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The Best Game Ever: Pirates 10, Yankees 9: October 13, 1960
October 13, 1960: The hardscrabble Pirates were a hungry squad, led by Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, and a colorful bunch of overachievers who hit singles and rode solid fielding and pitching to the franchise's first World Series appearance in 35 years. The Yankees, lordly and corporate, were making their 12th trip to the World Series in 15 years and, through the managing of Casey Stengel, power hitting, and immense talent, usually found a way to win. Featuring such legends as Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Roger Maris, the Yankees had outscored the Pirates 46–16 through six games — only to go down, 10–9, when Mazeroski became the only player ever to decide a World Series Game 7 with a walk-off home run. From extensive personal interviews with those who were there, along with newspaper, radio, and television accounts, Reisler reconstructs this fall classic pitch by pitch, from analysis of managerial tactics and the chatter of the players on the field to the lively atmosphere within the ballpark and throughout the country. The result is the feeling of being right there from the seemingly predictable start to the truly unbelievable finish of the best game ever.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 19, 2016
The 1960 World Series was one of the most lopsided Fall Classics that went 7 games. One team outscored the other 55-27, outhit the other 91-60 and outhomered the other 10-4. Yet the team that was dominant in these statistics, the New York Yankees, LOST that World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a dramatic game seven won by the Pirates 10-9 on a home run by Bill Mazeroski.
That game is the subject of this quick read by Jim Reisler who was living in Pittsburgh at the time (although he was only two years old) and wrote about this game with the type of knowledge that only a native or long-time resident of a city could have, especially in the sections about Forbes Field, where the historic game was played, or the city itself. These were some of the tangents that book went on when not describing the on-field action of the game. Typical for a book on this type of subject, these nuggets were entertaining and educational for readers who were not familiar with the Pirates or their home part at the time.
Writing about the game itself was the same, as some of the details on important moments were well researched and described, such as the ball that hit Yankee shortstop Tony Kubek in the throat and Hal Smith’s home run in the eighth inning that many believed at the time would be the winning blast for the Pirates.
Reisler expresses his opinion often throughout the book as well. He doesn’t do so in long soliloquies, but instead with brief remarks in the paragraph. He makes several comparisons to the way baseball was played, covered by the writers and the money involved today. Granted, the cover gives away how he feels about this game, but at times I felt he was a little over the top about his opinion about how much better this particular game was than other thrilling World Series games.
Nonetheless, this book is certainly one to read if the reader is a Pirates fan or if he or she wants to learn more about the team and the sport at that time. It is a quick read as I finished it on a train trip to and from a baseball game, so the reader won’t have to wait long to learn more about one of the most thrilling finishes to the World Series. Three-and-a-half-star rating, rounded up to four for Goodreads and Amazon.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
That game is the subject of this quick read by Jim Reisler who was living in Pittsburgh at the time (although he was only two years old) and wrote about this game with the type of knowledge that only a native or long-time resident of a city could have, especially in the sections about Forbes Field, where the historic game was played, or the city itself. These were some of the tangents that book went on when not describing the on-field action of the game. Typical for a book on this type of subject, these nuggets were entertaining and educational for readers who were not familiar with the Pirates or their home part at the time.
Writing about the game itself was the same, as some of the details on important moments were well researched and described, such as the ball that hit Yankee shortstop Tony Kubek in the throat and Hal Smith’s home run in the eighth inning that many believed at the time would be the winning blast for the Pirates.
Reisler expresses his opinion often throughout the book as well. He doesn’t do so in long soliloquies, but instead with brief remarks in the paragraph. He makes several comparisons to the way baseball was played, covered by the writers and the money involved today. Granted, the cover gives away how he feels about this game, but at times I felt he was a little over the top about his opinion about how much better this particular game was than other thrilling World Series games.
Nonetheless, this book is certainly one to read if the reader is a Pirates fan or if he or she wants to learn more about the team and the sport at that time. It is a quick read as I finished it on a train trip to and from a baseball game, so the reader won’t have to wait long to learn more about one of the most thrilling finishes to the World Series. Three-and-a-half-star rating, rounded up to four for Goodreads and Amazon.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
July 21, 2023
The 7th game is most remembered for its end; a walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th by the eighth man in the line up--defensive whiz Bill Mazeroski. The only such ending in World Series history. But this great book shows so much more to the game. That the Yankees had pounded the Pirates in their three wins while the Pirate wins were all so dang close. Roberto Clemente at the beginning of his career, as a right fielder turning opposing teams' doubles into singles and starting his hitting success, the ebbs and flows of the game with an early Pirate lead, Yogi Berra's three run homer with Mickey Mantle on base that changed the game, the Pirates 5 run 8th inning, the last three runs coming on Hal Smith's homer that put the Pirates back in the lead, which would have been the memorable moment if not for the Yankees scoring two runs in the top of the 9th to tie the game, setting the stage for Mazeroksi.
The book has best of both worlds. It will appeal to the ardent fan with its play by play discussion at times going pitch by pitch, detailing the strategy of a 1-1 count vs an 0-2 count, what players hit the high strikes, which ones were likely to chase out of the strike zone. But the book also discusses the big picture such as the racism that Roberto Clemente suffered, entering the league only a few years after Jackie Robinson, a challenge compounded by baseball writers mocking Clemente for Spanish being his first language. It talks of the contrast of Pittsburg and New York, the story of Forbes field.
The book follows the game, each chapter is devoted to the one inning. And each chapter adds to the play by play summary by alternating the back stories of the players such as Mantle, Maris, Dick Groat, Vernon Law and Whitey Ford.
This was such a fun read, such a complete read
The book has best of both worlds. It will appeal to the ardent fan with its play by play discussion at times going pitch by pitch, detailing the strategy of a 1-1 count vs an 0-2 count, what players hit the high strikes, which ones were likely to chase out of the strike zone. But the book also discusses the big picture such as the racism that Roberto Clemente suffered, entering the league only a few years after Jackie Robinson, a challenge compounded by baseball writers mocking Clemente for Spanish being his first language. It talks of the contrast of Pittsburg and New York, the story of Forbes field.
The book follows the game, each chapter is devoted to the one inning. And each chapter adds to the play by play summary by alternating the back stories of the players such as Mantle, Maris, Dick Groat, Vernon Law and Whitey Ford.
This was such a fun read, such a complete read
July 20, 2023
Fun book for older Pirate fans. Brought back a lot of great memories.
December 29, 2020
Not enough Roberto Clemente.
I can never have enough Roberto Clemente.
I can never have enough Roberto Clemente.
July 14, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I would enjoy going through an old scrapbook of pleasant times. The 1960 World Series was the first I ever watched on TV, and in the mid-60s I moved to Pittsburgh, where Forbes Field became one of my favorite places. The book not only tracks the great Game Seven - okay, the Best Game Ever - but profiles the team, describes the old field and evokes the neighborhood and the changing city itself in a sepia-colored snapshot of its history. The book brought back great memories of the cars parked on front lawns and the voice of broadcaster Bob Prince wafting through the streets. Did it really hold together? Not really. Did it break new ground? No - the writer apparently couldn't land an interview with game hero Bill Mazeroski. But its details are accurate, and will trigger a lot of fond memories by Pittsburghers and Pirates fans of the era. It's always worth reliving that team and those times.
November 22, 2015
I'm a sucker for a good description of a baseball game with tons of anecdotes about the players and the teams. Reisler is old-fashioned, and obviously doesn't have a clue about understanding player value in the more sophisticated ways we have today. Bill Mazeroski hit that game-winning home run, but otherwise was only a bit above average player. But that's alright, because the game itself was dramatic, and even knowing who wins, it's fun to watch the back-and-forth tussle of a 10-9 game 7 of the World Series. Not the best baseball book ever, but an entertaining one nonetheless, though it sadly suffers from the lack of a good proofreader.
April 29, 2010
The funny thing is, I know I watched this game on television because I remember vividly the ball that bounced and hit Tony Kubek in the throat, but I didn't remember anything else about the game until reading this inning by inning account. Reisler wisely keeps the play by play portions short and fills in the back story with colorful anecdotes and capsule portraits of the players and managers--and with Danny Murtaugh and Casey Stengel, he had plenty of material. As a Pirates fan, he focuses on the lesser known Pirates rather than on the stories of Roberte Clemente, Mickey Mantle, etc.
July 4, 2014
For any die hard Pirate Fan that has suffered over the last 15 years, this book is the story of the Club's greatest moment. I was only five at the time but I have relived Maz's home run through Chuck Thompson's wonder radio call. This is a great book for anyone living in Pittsburgh in the fifties and early sixties. I would strongly recommend it to all Pirate fans. I would guess the book won't be well recieved by Yankee fans.
April 28, 2013
Since this book was released, a television copy of this game has surfaced. Reisler's book is the perfect companion. The author does an excellent job of weaving stories of the people in game around the inning-by-inning descriptions. I especially enjoyed reading the perspective of a western-Pennsylvanian at the time since my father's family is from this area and were Pirates fans. Very enjoyable.
April 18, 2008
Everything you ever wanted to know about Game Seven of the 1960 World Series. A good entertaining read. More enjoyable because I can remember listening to the game while in the service and can vividly recall the pandemonium that erupted at the end of the game.
October 19, 2010
Well written for any true baseball fan. I know how it ends, but it's still suspenseful and a wonderful tale in the dark time for the Pirates. Hope springs eternal and we'll do it again one day. I can't wait to see it. Go Bucs!
February 22, 2010
I love this book. It tells the story of the times as well as the game.
August 8, 2011
Just remembering my childhood. I was there.
March 3, 2011
Great material to work with and he handled the narrative well, but a number of factual errors lowers the rating.
October 2, 2012
Fun read for anyone, especially a Pirates fan. After 20 years (and counting) of losing, nice to remember the good times.
October 11, 2015
A superb account of Game Seven of the 1960 World Series, inning by inning, with lots of detail on the players and managers.
September 15, 2009
Great behind-the -scenes stories about the most fantastic finish baseball has ever had.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews