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Shadows of Glory: Memorable and Offbeat World Series Stories
Any true baseball fan has heard the famous World Series stories about Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, Bill Mazeroski’s Series-ending home run in 1960, and Bill Buckner’s blunder to end Game 6 of the 1986 Series. Many fans, however, may not be aware of other less well-known but equally engaging stories about the Fall Classic. Shadows of Glory recounts 18 of these stories. Readers will encounter some unlikely World Series heroes, such as Dusty Rhodes, the reserve outfielder whose clutch pinch-hits helped the New York Giants win the 1954 World Series, and Brian Doyle, the light-hitting utility infielder who was a batting star for the New York Yankees in their 1978 Series triumph. They will find stories shaped by world events, such as the Spanish flu pandemic and world wars, which significantly affected team rosters and thus the participants and outcomes of the 1918 and 1944 World Series. Baseball lovers will experience a range of emotions—heartbreak that Bill Bevens, an ordinary pitcher, came within an out of the first World Series no-hitter in 1947 and then lost the no-hitter and game on one pitch; outrage that umpire Don Denkinger received death threats after missing a call in the 1985 World Series; and amusement that Cliff Lee, stuck in a traffic jam on his way to start Game 1 of the 2009 World Series, hopped out of the cab he was in and made his way to the subway. Shadows of Glory will captivate casual and hard-core fans alike.
- GenresBaseballSportsNonfiction
314 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 25, 2024
The history of the World Series can be just as interesting as the history of baseball itself. One common cliché in baseball circles is that if you watch the game long enough, you will see something you have never seen before. That was the case for me when reading this book on World Series stories.
I picked that phrase for this book because overall, it was a good read and the stories, while seeming to have the same format, were pretty interesting. What caught me by surprise was how many of these stories I have read in previous books. While that would not be a bad thing for a casual or new baseball reader, one who devours baseball books like I do will most likely have read most of these stories elsewhere. One of them, the story of Nippy Jones of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the “shoe polish” incident, was something I read about in a children’s baseball book.
Of course, Jones’ story and all of the others were written for adult readers and the research that went into the stories was very good. It was great to read about the Negro League World Series in 1942, the St. Louis Browns’ lone World Series appearance in 1944 and others about obscure players who had their best baseball moments in the World Series. Brian Doyle of the 1978 Yankees and David Freese of the 2011 Cardinals are examples of that kind of story in this book.
I would certainly recommend this book for those readers who have not read many baseball books but loves the game. The stories are good, the reading is light and easy and it’s a fun trip to some little known World Series lore.
I wish to thank Lyons Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
I picked that phrase for this book because overall, it was a good read and the stories, while seeming to have the same format, were pretty interesting. What caught me by surprise was how many of these stories I have read in previous books. While that would not be a bad thing for a casual or new baseball reader, one who devours baseball books like I do will most likely have read most of these stories elsewhere. One of them, the story of Nippy Jones of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the “shoe polish” incident, was something I read about in a children’s baseball book.
Of course, Jones’ story and all of the others were written for adult readers and the research that went into the stories was very good. It was great to read about the Negro League World Series in 1942, the St. Louis Browns’ lone World Series appearance in 1944 and others about obscure players who had their best baseball moments in the World Series. Brian Doyle of the 1978 Yankees and David Freese of the 2011 Cardinals are examples of that kind of story in this book.
I would certainly recommend this book for those readers who have not read many baseball books but loves the game. The stories are good, the reading is light and easy and it’s a fun trip to some little known World Series lore.
I wish to thank Lyons Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
May 7, 2026
I have been a lifelong fan of Baseball, especially the World Series. Shadows of Glory goes back over 100 years of World Series to the early 20th Century. The Connie Mack Philadelphia A’s chapter was amazing. Connie Mack was not just the Manager of the A’s but he also owned the team. Two times he built and then dismantled the A’s over the years.
The Chapter on the Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher who left in the middle of a WS game due to his wife going into labor and left for the hospital without telling his Mgr he was leaving was quite a story. Loved the Yankees chapters.
Started the book on a plane ride from Tampa - Seattle and couldn’t put it down. That was April 15, 2026. Finished it the next day. Highly recommend!! From a guy whose first MLB game was the Milwaukee Braves at the NY Hankees October 1957, at age 6 1/2 !!
The Chapter on the Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher who left in the middle of a WS game due to his wife going into labor and left for the hospital without telling his Mgr he was leaving was quite a story. Loved the Yankees chapters.
Started the book on a plane ride from Tampa - Seattle and couldn’t put it down. That was April 15, 2026. Finished it the next day. Highly recommend!! From a guy whose first MLB game was the Milwaukee Braves at the NY Hankees October 1957, at age 6 1/2 !!
March 29, 2024
Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Lyons Press, Dave Brown, and Jeff Rodimer for the advanced reader copy of the book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.
Baseball can be a strange game. Weird things tend to happen, and then there are the personalities. I was a fan during the days of Mark Fidrych who used to talk to the baseball, and Fernando Valenzuela who used to look heavenward rather than where he was going to pitch the ball.
Shadows of Glory is the story of 18 World Series where unusual things happened. It spans more than a century of the game, so there are many changes along the way. Some of the stories I’d heard or witnessed first-hand. Others were more obscure.
The authors provide incredible context to the stories. Some of them go back decades to establish the setting for events that occur in a particular World Series. This is the case as the authors recount the Cubs finally breaking the “curse” and winning the series in 2016.
One of the stories is of how the Spanish Flu and World War I affected the 1918 Series. It was much different than our experience in 2020 and 2021 with the coronavirus. There was the pitcher who left the stadium mid-game to drive his pregnant wife to the hospital, and no one knew where he went. The call went out by radio and on television, but he stayed with her for the birth of his son. Fortunately, it didn’t come down to needing him to pitch, but the game did go into extra innings.
To read my full review, please go to Book Review – Shadows of Glory: Memorable and Offbeat World Series Stories by Dave Brown and Jeff Rodimer
Baseball can be a strange game. Weird things tend to happen, and then there are the personalities. I was a fan during the days of Mark Fidrych who used to talk to the baseball, and Fernando Valenzuela who used to look heavenward rather than where he was going to pitch the ball.
Shadows of Glory is the story of 18 World Series where unusual things happened. It spans more than a century of the game, so there are many changes along the way. Some of the stories I’d heard or witnessed first-hand. Others were more obscure.
The authors provide incredible context to the stories. Some of them go back decades to establish the setting for events that occur in a particular World Series. This is the case as the authors recount the Cubs finally breaking the “curse” and winning the series in 2016.
One of the stories is of how the Spanish Flu and World War I affected the 1918 Series. It was much different than our experience in 2020 and 2021 with the coronavirus. There was the pitcher who left the stadium mid-game to drive his pregnant wife to the hospital, and no one knew where he went. The call went out by radio and on television, but he stayed with her for the birth of his son. Fortunately, it didn’t come down to needing him to pitch, but the game did go into extra innings.
To read my full review, please go to Book Review – Shadows of Glory: Memorable and Offbeat World Series Stories by Dave Brown and Jeff Rodimer
March 26, 2025
The highest praise I can give "Shadows of Glory" is that I would have loved this book when I was 11 years old and was reading any baseball book I could get my hands on. I've always had an emotional connection to the World Series, baseball's Fall Classic and ultimate championship round. I was born in the middle of a World Series involving my hometown team -- and, hey, come to find out, that's Chapter 1 of this book (um, the World Series of that year, that is, not my birth).
These days I prefer heavily researched baseball books that focus on a single historical topic. I'm less interested in reading books of vignettes, those that recycle sort-of well-known stories but don't feature any groundbreaking historical research or in-depth interviews. While this book promises "offbeat" stories, most of the tales are indeed well-told, like Bill Beven's almost-no hitter in 1947 Game 4 ("Electric October" covered that in greater depth), or the 1918 World Series (also covered in a fairly recent book). However, discussion of lesser-remembered World Series like 1920 or 1944, or even recent ones like 2009 and 2011, are well-told and lively to read about. Never a dull moment.
The book does not go in chronological order -- which I think would have played to its strengths, as some players appear in multiple chapters -- but goes rather in thematic order spread across four sections. There are 18 chapters covering 18 Major League Baseball World Series -- and, in a welcome addition, the 1942 Negro Leagues World Series, about which I am positive I knew nothing.
For die-heard baseball fans, there's not a ton of new info in here, but for younger readers looking to discover baseball history, or fans who like reading books of vignettes, this is a solid read and well-researched (and, hey, there are a few interviews) and one I'm sure I'll find myself revisiting from time to time.
These days I prefer heavily researched baseball books that focus on a single historical topic. I'm less interested in reading books of vignettes, those that recycle sort-of well-known stories but don't feature any groundbreaking historical research or in-depth interviews. While this book promises "offbeat" stories, most of the tales are indeed well-told, like Bill Beven's almost-no hitter in 1947 Game 4 ("Electric October" covered that in greater depth), or the 1918 World Series (also covered in a fairly recent book). However, discussion of lesser-remembered World Series like 1920 or 1944, or even recent ones like 2009 and 2011, are well-told and lively to read about. Never a dull moment.
The book does not go in chronological order -- which I think would have played to its strengths, as some players appear in multiple chapters -- but goes rather in thematic order spread across four sections. There are 18 chapters covering 18 Major League Baseball World Series -- and, in a welcome addition, the 1942 Negro Leagues World Series, about which I am positive I knew nothing.
For die-heard baseball fans, there's not a ton of new info in here, but for younger readers looking to discover baseball history, or fans who like reading books of vignettes, this is a solid read and well-researched (and, hey, there are a few interviews) and one I'm sure I'll find myself revisiting from time to time.
October 23, 2024
You can also see this review, along with others I have written, at my blog, Mr. Book's Book Reviews.
Mr. Book just finished Shadows Of Glory: Memorable And Offbeat World Series Stories, by Dave Brown and Jeff Rodimer.
This book focused on the lesser known World Series stories, as well as the obscure World Series heroes throughout the years. There were so many great stories in the book, such as the Mike Andrews incident, the day a starting pitcher almost missed Game 1 of the World Series because traffic looked like it would prevent him from getting to Yankee Stadium, the day a team owner declined Landis’s offer to declare them World Series champions, a pitcher get arrested outside the stadium prior to a game and so much more. There was an even one chapter on the Negro Leagues World Series, and the story of their 1942 series was fascinating.
In addition to great stories, this book was very well written and was extremely enjoyable to read. I have been a baseball historian for more than 45 years and still found stories in the book I don’t recall ever seeing. And, even though I was familiar with the rest of them, it was a pleasure reading about them in one collection.
I give this book an A+ and inducted it into the Hall of Fame.
Goodreads requires grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, an A+ equates to 5 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).
This review has been posted at my blog, Mr. Book’s Book Reviews, and Goodreads.
Mr. Book finished reading this on October 23, 2024.
Mr. Book just finished Shadows Of Glory: Memorable And Offbeat World Series Stories, by Dave Brown and Jeff Rodimer.
This book focused on the lesser known World Series stories, as well as the obscure World Series heroes throughout the years. There were so many great stories in the book, such as the Mike Andrews incident, the day a starting pitcher almost missed Game 1 of the World Series because traffic looked like it would prevent him from getting to Yankee Stadium, the day a team owner declined Landis’s offer to declare them World Series champions, a pitcher get arrested outside the stadium prior to a game and so much more. There was an even one chapter on the Negro Leagues World Series, and the story of their 1942 series was fascinating.
In addition to great stories, this book was very well written and was extremely enjoyable to read. I have been a baseball historian for more than 45 years and still found stories in the book I don’t recall ever seeing. And, even though I was familiar with the rest of them, it was a pleasure reading about them in one collection.
I give this book an A+ and inducted it into the Hall of Fame.
Goodreads requires grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, an A+ equates to 5 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).
This review has been posted at my blog, Mr. Book’s Book Reviews, and Goodreads.
Mr. Book finished reading this on October 23, 2024.
June 13, 2026
My thanks to author Dave Brown for drawing my name as a winner in this book giveaway. It couldn't have gone to a bigger baseball fan! This is one of those books which, if I had seen it in my nearby Barnes & Noble, I would have picked up. Truly enjoyable and well-researched.
This isn't your typical World Series book that goes into "in 1927, the Yankees....." and gives you a run-down of who did what and when, who won and who lost. Instead, we get a look at the offbeat characters and strange and wonderful (and not-so-wonderful) things which happened during the World Series. There are a total of 18 different stories, ranging from a player leaving the game because he didn't think he would be called upon to pitch so he could go be with his wife who had gone into labor, to Ralph Terry of the Yankees redeeming himself after having surrendered a Series winning walk off home run to Bill Mazeroski the preceding year.
This is a book written with love of the game in mind by a baseball fan and if you're a fan of the game, you'll enjoy this immensely. If, on the other hand, FIFA is your thing, you probably won't. This is for the baseball fan. And it's not one of those, here's what happened types of books, you get the background which led to the team's being in the World Series, and the aftermath as well.
If you love baseball, you can find this more than likely at Amazon, or at your favorite Barnes & Noble outlet, unless it happens to be a small one like the one near me which seems to only specialize in books from the last month or so. Pick it and Enjoy! It's a fascinating and fun read! You won't be sorry.
This isn't your typical World Series book that goes into "in 1927, the Yankees....." and gives you a run-down of who did what and when, who won and who lost. Instead, we get a look at the offbeat characters and strange and wonderful (and not-so-wonderful) things which happened during the World Series. There are a total of 18 different stories, ranging from a player leaving the game because he didn't think he would be called upon to pitch so he could go be with his wife who had gone into labor, to Ralph Terry of the Yankees redeeming himself after having surrendered a Series winning walk off home run to Bill Mazeroski the preceding year.
This is a book written with love of the game in mind by a baseball fan and if you're a fan of the game, you'll enjoy this immensely. If, on the other hand, FIFA is your thing, you probably won't. This is for the baseball fan. And it's not one of those, here's what happened types of books, you get the background which led to the team's being in the World Series, and the aftermath as well.
If you love baseball, you can find this more than likely at Amazon, or at your favorite Barnes & Noble outlet, unless it happens to be a small one like the one near me which seems to only specialize in books from the last month or so. Pick it and Enjoy! It's a fascinating and fun read! You won't be sorry.
April 1, 2024
To be honest, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would and I believe a large part of that is attributable to me as a reader.
The authors have done a lot of research for these stories and do include a lot of detail, but at the same time each chapter is formulaic. Every chapter, as far as I can remember, begins in medias res, goes back in time to some point before the incident to establish context, discusses the incident…and then gives a 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨 ending where we find out where every single person in the story ended up (and in some instances, these wrap ups take up more or the chapter than the story).
I will admit I did not completely know what to expect from this book, but anticipated it being along the lines of similar books by Peter Golenbock or Tyler Kepner, with interviews from the subjects providing more context to incidents and giving the book less of a Wikipedia feel. Unfortunately, per the bibliography, there were only seven interviews for the 18 chapters. I think the book suffers without these first-person (or expert) accounts.
Now granted, its a great book if your reader doesn’t know a lot about baseball and is trying to get to know more, but if you devour baseball media, a lot of this book is going to be reruns of things you already know. It wasn’t for me. It might be for you.
The authors have done a lot of research for these stories and do include a lot of detail, but at the same time each chapter is formulaic. Every chapter, as far as I can remember, begins in medias res, goes back in time to some point before the incident to establish context, discusses the incident…and then gives a 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨 ending where we find out where every single person in the story ended up (and in some instances, these wrap ups take up more or the chapter than the story).
I will admit I did not completely know what to expect from this book, but anticipated it being along the lines of similar books by Peter Golenbock or Tyler Kepner, with interviews from the subjects providing more context to incidents and giving the book less of a Wikipedia feel. Unfortunately, per the bibliography, there were only seven interviews for the 18 chapters. I think the book suffers without these first-person (or expert) accounts.
Now granted, its a great book if your reader doesn’t know a lot about baseball and is trying to get to know more, but if you devour baseball media, a lot of this book is going to be reruns of things you already know. It wasn’t for me. It might be for you.
April 2, 2024
This book discloses fascinating stories involving the World Series. It includes stories about players who were little known before the World Series but played a crucial role in a team's victory, as well as about a player who left the ballpark without permission in the middle of a game, and more. It also includes stories about things that affected the outcome of the World Series like shoe polish, the Spanish flu, and World War I. Even though the stories are fascinating, it can be hard for some to get through the book. It is extremely detailed and numerous baseball games are described down to the tiniest details. Thus, if you are a big fan of baseball statistics and reliving games in detail, you will enjoy it. However, if you are a casual fan of the game or too many statistics make your eyes gloss over and your head ache, you may find it difficult to get through.
February 20, 2024
Shadows of Glory was an incredibly enjoyable and well-written collection of 18 stories that span across multiple World Series. I am a big baseball history fan, but they were almost all brand new to me, and the writers did an excellent job of providing context to each story with amazing detail. As someone who enjoys recounting obscure baseball knowledge, this book will add a few stories to my own repertoire. I would gladly pick up another volume of great, absorbing baseball tales from the authors.
Special Thanks to Lyons Press and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
Special Thanks to Lyons Press and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
April 22, 2026
Shadows Of Glory, this book is epic! perfect gift for anyone in your life. I have bought this many times for friends and family - 10/10 Father's Day gift!
The book has a variety of statistical techniques that I love reading about. You will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of baseball. You will love the behind the scenes stories.
It was a great book to learn about the early and late years of baseball and all its players
Go buy!
RedSox Joey
The book has a variety of statistical techniques that I love reading about. You will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of baseball. You will love the behind the scenes stories.
It was a great book to learn about the early and late years of baseball and all its players
Go buy!
RedSox Joey
December 3, 2024
Going into this I thought I knew some great World Series stories. Turns out, I only knew the tip of the iceberg. The stories in this that are in this book have resonated with me so much that I can’t help but tell anyone I come in contact with. And if you’re a baseball lover, you’ll do the same.
April 7, 2024
I would rate this book 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Even if you are casual sports fan there are world series I sure you have heard of Kirk Gibsons walk off homerun, 2004 Red Sox winning the world series, and the world series being impacted by the California earthquake i can still remember Al Michaels voice. These are 18 stories that are not well-known stories or accomplishments. There are stories that cover both MLB and the Negro League with stories where a player who is on his way out ends up having an amazing world series. Can you imagine pitcher throwing back-to-back no hitters? Or 36 wins in a season? There is no way that would happen in the modern era. How about an owner declining to accept a world championship. It was also interesting to read how a newspaper strike saved one manager's job. These are in depth stories that a fun read if you are sports or baseball enthusiast.
Even if you are casual sports fan there are world series I sure you have heard of Kirk Gibsons walk off homerun, 2004 Red Sox winning the world series, and the world series being impacted by the California earthquake i can still remember Al Michaels voice. These are 18 stories that are not well-known stories or accomplishments. There are stories that cover both MLB and the Negro League with stories where a player who is on his way out ends up having an amazing world series. Can you imagine pitcher throwing back-to-back no hitters? Or 36 wins in a season? There is no way that would happen in the modern era. How about an owner declining to accept a world championship. It was also interesting to read how a newspaper strike saved one manager's job. These are in depth stories that a fun read if you are sports or baseball enthusiast.
February 21, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! So many great stories that happened behind the scenes of various World Series matchups. Well researched, well written, and a lot of fun to read!!
June 8, 2026
An interesting and entertaining read. Baseball fans will enjoy the stories, as I did. Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Dave for the opportunity to receive this book.
September 12, 2024
This was a good book on obscure World Series games.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews