Read Online Roger Maris Baseball Reluctant Hero Tom Clavin Danny Peary 9781416589297 Books

Product details Paperback 448 pages Publisher Atria Books; Reprint edition (May 10, 2011) Language English ISBN-10 1416589295

Roger Maris Baseball Reluctant Hero Tom Clavin Danny Peary 9781416589297 Books Reviews

• Very well researched and detailed account of Roger's life. At times, especially when describing Roger's family history and referencing family members it became confusing, but the resulting message became clear. The author probably could have made his point with less detail. Similarly, the detailed accounts of Roger's day-to-day game performance and team results could have been summarized in many instances, but again, overall, the message became clear. The discussion of Roger's years with the Yankees at times became lengthy and depressing, but I suppose that was to the point. The book beats to death many things most baseball fans already know, but it also sheds light on many things most baseball fans would be unaware. The post Yankee years were the highlight of the book, as was the author's discussion of why Roger should have been worthy of Hall of Fame induction.
• I do a lot of genealogy work. The beginning of this book reads like a genealogists nightmare. I defy anyone to keep up with the family tree and all of it's branches so diligently detailed in enough words to drive one nuts. I am happy there is not a test on that material. The authors have obviously done an indepth job of research but have not learned how to cull out the trivia from the facts of interest at least in the first 25 or 30 pages. I am at about the halfway point of the book now and had to put it down for a few days because I know what Roger did but am not sure if I can take all the minutia that these authors will use to try to explain it. I see the book is now listed for $12.99 on but I bought it at the end of July for $1.99 and am still not sure I didn't waste my money.
• I really enjoyed this book. WhenI was little Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle were my heros. This book gives an inside look at Roger's childhood and how he grew up and how his early life influenced his entire adult life. He was a regular person thrust into a bittersweet role as hero and villain in 1961. When he should have gotten accolades he got bad press and no recognition from the Yankee organization. He got more appreciation from his teammates and other ball players. This book reveals all these things and shows hi for the hi,blue person tha t he really was.
• I'm a long time NY Yankees Fan. Roger Maris was one of my boyhood heroes.
  
  Tom Clavin and Danny Peary have wrote a great book.The book was a 422 page burner I read in 2 days. Most of the book was exciting, full of facts and wrote for the readers to develop deep empathy with Roger Maris. There are some nice B/W pictures.
  
  The first three chapters were too overdone with family history. Too many people related to this and that. Kind of confusing and boring. A little family history would of been fine but the authors went overboard. 3 stars on these chapters.
  
  After the third chapter the book takes off like a home run.
  
  We see Roger was very good at sports and played in local sports including baseball in home town Hibbing Minn. Roger was of Croatian decent and raised a catholic. His last name originally was Maras and later Roger changed it legally to Maris.
  
  We see Roger fighting his way up minor league baseball.. He develops more power and is a left batting pull hitter. He is very fast running the bases and becomes a superb defensive outfielder blessed with a great arm. Eventually he plays MLB with the Indians and gets a break being traded to the NY Yankees. We see his getting two MVP honers and his intense homer run race with Mickey Mantle to hit 61 home runs in 1961 and break Ruth's record. The press is all over him but Roger is a quite non boastful person who doesn't want to talk to the press. NO Way! In NY you MUST develop a good back and forth with the reporters. Unfortunately Roger never does and the reporters start saying lies about him. How he is snobbish, only cares about money,is not a team player and doesn't get along with his teammates. Lies and Lies. Roger gets along with all of his teammates and is best friends with Mickey Mantle ( he even shared a small apartment temporarily with him). It gets worse and worse with the press and Roger. Roger even has a cast made of a human hand with an upright middle finger entitled For The Press. The fans believe the press and turn on Roger and hate him.
  
  We see him playing in pain and injuries and racing with Mickey Mantle in 61 to break Ruth's record. We see Mantel hurt too.
  The book is great as it talks about a lot of his baseball teammates. He goes to the World Series with the Yankees and gets a ring and goes to another World Series.
  
  Management puts the screws to him and behind his back Roger is traded to the Cardinals. The fans love him and he is taught the Cardinal way...each man doing the little things to help the club. Roger does it all and is a great clutch hitter and the Cardinals win the World Series. Another ring. Next year the Cardinals barley lose the World Series. Roger is all banged up with injuries and gets a deal with Busch beer to get a beer distributorship in Florida that will be worth millions! He retires and moves to Florida with Pat his wife and six kids.
  
  We see Roger as a loving, great father who loved his family. Roger gets cancer and battles it and finally mellows out and forgives the Yankee management and G Steinbrenner honors him at Old Timers day. The late Elston Howard and Roger get their uniform number retired.I won't ruin the tear jerking ending for you. I got chocked up and almost cried reading the sad ending about Roger Maris.
  Excellent baseball book and the true story of Roger Maris as a warm caring human being that was misunderstood by the press and in some cases deliberately attacked.
  
  Roger only had 275 MLB home runs and did not hit for a high average(260). However he was a great defensive outfielder and fast. Two time MVP and played on World Series winners both in the American and National league. A great clutch hitter in important situations.He broke the Babes single season home run record. Roger hit 61 in 1961. The press helped keep Roger out of Cooperstown HOF. Read the book to see if he had the stats and if he deserved to be elected HOF. After treading the book I think he should of been elected HOF but in the last year of eligibility as some of his stats such as his average were not stellar. To me he will always be the NATURAL (non steroid) single season home run king!
  
  Great book. 4 3/4 stars. 1/4 star reduction due to first three chapters.