Jim O'Brien (1) (1942–)

Sports records and milestones are made to be broken. This one is approaching a half century without a challenge and it was a long time coming before it was set. According to Jim O'Brien's account, the team was destined to win the series that year, but the manner in which it was won was unique and remains so to this day.

O'Brien interviews not only members of that 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates team but members of the Yankees team as well. I am not really much of a baseball fan, but the book drew me in in a personal way and became a very enjoyable team portrait. The interviews are well conducted and the people are well represented.

The author shows that Mazeroski should not only be known for that ninth inning home run, but for his overall skill as a ball player. That one home run has overshadowed his other accomplishments to the point that many feel it has kept him out of the Hall of Fame for too long, since membership into that select body requires more than a one time performance. In 2001, eight years after this book was published, Bill Mazeroski was finally inducted. Maz certainly deserved to take his place next to the other baseball immortals that have worn the Pirates uniform, including Honus Wagner, Casey Stengel (yes he played for Pittsburgh, "You could look it up!") and Roberto Clemente.

Everyone interviewed described Mazeroski as a modest man, not boastful of his performance. Jim O'Brien continues this theme by devoting the book to the entire team, not just one person. One theme that comes through in the interviews with the players, old timers by todays standards, is they played the game because they enjoyed the game, they enjoyed their fellow players and even respected their opponents. Yes, they enjoyed the money they made, but it was truly about the game, not the money for these players.

Even if someone else manages to hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth of the seventh game of the World Series to bring the lead and the win back to their team, history cannot repeat the spirit or the players of that 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates team.… (meer)