Willie Mays: A Biography (Baseball's All-Time Greatest Hitters) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“For a solid biography of baseball's great, look no further than Mary Kay Linge's WILLIE MAYS: A BIOGRAPHY: it covers everything from his segregated childhood in Birmingham Alabama to how he became the first black team captain in baseball, then moved up to become a world-famous player. From his army stint to his championship season, WILLIE MAYS captures all the highlights of his career and life.”–Midwest Book Review/MBR Bookwatch & California Bookwatch

Product Description

Willie Mays' career bridged eras in baseball history, from the Negro Leagues to expansion to free agency. Through it all, his all-around ability and his love of the game set him apart. His career accomplishments include 660 home runs, 2 MVPs, Rookie of the Year, and the first 30-30 season. No other player is cited by so many of his peers as the best they have ever seen. From his childhood growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama to becoming the first black team captain in baseball, Mays' life is described in detail. Readers will learn of his early life, his career with the Giants and the Mets, his induction into the Hall of Fame, understanding why he is regarded by many today as baseball's greatest living player.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (October 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313334013
• ISBN-13: 978-0313334016
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #566,320 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An average biography, July 18, 2007

By	Bookworm - See all my reviews

Not the standard by which biographies should be judged, but okay. Unless you're a huge Willie or Giants fan, it's not a must read. There are a few editing mistakes and several factual errors. Juan Marichal was suspended eight days not nine in 1965 for his fight with John Roseboro as reported in the book. There were other errors that a baseball fan would know as obviously wrong, such as making a 400' throw from the outfield to 2nd base.

It covers Willie's life equally. Talks of his special relationship with Leo Durocher and how Willie didn't care for Bill Rigney. It talks about Willie's two marriages a sufficient amount and his problems in buying a house when he first moved to SF. It also tells that Willie moved back to NY to placate his first wife to try to save his marriage. Maintaining homes on both coasts was a strain on Willie financially. The book also mentions that Willie worn large baseball hats, so it was easier for his hat to fall off and impress the crowd. Now we know!

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures all the highlights of his career and life., January 6, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

For a solid biography of baseball's great, look no further than Mary Kay Linge's WILLIE MAYS: A BIOGRAPHY: it covers everything from his segregated childhood in Birmingham Alabama to how he became the first black team captain in baseball, then moved up to become a world-famous player. From his army stint to his championship season, WILLIE MAYS captures all the highlights of his career and life.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch