Customer Reviews

Sixty-One: The Team, the Record, the Men

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I can't believe the publisher didn't put a paperback edition out in the wake of the McGuire/Sosa home run chase, considering the renewed interest in Roger Maris. The authors produced one of the better written sports books. Despite Kubek's obvious love and respect for Maris and the Yankees, he doesn't get too gushy. Sports junkies will get their share of play by play descriptions and those interested in a personal look at Maris will be rewarded. Kubek doesn't ignore how the team is doing which lends authenticity to the story. Baseball mixes the individual and the group levels so both are included. Kubek also discusses and interviews the other players, but the book revolves around Maris.

This book about the 1961 Yankees and Roger Maris' topping of Babe Ruth's home run record is well worth reading. Former Yankee shortstop Tony Kubek and Terry Pluto provide an informative view from a quarter century later. Readers get a feel for the team, the pennant race against the Detroit Tigers, and most of all, Maris' challenge of the home run record that ended with his 61st on the season's last day. Both Maris and Mickey Mantle hit homers in bunches through August, but when Mantle faded (ending with 54) there was more than a little disappointment from some fans and sportswriters. Some didn't want the record going to this non-colorful North Dakotan who shunned the spotlight. As a result, Maris was sometimes treated unfairly by the media (whom he came to disdain), even while remaining a popular teammate. Kubek also provides anecdotes on payers like Mantle, Whitey Ford, Elston Howard, etc. Like many other baseball fans, I have little use for the Yankees or their periodic domination of baseball, but this remains a very good book.

THIS IS ABOUT THE RECORD BREAKING SEASON OF ROGER MARIS. TONY KUBEK DOES A GREAT JOB DESCRIBING WHAT TOOK PLACE DURING THAT EXCITING SEASON OF 1961. ALOT OF DETAIL IS DEDICATED TO THE HOMERUN CHASE BUT IT ALSO COVERS MARIS'S RELATIONSHIP WITH MANTLE, THE PRESS AND OTHER PLAYERS. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ALL YANKEE AND BASEBALL FANS. VERY RECOMMENDED.