The Legend of Mickey Tussler [Hardcover]

Frank Nappi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2008

Seventeen-year-old Mickey Tussler is recruited to play for a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. Arthur Murphy swears Mickey has the greatest arm he has ever seen, that anybody has ever seen.  And it might be true.  But Mickey's autism is prohibitive.  It keeps him sealed off from a world he scarcely understands.  Lost both in the memory of his former life with an abusive father and the challenges of a new world filled with heckling teammates, opponents and fans, there's no way Mickey can succeed.  But his inimitable talent -- one of the most gifted arms in the history of baseball -- gives him a chance. Can he survive a real life dream?  Or are the harsh realities of life too much for him?  This is the powerful underdog story of how a young man with an extraordinary gift comes of age in a harsh and competitive world.  

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nappi (Echoes from the Infantry) has produced a knowledgeable yet unsentimental book starring an autistic teenager with a fearsome fastball. Milwaukee Brewer's manager Arthur Murphy recruits 17-year-old farm boy Mickey Tussler as a pitcher for his team. And though Mickey's slowness enrages his impossibly cruel father (who abuses his wife and derides Mickey as a "retard"), the boy's dad is happy to collect his son's pro baseball salary. In short order, Mickey achieves local stardom despite his mental disability and his teammates' clubhouse pranks. Lefty Rogers, the Brewers' southpaw ace, resents Mickey's triumphs on the mound and plots to sabotage his rival's budding career. At the same time, Murphy romances Mickey's much-abused mother and leads his resurging team in a hot pennant race. The writing is clear and direct, and there's no confusing who's a good guy and who's a bad guy. The baseball elements really sing; baseball fans will find much to appreciate, while the sports treatment of triumphing over adversity adds crossover appeal to the YA market. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Praise for THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER:

 

"In my work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America I see all kinds of challenges facing kids today, and this book does a very good job of treating gifted kids and teenagers with sensitivity and understanding in coping with and meeting these challenges."

--Alex Rodriguez

"A compelling tale that will touch the hearts of fans of the game
 everywhere." —Fergie Jenkins, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame Pitcher

"A story with something for everyone. THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER is a walk off homerun." —Larry Izzo, New York Mets Scout

"A powerful baseball story, certain to rank among the best ever written.” —Don Williams, retired sports columnist, Newark Star Ledger

 

"Riveting. Rewarding. THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER reaches the heart the way Alex Rodriguez reaches the bleachers."

- Bill Madden, New York Daily News

 

"A powerful baseball story, certain to rank among the best ever written."

- Don Williams, retired sports columnist, Newark Star Ledger

“Not just a baseball masterpiece, but a clever, delightful, touching tale that is a triumph of imagination and empathy. THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER is Roy Hobbs meets The Rain Man.”   

Father Tom Hartman, Good Morning America’s God Squad

 "In an age where scandal has taken over sports, especially  baseball, it was refreshing to finally be transported to an age where the game is all that matters. Frank Nappi does an incredible job brining these people and players to life. A great read."

- Brian Kilmeade, author of New York Times bestseller The Games Do Count

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312381093
• ISBN-13: 978-0312381097
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #831,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frank Nappi has taught high school English and Creative Writing for over twenty years. His debut novel, "Echoes From The Infantry," received national attention, including MWSA's silver medal for outstanding fiction for 2006. His follow-up novel, "The Legend of Mickey Tussler," garnered rave reviews as well, including a screenplay adaptation ("A Mile in His Shoes") of the touching story which aired nationwide in September of 2011 and was released on DVD in January of 2012. Frank continues to produce quality work, including "The Legend of Mickey Tussler: Sophomore Campaign," the intriguing sequel to the much heralded original story, and he is presently at work on a third installment of the unique series, as well as his first mystery /thriller entitled "Nobody Has To Know." Frank lives on Long Island with his wife Julia and their two sons, Nicholas and Anthony and continues to support organizations such as Autism Speaks, Best Buddies, and Challenger Baseball. For more about the author, visit his Web site at www.franknappi.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific! Timely! Tense! Awesome author!, December 22, 2008

By 

Betty L. Dravis "BETTY DRAVIS, author/reviewer" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Legend of Mickey Tussler (Hardcover)

I've been a huge fan of author Frank Nappi ever since I read his inspiring, heart-breaking debut novel Echoes from the Infantry: A Novel," a WWII story of a young soldier who returned from the war a changed man. Nappi wrote about the soldier's post-war family life and his relationship with his wife and son. It moved me deeply and was my favorite debut novel of 2005.

When I reviewed Nappi's "Echoes," I predicted he would be a "force to be reckoned with in the literary field," and in writing another brilliant novel he is proving me right.

I was delighted to learn that Nappi had written another powerful novel,The Legend of Mickey Tussler, and couldn't wait to read it. This is another masterpiece, the story of Arthur Murphy, manager of a local baseball team, and Mickey Tussler, an autistic seventeen-year-old boy with a "fearsome fast-ball." When Murph signs the boy for his team, he soon realizes, as another reviewer aptly describes it, that Mickey "comes with a blessing and a curse": the blessing is his caring mother, the curse, his abusive father.

In the 1940's timeline of this novel, this disability was unknown and misunderstood; those suffering this affliction were thought of as "slow," and called "retarded" by less sensitive people, including Mickey's father.

I was hooked from the first page and couldn't wait to learn how the game of baseball helped young Mickey Tussler come to terms with and overcome his disability, despite his father and jealous teammates undermining the boy's confidence, hindering his progress.

This book is "Terrific" because Nappi builds his two heroes so realistically I feel like I know them. I really care what happens to them and other characters. When Murph and Mickey's mother Molly become close, the tension adds another realistic depth to this only too human story.

This book is "Timely" because with more and more people being diagnosed with autism every day, Nappi is on the "cutting-edge" of the trend to educate people in an entertaining format. Most people will relate to Mickey because he could be someone they know, a beloved family member or a dear friend.

And The Legend of Mickey Tussler is "Tense" due to Nappi's awesome writing skills and near-perfect pacing that keeps the reader enthralled to the end, waiting to find out if Mickey will win against the odds...in life and in baseball.

Will Mickey win? Will Murph be able to help him? Could something as American as baseball be the answer? Will his baseball genius overcome his obstacles? What price does Mickey have to pay to become a legend?

But the big question is: will readers get the subtle, underlying message and learn how to live their own lives better?

Though not written specifically for young adults, I recommend this book to them and to everyone who enjoys a heart-warming, inspirational story. This is not only baseball fiction at its best, it's an all-around good story written from the heart and soul of a wordsmith who's mastered the fine art of storytelling.

Mickey Tussler's journey won my heart. Long after I closed the book, I found myself thinking of this special young man and of Arthur Murphy, the man who made it happen.

End-note: I just learned that a screenplay is being made from this novel. When it hits the big screen, I'll be first in line to see it. (Dare I say, "I told you so?")

Reviewed by Betty Dravis, December 2008

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book!, June 11, 2008

By 

Sally A. Cooke - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Legend of Mickey Tussler (Hardcover)

While reading The Legends of Mickey Tussler I never wanted to put it down. It's one of those books that you need to know whats going to happen to the characters, or what is going to happen next. Nappi's story about how a 17 year old with autism is brought into the game of baseball is exciting, but a little sad at times. Just picturing how this boy is able to pitch the way he does is incredible. I am not a big fan of baseball, but this story made me more interested in the sport by the end of the book. As I was reading the book I was able picture what was happening with Mickey on and off the baseball field. By the end of the story made me want to read more, and keep following Mickey's story. This is definately a great book, and everyone should read it at some point.

-Shannon Cooke (or Shannona)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply The Best!, September 24, 2008

By 

Frank Basco (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Legend of Mickey Tussler (Hardcover)

The Legend of Mickey Tussler is no doubt the best baseball novel I have ever read. Actually, it may be the best book I have read across the board. Author Frank Nappi creates a wonderful scenario for the reader, placing a 17 year old autistic boy in the baseball spotlight. The story follows the path of this unlikely hero, and along the way, we are treated to a colorful host of characters all placed carefully and with great artful precision in a well crafted plot. This man really knows how to tell a story. The language is beautiful and the action on and off the field very entertaining. One can only hope that there is a sequel in the making. When you get to the end of the book, you'll know what I mean.