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Clearing the Bases: Juiced Players, Monster Salaries, Sham Records, and a Hall of Famer's Search for the Soul of Baseball
Between 1995, when Mike Schmidt was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the dawn of the recent "Steroid Era," when baseball's biggest names were as likely to appear before Congress as they were to play in the All-Star Game, our national pastime has devolved into a national punch line. Even though the past two years have witnessed the Red Sox' finally putting an end to the Curse of the Bambino and the White Sox' bringing a championship to the South Side of Chicago for the first time in eighty-seven years, the sad truth is that the 2005 and 2006 seasons may be remembered as much for the league's scandals and blockbuster free-agent signings as they are for historic accomplishments on the field. Something has gone horribly wrong with the game, and according to Schmidt, it's time to do something about it. Clearing the Bases is a much-needed call to arms by one of baseball's most respected players. Drawing on his experiences as a third baseman, a manager, and, most recently, a fan, Schmidt takes on everything from skyrocketing payrolls, callous owners, and unapproachable players to inflated statistics, and, of course, ersatz home run kings. With bold and spirited counsel, Schmidt offers his own prescription for restoring integrity to the game and bringing baseball back, once and for all, to its rightful place. More than just an old-timer's screed against the modern game, however, Clearing the Bases goes beyond the BALCO investigation and never-ending free-agent bonanzas that dominate the back pages. It also examines all that's right -- and what still needs work -- with our national pastime, including interleague play, expansion, and, most surprisingly, better all-around hitters. Riveting, wise, and illuminating, Clearing the Bases is a Hall of Famer's look at how Major League Baseball has lost its way and how it can head back home.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2006
9 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Mike Schmidt
6 booksMichael Jack Schmidt is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played his entire 18-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt was a 12-time All-Star and a three-time winner of the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player award (MVP), and he was known for his combination of power hitting and strong defense. As a hitter, he compiled 548 home runs and 1,595 runs batted in (RBIs), and led the NL in home runs eight times and in RBIs four times. As a fielder, Schmidt won the National League Gold Glove Award for third basemen ten times. Schmidt was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995 and is widely considered to be the greatest third baseman in baseball history.
Having an unusual batting stance, Schmidt turned his back somewhat toward the pitcher and rocked his rear end back and forth while waiting for a pitch. By standing far back in the batter's box, he made it almost impossible to jam him by pitching inside. Schmidt was one of the best athletes of his era; teammate Pete Rose once said, "To have his body, I'd trade him mine and my wife's, and I'd throw in some cash."
Having an unusual batting stance, Schmidt turned his back somewhat toward the pitcher and rocked his rear end back and forth while waiting for a pitch. By standing far back in the batter's box, he made it almost impossible to jam him by pitching inside. Schmidt was one of the best athletes of his era; teammate Pete Rose once said, "To have his body, I'd trade him mine and my wife's, and I'd throw in some cash."
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 9, 2019
This is a short memoir by a player who was voted in 1999 to be a member of the all century team. It is well written and quite an enjoyable read. The chapters are devoted to musings by Mike about the state of today's game of baseball. It was written in 2005 and yet many of the issues and topics raised are still quite relevant today. What struck me the most was how honest Mike was about his insecurity as a young player and his obsessive compulsive need to win and be the best. In fact he recognizes that that drive to be the best at all times took much of the fun out of the game that he, in hindsight, gave up in his quest for perfection. In his words, "when I was a player, I was never the likable hero Phillies fans wanted me to be. I alienated many people with my constant focus on my needs. I was only satisfied when my world was running smoothly, and I came to expect my teammates and coaches to help make that happen." And yet, he is still consumed by preserving his legacy despite his recognition of what matters most is the love of teammates and playing the game for fun(not free fun). This is most apparent In his chapters dealing with steroids. While admitting that he would have been tempted to use them as a competitive edge,(he hopes he would have said no) he is frustrated by the tarnished statistics that the steroid era has created. He opines that when he retired, he was eighth all time in home runs and as of 2005 was already thirteenth. When he discusses the changing game of baseball, he also relates it to how he should be perceived if he had played in the "boom era" rather than the 70's and 80's. As an example, he estimates that if he had played from 1992 through 2005 he would have added an average of 10 more home runs per year. That's an additional hundred and 40 home runs in his career.He states that based upon the smaller ballparks, the balls that are used in today's game, the lighter and harder bats, and the diminished fear that batters have today in facing pitchers. In his day the chin pitch was common and batters were quite more concerned with a bean ball than today. He asserts that in today's game, umpires police the game so much that batters feel less intimidated by purpose pitches and also wear body armor(think Bonds and his elbow). He estimates that Hank Aaron, if he played in the same era, would have had close to 966 home runs in his career. Mike admits it is an ego thing for him. It feels unfair for guys like him Eddie Murray and other members of The 500 Club to have their records tarnished or diminished by today's playing environment. I also detected a bitterness towards the Phillies organization because Schmidt expected a managerial or coaching position at the major league level after hi splaying days. Instead, he settled for a one year stint managing in single A ball. Then there is the chapters dealing with Pete Rose and the banishment which has been debated for decades, but did learn that Mike was picked to act as a liaison between Bud Selig and Rose in 2002 which almost resulted in a reinstatement. I also found interesting Mike's take on the DH. So, I was pleasantly surprised by this easy to read and charming memoir.
April 11, 2012
I got this for a buck and although I'm glad I read it, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but die-hard Mike Schmidt fans. I loved Schmidt as a player with the Phillies, as he is still one of the best third baseman of all-time, if not the best. I wanted to know more about his career, and this book is really just a fast-cliff notes version of it. After 80 pages or so, he was done talking about his career in this book. He would go on to talk for the next 100 pages or so about the state of the game and the steroid controversy and whether or not Pete Rose should be in the Hall-of-Fame. I just felt this book was a little outdated. Schmidt talks about McGwire and how he has never admitted to doing steroids, but now he has. This would have been a better read about five years ago, but sadly for me, I read it this week in 2012. I did like Schmidt's take on Pete Rose, even though I don't necessarily agree with it, and it was very interesting to hear his view on why more hall-of-famers don't manage teams when their career is done. Never thought about this, but what if Sandberg failed in Chicago while managing the team? Then management has the tough task of firing a legend. So that was interesting. But all in all, not written that well and there were some facts that were wrong in this book. For instance, Mark McGwire never won an MVP award and the Reds, not the Cardinals, had the best overall record in the NL in 1981 without making the playoffs. So in summary, I recommend this book only for die-hard Philly fans.
November 4, 2019
This book by a Hall-of-fame baseball player is part autobiography and part his philosophy about the history and mystique of baseball. The sections about his life and career are interesting, but not as riveting as his comments about Pete Rose and the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in baseball.
Schmidt provides some real insight into the issue of whether or not Pete Rose should be admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. There is no question that his performance on the field more than warrants the honor. However, his betting on his own team and his failure to admit it has so far doomed his chances. Schmidt was one of the intermediaries between Pete Rose and the Commissioner’s office, so his knowledge is firsthand. He explains that there are members enshrined in the Hall of Fame that are adamant that Rose be denied enshrinement for violating the rules about betting on baseball.
Schmidt also says a great deal about the problem of PED use in baseball, specifically the use of steroids. While he does mention possibilities and accusations and describes how “some players” dropped a great deal of weight that was muscle mass after the crackdown on steroids took place, Schmidt never specifically accuses a player of taking them that has not admitted to doing so. He is also adamant that records are what they are and should never be subject to an asterisk based on other factors such as PED use.
Schmidt puts forward a proposal to deal with the most complex of issues facing baseball at the time of writing and in the future. He proposes the formation of an Otsego Committee, which would be a small group selected from the current living members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. This group would serve as an arbiter of issues such as Pete Rose’s entry in the Hall of Fame and serve as an arbiter of major labor conflicts such as drug testing and pension issues. It is a proposal that has merit, for there are some obvious flaws in the current system where decisions are made.
This is a book where Schmidt is honest about his opinions, even about himself. He is open in relating to how his ego was often a bit fragile and he suffered from insecurities, even when he was leading the league in homers and runs batted in. Throughout though, he expresses his reverence for baseball.
Schmidt provides some real insight into the issue of whether or not Pete Rose should be admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. There is no question that his performance on the field more than warrants the honor. However, his betting on his own team and his failure to admit it has so far doomed his chances. Schmidt was one of the intermediaries between Pete Rose and the Commissioner’s office, so his knowledge is firsthand. He explains that there are members enshrined in the Hall of Fame that are adamant that Rose be denied enshrinement for violating the rules about betting on baseball.
Schmidt also says a great deal about the problem of PED use in baseball, specifically the use of steroids. While he does mention possibilities and accusations and describes how “some players” dropped a great deal of weight that was muscle mass after the crackdown on steroids took place, Schmidt never specifically accuses a player of taking them that has not admitted to doing so. He is also adamant that records are what they are and should never be subject to an asterisk based on other factors such as PED use.
Schmidt puts forward a proposal to deal with the most complex of issues facing baseball at the time of writing and in the future. He proposes the formation of an Otsego Committee, which would be a small group selected from the current living members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. This group would serve as an arbiter of issues such as Pete Rose’s entry in the Hall of Fame and serve as an arbiter of major labor conflicts such as drug testing and pension issues. It is a proposal that has merit, for there are some obvious flaws in the current system where decisions are made.
This is a book where Schmidt is honest about his opinions, even about himself. He is open in relating to how his ego was often a bit fragile and he suffered from insecurities, even when he was leading the league in homers and runs batted in. Throughout though, he expresses his reverence for baseball.
January 11, 2017
Nathan Eddings
Pages 202
Clearing the Bases
Nonfiction
The book clearing the Bases is about his early career in Baseball to the last game he has ever. Also all of the success he had made.
The author Mike Schmidt wants to tell you all he did and went through to become the best third basemen to ever play the game. As a child Mike Schmidt used to love to play the game. He played little league for his in house team. For his age he was a great baseball player was the star of his team. When Mike grew older he began to play high school baseball for Fairview high school. He had a good career in high school but not good enough to play for a big time college. But he discovered that when he was in little league, the University of Ohio began to scout him. So they offered him a full scholarship. His sophomore year was the year that he finally started and became a Philadelphia Phillie. They offered him a $25,000 contract. He played for the triple a organization for two years. Than he finally got called up to start as the third basemen for the Phillies.
Once he joined the Phillie organization he wasn’t the best player on the field. His batting average was a low .200 and was at the bottom of the lineup. After his third season everyone realized he is going to be the best to ever play the position of third base. He brought the Phillies to three straight NLCS in 1976-78. In 1980 he gave the Phillies their first championship and was named the league MVP and the World Series MVP. Once the next season hit he was ruling from there. He was once again named the league MVP. Always had a batting average over .300. Things started to slow down in 85-86 that was their first losing season in ten years. In 88 he started to realize the game was no use for him anymore. So once the season 89 came around he called it quits. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 95. Now to this day he is and always will be the best to ever play third base.
This book was very easy to understand and read. He talked about his baseball career and how great he really was. I can relate to him also I look up to him. I grew up playing the game and still love it. Him being so good I can relate to. My favorite part of the book is when he talked about winning the World Series and how great of an experience it was. Honesty there wasn’t a bad part in this book at all it was great! I would not change one thing! I absolutely would recommend it; anyone who loves baseball should definitely read the book.
Pages 202
Clearing the Bases
Nonfiction
The book clearing the Bases is about his early career in Baseball to the last game he has ever. Also all of the success he had made.
The author Mike Schmidt wants to tell you all he did and went through to become the best third basemen to ever play the game. As a child Mike Schmidt used to love to play the game. He played little league for his in house team. For his age he was a great baseball player was the star of his team. When Mike grew older he began to play high school baseball for Fairview high school. He had a good career in high school but not good enough to play for a big time college. But he discovered that when he was in little league, the University of Ohio began to scout him. So they offered him a full scholarship. His sophomore year was the year that he finally started and became a Philadelphia Phillie. They offered him a $25,000 contract. He played for the triple a organization for two years. Than he finally got called up to start as the third basemen for the Phillies.
Once he joined the Phillie organization he wasn’t the best player on the field. His batting average was a low .200 and was at the bottom of the lineup. After his third season everyone realized he is going to be the best to ever play the position of third base. He brought the Phillies to three straight NLCS in 1976-78. In 1980 he gave the Phillies their first championship and was named the league MVP and the World Series MVP. Once the next season hit he was ruling from there. He was once again named the league MVP. Always had a batting average over .300. Things started to slow down in 85-86 that was their first losing season in ten years. In 88 he started to realize the game was no use for him anymore. So once the season 89 came around he called it quits. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 95. Now to this day he is and always will be the best to ever play third base.
This book was very easy to understand and read. He talked about his baseball career and how great he really was. I can relate to him also I look up to him. I grew up playing the game and still love it. Him being so good I can relate to. My favorite part of the book is when he talked about winning the World Series and how great of an experience it was. Honesty there wasn’t a bad part in this book at all it was great! I would not change one thing! I absolutely would recommend it; anyone who loves baseball should definitely read the book.
August 29, 2025
Good read for the real fan
I’m a baseball fan. I’m 72 years old. Those two things qualify me to enjoy Mike Schmidt’s book. It talks about baseball the way it was in the old days and baseball the way it was in the not-as-old days. Much has changed in the game since he wrote the book. We now have designated hitters in both leagues. We have pitch and batter timers. We have limited time outs and pickoff attempts. We have video replay challenges. We will soon have ball and strike challenges. Much has changed since he wrote this book, but, as a longtime baseball fan I still found it an interesting read written by a guy who knows the game. I’m glad I read it.
I’m a baseball fan. I’m 72 years old. Those two things qualify me to enjoy Mike Schmidt’s book. It talks about baseball the way it was in the old days and baseball the way it was in the not-as-old days. Much has changed in the game since he wrote the book. We now have designated hitters in both leagues. We have pitch and batter timers. We have limited time outs and pickoff attempts. We have video replay challenges. We will soon have ball and strike challenges. Much has changed since he wrote this book, but, as a longtime baseball fan I still found it an interesting read written by a guy who knows the game. I’m glad I read it.
September 8, 2024
The biography portion of this book was very short and could certainly use more time and attention. I think that the average fan would appreciate this addition. Schmidt presents his views on baseball and I wonder if he holds the same views today, particularly in his defense of Pete Rose and steroid users - both actual and alleged. Personally, those views have not aged well.
September 12, 2017
Entertaining book from Mike Schmidt.
When I ordered it from the library, I didn't realize he wrote it in 2005.
I'd be interested in hearing some updates on some of his thoughts in the book.
When I ordered it from the library, I didn't realize he wrote it in 2005.
I'd be interested in hearing some updates on some of his thoughts in the book.
February 27, 2022
Reading this 15 years after it was written is t the best thing. The relevance of the current situations don’t fit. I think if I’d read it when it was published I would e enjoyed it more.
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May 17, 20252010
August 9, 2023
Open and honest. One of my all-time favorite players. A must-read for all baseball fans.
May 8, 2012
GoodReads Checkpoint 1
"Clearing the Bases", by Mike Schmidt, tells us all about his life story in baseball in addition to important baseball topics in history. I have read a third of the book so far and he has been walking me through the life of a minor league amd struggling baseball player. This book has shown me aspects of baseball players' lives that I have never seen before. This book has contributed me to my personal enlightment by undertanding the road to being a baseball player or even an athlete in general. As a child I always dreamed of being a professional athlete, but as I grew older learned the reality that It probably wont happen to me. I have gained a larger understanding of the baseball culture in our country. There are a lot of things behind baseball that really makes the game happen from owners to salary caps. The way the players live with having familys affect their lives everyday.
This book relates to a novel we have read this year. This book has similar ideas to "The Great Gatsby", in a way that they both portray the American Dream. The situations are a bit diferent between an athlete and a normal, rich man by the name of Gatsby. Mike Schmidt always refers to his happiness in his book. He is always enjoying what he is doing. He loves what he did everyday, he felt so lucky to be payed to play the game he loves. His dream, obviously, was to become a professional baseball player, and even though it was a long shot for him, he was still able to succeed. He becomes successful through his positive drive and what he would like to give a lot of credit to is luck and God. There were many breaks he got and good timing on some events that really gave him break through opportunities in which he was able to cash in on. For example, he joined the minor league team and due to an injury the day of his arrival to another player, he recieved playing time. After a third of this book I have been able to learn a lot about Mike schmidts dreams and drive to be a professional athlete.
"Clearing the Bases", by Mike Schmidt, tells us all about his life story in baseball in addition to important baseball topics in history. I have read a third of the book so far and he has been walking me through the life of a minor league amd struggling baseball player. This book has shown me aspects of baseball players' lives that I have never seen before. This book has contributed me to my personal enlightment by undertanding the road to being a baseball player or even an athlete in general. As a child I always dreamed of being a professional athlete, but as I grew older learned the reality that It probably wont happen to me. I have gained a larger understanding of the baseball culture in our country. There are a lot of things behind baseball that really makes the game happen from owners to salary caps. The way the players live with having familys affect their lives everyday.
This book relates to a novel we have read this year. This book has similar ideas to "The Great Gatsby", in a way that they both portray the American Dream. The situations are a bit diferent between an athlete and a normal, rich man by the name of Gatsby. Mike Schmidt always refers to his happiness in his book. He is always enjoying what he is doing. He loves what he did everyday, he felt so lucky to be payed to play the game he loves. His dream, obviously, was to become a professional baseball player, and even though it was a long shot for him, he was still able to succeed. He becomes successful through his positive drive and what he would like to give a lot of credit to is luck and God. There were many breaks he got and good timing on some events that really gave him break through opportunities in which he was able to cash in on. For example, he joined the minor league team and due to an injury the day of his arrival to another player, he recieved playing time. After a third of this book I have been able to learn a lot about Mike schmidts dreams and drive to be a professional athlete.
March 5, 2017
All too often in this day and age of "tell-all" books, the quality of a memoir is often confused with the amount of controversy it generates. Jose Canseco immediately comes to mind (!). Thus is the paradox that a book like "Clearing the Bases" by Mike Schmidt is caught up in: It's a well-written, rater interesting musing about Schmidt's career and thoughts about the current state of baseball, yet none of the material is particularly compelling (at least, not as much as Canseco supposedly sharing a bathroom stall with Big Mac). It's exactly what a baseball memoir should be...a perspective of the game from one man's experiences. Nothing more, nothing less.
Thus, from an exciting, engaging, enthralling critique, this book is very "middle-of-the-road". I did enjoy Schmidt's recollections about playing for the Phillies, although I actually would have liked to have heard more about each of those seasons, as Schmidt tends to take an over-arching, season-by-season view of his career. I was also drawn into his opinions about such topics as Pete Rose, steroids, and free agency. From a guy who was "in the trenches" of MLB as long as Schmidt was, those opinions are (or at least should be) quite valuable in terms of continuing to make baseball the best sport it can possibly be.
About the only criticism I have of this book is the prolonged history lesson that Schmidt gives on the topic of free agency. The memoir is short enough already that a lengthy history lesson only lessons the impact of Schmidt's personality and writing style.
All in all, then, "Clearing the Bases" is an interesting little summer-day's read that, while it won't ruffle any feathers or quicken your pulse, WILL continue to educate baseball fans on the individual nuances and perspectives of its former players.
Thus, from an exciting, engaging, enthralling critique, this book is very "middle-of-the-road". I did enjoy Schmidt's recollections about playing for the Phillies, although I actually would have liked to have heard more about each of those seasons, as Schmidt tends to take an over-arching, season-by-season view of his career. I was also drawn into his opinions about such topics as Pete Rose, steroids, and free agency. From a guy who was "in the trenches" of MLB as long as Schmidt was, those opinions are (or at least should be) quite valuable in terms of continuing to make baseball the best sport it can possibly be.
About the only criticism I have of this book is the prolonged history lesson that Schmidt gives on the topic of free agency. The memoir is short enough already that a lengthy history lesson only lessons the impact of Schmidt's personality and writing style.
All in all, then, "Clearing the Bases" is an interesting little summer-day's read that, while it won't ruffle any feathers or quicken your pulse, WILL continue to educate baseball fans on the individual nuances and perspectives of its former players.
February 5, 2015
This book is written Mike Schimdt a power hitting 3rd baseman. He has great insight on the performance enhancing drugs and Hall of fame canadites. He has great advice that his experience has given him. He also has a lot of interview and is friends with the best of the best. Mike Schimdt shows the statitics that from the past to the present with the changes and how easier the game has become having playing in the 1980s.
I can connect to the world to Pete Rose. Pete Rose is the best player because he has the most hits in the professionals ever. Even so he is not voted into the Hall of fame for the hits and accomplisments. Its because he gambles a lot on games that he betted on. This is a thing with people who bet on anything to make a quick buck.
This book is a quick five out of five. The five is because he backs up his info for example, there is a thing about how baseball is easier now than it was before. There is an increase of high farther balls and how many balls are hit up to 500ft from the 1980s then to the 1990s to 2000. It also shows interview or a quote from Barry Zito my favorite curveball lefty who says the seams are smaller. This makes breaking pitches harder and showing that the makers of the ball are changing it to show how they always want an edge to make more money and to be picked out of those many people or company that are competing.
I can connect to the world to Pete Rose. Pete Rose is the best player because he has the most hits in the professionals ever. Even so he is not voted into the Hall of fame for the hits and accomplisments. Its because he gambles a lot on games that he betted on. This is a thing with people who bet on anything to make a quick buck.
This book is a quick five out of five. The five is because he backs up his info for example, there is a thing about how baseball is easier now than it was before. There is an increase of high farther balls and how many balls are hit up to 500ft from the 1980s then to the 1990s to 2000. It also shows interview or a quote from Barry Zito my favorite curveball lefty who says the seams are smaller. This makes breaking pitches harder and showing that the makers of the ball are changing it to show how they always want an edge to make more money and to be picked out of those many people or company that are competing.
July 16, 2016
This book got an extra star because of its honesty. I've read enough baseball memoirs and most of them are a litany of the player's achievements and full on bragging. This book isn't about Scmidt's career as much the evolution of baseball in his life. Even though the book was published 10 years ago, it is still relevant. And I agree with so much of what he said. For years I've said that players need to be measured by their Era and nothing else. During the Steroid Era, not everyone hit 70 homers a year, right? Bonds was a Hall of Famer as a Pirate, for goodness sake. Today, the smaller ballparks have changed the game a lot. Schmidt is correct that he would have hit 700 homers if the Bank was his home field. Hell, I said he'd do that if he were a Cub.
So yes, I gave this 4 stars because I appreciated that Schmidt was willing to admit his failings as a player and because he shouted out my baseball soap box issues. Except the DH. Still hate it. But I'd accept in the NL on a compromise. Get rid of the damn shifts that have taken over the game and ruined it.
So yes, I gave this 4 stars because I appreciated that Schmidt was willing to admit his failings as a player and because he shouted out my baseball soap box issues. Except the DH. Still hate it. But I'd accept in the NL on a compromise. Get rid of the damn shifts that have taken over the game and ruined it.
October 9, 2014
Clearing the Bases by Mike Schmidt, he is a former baseball player telling his opinion about the troubled state of the game today. His love and passion for the game really shine through in his well written and often funny book. He goes into detail about players who have taken steroids, their monster salaries, past and future hall of famers, and statistics. He does a good job describing how the game has changed since he had played the game. I would recommend this book to any baseball fan or anyone who enjoyed watching Schmidt on the field. I'm glad I picked this book off the shelf at the library.
January 2, 2021
Mike Schmidt is my favorite baseball player of all time, so this book found a willing reader.
It’s a pretty straightforward review of the Hall of Famer’s career with some common sense asides regarding the mess that MLB has become.
The coolest thing about the book is that, every so often, Schmidt kinda looks at himself objectively with a certain wonderment. As in, how did I get here? I’m just a regular guy; how is it possible that I’m a Hall of Famer? I’m not sure I’ve ever read an autobiography that contained such self awareness and metacognition.
It’s a pretty straightforward review of the Hall of Famer’s career with some common sense asides regarding the mess that MLB has become.
The coolest thing about the book is that, every so often, Schmidt kinda looks at himself objectively with a certain wonderment. As in, how did I get here? I’m just a regular guy; how is it possible that I’m a Hall of Famer? I’m not sure I’ve ever read an autobiography that contained such self awareness and metacognition.
April 11, 2016
What drew my attention to this book was twofold: it was written by one of my favorite players of the 1980s and I was curious to see how well this book aged. Simply, it did not age well. Schmidt's stance on players accused of performing enhancing drugs and the Pete Rose case in particular don't hold much water. While a differing viewpoint on these topics from an authority such as Schmidt is a nice counterbalance to common opinion and rhetoric, I find his arguments to be lacking.
September 8, 2008
Particularly relevant given all news about steroid use by major league baseball players. Mike Schmidt played in an era without steroids and has valuable comments about players that used them today. Also some interesting comments about his good friend, Pete Rose and Rose's inability to admit to the gambling he did.
December 3, 2009
A great look at the inside world of MLB...Schmidt was my hero as a kid and I relived some great times reading this book. Yes, his ego comes through at times, but that's part of what made him so great at what he did. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to any baseball fan.
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November 7, 2010I recommend this book to all baseball fans. It's not just a book on the life and stats of the impressive Hall of Famer's career. It's more about baseball in general. He writes about many of the great players through the years, the steroid issue, the Hall of Fame, Pete Rose, the changes in ballparks and equipment, Player's Union, rise in salary and more!
December 1, 2013
I idolized Mike Schmidt, and his insight in the inner workings of the MLB is excellent. This is a simply written book and a quick read. It comes across as being written by a ballplayer. Hence, the three star rating, which is a reflection of the simplistic writing style, not the content. Getting Michael Jack's perspective on the Pete Rose ban is worth the purchase.
September 24, 2013
Not really sure what I think about this book. Seemed to get bogged down in details, such as how a baseball is made. Schmidt was one of my favorite of all times, so it was interesting to read his story
February 12, 2019
I always enjoy reading autobiographies about the sports heroes of my youth. We didn't have the access then that we have now, so there are usually a ton of interesting stories and insights. This one is no different, great read for Schmidt/Phillies fans.
May 12, 2009
A quick, interesting read for a Phillies fan.
November 7, 2013
Minimal insights except for the chapter on Pete Rose which was revealing. The book was interesting more for the understanding gained on Mike's character rather than his thoughts on baseball.
September 6, 2014
An easy read, though a little dated at this point, will good insights into the game, hitting, steroids and Pete Rose.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews