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Miracle Men: Hershiser, Gibson, and the Improbable 1988 Dodgers
The 1988 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are best remembered for Kirk Gibson’s dramatic home run, Orel Hershiser’s pitching dominance, and manager Tommy Lasorda’s masterfully corny motivation, but there was much more that made the season memorable, bittersweet, and controversial, and this book explains it all. Using hundreds of hours of new interviews with players, coaches, broadcasters, and fans and combing through newspapers and magazines, Josh Suchon takes a new generation of Dodgers fans back to their memorable 1988 championship season. From the end of Don Sutton’s Hall of Fame career and the memorable 46-day stretch of pitching by Hershiser that hasn’t been equaled since to unlikely playoff heroes Mike Scioscia, Mickey Hatcher, and Mike Davis, Miracle Men encapsulates the fever and fervor that surrounded the team and the city of Los Angeles in the summer and fall of 1988.
- GenresBaseballSportsNonfiction
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 28, 2013
Those who know me are aware of my intense love for the Dodgers. Despite living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 10 years now, it's something that I haven't been able to shake.
This year marks the 25th anniversary since the Dodgers last won the World Series. Because of this, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to read Miracle Men, which takes a look at the scrappy Dodgers team that ultimately went on to win the World Series in 1988.
For the most part, the book is fairly dry read, mostly rehashing play-by-plays from various games during the course of the 1988 season. I'd wager this sort of thing is less exciting than reading a game recap from the night before. That said, it was fascinating to read about so many baseball players that are tied to some of my earliest memories of baseball: Steve Sax, Orel Hershiser, Mike Scioscia, Ramon Martinez, Tim Belcher, Mikey Hatcher, and more.
The areas where this book excelled and became completely interesting were in some of the deeper stories -- Hershiser's pursuit of the consecutive scoreless innings streak, early clubhouse shenanigans during spring training that offended Kirk Gibson, interviews with players on other teams 25 years later, and of course reflections on Kirk Gibson's incredible home run in game 1 of the World Series.
Some of my biggest takeaways were how different the game was played only 25 years ago. Managers completely abused their pitchers (130 and 140 pitch complete games were the norm, pitching on 2 or 3 days of rest were fine). It surprised me to find out how often balks were called (over 900 times in 1988). Insane!
Bottom line, you'll probably only enjoy this book if you're a Dodgers fan. On top of that, you'll most likely only want to read it for some of the more interesting stories that happened in 1988. It's a quick read and provides some interesting context on how a scrappy team wound up beating on of the most intimidating teams in baseball in the World Series.
This year marks the 25th anniversary since the Dodgers last won the World Series. Because of this, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to read Miracle Men, which takes a look at the scrappy Dodgers team that ultimately went on to win the World Series in 1988.
For the most part, the book is fairly dry read, mostly rehashing play-by-plays from various games during the course of the 1988 season. I'd wager this sort of thing is less exciting than reading a game recap from the night before. That said, it was fascinating to read about so many baseball players that are tied to some of my earliest memories of baseball: Steve Sax, Orel Hershiser, Mike Scioscia, Ramon Martinez, Tim Belcher, Mikey Hatcher, and more.
The areas where this book excelled and became completely interesting were in some of the deeper stories -- Hershiser's pursuit of the consecutive scoreless innings streak, early clubhouse shenanigans during spring training that offended Kirk Gibson, interviews with players on other teams 25 years later, and of course reflections on Kirk Gibson's incredible home run in game 1 of the World Series.
Some of my biggest takeaways were how different the game was played only 25 years ago. Managers completely abused their pitchers (130 and 140 pitch complete games were the norm, pitching on 2 or 3 days of rest were fine). It surprised me to find out how often balks were called (over 900 times in 1988). Insane!
Bottom line, you'll probably only enjoy this book if you're a Dodgers fan. On top of that, you'll most likely only want to read it for some of the more interesting stories that happened in 1988. It's a quick read and provides some interesting context on how a scrappy team wound up beating on of the most intimidating teams in baseball in the World Series.
April 9, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “GREAT BOOK ON THE CLASSIC 1988 CHAMPION DODGERS… BUT…”
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As a born and raised Brooklyn Dodger to Los Angeles Dodger fan… whose family moved from New York to Los Angeles the same year as the Dodgers… let me first state that this is a long overdue tribute to what is now the twenty-fifth anniversary of *The-1988-World-Champion-Los-Angeles-Dodgers*! The author has done a wonderful job in creating a finely detailed… both statistically… and intimately… behind the clubhouse doors… portrayal… of how the truly miraculous drive to the 1988 World Championship was accomplished both on the field and off.
The sub-title of this book is “Hershiser, Gibson, and the Improbable 1988 Dodgers”… and “The Bulldog” and Gibbie”… are rightfully… and truly… highlighted. From Hershiser’s record-setting *FIFTY-NINE-CONSECUTIVE-SCORELESS-INNING-STREAK* which broke Hall-of-Fame Dodger great… and coincidentally… one of their announcers… during this historical year…. “Big D”… Don Drysdale’s… Major League record… to Kirk Gibson’s… emotionally… and historically… reverberating… World Series game one winning… pinch hit homerun… that has been selected as one of the ten greatest moments in baseball history… by many historians and publications. Along the way “The Bulldog” Hershiser won the **CY YOUNG AWARD… THE WORLD SERIES RING… THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES MVP… THE WORLD SERIES MVP… and the much heralded… SPORT ILLUSTRATED SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD. Gibson in addition to his “one-for-the-ages” World Series pinch hit game winning homerun… also won the regular season National League MVP award… and he rightfully won it for not only what he did on the field… but what he did in the clubhouse… and on the practice field.
It was pretty well known the stand that Gibby took right at the beginning of spring training that year… when a practical joke was pulled on him that he refused to accept as the way to build a championship team… and he literally challenged the whole team including manager Tom Lasorda… but the story of **THE SHOWDOWN**… that took place in the Dodger clubhouse in July after a tough loss to the Cardinals… when he physically challenged Pedro Guerrero… and a few of Guerrero’s “little buddies” from the Cardinals… who made the mistake of entering the Dodger’s locker room… while Kirk Gibson was on “watch”… is an all-time baseball classic! And this book is full of such beautiful behind the scenes baseball drama. Without giving away too many details… one item that really surprised me… was that one of the conditions that had to be met to sign Gibson… was that he had to talk to Steve Sax before he made his decision. Coincidentally… one of the big surprises in this book was the almost universal, unlimited, compliments regarding Sax’s enthusiasm… hustle… and love for his teammates. I met Sax once after his playing days and that’s exactly the way he was in private also. It’s great to know that there really are some guys that are good on an off the field… with or without the cameras rolling.
This is a well-rounded book that covers stars at their peak… stars that are almost folk-heroes… like Fernando Valenzuela… on their way down… (and here’s a great stat for true old-school baseball fanatics…. Fernando average 266 innings pitched per year from 1982-1987… and had 255 consecutive starts!)… players that never hit their original projected stardom such as Tim Belcher… but after looking deep within themselves… came to a self-awareness… that allowed them to have their moment in the sun.
I can go on and on with great moments presented in this book… but let me also follow-up on the “BUT” … in my review title.
The story of this miraculous year is told in date sequence… which of course makes sense. EXCEPT… for Hershiser’s six shutouts. For an example you just got done reading about the game on April 30, 1988… and the next page is September 4, 1988… Hershiser’s first shutout in the streak… and then you go back to May 10, 1988… then later on you’re at May 26, 1988… and then you go to his second consecutive shutout on September 10, 1988… and then back to June 3, 1988… and so on… throughout the book. It just makes absolutely no sense… and destroys all continuity every time it happens. I can’t for the life of me understand how the author or editor would allow this to happen. The second maddening thing is how many times the author uses the word “reflected” when quoting subjects in the book as they are interviewed.
Then a head scratcher which must have got past whoever edited the book. On page fifty-two the author writes: “In the Dodgers’ third, Sax doubled, stole second, and scored on an errant throw.” Please tell me how Sax could have doubled AND THEN STOLE SECOND??
One last thing on the critical side. I was trying to look up the Steve Sax incident in the detailed index in the back of the book… and guess what?? Steve Sax is missing from the index. Maybe when he doubled and stole second… he also stole his name out of the index.
Putting these few things aside… I would still highly recommend this book. Especially as I “reflect” on the joy my son and I experienced during the 1988 baseball season.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a born and raised Brooklyn Dodger to Los Angeles Dodger fan… whose family moved from New York to Los Angeles the same year as the Dodgers… let me first state that this is a long overdue tribute to what is now the twenty-fifth anniversary of *The-1988-World-Champion-Los-Angeles-Dodgers*! The author has done a wonderful job in creating a finely detailed… both statistically… and intimately… behind the clubhouse doors… portrayal… of how the truly miraculous drive to the 1988 World Championship was accomplished both on the field and off.
The sub-title of this book is “Hershiser, Gibson, and the Improbable 1988 Dodgers”… and “The Bulldog” and Gibbie”… are rightfully… and truly… highlighted. From Hershiser’s record-setting *FIFTY-NINE-CONSECUTIVE-SCORELESS-INNING-STREAK* which broke Hall-of-Fame Dodger great… and coincidentally… one of their announcers… during this historical year…. “Big D”… Don Drysdale’s… Major League record… to Kirk Gibson’s… emotionally… and historically… reverberating… World Series game one winning… pinch hit homerun… that has been selected as one of the ten greatest moments in baseball history… by many historians and publications. Along the way “The Bulldog” Hershiser won the **CY YOUNG AWARD… THE WORLD SERIES RING… THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES MVP… THE WORLD SERIES MVP… and the much heralded… SPORT ILLUSTRATED SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD. Gibson in addition to his “one-for-the-ages” World Series pinch hit game winning homerun… also won the regular season National League MVP award… and he rightfully won it for not only what he did on the field… but what he did in the clubhouse… and on the practice field.
It was pretty well known the stand that Gibby took right at the beginning of spring training that year… when a practical joke was pulled on him that he refused to accept as the way to build a championship team… and he literally challenged the whole team including manager Tom Lasorda… but the story of **THE SHOWDOWN**… that took place in the Dodger clubhouse in July after a tough loss to the Cardinals… when he physically challenged Pedro Guerrero… and a few of Guerrero’s “little buddies” from the Cardinals… who made the mistake of entering the Dodger’s locker room… while Kirk Gibson was on “watch”… is an all-time baseball classic! And this book is full of such beautiful behind the scenes baseball drama. Without giving away too many details… one item that really surprised me… was that one of the conditions that had to be met to sign Gibson… was that he had to talk to Steve Sax before he made his decision. Coincidentally… one of the big surprises in this book was the almost universal, unlimited, compliments regarding Sax’s enthusiasm… hustle… and love for his teammates. I met Sax once after his playing days and that’s exactly the way he was in private also. It’s great to know that there really are some guys that are good on an off the field… with or without the cameras rolling.
This is a well-rounded book that covers stars at their peak… stars that are almost folk-heroes… like Fernando Valenzuela… on their way down… (and here’s a great stat for true old-school baseball fanatics…. Fernando average 266 innings pitched per year from 1982-1987… and had 255 consecutive starts!)… players that never hit their original projected stardom such as Tim Belcher… but after looking deep within themselves… came to a self-awareness… that allowed them to have their moment in the sun.
I can go on and on with great moments presented in this book… but let me also follow-up on the “BUT” … in my review title.
The story of this miraculous year is told in date sequence… which of course makes sense. EXCEPT… for Hershiser’s six shutouts. For an example you just got done reading about the game on April 30, 1988… and the next page is September 4, 1988… Hershiser’s first shutout in the streak… and then you go back to May 10, 1988… then later on you’re at May 26, 1988… and then you go to his second consecutive shutout on September 10, 1988… and then back to June 3, 1988… and so on… throughout the book. It just makes absolutely no sense… and destroys all continuity every time it happens. I can’t for the life of me understand how the author or editor would allow this to happen. The second maddening thing is how many times the author uses the word “reflected” when quoting subjects in the book as they are interviewed.
Then a head scratcher which must have got past whoever edited the book. On page fifty-two the author writes: “In the Dodgers’ third, Sax doubled, stole second, and scored on an errant throw.” Please tell me how Sax could have doubled AND THEN STOLE SECOND??
One last thing on the critical side. I was trying to look up the Steve Sax incident in the detailed index in the back of the book… and guess what?? Steve Sax is missing from the index. Maybe when he doubled and stole second… he also stole his name out of the index.
Putting these few things aside… I would still highly recommend this book. Especially as I “reflect” on the joy my son and I experienced during the 1988 baseball season.
April 29, 2014
This is an outstanding book for any Dodger fan, especially those of the 1988 championship team. I highly recommend it because I guarantee you will learn something.
June 19, 2020
Tremendously underrated chronicle of the 1988 Dodgers that I deeply enjoyed. A wonderful combination of things I knew, things I didn't, and things I'd have forgotten, Suchon did his homework, and conjured up one of the luckiest teams I've ever seen. Although before we consider them TOO lucky, there is a reminder that Orel Hershiser was playing the part of the God of pitching every fifth day in 1988. I don't know why I didn't hear more about this book, because I thought it was outstanding, and would recommend it to any baseball fans who can remember 1988 or want to learn more about what they missed.
August 25, 2019
Awesome book!
Oh what memories! This is a great account of that historic season the Dodgers put together in 1988! I remember it well, but this boom offers so many more behind the scenes things I didn’t know!
Oh what memories! This is a great account of that historic season the Dodgers put together in 1988! I remember it well, but this boom offers so many more behind the scenes things I didn’t know!
September 19, 2024
I had hoped for more. This book just rehashes what we've read a thousand times before, and it just goes on and on as the author reports on the feelings of virtually every person he has ever met, both inside the game and out. BORING!
June 9, 2020
Wonderfully detailed book on the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers run to an improbable World Series championship.
October 25, 2020
Great look at the journey of the 1988 Dodgers. In-depth look at many players plus Lasorda and the front office. Fun read.
March 24, 2017
My review on this book is that I love this book and all the info that it tells me about this dodger team
March 24, 2017
“All year long they looked to him to light the fire and all year long he answered the demands.”
“High fly ball into right field. She is gone!”
“In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.”
I was only three years old that amazing night; the night Kirk Gibson made baseball history. Which means I was only three years old the last time the Dodgers won (or even appeared in) the World Series.
Watching the video, I have relived that moment over and over again. Sometimes I even close my eyes just so I can hear Vin Scully’s golden voice with the roar of crowd in the background.
Obviously as a Dodger fan that moment holds a lot of value, but I think any baseball fan gets goose bumps watching Gibson take Eckersley deep to right to take Game 1.
Miracle Men is a fantastic summary of the 1988 Dodger season. Suchon does a great job describing the energy and focus of Gibson, the stability of Hershiser, and the ingenuity (or luck depending on how you see it) of general manager Fred Claire.
I wish more baseball books were written like this. Suchon does not try to throw in some literary themes or show us how the Dodgers changed the culture of Los Angeles. He gives us the facts and the story. He talks about the men on the field, the men in the dugout, and the men in the clubhouse.
I know the author did his job when I know the ending yet every page keeps me in suspense.
“High fly ball into right field. She is gone!”
“In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.”
I was only three years old that amazing night; the night Kirk Gibson made baseball history. Which means I was only three years old the last time the Dodgers won (or even appeared in) the World Series.
Watching the video, I have relived that moment over and over again. Sometimes I even close my eyes just so I can hear Vin Scully’s golden voice with the roar of crowd in the background.
Obviously as a Dodger fan that moment holds a lot of value, but I think any baseball fan gets goose bumps watching Gibson take Eckersley deep to right to take Game 1.
Miracle Men is a fantastic summary of the 1988 Dodger season. Suchon does a great job describing the energy and focus of Gibson, the stability of Hershiser, and the ingenuity (or luck depending on how you see it) of general manager Fred Claire.
I wish more baseball books were written like this. Suchon does not try to throw in some literary themes or show us how the Dodgers changed the culture of Los Angeles. He gives us the facts and the story. He talks about the men on the field, the men in the dugout, and the men in the clubhouse.
I know the author did his job when I know the ending yet every page keeps me in suspense.
November 6, 2017
A great read about my favorite sports team of all time, the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers. The author, who I almost couldn't believe, is the kid that told Orel Hershiser that he was lucky after Game 5 in the World Series that year, only to be told to "grab a bat" by the 1988 Cy Young Award winner. Still, the author, Josh Suchon, does a great job of research for this one and the story is written well where he writes a little about what happened in the previous years before 1988. He also does a good job of talking about each of the players and their role coming into the season and then what it was during the season. He goes month by month in the season, all the while interjecting a Hershiser shutout game after each chapter. I'm not always a fan of this, going back and forth during the season when writing, but it works here. Then half the book is on the postseason and their is also a "where are they now" section at the end of the book. This book really took me back to 1988 and being a 10-year-old kid rooting for this team. I actually went to some of the games the author talks about, including a 1-0 game Hershiser threw at home against the Braves in September. I had no idea at the time that Hershiser would have that game be a part of history. A great read and just about any baseball fan will like this book (probably not Giants or A's fans) and it's a must for Dodger fans.
March 17, 2014
If you are a Dodger fan, this is a must read. It was fun re-living the 1988 season and there were plenty of details I was never aware of. This book is very much for baseball fans and at times reads like a sports column. Otherwise I recommend it for most anyone who wanted to know more about that great home run and what led up to it.
May 18, 2014
Very fun to read a beat-by-beat account of this season, which I followed so closely as a 7-year-old... good stories capture this amazing season. I had somewhat forgotten all the drama -- the Pedro Guerrero trade, Valenzuela's injury, the spring training feuds -- and the book was definitely enjoyable.
July 6, 2013
My respect for Hershiser has shot up after reading this book. Best pitching display in my lifetime. The book was well written and gave me great oversight into a result special team.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews