 when Maris outpaced Mantle and substitutes won the World Series, 1962 when McCovey lined out to Richardson, 1963 when they ran into Koufax-Podres-Drysdale-Koufax, and 1964 when Whitey had a sore arm and couldn't pitch to St Louis.

Mickey blamed himself for failing to do rehab on his legs. He endured constant pain, and it was a miracle that he had a baseball career at all. He rated himself as equal to Mays in fielding, faster than Mays on the bases, but without the longevity.

If you look at the incredible Yankee dynasty of the 1950s you see a team that wasn't great on paper. The Cleveland Indians were at times as good or better. The Brooklyn Dodgers had much better hitting. It wasn't like the awesome Yankee teams of 1998 and 1999. The Yankees of Mickey's day had no business winning so many pennants and world championships. What they had was Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Gil McDougald, and above all Mickey Mantle.

Did you ever see him swing a bat? He hit the ball harder than Babe Ruth. He had the best swing in history, combining the grace of Ken Griffey Jr. with the power of ...... of nobody but Mickey Mantle. McGwire is a deep popup artist like Babe Ruth was. Mantle would drive the ball through a brick wall. He was the most powerful hitter who ever lived, and had the Olympic class speed of Rickey Henderson.

Then there is the sections on skiing blind, above the knee amputees, arm amputees, those who ski mono and those who want to do so for pleasure as well as competition. It also talks about NASTAR , which is the acronym for the National Standard Race and is the largest public recreational grassroots ski race program in the world, developed in 1968.

This year over 100 ski area courses are scheduled to have meets.

On page 105 the author notes (and I agree) "Anyone who enjoys skiing knows the pleasure that comes from being out in fresh mountain air, viewing the surrounding landscape from ski lifts and mountaintops, and the feeling of wind brushing across your face as you glide across the snow covered hillside. Skiing also improves strength, endurance and balance, which is especially beneficial for people with disabilities."

There is a healthy size glossary of terms at the back of the book along with pages 141-178 dedicated to names, addresses and other contacts for ski areas in all ski states. As well as information on how to get involved.

This is a book I am getting my library since I want more people from my community to know that just because they or a family member or friend is in a wheel chair or otherwise disabled doesn't mean they cant take part in winter sports!

From how Disabled Skiing got it start after WWII to the legends in the sport, athletes, coaches, sponsors & supporting staff, to classifications & training schedules, this book covers it all.

ALPINE ACHIEVEMENT is an exciting, exhilarating, informative edition to your sports library.

This is the story of the often unbelievable feats, courage and spirit of the United States Disabled Olympic Ski Team. It is a comprehensive history of those diasabled persons who have overcome and adjusted to obstacles of great magnitude, and become first rate athletes. An enjoyable read and a resource for anyone who is interested in, or wants to know more about, the necessary adjustments required of a blind skiier, for example, or a one-legged person--as well as the history of disabled skiing; chronicling its beginnings from shortly after WWII to the present.

Read about the prosthetic and adaptive equipment made available by various equipment manufacturers, as well as the efforts of rehabilitation professionals and volunteers.

This is a well-written account, easily worth five stars.

Joseph Pierre