Customer Reviews

Just Play Ball

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reading this book is like sitting in a bar, lurking on the conversation at the next table and trying to keep your giggles to yourself. Assuming, that is, that the next table is as an accomplished and funny storyteller as is Joe Garagiola, who shares anecdotes and opinions and contemplations about his life in baseball.

What makes this book such good, light reading -- perfect for a summer afternoon -- is that Joe really imparts how much _fun_ the sport is (or can be). He tells stories about many of the big names in baseball (and some of the ones you never heard of, too). You learn about many of the conversations that happen on the pitcher's mound, about the evolution of the pitcher's mitt, about negotiating players' salaries... what a hoot! The book scores high on the laugh-out-loud meter but its humor is never, never mean.

There's nothing deep and serious here. Nothing, really, about baseball statistics or the (ominous tone here) Future of the Game. Nor do you have to be a Major Fan to "get" the humor; I came late to fandom, and still spend a lot of time asking dumb questions, like, "Why did the player get to move to the next base?" However, I haven't felt as though I've missed a single one of his jokes.

In short, if you like baseball and you want a light book to make you laugh, buy this one.

This book even impressed my dad, who has quite possibly read every baseball book published since 1950. Joe Garagiola recounts stories about Hoboken's greatest export so vividly, it's hard to believe some of them took place over half-a-century ago! Whether you're a long-time baseball history buff (like my dad) or just getting your feet wet, this book is sure to please...

Joe Garagiola's new book brings years of experience to the table of telling the tale of the baseball diamond. He is a walking tome of history, and I encourage any fan of the game to pick up this book and give it a read.

Having read Joe Garagiola's two previous books entitled Baseball Is A Funny Game and It's Anybody's Ball Game I had to read Joe's latest effort. You will especially enjoy this book if you haven't heard his funny stories before. Yes, there is some repetition. I also have his LP phonograph record that came out in the late 1950's entitled That Holler Guy in which he shares some of the stories that are in this book. One story I especially enjoyed came from Pete Ramos who was from Cuba and pitched for the Washington Senators. Ramos was trying to learn English and was proud of the fact that "I learn to say "Come here" and the person understands." "What do you do if you want the person to go over there?" "I go over there and say "Come here." Joe reminisces with stories of players who played the game during his era whether they were teammates of his or those from other teams. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Branch Rickey who was active as a general manager for the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Pirates during Joe's playing days. Rickey was very observant, scouting everything he observed. A catcher in the on-deck circle with his shin guards on is telling the batter he doesn't have confidence in his ability to get a hit. This is not the message you want to send. I did feel Joe overindulged in telling fans what to watch for in a game regarding signs that players send to one another, many of which would not be observable to the fan in the stands. If you remember Joe from NBC's baseball games with Curt Gowdy you are sure to spend some time with him once again with this book.

Reading this book is like having a private lunch with Mr. Garagiola.

It's as if he's just lettin' the memories flow out, randomly. It's almost a stream-of-consciousness deluge of little anecdotes, stories and ideas.

Consequently, it's not the most elegant book; the writing isn't anything to get excited about. Given the innumerable literary baseball classics out there, it's safe to say this is not one of them. He's not in the Kahn/Halberstam/Angell/etc. territory here. Nor does he intend to be.

On the other hand, its' leisurely pace makes it more personal, more folksy, and therefore more real. Having heard his voice, oh, a bazillion times over the last several decades, it was easy to simply hear that voice in my head while reading this slim volume.

It works like a charm. Some of the incidents aren't as funny as he thinks they are; most of them are hilarious. Just like a favorite uncle who indulges you with stories from his past...which usually includes your own family members...Mr. Garagiola clearly enjoys the telling of the tale, with famous baseball personalities that for fans are exactly like old family members.

This is an easy recommendation, and a most pleasurable summer read for any baseball fan.

Great book about baseball. I grew up in the times they are talking about. Joe Garagiola does a great job with this book in telling it the way it used to be.

Joe Garagiola is a funny guy with more firsthand experience in the game of baseball than practically anyone who's ever lived. It's no surprise that he was able to put together this nice book which might also be called, "The Baseball World According to Joe". Joe's certainly got the gift of gab & is quick with a little bit of homespun humor to match any possible situation.

Of course, if you've watched baseball as much as I have, you've already heard most of this stuff during his long stints of color commentary for all those thousands of ball games over the decades. As a result, I did more skimming than the average reader, since I've heard these stories quite a bit; however, the stories are great.

I particularly enjoyed his perspective on some of the players, past and present; especially when mentioning the vast spectrum of colorful slang they've adopted (Dennis Eckersley had some classic quips). His observation that the game should be kept in its simplest terms to really enjoy is wonderful. "Just play ball" is a great philosophy. Let's quit worrying about ridiculous stats that are completely useless; it just clogs up the brain with too much information.

As Joe's lifelong buddy Yogi Berra once said, "Ninety percent of baseball is half mental." Makes perfect sense to me; and after reading this book, you'll agree.

I have saved this book to read just before the start of the new baseball season, not that I need to get fired up! Especially fun read as I live in Phoenix and root for the D-Backs and Mr. G!

I bought this for my husband. Who is a big NY Yankee fan (not too easy when you live in Red Sox territory). He enjoyed this so much, it was funny and informative. Go Yankees!!!!

Baseball fans will readily recognize the name of Joe Garagiola, both a player and a reporter on the sport; so JUST PLAY BALL is certain to be a top pick for any collection strong in baseball history. Anecdotes, autobiography, baseball memories and humor comes from Garagiola's associations with baseball greats past and present: chapters survey the lives and achievements of his sports friends and provide a series of lively vignettes perfect for collections strong in sports history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch