Books
The items on this page are seriously broken. I am not fixing them because I plan on doing something else with my book reviews on this site shortly (hopefully).
This page has some of my personal recommendations for Texas Rangers related books that you can purchase through Amazon.com (in addition to some non Ranger specific books about baseball that I like). If you'd like to look for books on your own, you can use the search provided at the bottom of the page. If you know of a Ranger book that you think should be here, drop me a line about it. I intend on putting only books on this page that I've read personally.
To order any book (or just to see more information about it), click on the cover.
Zim: A Baseball Life
by Don Zimmer
Synopsis: For more than half a century, Don Zimmer, baseball's beloved gerbil, has been the Zelig of the national pastime, the character in the corner of so many interesting pictures. He may have been only--as he likes to remind us throughout Zim: A Baseball Life--a .235 hitter, but he was a .235 hitter who played with Jackie Robinson on the only Brooklyn team to win a World Series. A year later, he was there, on the bench, when Don Larsen threw his perfect game. More than just an original Met, Zim was the first player ever photographed in a Mets uniform. As the Red Sox third-base coach in 1975, it was Zim who waved Carlton Fisk home in the bottom of the 12th to end the greatest World Series game ever played. Three years later, it was Zim, now the Sox manager, who watched in despair as Yankee shortstop Bucky Dent sealed one of the greatest late-season collapses in the annals of the game when Dent's pennant-winning homer settled into the net atop the Green Monster. Of course, it was Zim who led the Cubs, of all teams, to a rare postseason appearance, and, approaching 70 at the turn of the millennium, it was Zim who added four championship rings to his collection as Joe Torre's bench coach in the Bronx.
Bridging the gap between the game's early years of integration and the advent of the $200-million-plus contract, Zim hasn't just witnessed the history of the second half of 20th-century baseball, he's embodied it, and he remembers it with a genial charm and disarming honesty that turns Zim into one of the more spirited and beguiling baseball memoirs to step up in some time. "I've had a hell of a life," he admits with an amazed cheerfulness that's evident on every page. --Jeff Silverman
Joe's Remarks: I never was a big Don Zimmer fan until I saw the event that led to the caption of this book. I watched the game where he got hit in the head with a ball, and then came back out in a pith helmet. From that moment on, I was a Zimmer fan (as I am a Torre fan, even if I'm not a Yankee fan). Anyway, this book is a good read - Of course, I skipped to the chapter on his year or so as a Texas Rangers manager, which was my primary interest in reading the book. However, it's a lot more than that. If you get a chance, pick it up. It's good stuff.
Minor Players, Major Dreams
by Brett H. Mandel
Former high school ballplayer Brett Mandel yearned to experience a year in the minor
leagues, so he convinced the Ogden (Utah) Raptors, about to embark on their
maiden season, to let him chronicle that season from the perspective of a
uniformed player. They agreed. The resulting saga describes the long bus rides,
the bad food, the frustrations, and hopes that are all a part of baseball
dreaming with affectionate good humor. The book's true life, though, steps up in
the poignancy with which Mandel draws his teammates, young men destined for the
most part to fall short of their great desire. As a player, Mandel went 0 for 5
on the year, proving that the pen, long deemed mightier than the sword, can be
mightier than the bat, as well.
Joe's Remarks: What a wonderful book! I picked this one up, and it stayed in my stack of books
to read for about 6 months. That was a mistake - I should have read it
first. This is a great book if you're a fan of baseball, particularly if
you're a fan of minor league baseball. This tells the story of Brett's
year with the Ogden Raptors in 1994 from the start to the end of the
season. Brett's writing style is very easy to read. I tend to do
most of my reading before going to bed at night, which usually means I can take
several sessions to actually finish a book, as I did with this one. Most
books suffer from when you pick them up again, it's not that easy to jump right
in where you left off. This one does not have that. For me, it lent
itself great to reading it in chunks. Brett was on the Raptors for a whole
year, and this book is his recollection of the travels, details, and behind the
scenes things most people will never hear about. Check this out - this
book has nothing to do with the Texas Rangers, but it's a great GREAT baseball
book!
As an added bonus, I met the author last year when Lynn & I went to Baltimore to see the Rangers play there. Brett and some friends were coming back from Cooperstown for the HOF induction ceremony, and were in Baltimore to see the Orioles play. He himself told me about the book, and we had a few moments talking about the Phillies, as we're both from there. I wish I would have already read the book at this point, but Brett was a great guy to meet in person, too!
You're Out - and you're ugly, too!
by (the late) Durwood Merrill
After decades of abuse and spittle, Major League umpire Durwood Merrill strikes back with some pretty incisive, funny, and no-holds-barred anecdotes. When his book stays in the game, it's a real hoot, light and folksy; how can you not laugh with a guy who can admit that "Folks around the American League say I've sent a few pitchers to the Hall of Fame before their time because my strike zone tends to swell like George Steinbrenner's ego"? It's his own ego, though, that has him swinging for the seats and coming up short; he's not much of a memoirist. Thankfully, like a good umpire, he keeps his personal interference to a minimum and mostly sticks to business, offering some tough prescriptions for what ails the game, and some solid dissection of the intricacies of his craft. His thoughts on Pete Rose might lead you to believe that Charlie Hustle is the book's title character.
Joe's Remarks: When I
first bought this book, I wasn't quite sure what to think. I had heard a
few negative things about it, and kind of had a prejudice against it. Boy,
was that wrong! I found this to be a very funny, lighthearted read (for
the most part). There's some really wonderful insights into what it takes
to become a big league umpire - never quite realized all they went through in
"Umpire boot camp" (my term). It's not all fun and games,
there's a few stories about how an umpire friend of his was attacked and
crippled on the streets of Dallas, and the latter part talks a lot about his
charity works.
A great book - funny, light, and to be
honest, something that surprised me in a very good way. What was
personally annoying was that after I read this (during the last month of the 99
season), I wanted to watch Durwood, and then he up and retires during the
playoffs. Damn. Really wanted to see him after reading his
book. Oh well. Check it out, a good light read.
Seasons in Hell
by Mike Shrophsire
Assigned to cover the Texas Rangers for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in early 1973, gonzo
sportswriter Mike Shropshire looked forward to the perks and padded expense
account that went along with the job. He never dreamed he'd have to earn every
penny--following arguably the worst team in baseball history. Full of wild games
and wilder nights, and the exploits of some of the most extreme characters ever
to play the game, this book is Shropshire's irreverent, behind-the-scenes look
at the hell a truly pitiful team can raise between games and innings.
Joe's Remarks: I
wasn't quite sure what to think of this one either. I bought it because of
the tagline on the front about it being funny. I admit to not knowing a
whole lot about the very early years of the Rangers (I didn't move here until
1992, and didn't really follow 'em until 1995), and the thought about reading a
book all about them didn't thrill me.
However, I quickly found out that this
was a hysterically funny book. Mike Shrophsire has a very funny wit, and
isn't afraid to let it fly when talking about the Rangers of this era. His
recollection of events is awesome, and makes for very funny reading. If
you're a fan of the Rangers, or even if you're not, GET THIS! It's a very
great read, although I don't recommend it for very small kids, as there's more
than just one or two cuss words in there. Still, for adults, it's well
worth it.
As of Mar 2000, it appears to be out
of print (unfortunately) - but the link I provide by clicking on the cover will
allow you to order it. If you can find it on a bookstore shelf, get it now
while you still can.
Nolan Ryan: From Alvin to Cooperstown
by The Sporting News
Nolan Ryan: From Alvin to Cooperstown is a collection of articles and rare photographs from the archives of The Sporting News. With Ryan's 1999 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, this book is the first to capture his entire career in pictures with the New York Mets ('66-'70), California Angels ('71-'79), Houston Astros ('80-'88), and Texas Rangers ('89-'93). Baseball's all-time strikeout leader and the author of seven no-hitters, Nolan Ryan is in many ways the most remarkable pitcher to ever play the game.
Joe's Remarks: I got
a kick out of this book. Has a ton of pictures of Nolan through
his career, and covers virtually every aspect of his career. I was
fortunate enough to see him pitch one time in Texas (his final Texas
appearance), as I hadn't moved here till December of 1992. If you're a fan
of Nolan Ryan, then you should probably pick this up. It's not the
heaviest read ever put together, but it's a nice tribute to Nolan's career.
Texas Rangers: The Authorized History
by Eric Nadel
Synopsis: With 300 photos, many
in color, a host of interviews, and pertinent statistical matter, this resistible keepsake
for any Rangers fan brings readers all the glory of the 1996 season and covers all the
drama and color of the 24 seasons that preceded it.
Joe's Remarks: I loved this book. My wife gave it to me as a a present in 1997, and it was wonderful! I can't recommend this book enough.
I've only been a Texas Rangers fan since 1994, and my wife gave me this book as a present in 1997. I knew the Texas Rangers existed before I came to live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas area, but I never thought much of them. I didn't realize the characters and history of the team. If you're a casual Rangers fan, or a die hard Rangers fan, then you should have this book. It's filled with all kinds of informational pieces about the team's history, going back to the early 70's when they were the Washington Senators. Focuses heavily on the 1996 season in which they finally made it to the playoffs after about 25 years.
As the Texas Rangers now move into the Alex Rodriguez era, the book probably could stand an update, as a lot has happened since the book was published during the 1997 season, but it's a great read if you're into team history.
