Mission 27: A New Boss, A New Ballpark, and One Last Ring for the Yankees' Core Four

by Mark Feinsand, Bryan Hoch, Nick Swisher (Foreword)

Boasting a mix of homegrown talent and All-Star signings, the 2009 Yankees comprised the best of the best, from young up-and-comers to future Hall of Famers. With the previous season's failed playoff bid still as fresh as the paint job on the new Yankee Stadium, a 27th championship flag represented the singular objective of a squad which would mend clubhouse fractures, witness scandals and redemptions, and ultimately carve out a unique spot among the Yankees' pantheon of World Series teams. It was the last title for the "Core Four"--Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte--who would each retire over the course of the next five years. It would be the lone title for Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett, and Nick Swisher, each of whom saw memorable peaks and valleys during their time in the Bronx. For CC Sabathia and Brett Gardner, it was their first championship, though the veterans were still in pinstripes as the latest generation of Yankees arrived for what they hope will be the next dynasty.Mission 27 is a thoroughly reported chronicle of an unforgettable season, packed with interviews with the full cast of key players, team executives, broadcasters, and more. Sportswriters Bryan Hoch and Mark Feinsand offer an unparalleled, inside-the-clubhouse account of both transcendent milestones and day-to-day deliberations on the road to October, making for a detailed and engrossing retrospective no Yankees fan should miss.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2019

Reviews

[Ric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission 27 is kind of a niche book, but as a lifelong, diehard Yankees fan, I definitely fit into the target audience. Most baseball fans will love it, because reading about a championship team with all time greats like Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Alex Rodriguez was incredible, especially as a fan of the team they played for.

I loved reliving the events of this book, because I remembered so many of them. I remember going to the first exhibition game in the new Yankee Stadium with my dad and almost leaving early because of how cold it was until we heard “Enter Sandman” blaring over the speakers in the fifth inning, and promptly making the decision to stay. I remember throwing my remote across the room in frustration after A-Rod popped up to second against the Mets, only to see Luis Castillo drop the ball and allow the Yankees to win. I remember skipping school during my freshman year of high school so I could find a spot halfway down Rector Street by Trinity Church so I could see the parade coming down Broadway.

That was the thing that made me love that book so much, how easy it was to picture the plays happening and to hear the voices of the players and coaches in my head. The 09 Yankees are one of my favorite teams ever, and being able to read about them in such detail was so much fun.

[John Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a life long Yankees fan I always enjoy reading about the success of my favorite team. As an avid book reader I found the book only OK. I liked it just about the same as I like the new Yankee Stadium....I could have easily done without it.

[Mary Wojtkowski london · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yankees Win…THAAAAAA YANKEES….WIN!!

For this life long Yankee fan, this was an absolutely fantastic read!! Bryan Hoch and Mark Feinsand have always been two of my favorite Yankee and baseball writers and this book totally brings even the most crazed and ardent Yankee fan into the fold to relive that unbelievable 2009 series that was capped off by the Bombers’ 27th championship; and I agree with both these authors that even if you’ve been a lifelong fan of this team, and thought you knew everything about that season, this book contained just a plethora of new and sometimes surprising details of that year; recommended and required reading for any Yankee fan (review by Steve London)

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed relieving the 2009 Yankees season through this book. There were so many memorable moments from this season that I had actually forgotten about some of the big ones - completely forgot Jeter passing Lou Gehrig as the franchise leader in hits happened that season! Also absolutely forgot about Jerry Hairston Jr.’s walk off in the ALCS. I remember the “we want pie” sign but forgot about everything in that game after A-Rod’s game tying home run. I did remember Juan Miranda’s late September walk off though. Because somehow that was weirder and more memorable.

The behind the scenes look was great. I am going to need to find the archived day game against Oakland from the day after A-Rod’s birthday party now.

[Rich Iurilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun way to relive the 2009 season. That year was the first championship season I wanted every single game of so I was worried it would add little to what I remembered, especially after reading The Baby Bombers last year. Maybe it's because more time has passed since 2009 than 2017, maybe people are more willing to talk about their experience now, maybe in 2009 I was a little less /online/ and didn't read every single detail posted to Twitter, maybe it's a combination of those three, but I was pleasantly surprised that this felt fresh and new.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special from a writing or storytelling perspective although I already knew most of the details of the story going in. Sometimes a bit too fast-paced recapping specific games. A fun nostalgic easy read. Hope to read Mission 28 soon!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and Enlightening

The authors have written a wonderful and enlightening book that brings the New York Yankees journey toward winning their 27th World Series. They bring the journey of each player and staff member to light while also bringing the history of the team's path to come together to play the game they all loved as a group who also learned to have fun and become a true team, along the way.

A realistic and engaging journey that any baseball loved will enjoy, especially if you are a Yankees fan.

Rating: 5.0
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[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleased to say that I have spent the last 25 years of my life as a passionate fan of the New York Yankees and that I have now read this account of the team's most recent championship. When I reflect on the year 2009, I remember a year of transition that included graduation from the University of Iowa with my bachelor's degree, the beginning of graduate school in Auburn University, and the Yankees wiping away several years of postseason disappointments by disposing of the Phillies in the World Series. I was in my apartment at Auburn when Hideki Matsui put on that incredible show and Robinson Cano flipped the ball to Mark Teixeira to christen the new stadium with a championship in its first year. Longtime beat writers Bryan Hoch and Mark Feinsand are engaging writers who interviewed several of the key players, coaches, and front office executives for the book they wrote for the tenth anniversary of the championship. As a fan, I remember many of the events but did not know some of the behind the scenes details that they unearthed for the book: the raucous celebration at a mansion that Alex Rodriguez rented in July, the unfortunately frayed relationship between pitcher A.J. Burnett and catcher Jorge Posada, the visit that General Manager Brian Cashman made to a struggling team in Atlanta to encourage them to never forget their talent, etc. The unearthed details and the quotes that the authors derived from the participants make the book an enlightening trip down memory lane.

[Daniel Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2009 Yankees were one of my favorite teams. That year I think I saw a piece of almost every game. This book chronicles the '09 season and recounts some of the insights on the fun summer it was for that team. Some new content and insights. It reads more like an oral history so be prepared for that if you aren't used to that type of sports book. Normally, that's not my favorite style but there was enough narrative sprinkled in that I think it worked well. Feinsand and Hoch are true professionals - their acumen as top notch beat writers definitely shines through in these pages and reporting.

[Corinne Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun reliving the ups and downs of that magical season. I remember all the times during the post season when Arod would hit a homer to keep us in the game. He did it so many times that once I thought I was watching a replay instead of a live event. I also remember having theater tickets the night of the final game 6 of the World Series, and sneaking looks at my cell phone to see the score. A fun year.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essentially a love letter to Yankee fans. Despite not living anywhere near NYC, I grew up a Yankee fan. Getting to read all of the stories, interviews and little details around what went into the Yankees 27th World Series is a real treat! Highly recommend to anyone who loves the Yankees or wants a behind the scenes look at how a championship team is formed

[czai · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought i was going to be bored with this onr since i know zero things about the 2009 Yankees aside from the inclusion of the Core Four and CC Sabathia and Brett Gardner and Arod.

i really enjoyed this even though i never watched the 2009 Yankees. you see their personalities and the things that they went through throughout the season.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into the Yanks 27th championship season. Lots of great behind the scene stories and characters. Highly recommend this book to any Yankees fan who wants to relive that magical season back in 2009

[Allison Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Yankees fan, this is definitely worth a good read! A beautiful look back at the 2009 season with rich stories from everything to do with the games to the epic parties. It made me love this team even more! These two know how to craft an engaging story.

[Justin W Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read if you’re a nostalgic Yankees fan

Great write up of some great memories. Probably not for non-Yankees fans but if I have kids someday they’ll go to bed hearing stories out of this book.

[Jim Savastio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story about the 2009 Yankees. As a rather avid follower, it was fun to relive many happy moments from that year's championship team. Looking forward to the fulfillment of Mission 28!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this trip down memory lane though I didn't really learn a whole lot. Most of what was written about has been reported elsewhere.
It didn't necessarily sell itself as a behind the scenes, but I was hoping for some. A great reminder of what the Yankees can be, though!

[Dan R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic account of the incredible 2009 season that the Yankees had. Page after page, it brought me back to that summer when I was just 13 years old - all of the emotion and excitement came flooding back. A must read for Yankees fans and baseball fans in general!

[Michael Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it for the most part. I was along for the 09 ride and a look back was fun. I was interested in more behind the scenes info and the book was mostly void of that kind of thing. Not much in the way of new reporting but a fun trip down memory lane.

[Anne Andrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! So many memories of 2008 and 2009! Thank you Mark and Bryan!

[Charles Vidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the ending

[Bob Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needs more than 5 stars.

[Justin Some · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great in-depth read of the 2009 Yankees team that went on to win the World Series

[Benjamin Vogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission was 27 was very well-written! It is an easy read for people of all ages. From the “Foreword” to “Acknowledgement” section, there are no dull moments. I highly recommend for any sports fan!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep dive into the Yankees' twenty-seventh World Series title. Lots of interesting insight and information.

[Gregory Feltman · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved going back and revisiting the only WS i remember. tons of great names and players i loved. some questionable language choices here and there but overall a fun read

[Greg Scharen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun to relive the first (and only so far) Yankees championship I was able to watch live! Great stories and insights!

[Christina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars — The Yankees' 2009 season and World Series run was one of my most formative events as a young baseball fan, and they remain one of my favorite teams ever to this day. Reading this book brought back so many wonderful memories about the season and the players, with some really cool behind-the-scenes stories that I hadn't known about at the time, adding color and context to an already magical year. It was interesting getting to hear the reflections and perspectives of the players and coaching/front office staff ten years removed from the situation, and not the typical whitewashed media-trained answers. Getting to hear their true feelings about what went down, for better or for worse, was refreshing and definitely changed my opinions on some of the players. I have a whole new appreciation for guys like CC, Nick Swisher and even A-Rod, now knowing about their contributions to the team beyond what was shown on the field and portrayed by the media. The emphasis on the intentional changes to the clubhouse culture going into the season, the efforts that went into team construction, and the details about the inter-player relationships were unexpected highlights, and the authors did an amazing job weaving everything into an interesting narrative rather than giving us a straight retelling of the season. This is a must-read for any Yankee fans who also have fond memories of 2009.