Mark J. Schmetzer

This book was a lot of fun to read. The first World Series I watched was the 1971 Orioles vs. Pirates and the next I paid close attention to was the 1975 Reds vs. Red Sox. I won $5 from my oldest brother on the latter, and the victory was sweeter than the $$. And I've loved the Nationals since they came to town despite their record. So the Frank Robinson and Cincinnati Reds story was interesting to me on a lot of levels. Reading about a team other than the Yankees, Dodgers or Cardinals was a treat. Definitely a book for baseball buffs, of which I'm one, but my personal history as a baseball fan is from the 1970s so this tale from an earlier era and of lesser known players is well worth the time.… (meer)

Before the famous Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s, the 1961 Cincinnati Reds, known as the Ragamuffin Reds, won the 1961 National League pennant. Despite a workmanlike, at times almost dry, writing style, the author manages to bring that team to life in a somewhat interesting way. This book, however, could've benefitted from more anecdotes and a less rigid adherence to a chronological re-telling of the season.

Except for baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, and perhaps Vada Pinson, the players on the 1961 Reds, such as Gordy Coleman, Gene Freese, Jim O'Toole, and Jim Maloney (the only player to bridge the transition between the Ragamuffin Reds and the Big Red Machine), are not generally well-remembered names today, outside of this area, most likely.

One oddity: During the 1961 season, the National League teams played only 154 games while the American League team played 162 games (which is now the standard).

This book would've greatly benefitted from a listing of Reds players' statistics, or at least a team roster. Including the 1961 season's standings would've helped, too.

I'd recommend this book to a Reds fan and to any baseball fan who likes to read about often forgotten teams/players.… (meer)

Before the Machine is about Cincinnati's early sixties pennant that preceded their mid seventies success. It's a quick read due in part to b&w photos every few pages. Mark Schmetzer clearly researched this thoroughly based on quotes from numerous players, baseball insiders, and other observers. There are also plenty of play by play accounts, but they sometimes bog down the narrative.

It's an interesting story that captures the drama and excitement of the Reds season. There is plenty of background on how the team was formed. Many snippets of baseball at that time round out a book that's more than just a one dimensional team yearbook.

I recommend Before the Machine for any baseball fan.… (meer)

When I was 14 the Chicago Cubs won the NL East and went to the postseason for the first time since 1945. I kept a scrapbook with every boxscore plus newspaper stories etc. right up thru their crushing defeat in game 5 in SD. This book reminded me very much of that scrapbook. Schmetzer obviously enjoyed retracing the 1961 Reds and does a fine job of chronicling the entire season right up to their demise at the hands of the Yankees in the World Series. While the book would be much more appreciated by Reds fans it’s still an interesting look at baseball history. While staying mostly with the day to day activities of the ’61 Reds, Schmetzer does write about Crosley Field, the Reds broadcasters and GM DeWitt as well. Again these things would all be more interesting to a Reds fan but it is still a solid baseball book.… (meer)