Title: My 66 Years in the Big Leagues (Dover Baseball)
Author: Connie Mack
Genre: Baseball, Memoir, Sports Memoir
Book Blurb:
A Founding Father of modern baseball, Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy started out as a catcher and moved on to become the consummate manager and part owner of the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901 to 1950. Better known as Connie Mack, he cut a dashing figure clad in a business suit and straw skimmer. With an even-tempered manner, "Mr. Mack" was regarded as a unique combination of coach and father figure by his players—who included such all-time greats as Ty Cobb, Lefty Grove, and Chief Bender. This engaging autobiography, written with his characteristic warmth and enthusiasm, reads like a history of baseball during the first half of the twentieth century.
Enhanced by seventy photos, Mack walks us through his amazing life—and the highlights of his legendary career. He holds the records for most wins and losses by a manager, he won nine American League pennants, brought the A's to eight World Series and won five of them. Plus, there has never been another man who has managed one sports team for fifty years. Achieving the ultimate recognition, the "Grand Old Man of Baseball" was elected to the National Hall of Fame in 1937, and was the first person chosen for the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
My Review:
A fantastic book that was originally written in 1950 and only recently reprinted. The tales that Mack shares are incredible. As a baseball fan I find the value of first person stories about professional baseball championships played in the 1880's to be priceless. I would wager there are precious few places you can find detail about the team and players in the late 1800's then in this amazing book. Mack is the consummate storyteller and this book is a must read for every baseball fan.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Reviewed by: Mrs. N