DR. HARVEY FROMMER ON SPORTS
Robert Weintraub’s “The House That Ruth Built” (Little Brown, $26.99, 420 pages) takes us back to the 1923 season, the creation of Yankee Stadium and the seeds of the Yankee dynasty that was to come.
Nice to see four references to works of mine in the bibliography – and a tip of the Yankee cap to Weintraub for an impressive list of references all of which he has made good use of in this detailed and dramatic narrative. Part memoir, part history of sports since 1957, part name dropping, part graceful and moving and nuanced love letter about sports “An Accidental Sportswriter” by Robert Lipsyte (Ecco, $25.99, 246 pages) leaves the reader wanting more. I can’t wait for Part II. Lipsyte, a former award winning sportswriter for the NY Times has penned an –inside-the- parker. MUST READ
“The Wisdom Wooden” by John Wooden and Steve Jamison (McGraw Hill, $22.00, coffee table size)is the final word of the late and great legendary hoops icon. It is a primer on living life the right way. Archival images, many never before published, adorn the pages of this appealing tome.
From Simon & Schuster comes Timothy M. Gay’s “Satch, Dizzy & Rapid Robert ($15.00, 349 pages, paper) a roller coaster ride through baseball before Jackie Robinson. The focus is on Satchel Paige, Dizzy Dean and Bob Feller and much more. Barnstorming as big business and social revolution and much more.
A piece of sports history that made big headlines back in 1968 but for many has faded into obscurity has now re-surfaced in “Something in the Air” by Richard Hoffer (University of Nebraska Press, $19.95, 268 pages, paper). A very interesting book that probes the stories of both black and white athletes gathered for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and the paths they chose to express themselves.
2011 marks Harvey Frommer's 36th consecutive year of writing sports books. A noted oral historian and sports journalist, the author of 41 sports books including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed REMEMBERING YANKEE STADIUM, an oral/narrative history was published in 2008 as well as a reprint version of his classic "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball." Frommer's newest work is REMEMBERING FENWAY PARK: AN ORAL AND NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE HOME OF RED SOX NATION (Abrams).
He is available for speaking engagements. FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.
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Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Fenway Park Flashback: All Star Game 1999
(Excerpt from Remembering Fenway Park: An Oral and Narrative History of the Home of the Boston Red Sox/Abrams 2011 By Harvey Frommer - - now available in stores and on-line and direct from the author)
One of the marker times at Fenway Park not ony of that season, but the entire decade took place July 13, 1999 at the 70th All-Star Game. On hand were the candidates for the All-Century Team as well as the 1999 All Stars. And since it was staged on Boston’s home turf – the center of attraction was Theodore Francis Williams.
Four dollars ($3.80 plus 20 cents tax) was the charge at the All-Star Game for a Footlong Dog with fixings like onions, peppers, diced tomatoes and giardineira.
CHRIS ELIAS: A lot of the National League stars got their first look at the manual scoreboard. Many came inside for a closer view; some signed the walls.
ART DAVIDSON: Pre- game, the 50 greatest players and current All Stars were lined up on the baselines.
CHARLIE PATTERSON: PA announcer Sherm Feller said: " And now ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please direct your attention to the doors in center field and welcome the greatest hitter of all time, THE KID, THE THUMPER, THE SPENDID SPLINTER, TEDDY BALLGAME------------THEODORE SAMUEL WILLIAMS!!!!!!!"
ART DAVIDSON: As Ted came out in a golf cart from center field to the Fenway Park infield. Spontaneously, players rushed to embrace Ted.
The 80-year-old legend of legends, clad in a blue shirt and tan pants, was visibly moved. He brushed away tears as he spoke to the players surrounding him.
Then Williams got set for the ceremonial pitch to Carlton Fisk. With San Diego’s Tony Gwynn steadying him, he waved at Fisk and lofted the ball 40 feet into the glove of the Hall of Fame catcher to cheers, shouts, and applause.
Wasn't it great!" a visibly moved Williams said afterwards. “It didn't surprise me all that much because I know how these fans are here in Boston. They love this game as much as any players and Boston's lucky to have the faithful Red Sox fans. They're the best."
LOU GORMAN: Ceremonies over, we escorted Ted to a luxury box. Through my Navy contacts I had arranged for a Navy fighter squad flyover over the top of the ballpark.
He wanted to meet the pilots. “Look," I told them, just shake his hand. He’s getting very tired." But Ted invited them to sit down, and they talked for about ten minutes.
A Marine Corps contingent had been down on the field. The very young captain who was in charge asked if some of his guys could meet Ted.
“Just meet him and shake his hand and be brief,” I told the Captain. He made them sit down and talked for another ten minutes. Ted said being a Major League player was a great honor and being a Hall of Famer was an even greater honor. But the greatest honor of his life was to have the privilege of wearing a Marine uniform.
The American League won the All Star Game, 4-1. Pedro Martinez thrilled the home town fans and everyone else – striking out the first three batters he faced and a total of five in two innings. He was the game MVP.
JOE CASTIGLIONE: Pedro is my favorite all-time pitcher, the best pitcher I’ve ever seen. When Pedro pitched, it was an event with Dominican flags flying and all the excitement in the ballpark.
TOM CARRON: The entire All-Star Game experience from the homerun derby to Landsdowne Street -- throbbing with people trying to get home runs balls as they came over the Monster, to Ted Williams being at the heart of it all, to Pedro’s performance, to the Sox taking over a parking lot for the media hospitality, using every nook and cranny, having something going on everywhere you would turn. . . it was special.
About the author
2011 marks Harvey Frommer's 36th consecutive year of writing sports books. A noted oral historian and sports journalist, the author of 41 sports books including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed REMEMBERING YANKEE STADIUM, an oral/narrative history was published in 2008. Frommer's newest work REMEMBERING FENWAY PARK: AN ORAL AND NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE HOME OF RED SOX NATION (Abrams) is available direct from the author or at online sites or at bookstores.
http://harveyfrommersports.com/remembering_fenway/
He is available for speaking engagements.
FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.
One of the marker times at Fenway Park not ony of that season, but the entire decade took place July 13, 1999 at the 70th All-Star Game. On hand were the candidates for the All-Century Team as well as the 1999 All Stars. And since it was staged on Boston’s home turf – the center of attraction was Theodore Francis Williams.
Four dollars ($3.80 plus 20 cents tax) was the charge at the All-Star Game for a Footlong Dog with fixings like onions, peppers, diced tomatoes and giardineira.
CHRIS ELIAS: A lot of the National League stars got their first look at the manual scoreboard. Many came inside for a closer view; some signed the walls.
ART DAVIDSON: Pre- game, the 50 greatest players and current All Stars were lined up on the baselines.
CHARLIE PATTERSON: PA announcer Sherm Feller said: " And now ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please direct your attention to the doors in center field and welcome the greatest hitter of all time, THE KID, THE THUMPER, THE SPENDID SPLINTER, TEDDY BALLGAME------------THEODORE SAMUEL WILLIAMS!!!!!!!"
ART DAVIDSON: As Ted came out in a golf cart from center field to the Fenway Park infield. Spontaneously, players rushed to embrace Ted.
The 80-year-old legend of legends, clad in a blue shirt and tan pants, was visibly moved. He brushed away tears as he spoke to the players surrounding him.
Then Williams got set for the ceremonial pitch to Carlton Fisk. With San Diego’s Tony Gwynn steadying him, he waved at Fisk and lofted the ball 40 feet into the glove of the Hall of Fame catcher to cheers, shouts, and applause.
Wasn't it great!" a visibly moved Williams said afterwards. “It didn't surprise me all that much because I know how these fans are here in Boston. They love this game as much as any players and Boston's lucky to have the faithful Red Sox fans. They're the best."
LOU GORMAN: Ceremonies over, we escorted Ted to a luxury box. Through my Navy contacts I had arranged for a Navy fighter squad flyover over the top of the ballpark.
He wanted to meet the pilots. “Look," I told them, just shake his hand. He’s getting very tired." But Ted invited them to sit down, and they talked for about ten minutes.
A Marine Corps contingent had been down on the field. The very young captain who was in charge asked if some of his guys could meet Ted.
“Just meet him and shake his hand and be brief,” I told the Captain. He made them sit down and talked for another ten minutes. Ted said being a Major League player was a great honor and being a Hall of Famer was an even greater honor. But the greatest honor of his life was to have the privilege of wearing a Marine uniform.
The American League won the All Star Game, 4-1. Pedro Martinez thrilled the home town fans and everyone else – striking out the first three batters he faced and a total of five in two innings. He was the game MVP.
JOE CASTIGLIONE: Pedro is my favorite all-time pitcher, the best pitcher I’ve ever seen. When Pedro pitched, it was an event with Dominican flags flying and all the excitement in the ballpark.
TOM CARRON: The entire All-Star Game experience from the homerun derby to Landsdowne Street -- throbbing with people trying to get home runs balls as they came over the Monster, to Ted Williams being at the heart of it all, to Pedro’s performance, to the Sox taking over a parking lot for the media hospitality, using every nook and cranny, having something going on everywhere you would turn. . . it was special.
About the author
2011 marks Harvey Frommer's 36th consecutive year of writing sports books. A noted oral historian and sports journalist, the author of 41 sports books including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed REMEMBERING YANKEE STADIUM, an oral/narrative history was published in 2008. Frommer's newest work REMEMBERING FENWAY PARK: AN ORAL AND NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE HOME OF RED SOX NATION (Abrams) is available direct from the author or at online sites or at bookstores.
http://harveyfrommersports.com/remembering_fenway/
He is available for speaking engagements.
FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.
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