Kirkus Review
Crackerjack survey of the national pastime, focusing on the exploits of Hall-of-Famers. This is really three books in one: a bright, anecdotal history of the sport by Astor; close-up studies of nine outstanding players by leading sportswriters; and a gallery of over 300 duotone and color photos (not seen). Astor's report hits all the bases, from the invention of baseball by Alexander Cartwright to the expansion era of the 1960's. Early chapters soar, as the sport teems with little-known Hall-of-Famers (Jim ""The Little Steam Engine"" Galvin, Billy ""Sliding"" Hamilton) whom Astor lovingly animates. He approaches the cavernous middle decades with solid reporting and curious facts (to protect his eyesight, Roger Hornsby never saw a movie; Tinkers and Evers, two-thirds of the Cubs' famed double-play combination, hated each other's guts). By the 1970's and 80's, Astor runs out of things to say--it's not yet clear which recent superstars will eventually join the immortals. As for the close-ups, outstanding entries include Shirley Povich's genuflection to Walter Johnson (she saw him pitch in 1922, remembers him as ""the most humble and honest man to play the game""), Ed Linn on Sandy Koufax (""a wall of amiability""), Roy Blount, Jr., on Roberto Clemente (""the only member of the Hall of Fame who ever told a photographer he was going to kill me""). Babe Ruth (George Vecsey), Brooks Robinson (Thomas Boswell), Willie Mays (Ron Fimrite), Mickey Mantle (Robert Lipsyte), Jackie Robinson (Roger Kahn), and Cap Anson (Robert Creamer) also receive individual accolades. Each of the solo essays could stand alone; united here, and complemented by Astor's superb summary of almost 150 years of diamond capers, this challenges for first place in the 1988 baseball-book pennant race. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
This commemorative edition celebrates the first five decades of baseball's Valhalla and the men enshrined in it. Gerald Astor's extremely readable and concise history of the professional game makes up much of the text, but the drawing card here is the collection of nine original essays on nine baseball greats by the sport's top writers. For example, Thomas Boswell contributes an emotionally charged piece on Brooks Robinson, and Roger Kahn reminisces about Jackie Robinson. Also featured are Robert Creamer on Cap Anson, Shirley Povich on Walter Johnson, and Roy Blount on Roberto Clemente, among others. Profusely illustrated with a 16-page color insert and more than 350 black-and-white photographs. A wonderful volume that conveys both the history and the humanity of the game. Index. WL.
Library Journal Review
This collection of original essays by some of America's most distinguished sports writers recognizes 50 years of baseball's Hall of Fame with stories on Cap Anson, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, and Brooks Robinson. The result is not only a history of the Hall, but also a chronicle of the game as seen through the lives of its players. Hundreds of historical photographs, including original color pictures of the museum's memorabilia, accompany the text. An accurate reflection of the game's tradition and lore, and a fan's delight. William H. Hoffman, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., Fla. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
