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Mookie: Life, Baseball, and the '86 Mets
They said it was the ?Curse of the Bambino.? They said ?the bad guys won.? Now one of baseball?s all-time good guys, New York Mets legend Mookie Wilson, tells his side of the story?from the ground ball through Bill Buckner?s legs that capped the miraculous 1986 World Series Game Six rally against the Boston Red Sox to the rise and fall of a team that boasted such outsize personalities as Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, Dwight Gooden, Gary Carter, Lenny Dykstra, and Davey Johnson.Growing up in rural South Carolina in the 1960s, Mookie took to heart the lessons of his father, a diligent sharecropper who believed in the abiding power of faith?and taught his son the game that would change his life.When Mookie landed in Shea Stadium in 1980, the Mets were a perennial cellar-dweller overshadowed by the crosstown Yankees. But inspired by Mookie?s legendary hustle, they would soon become the toast of New York. And even when their off-field antics?made famous by a contingency of the team ca
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2014
About the author
Mookie Wilson
1 book1 followerWilliam Hayward "Mookie" Wilson (born February 9, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and coach best remembered as the Met that hit the ground ball that trickled through Bill Buckner's legs in game six of the 1986 World Series.
A switch hitter with excellent speed, his positive attitude and hustle immediately endeared him to a New York Mets fan base with precious few stars to root for when he first came up in the early 1980s. He was enshrined in the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1996.
Nicknamed Mookie as a small child, Wilson was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, and pitched for the Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School Red Raiders baseball team under legendary coach David Horton.
In the mid 1970s, South Carolina State University had discontinued its baseball program just days after Wilson had signed a Letter of Intent to play for the Bulldogs. As a result, Mookie attended Spartanburg Methodist College for the 1974 & 1975 seasons. While attending Spartanburg Methodist, Mookie was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the January 1976 amateur draft, but he did not sign. Instead, Mookie transferred to play for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, preferring to take the chance of skipping the '76 draft offer and increasing his draft stock by playing for former New York Yankees great Bobby Richardson (the head coach of the Gamecocks at the time). The gamble paid-off as Wilson was selected in the second round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Mets. Mookie was part of the Gamecocks' second team, under Richardson, to play for a national championship in Omaha, Nebraska in the 1977 College World Series. He was also named to the 1977 All-Tournament team as an outfielder.
Wilson batted .284 with 22 home runs, 184 runs batted in and 160 stolen bases in four seasons in the Mets' farm system, and earned International League Rookie of the Year honors in 1979. After stealing fifty bases and scoring 92 runs for the Tidewater Tides in 1980, Mookie was called up to the majors when rosters expanded that September. Though he got off to a slow start (0 for his first 8), manager Joe Torre stuck with Wilson in center field for 26 of the 31 games remaining on the Mets' schedule.
Mookie became a fixture atop the Mets line-up through 1984, and was soon himself the face of the organization. In 1982, he stole at least one base in each of his first five games on his way to breaking Frank Taveras' team record with 58 stolen bases. He passed Mazzilli to become the team's all-time stolen base leader in 1984.
In the post-season for the first time in his career, Wilson batted just .115 in the 1986 National League Championship Series with the Houston Astros. However, he scored the only run allowed by NLCS MVP Mike Scott in game four of the series, and drove in and scored a run in the ninth inning of game six when the Mets scored three runs in their last at bat to send the game into extra innings. He was batting a far better .272 in the World Series when he came to the plate in the tenth inning of game six.
The Boston Red Sox led the game with a score of 5-4 in a series they led three games to two. With Wilson stepping up to the plate, Bob Stanley replaced Schiraldi on the mound. During his ten pitch at-bat, Wilson avoided being hit by a wild pitch that scored Kevin Mitchell from third and tied the score. Two pitches later, he hit a slow roller to Bill Buckner at first base. Aware of Wilson's speed, Buckner tried to rush the play. As a result, the ball rolled beside his glove, through his legs and into right field, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run from second base.
Wilson went one for three in game seven, scoring one of three runs the Mets plated in the sixth inning while trailing 3-0. The Mets went on to win that 1986 World Series.
A switch hitter with excellent speed, his positive attitude and hustle immediately endeared him to a New York Mets fan base with precious few stars to root for when he first came up in the early 1980s. He was enshrined in the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1996.
Nicknamed Mookie as a small child, Wilson was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, and pitched for the Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School Red Raiders baseball team under legendary coach David Horton.
In the mid 1970s, South Carolina State University had discontinued its baseball program just days after Wilson had signed a Letter of Intent to play for the Bulldogs. As a result, Mookie attended Spartanburg Methodist College for the 1974 & 1975 seasons. While attending Spartanburg Methodist, Mookie was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the January 1976 amateur draft, but he did not sign. Instead, Mookie transferred to play for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, preferring to take the chance of skipping the '76 draft offer and increasing his draft stock by playing for former New York Yankees great Bobby Richardson (the head coach of the Gamecocks at the time). The gamble paid-off as Wilson was selected in the second round of the 1977 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Mets. Mookie was part of the Gamecocks' second team, under Richardson, to play for a national championship in Omaha, Nebraska in the 1977 College World Series. He was also named to the 1977 All-Tournament team as an outfielder.
Wilson batted .284 with 22 home runs, 184 runs batted in and 160 stolen bases in four seasons in the Mets' farm system, and earned International League Rookie of the Year honors in 1979. After stealing fifty bases and scoring 92 runs for the Tidewater Tides in 1980, Mookie was called up to the majors when rosters expanded that September. Though he got off to a slow start (0 for his first 8), manager Joe Torre stuck with Wilson in center field for 26 of the 31 games remaining on the Mets' schedule.
Mookie became a fixture atop the Mets line-up through 1984, and was soon himself the face of the organization. In 1982, he stole at least one base in each of his first five games on his way to breaking Frank Taveras' team record with 58 stolen bases. He passed Mazzilli to become the team's all-time stolen base leader in 1984.
In the post-season for the first time in his career, Wilson batted just .115 in the 1986 National League Championship Series with the Houston Astros. However, he scored the only run allowed by NLCS MVP Mike Scott in game four of the series, and drove in and scored a run in the ninth inning of game six when the Mets scored three runs in their last at bat to send the game into extra innings. He was batting a far better .272 in the World Series when he came to the plate in the tenth inning of game six.
The Boston Red Sox led the game with a score of 5-4 in a series they led three games to two. With Wilson stepping up to the plate, Bob Stanley replaced Schiraldi on the mound. During his ten pitch at-bat, Wilson avoided being hit by a wild pitch that scored Kevin Mitchell from third and tied the score. Two pitches later, he hit a slow roller to Bill Buckner at first base. Aware of Wilson's speed, Buckner tried to rush the play. As a result, the ball rolled beside his glove, through his legs and into right field, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run from second base.
Wilson went one for three in game seven, scoring one of three runs the Mets plated in the sixth inning while trailing 3-0. The Mets went on to win that 1986 World Series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 13, 2025
Loved it. Recommended!!!
July 22, 2014
Emotional Mookie
While Mookie Wilson will always hold a special place in Mets fans' hearts, he comes across as more whiner than winner in his recently published autobiography, Mookie: Life, Baseball, and the '86 Mets (co-written with Erik Sherman).
First, Mookie admits his bitterness towards Mets management for platooning him in the outfield during the 1980's (no surprise there). Next he expresses his anger and sadness towards Straw and Doc for not capitalizing on their tremendous talent and potential (Mets fans can relate to that disappointment). Then, to top it off, Mookie puts the entire Mets organization on notice for lacking character in what he sees as a constant concentrated effort by ownership and management to distance themselves from the bad boy image of the beloved 1986 Championship team.
When Mookie isn't taking the Mets organization to task, he's pretty much tattling on everybody else. He calls out his old teammates for their past drug use (Keith Hernandez cocaine trial), reckless gambling habits (Dykstra), fiery tempers (Backman), inflated egos (Gary "Camera" Carter), over-sensitivity to racial issues (George Foster), San Diego gang affiliations (Kevin Mitchell, who was also dubbed the fall guy for Gooden's decline), "closet partier" (Darling) and practical jokers (Ho Jo and Roger McDowell). While naming names, Mookie frequently reminds his readers of his own morality, Christianity and self-control when it came to abstaining from all the fun the Mets had; "there was a lot of razzing and practical joking going on. I never took part in any of it. I felt that something bad always came out of it." Enough is enough! At one point in his book, Mookie even calls out Tim Tebow!
The book was a quick and easy read that did offer a few uplifting moments like the courage Mookie displayed in becomming the first black baseball player in the history of the University of South Carolina and later Mookie's genuine relationship with Bill Buckner. But the uplifting moments don't sell this book; it's the tell-all-tales that do. If Mookie's goal was to write an interesting autobiography then he accomplishes it hands down. I just don't know if he had to drag the Mets through the mud to do it.
While Mookie Wilson will always hold a special place in Mets fans' hearts, he comes across as more whiner than winner in his recently published autobiography, Mookie: Life, Baseball, and the '86 Mets (co-written with Erik Sherman).
First, Mookie admits his bitterness towards Mets management for platooning him in the outfield during the 1980's (no surprise there). Next he expresses his anger and sadness towards Straw and Doc for not capitalizing on their tremendous talent and potential (Mets fans can relate to that disappointment). Then, to top it off, Mookie puts the entire Mets organization on notice for lacking character in what he sees as a constant concentrated effort by ownership and management to distance themselves from the bad boy image of the beloved 1986 Championship team.
When Mookie isn't taking the Mets organization to task, he's pretty much tattling on everybody else. He calls out his old teammates for their past drug use (Keith Hernandez cocaine trial), reckless gambling habits (Dykstra), fiery tempers (Backman), inflated egos (Gary "Camera" Carter), over-sensitivity to racial issues (George Foster), San Diego gang affiliations (Kevin Mitchell, who was also dubbed the fall guy for Gooden's decline), "closet partier" (Darling) and practical jokers (Ho Jo and Roger McDowell). While naming names, Mookie frequently reminds his readers of his own morality, Christianity and self-control when it came to abstaining from all the fun the Mets had; "there was a lot of razzing and practical joking going on. I never took part in any of it. I felt that something bad always came out of it." Enough is enough! At one point in his book, Mookie even calls out Tim Tebow!
The book was a quick and easy read that did offer a few uplifting moments like the courage Mookie displayed in becomming the first black baseball player in the history of the University of South Carolina and later Mookie's genuine relationship with Bill Buckner. But the uplifting moments don't sell this book; it's the tell-all-tales that do. If Mookie's goal was to write an interesting autobiography then he accomplishes it hands down. I just don't know if he had to drag the Mets through the mud to do it.
June 3, 2017
A good, not great book in the pantheon of other sports autobiographies. It's what you expect and not much more, which isn't to say it's bad, just status quo. I'm an athlete, I won a big game, this is what happened, this is how I got there, this is what happened after and this is what's happening now, intermingled with this is what I think about these things. And that is that.
June 18, 2014
Mookie, Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, Tim "Teufel shuffle"... Those were the guys I loved and rooted for ("MOOKIE!" "MOOKIE!") when I was a seven-year-old New Yorker caught up in the whirlwind of Mets 1986. All these years later I still remember screaming (like only a seven-year-old girl can) when Mookie made it to first base in that unforgettable World Series Game 6. Mookie brings it all back in his bio. A must-read for anyone who still remembers that fever of 1986.
October 25, 2014
The only flaw to this book was that I still don't know how Mookie got his name and what the name means.
October 3, 2017
"So, the winning run is at second base... with two out... 3 and 2 to Mookie Wilson. Little roller up along first... BEHIND THE BAG! IT GETS THROUGH BUCKNER! HERE COMES KNIGHT, AND THE METS WIN IT!" This is Vin Scully's famous call on Mookie Wilson's most famous play and one of the most famous plays in baseball history
Mookie Wilson was a center-fielder for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. While he is most remembered for the Bill Buckner play, but this book is a good book about his life other than that play. The book does an excellent job of telling the story of the ‘86 Mets and their struggle for that title. Because the book focuses so little on that play, it can tell about the other aspects of his very interesting life, most notably his upbringing and life after baseball. The book does spend a good chunk of time on the ‘86 Mets and their season leading up to that play, a story most people forget about.
One thing that this book does very well is the descriptions of baseball from a player’s perspective. Everyone who does famous plays has that one play and everyone who is a remote baseball fan knows of Mookie and Buckner, but almost no one writes about the season and seasons leading up to that play. The adversity of the losing years in ‘81-’83. The years getting close to winning in ‘84 and ‘85. The complete domination of the whole ‘86 season. The adversity of the playoffs. The tenseness of games 1-5. The come from behind game 6. That play. Mookie’s baseball life after that play is not nearly as interesting but is compelling.
Mookie’s name is the name that is going to make people want to read this book, but it’s not about that play. It also focuses on his role as a pastor of a church. That is a lot like this book, because people come for the name, not necessarily the message of the book or sermon.
All in all, a very well written book that takes you through the life of a solid baseball player whose life will almost forever be defined by one swing of a bat and one misplacement of a glove.
Mookie Wilson was a center-fielder for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. While he is most remembered for the Bill Buckner play, but this book is a good book about his life other than that play. The book does an excellent job of telling the story of the ‘86 Mets and their struggle for that title. Because the book focuses so little on that play, it can tell about the other aspects of his very interesting life, most notably his upbringing and life after baseball. The book does spend a good chunk of time on the ‘86 Mets and their season leading up to that play, a story most people forget about.
One thing that this book does very well is the descriptions of baseball from a player’s perspective. Everyone who does famous plays has that one play and everyone who is a remote baseball fan knows of Mookie and Buckner, but almost no one writes about the season and seasons leading up to that play. The adversity of the losing years in ‘81-’83. The years getting close to winning in ‘84 and ‘85. The complete domination of the whole ‘86 season. The adversity of the playoffs. The tenseness of games 1-5. The come from behind game 6. That play. Mookie’s baseball life after that play is not nearly as interesting but is compelling.
Mookie’s name is the name that is going to make people want to read this book, but it’s not about that play. It also focuses on his role as a pastor of a church. That is a lot like this book, because people come for the name, not necessarily the message of the book or sermon.
All in all, a very well written book that takes you through the life of a solid baseball player whose life will almost forever be defined by one swing of a bat and one misplacement of a glove.
July 17, 2020
A fun read to get back into the baseball season. Mookie Wilson is among my favorite Mets of all time, really sharing the top for me with David Wright. He was a Met through and through and always played hard and enjoyed the game.
An autobiography by an athlete is a tricky thing: if the co-author changes too much it doesn't feel authentic, but the athletes themselves aren't necessarily good writers. There were parts of Mookie that were a little painful to read, with some repetitiveness, a lot of cliches and a good dose of over-explanation. At the same time getting Mookie's viewpoint on the 1986 season in particular is priceless. He was one of the few players that can give a fair assessment of what happened. Sure, he has a "golly gee" viewpoint on a lot of things but the rise and fall of that team are well documented here.
I saw Mookie with Bill Buckner at the Gramercy theater several years ago and it was fun. I'm pretty sure it's the night he talks about in the book because audience questions were fielded. Bill was a great sport and Mookie was his kind, enjoyable self. That Mookie comes through in this book.
An autobiography by an athlete is a tricky thing: if the co-author changes too much it doesn't feel authentic, but the athletes themselves aren't necessarily good writers. There were parts of Mookie that were a little painful to read, with some repetitiveness, a lot of cliches and a good dose of over-explanation. At the same time getting Mookie's viewpoint on the 1986 season in particular is priceless. He was one of the few players that can give a fair assessment of what happened. Sure, he has a "golly gee" viewpoint on a lot of things but the rise and fall of that team are well documented here.
I saw Mookie with Bill Buckner at the Gramercy theater several years ago and it was fun. I'm pretty sure it's the night he talks about in the book because audience questions were fielded. Bill was a great sport and Mookie was his kind, enjoyable self. That Mookie comes through in this book.
September 5, 2021
Ooops Mookie, I forgot all about that ball between the legs against the Red Socks game 6 of the world series. My Memories is a smiling face and a lotta hustle at Metropolitan Stadium, Norfolk Virginia. and of Course game 7 in that same world series to put away them Northern Yankee's. Yup to me Boston and NY are both Damn Yankees. The Goodin vs Valensuala 9 innings of shut out ball another memory. Thanks for bringing up Benny another of my Tides that should have been in the Hall of Fame. Well Norfolk now represents the Orios in Baltimore. Thanks for the memories and a pleasant read Labor Day Weekend 2021 in the world of Corona
March 31, 2023
Got this book a couple years ago at a local Dollar Tree. My expectations were low but it was worth the read. Pretty easy read covering Mookie Wilson's baseball career with the Mets and a good portion was about the ''86 Mets championship season. Mookie didn't pull any punches about his dislike of teammates like Gary Carter or Gregg Jefferies which was a surprise considering Mookie being a devout Christian. It came as a shock and a surprise really. Their were some others guys too like Tim Tebow he criticized.
Nothing profound from the book just a history of Mookie's career.
Nothing profound from the book just a history of Mookie's career.
July 19, 2017
This was a quick, fun summer read that helped me relive my youth. I remember the '86 Mets very fondly. Their remarkable rise to the championship helped shape my youth and helped mold my world view that anything is possible. I will never forget Roger MacDowell and the World Champions celebratory ticker tape parade. Thanks for bringing it all back Mookie. You were my Dad's favorite Met and I admired your hustle.
June 22, 2019
The most interesting parts of the book are Mookie's descriptions of his childhood and the racial discrimination that he experienced. Otherwise, it's the standard baseball book where author describes his climb to the majors, recaps his playing experiences, and offers opinions about baseball and non-baseball matters. Met fans will love the detailed accounting of the 1986 NLCS and World Series, and it was great to re-live the Mets' resurgence in the early and mid-1980s.
July 16, 2019
I remember the 86 World Series well, especially game 6. This book was a fine summary of the season and an insiders look at the antics and escapades of the bad boys of baseball. I love Mookie and enjoyed reading about his early life and what he is doing now,. I knocked a star off because this book cannot recreate the suspense and nail biting tension of that post season, which might be unfair but it is how I feel.
May 21, 2018
Mookie is great
I met Mookie at the Mets Fantasy Camp and discovered he is the ultimate gentleman, gracious and humble. I found his book and really enjoyed his take on the Mets climb to World Series champs.
I met Mookie at the Mets Fantasy Camp and discovered he is the ultimate gentleman, gracious and humble. I found his book and really enjoyed his take on the Mets climb to World Series champs.
January 23, 2018
The main thing I learned: Mookie didn't like Gary Carter much.
July 21, 2020
Absolutely love Mookie Wilson. He told everything as it was, and really poured his heart & soul out into this book. A must read for any Mets fan.
January 17, 2021
Mookie did not hold back on his feelings about his time with the Mets. And, he credits Bill Buckner for the awesome ballplayer and person he was.
February 5, 2021
I am a lifelong fan of Mookie Wilson.
July 9, 2023
met mookie once - great dude
January 4, 2026
Loved getting to know Mookie’s story
June 9, 2014
The sub-title of this book says it all: Almost everything one would want to know about this iconic baseball player, the sport which was the passion of his life, and the fabulous 1986 team that won it all. From the first pages: a terrific brief Forward by Keith Hernandez, continuing with an equally brief Preface by Mookie wherein he states, among other things: “It is my hope that this book is really going to let people know that I have a life outside of baseball and that I am more than just another pretty face,” followed in turn by a brief Introduction by his co-author, Erik Sherman, stating the incontrovertible fact that “Mookie Wilson is the most beloved Mets player in the history of the franchise,” the book goes on to make all of that abundantly clear, and tells us that the man is “an accomplished chef, a fisherman, a licensed securities trader, a soon-to-be ordained Christian minister, and a truck driver who goes by the nickname Night Rider.” The introduction includes the fact that Mookie “never forgot where he came from . . . growing up black and poor in the then racially divided South of the sixties and seventies.” His father was a hard-working sharecropper “who supported a family of fourteen on a $25 a week salary.”
The first chapter, appropriately, describes in detail the tenth inning of Game Six of the 1986 World Series, when that miraculous team came from behind to win the game and go on to the championship, propelled by the ten-pitch at bat that ended with the slow roller that went between the legs of Bill Buckner (called by some “the greatest single at-bat in World Series history,” and Mookie did “what I always did, which was run as hard as I could. That was the only way I knew how to play the game.” This chapter, and the ones in the ensuing pages describing other games, felt like listening to a play-by-play account, especially the 16-inning Game 6 of the NLCS in Houston (which Mookie describes as “The Greatest Game Ever Played”) that led to that wonderful World Series.
Mookie is never less than candid about his teammates, pulling no punches, at the same time unstinting in his praise for many of those supremely talented men with whom he played. As a devoted baseball fan since the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and an ardent Mets fan ever since that phenomenal season, and team, of 1986, I have often been asked who is my favorite Mets player. There is only one answer to that: It could only be Mookie Wilson. This is a terrific and heart-warming book, and it is highly recommended, for baseball fans and others alike, but especially for baseball fans.
The first chapter, appropriately, describes in detail the tenth inning of Game Six of the 1986 World Series, when that miraculous team came from behind to win the game and go on to the championship, propelled by the ten-pitch at bat that ended with the slow roller that went between the legs of Bill Buckner (called by some “the greatest single at-bat in World Series history,” and Mookie did “what I always did, which was run as hard as I could. That was the only way I knew how to play the game.” This chapter, and the ones in the ensuing pages describing other games, felt like listening to a play-by-play account, especially the 16-inning Game 6 of the NLCS in Houston (which Mookie describes as “The Greatest Game Ever Played”) that led to that wonderful World Series.
Mookie is never less than candid about his teammates, pulling no punches, at the same time unstinting in his praise for many of those supremely talented men with whom he played. As a devoted baseball fan since the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and an ardent Mets fan ever since that phenomenal season, and team, of 1986, I have often been asked who is my favorite Mets player. There is only one answer to that: It could only be Mookie Wilson. This is a terrific and heart-warming book, and it is highly recommended, for baseball fans and others alike, but especially for baseball fans.
June 26, 2014
First, if you are not a Mets fan, like me, read no further. This book is strictly for us, particularly for those of us who saw and remember the '86 Mets.
Second,this book will bring back fond and fun memories of that year. Mookie tells his version of that team. His descriptions of the key games were good to read. And his relationship with Bill Buckner is particularly engaging (I need not explain this to people who obeyed Item #1 above).
Third, this book is surprising in a key way. Mookie Wilson is a fan favorite for many reasons, but one is certainly the impression he created as somebody who took such joy in being a Met. But this book might be better entitled "Mookie's Complaint". He makes it clear, repeatedly, that he didn't (and doesn't) appreciate the way he was (and is) treated by the Mets. He felt he was denied a chance to be an every day player, received no explanation for his diminished role, and was hired and fired after his playing days for no apparent reason.
Also surprising are some of his criticisms of former teammates, as well as his conclusion that some of his teammates personal flaws should have been overlooked by management because their assets as players were more important. Mookie thinks that there was too much concern about off field behavior and not enough on the grit to win and management has taken advantage of the '86 champions' knowledge since they stopped playing.
Mookie makes repeated references to his deep faith. It fits into the story because we get a rounded picture of him and understand why he did or didn't do certain things. It also seemed like so many sentences with "As a Christian man", that he thought we would forget it.
Overall, this is a very good summer read as our Mets take us down what appears to be a sixth consecutive losing season. Mookie came up when the Mets were loser and was with them when the won it all. Gives us hope.
Second,this book will bring back fond and fun memories of that year. Mookie tells his version of that team. His descriptions of the key games were good to read. And his relationship with Bill Buckner is particularly engaging (I need not explain this to people who obeyed Item #1 above).
Third, this book is surprising in a key way. Mookie Wilson is a fan favorite for many reasons, but one is certainly the impression he created as somebody who took such joy in being a Met. But this book might be better entitled "Mookie's Complaint". He makes it clear, repeatedly, that he didn't (and doesn't) appreciate the way he was (and is) treated by the Mets. He felt he was denied a chance to be an every day player, received no explanation for his diminished role, and was hired and fired after his playing days for no apparent reason.
Also surprising are some of his criticisms of former teammates, as well as his conclusion that some of his teammates personal flaws should have been overlooked by management because their assets as players were more important. Mookie thinks that there was too much concern about off field behavior and not enough on the grit to win and management has taken advantage of the '86 champions' knowledge since they stopped playing.
Mookie makes repeated references to his deep faith. It fits into the story because we get a rounded picture of him and understand why he did or didn't do certain things. It also seemed like so many sentences with "As a Christian man", that he thought we would forget it.
Overall, this is a very good summer read as our Mets take us down what appears to be a sixth consecutive losing season. Mookie came up when the Mets were loser and was with them when the won it all. Gives us hope.
April 28, 2022
I always thought that Mookie Wilson was one of the good guys in sports. His original comments to the press about Len Dykstrs taking his job were some of the classiest I’ve ever seen by an athlete. His teammates, other players, the fans, and even the press have always seemed to agree on one thing: on one of the brashest championship teams in sports history, Mookie stood out as a class act.
With that said, Mookie did himself no favors by writing this book.
In a single reading, Mookie Wilson undoes much of the character image that he spent a lifetime cultivating. He comes across as bitter and entitled, grossly overestimating his talent in his attempt to play the martyr. He manages to take plenty of shots at former skipper Davey Johnson; worse, the numerous passive-aggressive barbs he aims at the late Gary Carter are distasteful at best and reprehensible at worst. THIS is supposed to be the consummate professional and teammate we’ve seen portrayed so favorably over the years? The entire book comes across like a Triple-A talent with an ax to grind!
I used to be a Mookie Wilson fan. After this reading, I’m not anymore. At least with the other brash, cocky, in-your-face 1986 Mets, what you see is what you get. With Mookie, apparently a wolf was hiding in sheep’s clothing all along.
With that said, Mookie did himself no favors by writing this book.
In a single reading, Mookie Wilson undoes much of the character image that he spent a lifetime cultivating. He comes across as bitter and entitled, grossly overestimating his talent in his attempt to play the martyr. He manages to take plenty of shots at former skipper Davey Johnson; worse, the numerous passive-aggressive barbs he aims at the late Gary Carter are distasteful at best and reprehensible at worst. THIS is supposed to be the consummate professional and teammate we’ve seen portrayed so favorably over the years? The entire book comes across like a Triple-A talent with an ax to grind!
I used to be a Mookie Wilson fan. After this reading, I’m not anymore. At least with the other brash, cocky, in-your-face 1986 Mets, what you see is what you get. With Mookie, apparently a wolf was hiding in sheep’s clothing all along.
June 21, 2015
I originally got this book because I am a fan of the 85-88 New York Mets. I became a fan of baseball in 1988, and the Mets were my team then and remain my team. Surprisingly, the stories about those seasons were not what made this book interesting to me, as this was the reason I got the book in the first place. What I found most interesting, and what helped me appreciate Mookie and this book was his life after baseball, and his growth in his Christian faith. His account of getting out of baseball and discovering his gifts for the ministry were interesting to me and it was helpful for me to see how he came to the decision to get into Christian ministry. If you want to find new insights into the 80's Mets teams, this is not the book, as there have been other books written that cover the same material; if you want to find out more about Mookie Wilson and his thoughts and feelings, this is a good book.
June 16, 2014
I just received this book for Father's Day. Sat back in the lounge chair and read it in one sitting. First I have to say that I am a life long Met fan. Second, Mookie is my second favorite Met of all time (Behind Cleon Jones for you old timers). So my review is probably higher due to my partiality for Mookie.
The book starts out with the famous game six of the 1986 World Series (Known as the Bill Buckner game). Even though I remember that game so well, Mookie's description took me back and reminded me of events I forget.
From there he goes on to his childhood, early baseball days, and through the rest of his career.
The book is a straight, honest autobiography of a life well lived. A must read for any Mets fan
The book starts out with the famous game six of the 1986 World Series (Known as the Bill Buckner game). Even though I remember that game so well, Mookie's description took me back and reminded me of events I forget.
From there he goes on to his childhood, early baseball days, and through the rest of his career.
The book is a straight, honest autobiography of a life well lived. A must read for any Mets fan
January 22, 2015
A good enough book and an important reminder that life is more than a single moment. Both Mookie Wilson and Bill Buckner have had richer lives than the slow roller up the first base line that they are enshrined in baseball memory for. It is almost tragic that he was the first African American ballplayer on his college team all those years after Jackie, and it's worse (but not surprising) how Georgia's home fans treated him. Mookie is a story of family values, lucky breaks, and the importance of life off the diamond. I wish this book had more about his before/after baseball life, but I'm guessing editors had a lot to do with the shaping of this narrative.
February 1, 2017
Saw this book at my local dollar store and probably wouldn't have purchased it otherwise. Like many, I was not a fan of the '86 Mets. I'm glad I read this and realized what a man of character Mookie Wilson is. It is possible to hold your standards and have people respect you for that - very positive message. And while Mookie's post-playing days may not have gone the way he hoped, it is clear he is serving a greater good. Good for him and good for anyone who reads his narrative.
October 21, 2014
This is the standard '86 Mets story from Mookie's view. The history is the same, and the stories the same as most already told. Mookie complains a bit more than I would have liked. Nothing truly new learned. No real insight offered.
December 15, 2023
Mookie is a great human being that inspires thousands through his dedication, humbleness, and kindness, regardless of baseball. He shares great values of staying true to your values, working hard no matter what you are doing, and believing in what you bring to the table.
May 27, 2014
Good read for Met devotees.
May 31, 2015
Great read for a Mets' fan and for a fan of baseball!
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