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Who's on Worst?: The Lousiest Players, Biggest Cheaters, Saddest Goats and Other Antiheroes in Baseball History
A hilarious celebration of the worst in baseball The boneheads, cheats, jerks and losers who make the grand old game so fun
Libraries and Internet sites are filled to groaning with debates about who the best ballplayers of all time were—but how many times can you argue about Mantle vs. Mays? Since baseball is a game of failure, it's much more fun to dive into the fray and explore baseball's worst : who was the lousiest pitcher of all-time? the biggest goat? the most despicable owner? the greatest cheater?
Filip Bondy wields formidable research, advanced sabermetrics and his considerable wit to provide this indispensable guide to the less glorious side of our national pastime. Each chapter is filled with rich and colorful stories of the players unfortunate enough to be chosen in each category and is followed by a handy top-ten list, such as Most Overpaid Yankees.
From a delightful survey of batters who fell below the dreaded "Mendoza Line" to a rundown of managers who had long careers distinguished by relentless losing to a roster of players who took steroids but still stunk, Who's on Worst? is a thoroughly entertaining portrait of the personalities who deserve their place in baseball history as much as the immortals.
Libraries and Internet sites are filled to groaning with debates about who the best ballplayers of all time were—but how many times can you argue about Mantle vs. Mays? Since baseball is a game of failure, it's much more fun to dive into the fray and explore baseball's worst : who was the lousiest pitcher of all-time? the biggest goat? the most despicable owner? the greatest cheater?
Filip Bondy wields formidable research, advanced sabermetrics and his considerable wit to provide this indispensable guide to the less glorious side of our national pastime. Each chapter is filled with rich and colorful stories of the players unfortunate enough to be chosen in each category and is followed by a handy top-ten list, such as Most Overpaid Yankees.
From a delightful survey of batters who fell below the dreaded "Mendoza Line" to a rundown of managers who had long careers distinguished by relentless losing to a roster of players who took steroids but still stunk, Who's on Worst? is a thoroughly entertaining portrait of the personalities who deserve their place in baseball history as much as the immortals.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
18 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 27, 2013
The subtitle is "The Lousiest Players, Biggest Cheaters, Saddest Goats and Other Antiheroes."
The first chapter focuses on the "Mendoza Line," featuring some of the worst hitters in baseball history. And Mario Mendoza is only rated as the 5th worst hitter! Bill Bergen is listed as worst, Ray Oyler as second worst, and the redoubtable Bob Uecker as third worst.
Second chapter? Worst fielders. At the top (or is that the bottom?) is Dr. Strangeglove, Dick Stuart. While a fine hitter, a fine fielder Stuart was not. The Mets' Marvelous Marv Throneberry is number 4 on this list of ill repute. Chapter 3 explores the poorest pitchers. Herm Wehmier and Todd van Poppel are at the top of the list. . . . Chapter 6. Cheaters! Number 1, not surprisingly, is Gaylord Perry, whose spitball took him to the Hall of Faqme. Classic cheater? John McGraw!
And so on. Each of the players gets a page or two, and reliving the careers and misadventures of players is a lot of fun.
The first chapter focuses on the "Mendoza Line," featuring some of the worst hitters in baseball history. And Mario Mendoza is only rated as the 5th worst hitter! Bill Bergen is listed as worst, Ray Oyler as second worst, and the redoubtable Bob Uecker as third worst.
Second chapter? Worst fielders. At the top (or is that the bottom?) is Dr. Strangeglove, Dick Stuart. While a fine hitter, a fine fielder Stuart was not. The Mets' Marvelous Marv Throneberry is number 4 on this list of ill repute. Chapter 3 explores the poorest pitchers. Herm Wehmier and Todd van Poppel are at the top of the list. . . . Chapter 6. Cheaters! Number 1, not surprisingly, is Gaylord Perry, whose spitball took him to the Hall of Faqme. Classic cheater? John McGraw!
And so on. Each of the players gets a page or two, and reliving the careers and misadventures of players is a lot of fun.
June 14, 2024
If you ever want to know who the worst players in baseball history are, this book will give you some opinions on that. There were a few surprises in the book, but not many. I was not at all surprised to find Bob Uecker's name in the first chapter. Uecker, of course, made a career out of acknowledging how bad he was, and became somewhat of a comic later on. In fact, he was called the "clown prince of baseball." His antics in the dugout were pretty famous, and once even shagged fly balls in the outfield. With a tuba. Or, actually, it was a Sousaphone, if we're being technical.
With chapters on the worst hitters, worst fielders, worst pitchers, worst managers, and worst owners, this book is full of historical baseball information. I do confess that there are a lot of names that I had never heard of, but we don't hear a lot about the players who don't quite live up to expectations. Unless they are so bad that they get a sort of cult following. Like Bob Uecker. For example, in the first chapter, the worst hitters, Bob Uecker was the only one I was familiar with. I had heard the name of Mario Mendoza, because the line below which one is deemed a bad hitter is called the "Mendoza Line," which is a .200 batting average.
At the end of each chapter, there is a list of the "bottom ten" (as opposed to top ten). I'm guessing that the first name is the worst of the bottom ten. That part was slightly confusing. Included in the worst fielders is Jose Canseco who once allowed a fly ball to bounce off of his head into the stands, becoming a home run. I was surprised to see Todd Van Poppel's name in the worst pitchers, as he was supposed to be a rookie phenom, out of Arlington, TX. But I really didn't follow his career.
The Yankees get their own chapter for the ten most overpaid Yankees players in their history, followed by a chapter of overpaid players for the rest of MLB. Jason Giambi, Kevin Brown, Roger Clemens, and A.J. Burnett are listed in the Yankees chapter. Barry Zito, Chan Ho Park, Mo Vaughn, and Jason Bay are listed in the other chapter.
Then we get the biggest cheaters of all time. Gaylord Perry, HOF pitcher, is number one, with his infamous Vaseline "spitball." Also included are Joe Niekro, John McGraw, Wilton Guerrero (Vlad's brother)(who also made the list for the worst sons and brothers of other players), Kevin Gross, Norm Cash, Albert Belle, and Preacher Roe. Kind of funny that I've heard of more of them.
Probably my favorite chapter is the one on the greatest goats (NOT Greatest of All Time) in history. Proudly standing at number one is Bill Buckner, who infamously allowed a ground ball to dribble between his legs in the 1986 World Series (Red Sox v. Mets), resulting in the loss of Game Six and, eventually, the World Series. Also included in that chapter are Fred Merkle (failed to touch second base on a force play that would have been a game winning hit), Ralph Branca (pitcher who surrendered the "shot heard around the world" in the 1951 National League Championship; "THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!"), and poor Steve Bartman, who reached out to grab a foul ball which could have been caught by his home team Cubs, which resulted in them losing yet another championship. I'm not sure that Bartman shouldn't have been number one. At least the Red Sox forgave Buckner.
There are lists of worst teammates ever, players who took steroids, but it didn't help, the luckiest players, managers (Ted Williams was one of those . . . arguably the greatest hitter of all time, but never had a winning season as a manager), owners (the infamous Marge Schott was high on that list), the aforementioned sons and brothers who didn't live up to their fathers/brothers legacy, and even lousy players who wound up be genius managers (Tommy Lasorda, Billy Beane, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, Jim Leyland . . . who doesn't recognize those names?).
The only thing missing is the worst umpires. But this book was published in 2013, and it's possible that Angel Hernandez had not yet made his mark as the worst umpire in major league history.
I would recommend this book to any fan of baseball history and trivia, especially if they are interested in finding out "Who's on Worst."
With chapters on the worst hitters, worst fielders, worst pitchers, worst managers, and worst owners, this book is full of historical baseball information. I do confess that there are a lot of names that I had never heard of, but we don't hear a lot about the players who don't quite live up to expectations. Unless they are so bad that they get a sort of cult following. Like Bob Uecker. For example, in the first chapter, the worst hitters, Bob Uecker was the only one I was familiar with. I had heard the name of Mario Mendoza, because the line below which one is deemed a bad hitter is called the "Mendoza Line," which is a .200 batting average.
At the end of each chapter, there is a list of the "bottom ten" (as opposed to top ten). I'm guessing that the first name is the worst of the bottom ten. That part was slightly confusing. Included in the worst fielders is Jose Canseco who once allowed a fly ball to bounce off of his head into the stands, becoming a home run. I was surprised to see Todd Van Poppel's name in the worst pitchers, as he was supposed to be a rookie phenom, out of Arlington, TX. But I really didn't follow his career.
The Yankees get their own chapter for the ten most overpaid Yankees players in their history, followed by a chapter of overpaid players for the rest of MLB. Jason Giambi, Kevin Brown, Roger Clemens, and A.J. Burnett are listed in the Yankees chapter. Barry Zito, Chan Ho Park, Mo Vaughn, and Jason Bay are listed in the other chapter.
Then we get the biggest cheaters of all time. Gaylord Perry, HOF pitcher, is number one, with his infamous Vaseline "spitball." Also included are Joe Niekro, John McGraw, Wilton Guerrero (Vlad's brother)(who also made the list for the worst sons and brothers of other players), Kevin Gross, Norm Cash, Albert Belle, and Preacher Roe. Kind of funny that I've heard of more of them.
Probably my favorite chapter is the one on the greatest goats (NOT Greatest of All Time) in history. Proudly standing at number one is Bill Buckner, who infamously allowed a ground ball to dribble between his legs in the 1986 World Series (Red Sox v. Mets), resulting in the loss of Game Six and, eventually, the World Series. Also included in that chapter are Fred Merkle (failed to touch second base on a force play that would have been a game winning hit), Ralph Branca (pitcher who surrendered the "shot heard around the world" in the 1951 National League Championship; "THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!"), and poor Steve Bartman, who reached out to grab a foul ball which could have been caught by his home team Cubs, which resulted in them losing yet another championship. I'm not sure that Bartman shouldn't have been number one. At least the Red Sox forgave Buckner.
There are lists of worst teammates ever, players who took steroids, but it didn't help, the luckiest players, managers (Ted Williams was one of those . . . arguably the greatest hitter of all time, but never had a winning season as a manager), owners (the infamous Marge Schott was high on that list), the aforementioned sons and brothers who didn't live up to their fathers/brothers legacy, and even lousy players who wound up be genius managers (Tommy Lasorda, Billy Beane, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, Jim Leyland . . . who doesn't recognize those names?).
The only thing missing is the worst umpires. But this book was published in 2013, and it's possible that Angel Hernandez had not yet made his mark as the worst umpire in major league history.
I would recommend this book to any fan of baseball history and trivia, especially if they are interested in finding out "Who's on Worst."
September 20, 2019
This was a book from my shelf that filled a sports junkie/baseball nerd niche for my insatiable bibliophilic needs. I need a list book every now and then that tells me the Great Charley Lau was a groundbreaking hitting coach but a terrible major league ball player. Incidentally, this is something I already knew and oddly reminisce about every time I see highlights of the Winnin’ Ugly 1983 White Sox and Greg Walker, owner of the sweetest swing and lousiest talent. It just didn’t compute. But I digress. The book was okay. I read a modicum of new stories, but in the end, in the midst of the lists on the biggest flops, cheaters, worst managers, bum owners et al; the author ran afoul of two no-no’s for me: too much easy street Cub bashing (the book was published prior to the World Series year of 2016) and the go to lazy reference to Ty Cobb’s “racism”, which has been researched and debunked by at least one prominent biographer in Charlie Leehrsen’s A Terrible Beauty. I have no patience for that.
July 17, 2018
Baseball can bring out the best in us. It can bring out the worst in us. Though sabermetrics can help settle some arguments, the sport is still a conundrum.
Most of the time we argue value added: the most valuable player on a team, who is the best clutch player, who is the most dominant pitcher, etc. Rarely, we debate the worst of the worst. Who’s on Worst? is journey through the foibles of Major League Baseball. From players who couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn to owners who didn’t know the difference between left field and right field.
If you are into the idiosyncratic world of baseball, this is the book for you. At times, the stories are interesting, but many times, the stories are lackluster and boring. Most great baseball stories of yore have been exhausted, so finding something novel is difficult.
This book was fun and relaxing, but not riveting. If you love baseball, you will love this book. If you enjoy baseball, you can probably pass.
Most of the time we argue value added: the most valuable player on a team, who is the best clutch player, who is the most dominant pitcher, etc. Rarely, we debate the worst of the worst. Who’s on Worst? is journey through the foibles of Major League Baseball. From players who couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn to owners who didn’t know the difference between left field and right field.
If you are into the idiosyncratic world of baseball, this is the book for you. At times, the stories are interesting, but many times, the stories are lackluster and boring. Most great baseball stories of yore have been exhausted, so finding something novel is difficult.
This book was fun and relaxing, but not riveting. If you love baseball, you will love this book. If you enjoy baseball, you can probably pass.
October 1, 2019
This was ok, nothing great. It's a collection of sections devoted to different kinds of major league baseball failure, such as bad signings, poor play, lousy personalities, etc. Although it did illuminate some forgotten characters from the early days--even pre 1900--the book has an unfortunate emphasis on the period from 1990-2012. (The book came out in 2013.) There is very little at all in this book about anything from 1920-1976, so there's a huge yawning gap. There's also the unfortunately common trait of emphasis on big market teams, especially the Yankees and Mets. This is to be expected, perhaps, since the author is a New York writer.
All in all, too narrow a focus in time, but interesting in spots, and I liked the simple "bottom tens" that ended each section. Not really recommended, though. (I chose it in "honor" of my Detroit Tigers' utter failure in the just-completed 2019 season.)
All in all, too narrow a focus in time, but interesting in spots, and I liked the simple "bottom tens" that ended each section. Not really recommended, though. (I chose it in "honor" of my Detroit Tigers' utter failure in the just-completed 2019 season.)
September 19, 2017
As a lifelong baseball fan, and a Texas Ranger fan when Mario Mendoza was playing for them during the infamous naming season, I found a lot of the situations and players mentioned familiar and most of it brought back a laugh and memory of what I was doing at that time of my life. There were also many references to things I had never heard of prior to reading this book which I appreciated.
This is not a book you're going to sit down and read start to finish, as the book is packaged in short stories which was perfect for me: I read snippets and sections of it over the last two weeks during my lunch break at work or when I had a spare moment.
The series of stories is fairly well researched and easy to read. If you're a baseball fan young or old (but more of an emphasis on people who have been following it for decades), you are absolutely going to love this one.
This is not a book you're going to sit down and read start to finish, as the book is packaged in short stories which was perfect for me: I read snippets and sections of it over the last two weeks during my lunch break at work or when I had a spare moment.
The series of stories is fairly well researched and easy to read. If you're a baseball fan young or old (but more of an emphasis on people who have been following it for decades), you are absolutely going to love this one.
September 10, 2023
“Meh”. There is something missing in the storytelling. I like and understand fairly well the game of baseball, and the stories related here fall into a rough mix of those that I recognize and of those I had never heard of. It should have been delicious – reliving the “greatest hits” of ineptitude such as Bill Buckner’s flubbing of the ground ball that cost Boston the championship in 1986, to take just one example.
Again, something about the storytelling just fell flat – that Buckner story, when it came up, just had no drama to it. Something about how he related it caused the crucial play itself to get lost in a flat commentary of how it played out over the subsequent decades. It seemed boring as hell, and then, on to the next thing.
Again, something about the storytelling just fell flat – that Buckner story, when it came up, just had no drama to it. Something about how he related it caused the crucial play itself to get lost in a flat commentary of how it played out over the subsequent decades. It seemed boring as hell, and then, on to the next thing.
July 9, 2018
I read this as an eBook, checked out from my public library. It was a pleasant enough book for reading on the plane for a family trip. I am somewhat interested in baseball and baseball history.
The book is organized into chapters about different types of players, as well as managers and owners. As typical with baseball books like this, it is a collection of anecdotes.
Libraries often have a relatively limited number of titles on any particular subject, so this was fine as one option among only a few. I wouldn't otherwise particularly recommend it.
The book is organized into chapters about different types of players, as well as managers and owners. As typical with baseball books like this, it is a collection of anecdotes.
Libraries often have a relatively limited number of titles on any particular subject, so this was fine as one option among only a few. I wouldn't otherwise particularly recommend it.
November 11, 2018
A fun read for any baseball fan, this work attempts to settle the debates of "Who's the Worst of the Worst?" in baseball history. Some of the tales would be well known, but others, perhaps not. It reads like an extended click-bait style book, akin to a slideshow on Buzzfeed or Bleacher Report. Still, there are some good stories/facts to be gleamed from this work. Not a classic, but for a baseball fan, worth a least a listen [Note, this book was published before the Cubs finally ended their 108-year World Series drought].
July 13, 2025
1/5. I wasn't around for the ratings and rankings era of the internet and newspapers, but this book felt like a glimpse into the past. I completely understand how we moved past that point (for the most part), as this book felt dull and archaic at best.
December 27, 2018
Moderately entertaining. It doesn't really hold up to reading straight through. Some of the inclusions didn't feel justified.
September 7, 2019
I always love reading about the best sport in the world
July 10, 2021
FunBook
Fun baseball book. Nothing truly revolutionary but just a fun read for true or casual baseball fans. Would recommend for a quick read.
Fun baseball book. Nothing truly revolutionary but just a fun read for true or casual baseball fans. Would recommend for a quick read.
May 1, 2023
Audio book, really good stories in here. Lots of terrific baseball history.
January 15, 2024
This was a quick read, sort of a Wiki list of baseball goats (not GOAT) and dogs. Some mistakes, but nothing to major.
July 13, 2024
Some interesting baseball anecdotes. Nothing astounding.
March 8, 2017
1.Filip Bondy is a sports columnist for the Daily News, where he has worked since 1993. He has been cited as one of the top ten sports columnists in America by the Associated Press Sports Editors. Over the years, his articles have appeared in such publications as the New York Times, Sports Illustrated.
2.The book was published in 2013
3.The setting of this book is where they held all of the baseball games and in the hotels afterwards and also in the press box and restaurants.
4.In this particular book there was not many characters there was just a bunch of different giving their stories during this time period .
5.The theme of this particular book was different people giving their perspectives of this time period which was when they went through the getting made fun of because of their color .
6.Libraries and Internet sites are filled to groaning with debates about who the best ballplayers of all time were—but how many times can you argue about Mantle vs. Mays? Since baseball is a game of failure, it's much more fun to dive into the fray and explore baseball's worst: who was the lousiest pitcher of all-time? the biggest goat? the most despicable owner? the greatest cheater?Filip Bondy wields formidable research, advanced sabermetrics and his considerable wit to provide this indispensable guide to the less glorious side of our national pastime. Each chapter is filled with rich and colorful stories of the players unfortunate enough to be chosen in each category and is followed by a handy top-ten list, such as Most Overpaid Yankees.From a delightful survey of batters who fell below the dreaded "Mendoza Line" to a rundown of managers who had long careers distinguished by relentless losing to a roster of players who took steroids but still stunk, Who's on Worst? is a thoroughly entertaining portrait of the personalities who deserve their place in baseball history as much as the immortals.
7. There were plenty of literary devices in this particular book some examples including simile,metaphor and plenty of other .
8. My favorite quote from the book is “ Who is gonna make you happy when you are your own worst enemy”.
2.The book was published in 2013
3.The setting of this book is where they held all of the baseball games and in the hotels afterwards and also in the press box and restaurants.
4.In this particular book there was not many characters there was just a bunch of different giving their stories during this time period .
5.The theme of this particular book was different people giving their perspectives of this time period which was when they went through the getting made fun of because of their color .
6.Libraries and Internet sites are filled to groaning with debates about who the best ballplayers of all time were—but how many times can you argue about Mantle vs. Mays? Since baseball is a game of failure, it's much more fun to dive into the fray and explore baseball's worst: who was the lousiest pitcher of all-time? the biggest goat? the most despicable owner? the greatest cheater?Filip Bondy wields formidable research, advanced sabermetrics and his considerable wit to provide this indispensable guide to the less glorious side of our national pastime. Each chapter is filled with rich and colorful stories of the players unfortunate enough to be chosen in each category and is followed by a handy top-ten list, such as Most Overpaid Yankees.From a delightful survey of batters who fell below the dreaded "Mendoza Line" to a rundown of managers who had long careers distinguished by relentless losing to a roster of players who took steroids but still stunk, Who's on Worst? is a thoroughly entertaining portrait of the personalities who deserve their place in baseball history as much as the immortals.
7. There were plenty of literary devices in this particular book some examples including simile,metaphor and plenty of other .
8. My favorite quote from the book is “ Who is gonna make you happy when you are your own worst enemy”.
February 7, 2015
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
There are many sports books, especially baseball books, which are lists or compilations of the best or greatest of a certain topic. One may find something about the greatest baseball teams of all time or the top hitters or pitchers. New York sportswriter Filip Bondy decided to look at the other end of the spectrum by listing the worst players, managers and owners in the game. Not just with statistics either – he ranks the worst cheaters and users of performance enhancing drugs as well.
Each chapter is devoted to the worst of some type of category. There are the worst hitters of all time; the worst fielders; the worst pitchers and so on. The section on overpaid players was separated into two chapters: "Most overpaid Yankees" and "...outside the Bronx." There are other categories as well, such as cheaters, worst managers and worst owners. Even managers who were good as the skipper but not so good as a player, such as Tommy Lasorda and Sparky Anderson, had their own chapter.
Because Bondy is a New York sportswriter, there is a tendency to lean toward New York stories which may make some readers question his objectivity. The above referenced chapters on overpaid players are one example, but it is explained that because the New York Yankees have signed so many highly paid players over the years, they have their own “worst” list in this category.
Most of the stories told are for players, teams and owners after 1970, so most readers will have heard of the subjects or maybe even heard the stories in the past. Nonetheless, they are entertaining, and if one listens to the audio book as I did, that person will enjoy the voice of Scott Brook telling the stories of bad teammates, poor performances and bad behavior.
Like any book of lists, whether the best or the worst, a reader may not agree with the ten subjects listed. For example, I would like to know why Tom Kelly, long-time manager for the Minnesota Twins who lead the team to two World Series victories, did not make the list for bad players who became good managers, as Kelly appeared in only 22 major league games as a player and hit less than .200. But then, that is what a good book of lists does – it starts a debate. This was an entertaining book that a baseball fan, especially one who enjoys reading about recent baseball history, will enjoy reading or hearing.
Pace of the book:
Very good as Brick’s smooth delivery never got boring. It was easy to follow and listen and Brick also delivered the humorous segments in a dry manner that made them even funnier.
Do I recommend?
Baseball fans who love to have those debates at the bar or in the den with other fans about who’s the best or worst will want to read this one to give those discussions a new twist.
Book Format Read:
Audiobook
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
There are many sports books, especially baseball books, which are lists or compilations of the best or greatest of a certain topic. One may find something about the greatest baseball teams of all time or the top hitters or pitchers. New York sportswriter Filip Bondy decided to look at the other end of the spectrum by listing the worst players, managers and owners in the game. Not just with statistics either – he ranks the worst cheaters and users of performance enhancing drugs as well.
Each chapter is devoted to the worst of some type of category. There are the worst hitters of all time; the worst fielders; the worst pitchers and so on. The section on overpaid players was separated into two chapters: "Most overpaid Yankees" and "...outside the Bronx." There are other categories as well, such as cheaters, worst managers and worst owners. Even managers who were good as the skipper but not so good as a player, such as Tommy Lasorda and Sparky Anderson, had their own chapter.
Because Bondy is a New York sportswriter, there is a tendency to lean toward New York stories which may make some readers question his objectivity. The above referenced chapters on overpaid players are one example, but it is explained that because the New York Yankees have signed so many highly paid players over the years, they have their own “worst” list in this category.
Most of the stories told are for players, teams and owners after 1970, so most readers will have heard of the subjects or maybe even heard the stories in the past. Nonetheless, they are entertaining, and if one listens to the audio book as I did, that person will enjoy the voice of Scott Brook telling the stories of bad teammates, poor performances and bad behavior.
Like any book of lists, whether the best or the worst, a reader may not agree with the ten subjects listed. For example, I would like to know why Tom Kelly, long-time manager for the Minnesota Twins who lead the team to two World Series victories, did not make the list for bad players who became good managers, as Kelly appeared in only 22 major league games as a player and hit less than .200. But then, that is what a good book of lists does – it starts a debate. This was an entertaining book that a baseball fan, especially one who enjoys reading about recent baseball history, will enjoy reading or hearing.
Pace of the book:
Very good as Brick’s smooth delivery never got boring. It was easy to follow and listen and Brick also delivered the humorous segments in a dry manner that made them even funnier.
Do I recommend?
Baseball fans who love to have those debates at the bar or in the den with other fans about who’s the best or worst will want to read this one to give those discussions a new twist.
Book Format Read:
Audiobook
September 22, 2021
Mediocrity is everywhere; what makes it worth chronicling? Maybe a book that tries to figure out why some players are retained despite poor performances would be useful, but this just seems pointless.
August 28, 2013
WORST HITTERS OF ALL TIME: BILL BERGEN, RANKED NO. 1
Bill Bergen was a catcher for the Brooklyn Superbas in the dead-ball era, when everyone was in a slump of sorts. Still, even by the measure of his day, Bergen set the gold standard for persistent batting ineptitude. While he demonstrated his futility way back in 1909, his achievement lives and breathes today, still fueling controversy as to whether his hitless slump was really 0-for-45, or 0-for-46. Historians have argued whether one particular handwritten scorecard had him at 0 for 2 in a game or 0 for 3. And when Craig Counsell of the Brewers laced a pinch-hit single at 0-for-45 in 2011, it meant the Bergen argument would live another day.
Regardless, Bergen made himself a good case for being labeled the very worst hitter in major-league history. He still holds the record for the lowest single-season batting average, .139, for a position player with a qualifying number of at-bats. He also posted the lowest career batting average, .170, and hit a grand total of two homers in 3,028 at-bats. How did Bergen manage to draw a paycheck for 11 seasons? The catcher had a Hall of Fame arm, amassing 1,444 assists in 941 games behind the plate.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/bas...
Bill Bergen was a catcher for the Brooklyn Superbas in the dead-ball era, when everyone was in a slump of sorts. Still, even by the measure of his day, Bergen set the gold standard for persistent batting ineptitude. While he demonstrated his futility way back in 1909, his achievement lives and breathes today, still fueling controversy as to whether his hitless slump was really 0-for-45, or 0-for-46. Historians have argued whether one particular handwritten scorecard had him at 0 for 2 in a game or 0 for 3. And when Craig Counsell of the Brewers laced a pinch-hit single at 0-for-45 in 2011, it meant the Bergen argument would live another day.
Regardless, Bergen made himself a good case for being labeled the very worst hitter in major-league history. He still holds the record for the lowest single-season batting average, .139, for a position player with a qualifying number of at-bats. He also posted the lowest career batting average, .170, and hit a grand total of two homers in 3,028 at-bats. How did Bergen manage to draw a paycheck for 11 seasons? The catcher had a Hall of Fame arm, amassing 1,444 assists in 941 games behind the plate.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/bas...
October 29, 2015
http://www.themaineedge.com/sports/th...
It’s fun to discuss the best of the best. But what about the worst of the worst?
That’s where “Who’s On Worst?” comes in. Filip Bondy’s book – which sports the delightfully verbose subtitle “The Lousiest Players, Biggest Cheaters, Saddest Goats and Other Antiheroes in Baseball History” – aims to offer readers a different kind of all-timer. While not all of the names included herein are familiar to the casual fan, there’s no denying that there’s a lot of fun to be had with Bondy’s ignominious Top-10 lists.
List-based works like this one make for great sports fan reading. Of course, Bondy takes “Who’s on Worst?” to the next level through thorough investigation and a breezy prose style that come together in an informative and entertaining read. He clearly has a deep and abiding affection for the sport; only such affection could allow him to recount the foibles and failings of these baseball buffoons and assorted misfits with such clarity.
Bondy also sets himself apart through his liberal usage of humor. Some of the stories recounted in this book are absurd and hilarious, but no less true because of that. Combine that with the author’s obvious cleverness and quick wit, and you’ve got an especially enjoyable sports book.
It’s fun to discuss the best of the best. But what about the worst of the worst?
That’s where “Who’s On Worst?” comes in. Filip Bondy’s book – which sports the delightfully verbose subtitle “The Lousiest Players, Biggest Cheaters, Saddest Goats and Other Antiheroes in Baseball History” – aims to offer readers a different kind of all-timer. While not all of the names included herein are familiar to the casual fan, there’s no denying that there’s a lot of fun to be had with Bondy’s ignominious Top-10 lists.
List-based works like this one make for great sports fan reading. Of course, Bondy takes “Who’s on Worst?” to the next level through thorough investigation and a breezy prose style that come together in an informative and entertaining read. He clearly has a deep and abiding affection for the sport; only such affection could allow him to recount the foibles and failings of these baseball buffoons and assorted misfits with such clarity.
Bondy also sets himself apart through his liberal usage of humor. Some of the stories recounted in this book are absurd and hilarious, but no less true because of that. Combine that with the author’s obvious cleverness and quick wit, and you’ve got an especially enjoyable sports book.
June 2, 2015
Review title: Worsts up first
Baseball invites books like this with its long history and cross-generation comparable data. Sports columnist Bondy looks at the players, managers, and owners from the bottom up, sometimes using stats to rank his records of infamy, sometime biographies and histories.
This is both the strength and weakness of this kind of list. No matter how many stats Bondy uses and how he uses them (not very consistently) these are always purely subjective lists based on the author's biases, sources, time, and place. But with that caveat, this is a fun set of lists because of the bottoms up look. No Rose vs. Cobb, no Ruth vs. Aaron here. These are guys famous for their blunders (Merkle, Buckner), incompetence (Mendoza, Giambi), and general idiocy (Rocker, Finley).
Bondy does sometimes use sabre stats to justify the inclusion of names on the lists, but isn't consistent in using them. As I said above, these are personal lists so that is his prerogative, but some consistency might have better proved his case in the arguments these kind of lists invariably start.
But as a set of argument starters, this set is as good as any of the many that have been published about baseball. For me the failure to include Bonds and Clements on the list of cheaters is an impossibly large blind spot. You can read the lists and pick your own arguments.
Baseball invites books like this with its long history and cross-generation comparable data. Sports columnist Bondy looks at the players, managers, and owners from the bottom up, sometimes using stats to rank his records of infamy, sometime biographies and histories.
This is both the strength and weakness of this kind of list. No matter how many stats Bondy uses and how he uses them (not very consistently) these are always purely subjective lists based on the author's biases, sources, time, and place. But with that caveat, this is a fun set of lists because of the bottoms up look. No Rose vs. Cobb, no Ruth vs. Aaron here. These are guys famous for their blunders (Merkle, Buckner), incompetence (Mendoza, Giambi), and general idiocy (Rocker, Finley).
Bondy does sometimes use sabre stats to justify the inclusion of names on the lists, but isn't consistent in using them. As I said above, these are personal lists so that is his prerogative, but some consistency might have better proved his case in the arguments these kind of lists invariably start.
But as a set of argument starters, this set is as good as any of the many that have been published about baseball. For me the failure to include Bonds and Clements on the list of cheaters is an impossibly large blind spot. You can read the lists and pick your own arguments.
February 8, 2013
Finished this in about three days, so it's an easy read. It's a kinda funny take on some of baseball's easily forgotten players and executives written in list form, which makes it easy to start and stop at any point. No one is safe from Bondy's skewering -- he goes all the way back to the late 1800s for some of the players. I loved the part about the most overpaid Yankees, and he really lets some of the bad pitchers have it.
My biggest qualm is a lot of this reads like he grabbed a few graphs from the Wikipedia pages of these players and just added a few extra sentences. At the end of each chapter there is a top-10 countdown of the most infamous players in that category, though some chapters only discuss six or seven players (I reviewed a bound galley; it may be different in the final version).
Baseball fans would love this, especially because each era of the sport's history comes under the spotlight.
My biggest qualm is a lot of this reads like he grabbed a few graphs from the Wikipedia pages of these players and just added a few extra sentences. At the end of each chapter there is a top-10 countdown of the most infamous players in that category, though some chapters only discuss six or seven players (I reviewed a bound galley; it may be different in the final version).
Baseball fans would love this, especially because each era of the sport's history comes under the spotlight.
November 26, 2012
ARC provided by NetGalley
If you've enjoyed books such as the "Baseball Hall of Shame" series, then this book might just be up your alley. Combining the best of Bill James (great stats and historical figures) with the best humor of "Baseball Hall of Shame," Filip brings to life the strangest and weirdest the sport has to offer, including most overpaid Yankees. Filip gives details, stories, and quips that are sure to entertain readers young and old. While Filip does talk about some players from the turn of the century (1900's that is), he focuses more on players of the last 30 years that newer readers are likely to recognize and remember having seen or heard of. This book is perfect for any fan of baseball.
If you've enjoyed books such as the "Baseball Hall of Shame" series, then this book might just be up your alley. Combining the best of Bill James (great stats and historical figures) with the best humor of "Baseball Hall of Shame," Filip brings to life the strangest and weirdest the sport has to offer, including most overpaid Yankees. Filip gives details, stories, and quips that are sure to entertain readers young and old. While Filip does talk about some players from the turn of the century (1900's that is), he focuses more on players of the last 30 years that newer readers are likely to recognize and remember having seen or heard of. This book is perfect for any fan of baseball.
September 14, 2013
This audio book may not be inspirational, but it is anything but dull. Going all the way back to the late 1800’s, Bondy recalls players whose antics on and off the field make them stand out, but not in a good way. Some of these players and managers are indeed known for their successes, but all have had less-than-sterling moments. Still, there are aspects to remember, and some to admire, and some not to mimic. Enlightening and entertaining.
December 26, 2014
A quick and overall interesting read. For some anecdotes Bondy could go into a bit more detail, but I think he assumes if you are reading this book, you're already a baseball fan and have a good knowledge base. Not exactly beautiful prose here, but it doesn't need to be. A bit New York heavy, but that makes sense as Bondy is a columnist for the New York Daily News. I did enjoy the tone of utter disdain I got from the steroid player chapter. Overall, enjoyable for a baseball fan.
June 2, 2015
Could not stop smirking and sometimes laughing out loud while reading this witty collection that discusses the antiheroes of Major League Baseball.
From discussion on worst hitter to worst fielder to infamous cheaters, author Filip Bondy has captured pure baseball magic and reminds fans why we love this game. The writing is factual and humorous without ever being mean. Worthy of much discussion, debate and hours of fun!
From discussion on worst hitter to worst fielder to infamous cheaters, author Filip Bondy has captured pure baseball magic and reminds fans why we love this game. The writing is factual and humorous without ever being mean. Worthy of much discussion, debate and hours of fun!
April 15, 2016
This book is at its best when recounting fun tales of oddballs and other goofy characters. It's at its worst when it delves into heavy-handed moralizing or turns up the meanness. Certain sections lean more toward the latter than the former. Additionally, I find some of Bondy's arguments are built upon opinions presented as facts and skewed/misleading information. Aside from those minor sins, it's a decent read.
May 29, 2013
Funny at times, sad in others, and always interesting, this book brought together the lighter, but also the unpleasant sides of baseball. I knew a lot of the names mentioned and their places in baseball history, but what made a difference was the excellent writing of the author. He made some well-worn ground fresh and exciting.
September 15, 2013
Interesting anecdotal overview of baseball's worst. Some interesting trivia. Got the book for my husband, and when I discovered the library also had the audio, got that for myself. For me, the most interesting element was how much I enjoyed narrator Scott Brick. He's not my favorite audio narrator for the thrillers he usually reads, but he's splendid as a NF narrator.
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