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The Greatest Game Ever Played
Describes the sixth and final game in the 1986 National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and the Houston Astros, a game that lasted sixteen innings
- GenresSportsBaseballNonfiction
163 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 5, 2021
This book exhibits the greatness of the game of baseball, as the writer brings out the tensions and develops the stories behind the players in this monumental contest. This book may reignite your love of the game and it will certainly keep you engaged. I find it even more valuable as a reader who was too young to have witnessed it myself.
October 27, 2025
I've read a lot of sports books over the years, but never one that focused on just a single game. I wasn't sure what to expect. In truth it covers the whole series, but mostly just as context in order to set up why Game 6 was so extraordinary. The author gives excellent backgrounds for all of the major characters. I don't know a lot of the players very well so this is good.
I had heard about the season and how Mike Scott was the best he'd ever been or ever would be. Per Baseball Reference he'd be pretty good through 1989, but 1986 was his masterpiece. Cy Young, No Hitter to clinch the division. ALCS MVP in a losing effort. The author was a sports writer who following the Mets so he knew the players well. So I trust that when he says everyone on the Mets knew that they couldn't beat Mike Scott if he got the ball in Game 7 I believe him.
I knew the game went deep into extras. I didn't know how close it was to never making it that far. An extra run that was there for the taking in the first for the Astros. A more generous call from the umpire in the top of the 9th. So many near misses and might have beens that made it so close. I didn't know the Mets never scored until the top of the 9th.
At this point I would call 2017 World Series Game 5 the greatest game, but I know there a lot who have good reasons for discounting that one. But this was truly an incredible game.
I had heard about the season and how Mike Scott was the best he'd ever been or ever would be. Per Baseball Reference he'd be pretty good through 1989, but 1986 was his masterpiece. Cy Young, No Hitter to clinch the division. ALCS MVP in a losing effort. The author was a sports writer who following the Mets so he knew the players well. So I trust that when he says everyone on the Mets knew that they couldn't beat Mike Scott if he got the ball in Game 7 I believe him.
I knew the game went deep into extras. I didn't know how close it was to never making it that far. An extra run that was there for the taking in the first for the Astros. A more generous call from the umpire in the top of the 9th. So many near misses and might have beens that made it so close. I didn't know the Mets never scored until the top of the 9th.
At this point I would call 2017 World Series Game 5 the greatest game, but I know there a lot who have good reasons for discounting that one. But this was truly an incredible game.
August 3, 2018
Brilliant captures one of the best and intense games you will ever see.
January 3, 2013
Nothing could really top the game itself...but it was great to relive it here.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews