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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book But Whitey Got Carried Away At Times, January 1, 2003
This review is from: You're Missin' a Great Game (Paperback)
Whitey Herzog's book absolutely savaged contemporary baseball. His roadmap for constructing the 1982 Cardinals was a path all too forgotten. Just ask whoever signs Texas Ranger Alex Rodriguez's $250.0 million paycheck. Whitey's essential theme is that wining baseball begins with complementary chemistry, good defense and the ability to move over and ultimately drive home a run in a close game. All feed into the basic premise that a good quality pitching staff, managed well ensures pennants will fly. Some of the stories are priceless. Trading Ted Simmons; dealing with Gary Templeton; and, understanding Joaquin Andujar are "geez, I can't put this down" stories. Don't read too fast -- the "Pete Rose moment" in this book is priceless. The most compelling read, however, is how Whitey destroys the concept of statistics for statistical purposes. Winning baseball and certain good statistical performance from key players, notably home runs, do not always correlate -- a theme that runs through this book over and over again. While this book should be the bible for gerenal managers and others constructing baseball teams, it gets occasionally carried away in excessive collequialisms. Whitey at times forgets substance is more important than style. But the style excesses are far overwhelmed by the substance that Whitey offers into the business of baseball. It's a must read, especially if you're a Cub fan trying to understand why your team hasn't won a World Series in nearly a century.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful, Vibrant look at baseball, August 8, 2007
This review is from: You're Missin' a Great Game (Paperback)
This treatise by Whitey Herzog is like the White Rat himself; straightforward, gruff, and thought-provoking. Herzog criticizes today's homer-centered, steroid-based play, recounts his years as manager and general manager, and analyzes many additional factors. A skilled handler of pitching staffs, Herzog describes his actions here in readable detail. He also offers views on many facets of baseball, including finances, labor relations, franchise competitiveness, trades, the designated hitter, player development, teams he managed in the playoffs (Kansas City) and World Series (St. Louis), etc. Herzog blames the Cardinal loss in the 1985 Series on that famous bad call, but this is only probable, as KC still had two good hitters due up in a one-run game. Herzog also suggests a host of changes for the game, many sensible, others debatable. Readers might not always agree with Herzog or his salty language, but his words should make them think as deeply about the game as he does. This slightly-dated (1999) book remains a valuable and fast-paced read, but with enough factual errors (Lou Brock stole 118 bases not 114, Bud Grant lost four Super Bowls not three, Marvin Miller became union head in 1966 not the 1970's) that one wonders why publishers seldom assign to their baseball books editors versed in sports trivia. Still, despite minor flaws, this is a thoughtful look by a man who'se love for baseball comes through loud and clear.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Error: Editors, January 28, 2002
This review is from: You're Missin' a Great Game (Paperback)
What keeps this from being a thoroughly splendid read are the frequent errors. In a reference to football, it has Bud Grant losing three Super Bowls. The actual number is four. It claims G. Templeton is the only player to get 100 hits from each side of the plate in a season. Yet Willie Wilson (one of Herzog's prize pupils) did the same. It has Lou Brock's highest base stealing total for a year at 114, when the real number is 118. And in the craziest of them all, Herzog has St. Louis leading KC 2-1 going into the ninth inning of Game 6 in 1985. It was 1-0; 2-1 was the final score. The Denkinger call is one of the defining moments of Herzog's career and the facts are still wrong! However, IF one can get past the false information, this is a quick, insightful read. True, Herzog inevitably comes out looking good in his dealings with owners and players. But the main focus of this book is on what's wrong with baseball. While baseball types have been complaining about the "modern game" since the 1850s, Herzog cites specific examples as to why the game today is hurting. From agents to the gutting of the scouting system to millionaires throwing to the wrong cutoff man, Herzog tells us what's wrong with baseball and how to fix it.
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