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Joe Posnanski
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The Machine: A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-stopping World Series: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds Kindle Edition

by Joe Posnanski (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 331 ratings
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“The best book ever written about the Big Red Machine . . . You’ll see Bench, Morgan, and Sparky in different lights than you’ve ever seen them before.” —Cincinnati Enquirer

The New York Times–Bestseller

Award-winning sports columnist Joe Posnanski hits a grand slam with The Machine—a thrilling account of the magical 1975 season of the Cincinnati Reds, baseball’s legendary “Big Red Machine,” from spring training through the final game of the ’75 World Series. Featuring a Hall of Fame lineup of baseball superstars—including Johnny Bench, George Foster, Joe Morgan, Cesar Geronimo, and “Charlie Hustle” Pete Rose himself—The Machine is a wild ride with one of the greatest baseball teams in the history of the American Pastime.

“One of the best sportswriters in America offers a definitive account of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. [His] conversational style brings to life a great season.” —The Washington Times

“A fun, engaging, and fascinating look at one of baseball’s all-time great teams.” —St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Posnanski offers an eloquent reminder that the great Cincinnati Reds teams—especially the ’75 Reds—deserve a place of prominence in our memory, same as this book demands a place of prominence on your shelf.” —New York Post

“If you like baseball you will love this book. If you don’t like baseball you will wonder how you could not like baseball when a book about the game is so entertaining . . . The writing in this book is inviting, the storytelling magical, and the detail fanatical.” —Augusta Chronicle (Georgia)
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  1. Print length
    338 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  5. Publication date
    August 27, 2009
  6. File size
    2323 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

There are memorable teams in baseball—and then there are utterly unforgettable teams like the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. From 1972 to 1976, the franchise known as the Big Red Machine dominated the National League, winning four division crowns, three league pennants, and two World Series titles. But their 1975 season has become the stuff of sports legend.

In The Machine, award-winning sports columnist Joe Posnanski captures all of the passion and tension, drama and glory of this extraordinary team considered to be one of the greatest ever to take the field. Helmed by Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, the lineup for the '75 Reds is a Who's Who of baseball stars: Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, and Dave Concepcion. Like a well-oiled engine, the '75 Reds ended the regular season with 108 wins and finished a whopping 20 games ahead of their closest division competitor, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But that remarkable year was not without controversy. Feuds, fights, insults, and run-ins with fans were as much a part of the season as hits, runs, steals, and strikeouts. Capturing this rollicking thrill-ride of a story, Posnanski brings to vivid life the excitement, hope, and high expectations that surrounded the players from the beginning of spring training through the long summer and into a nail-biting World Series, where, in the ninth inning of the seventh game, the Big Red Machine fulfilled its destiny, defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3.

As enthralling and entertaining as the season and players it captures, The Machine is the story of a team unlike any other in the sport's glorious history.

About the Author

A senior writer at Sports Illustrated, Joe Posnanski has twice been named the Best Sports Columnist in America by the Associated Press Sports Editors for his work at the Kansas City Star. He is the author of The Good Stuff and The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America, which won the prestigious Casey Award for best baseball book of 2007. His work has also been anthologized in Best American Sports Writing, and he lives with his family in Kansas City, Missouri.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002MZUPYM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; Reprint edition (August 27, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 27, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2323 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 331 ratings

About the author

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Joe Posnanski

Joe Posnanski

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Joe Posnanski is the New York Times bestselling author of Paterno, The Machine, and The Secret of Golf. He is currently the founder and editor of Joe Blogs at JoePosnanski.com as well as co-host of "The PosCast" podcast with television producer Michael Schur. Joe served as Senior Writer for The Athletic, MLB, NBC Sports, and Sports Illustrated, and co-founder of Passions in America. He was named national Sportswriter of the Year by the Sports Media Hall of Fame and was twice named the best sports columnist in America by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He is a two-time Emmy winner as part of NBC Sports Olympic coverage, and his first book "The Soul of Baseball," won The Casey Award as best baseball book. He was recently honored with the Tony Kubek Award by the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame, and he was given the Buck O'Neil Award by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. He is the author of six books and has been anthologized widely. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife Margo, daughters Elizabeth and Katie, and standard poodle Westley.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
331 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storytelling interesting, well-written, and beautiful. They also appreciate the fascinating insights into the lives of Sparky Anderson, Joe Morgan, and Johnny. Readers describe the book as a great trip down memory lane.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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StorytellingWriting qualityContextNostalgia
47 customers mention "Storytelling"47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very interesting, well written, and fun. They also say the team is unbelievable and the author portrayed them as individuals.

"...The team was unbelievable and Posnanski's book captures the excitement of the Reds 1975 championship quest...." Read more

"...How about two? I enjoyed the stories within this book, especially the story about the man called Sparky.I admire PASSION!..." Read more

"...A well written baseball book is hard to find. I find myself having to read at least ten of them to find one gem and this would be my latest...." Read more

"...Reading His Baseball & Sports Books are simply and enjoyable experience, for This Baseball Lifer!!FAMGuyer (Baseball Lifer & FAMDaddy)" Read more

20 customers mention "Writing quality"17 positive3 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book very well written, with realistic nuance. They also say the different players are wonderfully delivered with realistic nuances.

"...as too simplistic, but from my perspective, the book reads as smoothly as any baseball book I have ever read. I could not put it down...." Read more

"...Baseball is beautiful because there is so much going on, but most of it is in the minds of the players, coaches and spectators...." Read more

"...quickly becoming the Frank Deford of his generation, has a very engaging writing style...." Read more

"A concise and entertaining telling of the story of the ‘75 Reds. One of the best baseball books I have picked up in a while." Read more

14 customers mention "Context"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the context fascinating, detailed, and entertaining. They also say the author conveys a good story about the 1975 Cincinnati Reds.

"...He gives the reader fascinating insights into the lives of Sparky Anderson, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, and Pete Rose at the height of..." Read more

"...Joe Posnanski brings a fresh approach to a subject I thought had been done to death...." Read more

"...So, I think the author is great, and the subject is meaningful to me. I'm pretty much primed to like the book...." Read more

"...paints both the good and bad of these guys in what seems a very insightful evenhanded way. But you end up wanting more." Read more

10 customers mention "Nostalgia"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great trip down memory lane with lots of great stories. They also say it provides insight into the men of "Big Red Machine".

"This is a fun, quick trip down memory lane and a delight for anyone who remembers the Big Red Machine...." Read more

"...The author has done a very good job of recreating the times and what was going on in 1975...." Read more

"...This book is a wonderful trip down memory lane... it is a lovely walk...but the path is very narrow and ultimately far too brief...." Read more

"...So much more. Who knew it would ever end. The book helps the memories live on. A great book for any Reds fan or student of the game." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

G. Michael Green
5.0 out of 5 stars Great trip down memory lane...Best Baseball Book of the Year !!
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2009
Verified Purchase
Joe Posnanski's new book, "The Machine" might be the best baseball book of the year. Like the author, I grew up idolizing the Big Red Machine as a youngster. As a nine year old, I remember listening to Marty and Joe call the Reds games on WLW nearly every night from my small southern Indiana town. The team was unbelievable and Posnanski's book captures the excitement of the Reds 1975 championship quest. It is clear that the author used in-depth interviews with many member of the Machine. He gives the reader fascinating insights into the lives of Sparky Anderson, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, and Pete Rose at the height of their professional success. I found Sparky Anderson's class system interesting - his stars (Bench, Rose, Morgan, and Perez) had their own set of clubhouse and training rules. The rest of the players, who Sparky called his turds, answered to another set of rules (Anderson's) while all the time trying to claw their way into Anderson's favored elite class. The system worked because the four Reds superstars would not allow anyone, including themselves, an overly inflated ego. Pranks, jokes, and razzing kept the Reds a loose bunch of superstars. No one's ego got too carried away.

Posnanski correctly describes the team's slow start in '75 and the desperate lineup adjustment by Anderson - moving Rose from left field to third base, thus free up LF for a young, blossoming George Foster - that sparked the Reds amazing summer run. There has been no team as talented or good as the Reds since 1975 and Posnanski does a masterful job telling the entire season's story. Including a great job describing the infamous '75 World Series. Others may criticize his writing style as too simplistic, but from my perspective, the book reads as smoothly as any baseball book I have ever read. I could not put it down.

Finally, perhaps the most interesting part of the book is Posnanski's insights and discussions with Pete Rose. We all know about Pete's troubled past: the gambling on baseball, the lies, the tax evasion, the time in federal prison. I struggle with my feeling about Rose. One day I hate him for what he has turned into. Other days, (and as I read this book) I remember what an incredible ball player he was. Rose is truly a bigger than life character, possibly the most competitive person to ever play the game. Pete Rose is truly an American tragedy, but Posnanski allowed me to once again see Rose through the eyes of an unspoiled, awe-struck, nine year old. Pete Rose will always be one of the heroes of my youth. Thanks Joe for a great book.
20 people found this helpful
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Aztborn Brownlan
5.0 out of 5 stars The Spark that ignites the Fire!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2011
Verified Purchase
This is not Shakespeare that's for sure. I can read Shakespeare and enjoy it but I'd rather read a good story about real people and baseball. This book brings the "Gods of Baseball" down to Earth for us mortals to meet. How many managers have won a championship? How about two? I enjoyed the stories within this book, especially the story about the man called Sparky.

I admire PASSION! Joe Posnanski's passion for writing and baseball allow the subjects in his book to showcase their passions. This book is about the passion of all the members of a great baseball team, the 1975 Reds. You will read about management and its passions for winning and being stingy. You will read about the manager and his passion for winning, at whatever cost. You will read about stars and their passion for personal fame, money and winning. And you will read about "turds" and their passion to be a bigger "cog" in "the machine"!

Some reviewer criticize Posnanski's style as being simplistic and shallow. But, I thnk they just don't get it. They are just like the people who say that baseball is boring. Those people are looking for action just like those reviewers are looking for literary perfection or a classic in every book they read. Baseball is beautiful because there is so much going on, but most of it is in the minds of the players, coaches and spectators. This book may seem simple or boring on the surface but if you love baseball you will love the simple stories of the members of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. The author allows you to enter a world very few have entered and (mentally) explore it as you please.

I was taken back to a time when I was very young. I was taken back to 1975 and I enjoyed the journey. I was also taken into the professional lives of coaches and athletes. And I was even taken into their personal lives. These guys had personal lives? Sure they did!! But how many baseball fans or even Reds fans considered the personal lives of these "Gods of Baseball"? This book is refreshing because it reminds us that baseball players are not role models. Although we have ever-increasingly demanded them to be(because they make so much money). They can be heroes and not be role models.

In this book you will also get a look at our country, from sports standpoint, at a crossroad. Things were going on, things were changing, and all those things affected baseball and the Reds. There is a sub-plot regarding Sparky and his son that symbolizes the acute gap between the generations during this time in America. It reminds us that there will always be this gap and that gap CAN be bridged!! Baseball can bridge that gap! Baseball has bridged that gap! Baseball will continue to bridge that gap!

Joe Posnanski doesn't have a lot of experience writing books and that's OK. He is a sportswriter, columnist and blogger. He knows sports and especially baseball. He knows how to write baseball. He knows baseball words and baseball writing style. Although he is not an accomplished author he is an accomplished sportswriter (prize-winning). Don't let his lack of experience as an author fool you into thinking that he is not a great WRITER. He is a great writer and I expect his future books to be even better. But, don't come looking for his early books after you "discover" him later, as a prize-winning AUTHOR! You have your chance now! Buy this book! Enjoy it and pass it on! Buy "The Soul of Baseball" and do the same with that book!

Go back in time and rediscover America's national pasttime!!
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Paul Green
5.0 out of 5 stars In-Depth behind the scenes perspective
Reviewed in Canada on July 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
I grew up a Reds fan. This book brings back so many vivid memories of The Machine. You will learn so much about the players. This book will make you laugh out loud and also stand up and cheer. It is hard to put down. You just want to keep on reading.
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Lava1964
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story about a baseball powerhouse
Reviewed in Canada on November 6, 2012
Verified Purchase
This was a terrific story about the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. This was a team that started slowly but eventually hit its stride, blowing away their NL West divisional rivals with 108 wins in the regular season. The Reds swept the Pittsurgh Pirates in the NLCS, and, in the unforgettable 1975 World Series, were taken to the brink by the Boston Red Sox. The author does an excellent job discussing the personalities that made the team click: Sparky Anderson, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Ken Griffey, Johnny Bench, George Foster, and the rest. I highly recommend it for any baseball buff.
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Simon Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars maybe the best lineup ever?
Reviewed in Canada on October 18, 2010
Verified Purchase
I don't know if I would agree that the 1975 Cincinnati Reds were the best team ever, but their lineup was marvellous. After a few pages, I was expecting that the chronological style would get pretty dreary going all the way through a season that happened 35 years ago. But it didn't! The opposite happened, and by the time I got into september I was torn between reading slower to make the book last longer, and powering through because I couldn't put it down. I just wish there was a 1976 version. I don't know how posnanski came up with the dialogues that are in here, but he is able to shed light on these old school ball players. its a good book.
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