The Greatest Summer in Baseball History: How the '73 Season Changed Us Forever

by John Rosengren

"The vivid story of a young Reggie Jackson on Charlie Finley's A's and the veteran Willie Mays on Yogi's Mets, both destined for the '73 series." —Library Journal

A rousing chronicle of one of the most defining years in baseball history that changed the sport forever.

In 1973, baseball was in crisis. The first strike in pro sports had soured fans, American League attendance had fallen, and America's team—the Yankees—had lost more games and money than ever. Yet that season, five of the game's greatest figures rescued the national pastime.

Hank Aaron riveted the nation with his pursuit of Babe Ruth's landmark home run record in the face of racist threats. George Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees at a bargain basement price and began buying back their faded glory. The American League broke ranks with the National League and introduced the designated hitter, extending the careers of aging stars such as Orlando Cepeda. An elderly and ailing Willie Mays—the icon of an earlier generation—nearly helped the Mets pull off a miracle with the final hit of his career. Reggie Jackson, the MVP of a tense World Series, became the prototype of the modern superstar. The season itself provided plenty of drama served up by a colorful cast of characters, including the Mets rise from last place to win the division under Yogi Berra's leadership, Pete Rose edging out Willie Stargell as the MVP in a controversial vote, Hank Aaron chasing Babe Ruth's landmark record in the face of racial threats, Reggie Jackson solidifying his reputation as Mr. October, Willie Mays hitting the final home run of his career, and future Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and George Brett playing in their first major league games.

That one memorable summer changed baseball forever.

Originally published as Hammerin' Hank, George Almighty and the Say Hey Kid.

"It's a season-ticket to one of the greatest years in baseball history. John Rosengren has given us one of the most enjoyable baseball books to come along in years." –Jonathan Eig, author of Luckiest The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig and Opening The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season

Genres: Baseball, Sports, History, Nonfiction, Audiobook

445 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2023

About the author

John Rosengren is the award-winning author of eight books and hundreds of magazine articles.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad to say, not one I really liked all that much. As another reviewer mentioned, this is just a rename of a book from 2009 (which is never mentioned, sometihng I don't like). It's really not what the title suggests and instead just concentrates on the two World Series teams and four to five players. The book needs an editor and is quite redundant at times.

One thing that really irked me was that the author used the phrase, "a black man in the deep south" a few times when referring to Hank Aaron. That phrase was said by the great Vin Scully when he called Aaron's 715th home run (“A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. What a marvelous moment for baseball."). He never credits or even mentions Scully. Boo.

In the end it's about baseball and it reads well. But, as one of my friends said: "The best sports books have a sense of time and place, and I felt like that book didn't make me feel like I was in the moment when I read it."

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

1973 was an eventful year in both baseball and America. For the latter, several important events that would affect the nation took place. The withdrawal of American troops in Vietnam, the Watergate hearings, and the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision were among the most notable of these. In baseball, the New York Yankees were purchased by a Cleveland shipping company owner named George Steinbrenner, a legendary player played his last season while another chased a hallowed record and a team that frequently fought amongst itself was trying to repeat as champions. That is the setting for this book by John Rosengren.

Having listened to the audio version, the narration by Barry Abrams is definitely one of the strengths of this book. His telling of some of the major stories in both America and baseball was excellent. Whichever topic was discussed, Abrams did so in a no-nonsense manner that came across much like the news anchors at that time (though non of them were ever mentioned in the book).

The title seems a little hyperbolic as while there were some excellent storylines in that 1973 baseball season, they didn’t feel to be so much better than other years. To his credit, Rosenberg doesn’t compare them to big stories in other years. He sticks with a few topics and covers them thoroughly. These would be the ending of Willie Mays’ career with the New York Mets, Hank Aaron’s pursuit of the all time home run record of 714 by Babe Ruth, the introduction of the designated hitter in the American with a focus on Orlando Cepeda of the Boston Red Sox, and the new Yankee owner who immediately let it be known it was his way or else.

On this last topic, this was the best mix of sports and social or political events of a year or era that I have read in a book of this type. Steinbrenner’s eventual conviction of illegal campaign contributions, especially to President Nixon’s 1972 re-election bid, tied in nicely with the writing on that summer’s Watergate hearings. While not quite as easily done, there are good connections between baseball and these events throughout the book.

As with any book on a baseball season, this climaxes with the World Series. The Mets and the Oakland Athletics played an exciting seven game series won by Oakland to give them back to back championships. The many storylines made by the Athletics, their star Reggie Jackson, and their universally disliked owner Charlie Finley are covered well, as was the unbelievable comeback by the Mets who were left for dead in August only to win the National League East title, then upset the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS. Of course, the Willie Mays saga is included and overall, the coverage of the baseball is very good, even if it is a bit repetitive on some facts and descriptions.

Any reader who enjoys books on certain years or seasons in baseball with plenty of social or political commentary will want to check this book out. Highly recommend the audio version.

[Jim Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Seaver, Cleon Jones, Rusty Staub: names I had all but forgotten about. Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays: I knew only bits and pieces about their stories.

As I got reacquainted with the Mets I had watched in the late 1960s and early 1970s and learned more about the three players John Rosengren highlights, I kept thinking of my dad.

What great conversations I could have the man who took me to a Mets game, even though he was a Yankees fan. If only he had lived long enough.

Instead, I'm so grateful for having read John's book--so well researched and written in context of politics and culture back in the day--because it makes me feel more connected to my parents and a game I loved to watch and play.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid Research and Narrative

A joy to read however the book left me wanting more from this year of baseball lore. Perhaps I overexpected but it just wasn't the brain candy that I long for in sports books about this era. Well written and well researched, the fundamentals are there just not the "Wow" element.

[Michael Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice following of three old players and their replacement on the Superstar scene. With an overview of how the World Series teams made it there. Also the Advent of the DH.

[Dave Lombardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have loved this book but I couldn’t really get into it. I forced myself to finish it, and that was after two different attempts to read it. I was eight years old during the 1973 season and it was the first season that I went to multiple games, and I have very explicit and deep memories from that season. I just found the book very dry and ho-hum with the exception of the chapters on Henry Aaron and the racism he encountered as he was closing in on Babe Ruth’s home run record that summer. Shocked that I just never found it compelling to read.

[Eddie Dong · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little too inside baseball, if you catch my drift................

[Umar Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never grow tired of reading about baseball. Especially the era from the 1930s to 1980s. I'm not sure I agree with the premise of the book but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.

[Tony Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read. Learned a lot about multiple Hall of Famers and the 1973 season.

[Joe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this book after he reported that the Mets won game 5 in the playoffs against the Reds 10-2, actual score 7-2 from baseball reference website. Also he said the Mets took the field in the bottom of the ninth, how’s that, when they led 7-2? Also in that same discussion he said that when the fifth inning ended they led 7-2 when the actual score was 6-2 (see baseball reference again).

So how many other mistakes are in this book?

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

If you love baseball history, this is a book that you would enjoy.
I grew up as a preteen in the 1970s. Baseball was the center of my childhood. Even before cable television gave you access to all the games, everyday, I knew all of the players and their statistics. But, it wasn't easy. You needed to read the box scores. You needed to memorize the standings. You needed the newspaper. My brothers and I would race to get the newspaper first to get the sports section and check out the standings. It was the way we followed the game that we loved.
This book brought back the teams, the players...Aaron still the King...and the game we loved!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent baseball book for any fan and for any history buff. 1973 was a pivotal time in our country with everything surrounding the president and our country. Baseball was a reprieve for a lot of people with the exception of Braves fans who didn’t turn out to watch Hank Aaron chase Ruth’s record. The decline of old heroes such as Willie Mays and the rise of new superstars. The book does a good job of telling the baseball side with the turmoil our country was going through. Brought back great memories of checking the box scores everyday in the paper to see if Aaron hit a homer in or if Willie Mays got a hit. Really good book for a baseball fan.

[HJK44 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid, entertaining read. The only beef I have with the book is that the author refers to the Yankees as America's Team. Unlike a certain football team, I've never heard anyone refer to the NYY with this moniker. Furthermore, the Yankees of 1973 were hardly deserving of such a nickname. They had a season home attendance of 1,262,103. This was the 9th straight year of mediocre baseball in the Bronx. Meanwhile, their cross-town neighbors the pennant-winning New York Mets had a home attendance of 1,912,390 outdrawing the team in the Bronx by nearly 700,000 fans.

[David Mordini · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Very entertaining book. Told a lot of lesser known stories about the 1973 MLB season that I had not heard about. Seamlessly linked stories outside baseball to events during the season (Watergate and Vietnam).

Only reason I dock this book is sometimes the stories got a bit too repetitive and jumped back-and-forth quite a bit. Not enough to ruin the book in all.

Highly recommend to any avid baseball fan.

[Brent Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baseball is a sport with a deep history, loaded with many iconic moments and figures that continue to tower over the game long after their time in the league and on this Earth has concluded. In his wonderful, fun historical outtake, Rosengren makes the convincing argument that the 1973 season was the best season in baseball history. The amount of historical events that occurred in 1973 for baseball is tremendous, and Rosengren expertly evaluates and explores each of them, not only in the context of their time, but with an eye for the reverence these moments deserve today. The breadth of pivotal moments in this season covered by Rosengren includes: the introduction of the designated hitter, the chaos and triumph of the Charlie Finley A’s with Reggie, Rollie & Catfish, Henry Aaron surpassing Babe Ruth’s all time home run total, Willie Mays in the final year of his storied and legendary career, the inspiring comeback of Yogi Berra’s Mets, and the takeover of the Yankees by George Steinbrenner. Through all of these topics, Rosengren creates a full picture of a season, neither dragging on too long nor glossing over too quickly. This is a remarkably entertaining and insightful look into a critical season in a historic sport, and I can’t recommend it enough to a baseball lover, or a lover of sports in general.

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there were probably dozens of compelling storylines surrounding the 1973 baseball season (the Orioles are barely mentioned!?!), none are more newsworthy than the major accounts Rosengren selected for this book. He primarily focuses on big personality team owners George Steinbrennar (in his first year) and Charlie Finley in Oakland, Willie Mays preparing for retirement, Hank Aaron trying to catch the Babe, the introduction of the Designated Hitter in the American League, and the controversial Reggie Jackson.

Rosengren's book is well-written, deeply researched, and an overall enjoyable read for even the casual fan. While I remember most of the events from that season, I was unfamiliar with his account of Charlie Finley trying to coerce second baseman Mike Andrews out of a spot on the World Series roster after he made two game-losing throwing errors. It's a story of greed, ego, power, and insufferable chutzpah that showed how much teammates would stick together when the larger-for-their-britches owners tried to impose their will. Two years later, their dream of financial dominence would end and Steinbrennar would be on top of the world while Finley sank deeper into debt and disrespect.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the new baseball season gets underway, now's the perfect time to reminisce about the last days of Willie Mays — and the bygone days of Henry Aaron and Orlando Cepeda and Charlie Finley's championship A's and George Steinbrenner's pinstriped Yankees, among others I remember from my boyhood.
If you're too young to reminisce about the 1973 season, take this opportunity to increase your knowledge of the not-too-distant history of Major League Baseball and the changes that season helped bring about that makes the game today what it is (at least in part).
Passionate baseball lover John Rosengren puts the sport and all its color and strategy and personalities into focus with the ego of Reggie Jackson, the racism that Hammerin' Hank put up with as he chased Babe Ruth's career home run record, the lack of the designated hitter in National League parks (including in the World Series), and the start of the high-dollar contracts as players took advantage of the new opportunity to challenge salary offers by taking owners to arbitration.
It's great information, told with all the dramatics of an extra-inning barnburner, spiced with quotes and anecdotes gathered fromscores of sources and interviews with MLB players, scouts, agents, announcers and more.

[Jeff Koslowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read and does open up a lot of stories that would be impact full for years to come. The egotism of Reggie Jackson. The tight-fisted issues of Charlie Finley. George Steinbrenner's legal issues and team meddling, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the sunsets of their careers. Another run for the Miracle Mets. There are a lot of interesting points that make for an interesting read.

My first struggle is in the title. To assert that this is the greatest summer in baseball history is a stretch. Yes there are some interesting stories but every year comes with that. It felt like a title meant to sell books.

My other issue comes in the author's style of writing. John Rosengren is a journalist but his style of writing was not something I could really lock into. It is readable and quick-moving but for someone like me who is really into the history, it relies a great deal on autobiographies (especially Hank Aaron and Reggie Jackson's) and not as much on neutral writings (or at least that is the writer's perception).

That said, if any of the above topics were in your wheelhouse of reading interests or you were a fan in the 1970's this will be an enjoyable read for you.

[Dr. Alan Albarran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun reliving the 1973 season written by John Rosengren. Much of the book is about the last season Willie Mays played (with the NY Mets) and Reggie Jackson's early efforts to become Mr. October.

The book jumps around a lot with stories about things like the designated hitter being adopted in the American League but not the national. There is a lot about Orlando Cepeda who had the most success that year as a DH with Boston. There is a chapter or two devoted to Gaylord Perry and his spitball antics, which in my view was not that relevant to 1973--he did it his entire career! But most of the book is about the Oakland Athletics and their cheapskate owner Charlie Finley, and the rise of the Mets who had an incredible rebound to win the East division, been the powerhouse Cincinnati Reds in the playoff, and then fall short in Game 7 against the A's, who won for their second consecutive year on the way to a three-peat, something no other team has done since 1974.

The book is fun if you love baseball history. I gave it a 4.25 rounded down to 4.

[Joe Santoro · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a decent book with a deceptive title. the book isn't really about 1973 or how baseball changed, but rather followed a few of the storylines of 1973... Hank Aaron pursuit of the home run record.... George Steinbrenner's first year as owner.... Orlando Cepeda as the first full time DH (though will little discussion of how it changed the game past the obvious), The crazy exploits of the As and Reggie Jackson, and the Mets season.. both their improbable pennant run and the sad last year of Willie Mays' career.

I would have assumed the author was a New Yorker if the book said he was from Minnesota.. the book was extremely focused on New York. The stuff about The As was nothing that isn't better described in other places.... same with the trials Hank Aaron faced.

The other striking thing was that for a book that seems to be a re-release/re-packaging, there were ALOT of typos.

The stuff about Orlando Cepeda was pretty neat, and I didn't really know all that much about Steinbrenner's pre-baseball life, so those parts were good.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1973 baseball season was action. The number of memorable events was high. Willie Mays at end of career and on the Mets for one last World Series. George Steinbrenner’s first year as Yankees owner. Charlie Finley and this every talented and dysfunctional club. The first year of DH. Hank Aaron’s pursuit of Babe Ruth’s career HR record. Along with many other great stories.

This book had a number of great storylines to follow. I listened to this book and it was a quick and easy listen. The stories told were interesting and I didn’t want to stop listening. Baseball in 1973 was full of characters who made for colorful stories.

This book is a perfect read for any baseball fan, especially if you’re pining for a little nostalgia. An easy five star rating for me.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, with great insight into the A’s of 1973 as well as the winding down of the careers of Willie Mays and Henry Aaron. It’s a reminder of how much the game has changed over the past 50 seasons. Reading about the introduction of the designated hitter, relievers throwing 3 full innings rather than pitching to 3 batters, and the infancy of Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, made for a fun look at a game that has changed more than I realized since my childhood through today. Finally, the author provides insight into baseball’s most intriguing owners of the last 50 years (or ever?), Charlie Finley and George Steinbrenner. Is it the greatest summer of baseball history? Author John Rosengren certainly makes a credible case for his claim that it is.

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an Oakland A's fan from the early 1970s, I am partial to anything that gives proper credit to the teams of that era, so I am inclined to enjoy a book like this one.
This is actually a book from 2008 that was named "Hammerin' Hank, George Almighty, and the Say Hey Kid" back then. I gather this one is being republished under the new title to observe the 50th anniversary of the 1973 season. To my recollection, there's a separate book out there on the same season called "Swinging '73."
So, is 1973 "the greatest summer in baseball history"? I can think of others, but the beauty of the sport is that it spurs endless debate. Have at it...

[Chris Garth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best baseball book I’ve read by any stretch. If the 1973 season was the most interesting ever, the author misses that mark by a mile. There were certainly major changes occurring in baseball that year, but the telling of the season treats every event in the season equal to all the rest. I was never sure if this book was about how crooked and manipulative the owners of the As and Yankees were or how sad the decline of Willie Mays was? Worst of all. 1973 was the year Hank Aaron didn’t break Babe Ruth’s record. The fault with this book may be with the publisher who titled it, 1973 was an instructive season with symbols of change everywhere but that’s not how it read.

[Rob McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! Follows the 1973 season. Covers the dysfunctional A’s with Finley and Reggie, Hank Aaron’s journey toward all time HR record, including the abhorrent racist treatment and Bowie Kuhn inexcusable actions essentially ignoring Aaron a’s run. Covers the new DH rule and Orlando Cepeda. Willie Mays final season. The Mets run. Steinbrenner.

I love baseball but history continues to shine a light on how horrible their treatment of players was. There is no IGNORING the black eye owners have put on the sport.

[Brad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was really a 3.5 star book, but I downgraded because of the author’s editorializing. It was clear from page one that he DESPISES Reggie Jackson. His dislike oozes from every word written about Reggie. Even when describing moments Reggie succeeded he could not resist adding shot after shot and you could sense the glee when he got to write about his failures. I’m no a Reggie fanboy by any means but the way the author chose to write that left a bad taste and tainted an otherwise good story.

[Rick Zinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s get past the title for a bit ….

This is a legitimately interesting year, Steinbrenner’s first in Baseball, Willie Mays last. Reggie was a superstar, the Oakland A’s were a dynasty but couldn’t draw a crowd. The 1973 was in the brand new Stadium in Kansas City and everyone was starting to realize Henry Aaron, A Black Man from the Deep South who break the record of an All Time Baseball Idol….

A lot of interesting stories and a lot of interesting people populated Baseball in 1973.

I was not bored .

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally enjoy more of a biography or following more than just one year. However, I really enjoyed this book. The designated hitter (note: I am NOT a fan) became standard in 2024 was used as a loophole the first time in 1973. I also learned about Hank Aaron's home run. Many players I had heard the names but not much about them as I have been more recent players and the older players. I ended up appreciating this book.

How did this book find me? It is in the Audible+ catalog until July 15.

[Pat Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Issue

Good recap of the ‘73 season, though my Mets ultimately came up one win short.
Now the issue; I’m tired of picking up histories of the early-1970’s and, no matter what the book is about, having to read about Richard Nixon. We get it already; Nixon was a bad guy as President. Other guys in recent years make him look like a piker; W, Obama, and the current occupant of the White House, Biden. Stop with the Nixon references in a sports book.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah baseball, you wacky and wonderful sport! This book was chock full of fun anecdotes and I really liked the way the author connected all the dots between the various teams and their antics. One annoying pet peeve is some editing lapses, and there were definitely some unclear or incorrect dates mentioned, but overall a great read for anyone who loves sports.