5.0 out of 5 stars
Yankee Ace Embellishes Story of Baseball Career with Amusing Anecdotes, February 11, 2009
Whitey Ford knew how to win--as evidenced by his 236-106 lifetime record, giving him the best winning percentage for a modern day pitcher with more than 150 wins, and his extremely low lifetime 2.75 ERA. He won 10 more games in the World Series, with a slightly better ERA. The Yankee Hall-of-Fame pitching ace is a very savvy baseball person, so it is interesting to hear him relate the baseball side of his career, including his comments on each World Series victory. But Whitey to this day is also a fun-loving regular guy, and that is reflected in the prevailing aspect of "Slick," his easy-reading book: its great storytelling and humor.
During his career, Whitey was not a particularly colorful or controversial personality. He may not have had the most drinks at Toots Shor's, but he was still a big part of the party, with Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle, or whomever. Whitey tells of events such as the famous Copacabana incident and the Phil Linz harmonica incident. He tells us how he was always willing to engage in fun activities or make a fun bet, such as against Jackie Gleason in a pool match. He also made sure he won Giant owner Horace Stoneham's double-or-nothing wager: at stake were golf expenses he and Mantle had run up on Stoneham's tab. Stoneham said it would be even if Ford got nemesis Willie Mays out in the 1961 All-Star Game, so Ford struck out Mays by throwing a spitball. Whitey also tells about using mudballs and cutballs late in his career and devotes a chapter to discussing cheating -- honest confessions (but Ford points out that so many other pitchers cheated too). His storytelling can extend outside of baseball. Whitey tried to use his bonus money to purchase a radio/record player at a store, but the proprietors called the police, suspicious about why Whitey had so much cash, not knowing who he really was. After Ford's identity was verified, they tried to accept the cash... Sorry guys.
While Ford was competitive, he was never nasty or a prima donna, and that is part of his appeal. As Mickey Mantle relates in the preface, Whitey is very likable, always getting along with everyone. Interestingly, Ford remarks that he could never have been a manager because he could not be tough enough. In this vein, "Slick" is upbeat, with none of the bitterness typical of so many sports autobiographies. All baseball fans should enjoy it.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A NICE READ FROM CHAIMAN OF THE BOARD, June 27, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Slick: My Life in and Around Baseball (Hardcover)
THIS IS THE STORY OF WHITEY FORD. IT IS VERY EASY READING AND ENJOYABLE BOOK. WHITEY DOESN'T GO INTO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT ALL THE DRINKING AND CAROUSING HE AND HIS BUDDIES (BILLY AND MICKEY) DID.
BUT HE HAS SEVERAL FUNNY STORIES. IT QUITE ENTERTAINING AND ENLIGHTENING. WHITEY TELLS ABOUT US WHAT HE HAD TO DO IN HIS LATER YEARS TO STAY HANG ON. HE GOES INTO SOME DETAIL ABOUT SCUFFING THE BALL AND OTHER WAYS HE USED TO DOCTOR THE BALL. HE IS A GOOD STORY TELLER AND I RECOMMEND THIS ALL BASEBALL FANS.
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2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Slick My Life In and Around Baseball, October 27, 2000
I enjoyed reading this book. I found this book interesting, funny, and informative. Most books I read seem to be dull and boring but this one was different. If you are a fan of baseball then i think you will enjoy reading this book. This book gives the point of view from a profesional baseball player and his expeirence of what goes on that people don't get to see pro athletes do and how they act. I would recomend this book to all readers because I think they would enjoy it as I did.
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