Game of My Life: Chicago Cubs: Memorable Stories of Cubs Baseball

by Lew Freedman

Although the Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series in over 100 years, countless All-Stars and Hall of Fame players have decorated this storied franchise. Of the hundreds of Cubs who have stepped onto Wrigley Field's hallowed ground, several brought thrills to the millions of Cubs fans who adored them and cheered their play. In Lew Freedman's Game of My Chicago Cubs, you can relive the excitement that stirred the Friendly Confines from the bleachers to the box seats. Among the 28 former North Siders to reminisce and recount their favorite Cubs moments are Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo, Mark Grace, and Ferguson Jenkins--all of whom recall their favorite moments in blue pinstripes. These players singled out performances and actions that remain highlights in Cubs fans' memory banks, such as the 1945 World Series and the 1984 and 1989 National League playoffs. Others selected special days that still give them a glow, even if they were not the best player on the field that day. And still others spoke with warmth of games that they termed the best day they ever had on the field in a Cubs uniform. These Chicago baseball favorites describe the pleasure of success and the agony of near misses. They relive and relate their own viewpoint of many games ardent Cubs fans will never forget. Read along as Milt Pappas reveals what was going through his mind as he pitched a no-hitter in 1972, nearly pulling off the rare feat of hurling a perfect game. Examine Rick Monday's explanation of what went through his mind as he prevented two protesters from setting an American flag on fire on the outfield grass of Dodger Stadium in 1976; and what the flag he rescued and has saved all of these years means to him. Andy Pafko and Lennie Merullo are two of just a small group of surviving Cubs players who participated in the 1945 World Series, the last time the North Siders appeared in the Fall Classic, and they talk about an experience they could not imagine would continue unrepeated for six decades by any other Cubs players. Some of the great Cubs who speak their minds retain the sweetest of memories from long stays in Chicago, including Hall of Famers Banks--Mr. Cub--Williams, Jenkins, and Sandberg. To the hundreds, or perhaps thousands of fans he has met over the last 20-plus years who ask Sandberg if he remembers "The Ryne Sandberg game," the answer is yes, resoundingly so. Teammates during the 1960s, Cub stalwarts Banks, Santo, Don Kessinger, Glenn Beckert, and Randy Hundley, remain friends decades later and talk about the magic of sending an entire infield to the All-Star game in the same season. Game of My Chicago Cubs brings Cubs fans into the minds of their favorite players, making it a must-have for anyone who bleeds Cubbie blue.

Genres: Baseball

244 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Joe Boeke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sure that I would not have enjoyed this book as much as I did, if it was about the Dodgers or Red Sox, but that is because I am a die-hard Cubs fan. That said, this book is good, for what it is, but ended up falling a bit short for me.

On the plus side, it was a quick read and allowed me to idle several hours away over a rainy weekend. I enjoyed reading the stories and the backgrounds on the teams and players. The writing style is easy and accessible (much like the sports page) due in large part to Lew Freedman's many years covering sports as a print journalist.

However, I also found myself a bit disappointed after reading through the book. I actually recall watching (in person or on TV) or listening on the radio to several of these games. In many cases the excitement that I felt (at the time) or that I remembered (through the years) wasn't evident in the narrative. I suspect that the format of the book is to blame. Most chapters are fairly short (usually not more than 6-10pp). I know that there is more that the players could have said (I've been lucky enough to meet a couple and they all seem to have the ability to wax on about games) and certainly there is more that could have been gleaned from re-listening to the games and reading the box scores or paper accounts.

I don't know, but maybe 1/2 the stories and double the page count would have been a better format? In the end, my verdict is this is a fun (albeit superficial) read for most Cubs fans. Maybe pick up a used copy to read while you are waiting for Ticket Master to load so you can actually buy tickets to a Cubs game... (ah, but that's a different review).

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but not that cool