Every spring with the advent a new baseball season I like to read a baseball themed book. Since Ron Darling will be signing copies of his newest book Game 7, 1986 at my job next week, this was the logical choice. Yogi Berra is credited with saying “90% of the game is half mental.” Darling's book is an excellent example of just how mental the game of baseball truly is. He gives us a detailed account of how he psyched himself out in game 7 of the 1986 Word Series and how he feels his career and therefore his entire life would have probably ended up differently had he pitched better in that game. Like Darling says,most athletes write about their success not there failures, so he gets major props from me for writing a book like this. I also admire the way he discussed Strawberry & Gooden. Both are now back in good graces with The Mets organization and most of the fans. But Darling clearly states "I resent how they squandered their gifts- but hey, they were their gifts to squander, not mine;their choices to make, not mine. At the time, I suppose I resented it a little more in Darryl, because Doc had that sweetness about him. Doc was like a lost kid. Darryl, at times, didn't seem to give a shit." Thanks R.J. that needed to be said. I too, still resent how they squandered their gifts and am not OK with accolades they continue to receive. To end on a lighter note, I enjoyed reading the accolades Darling bestowed upon Hernandez and Carter! And the description of the post game celebration with Darling hanging out with DeNiro and Mike Tyson; who got into a prolonged conversation with Darling's mom ! That's the kind of insider stuff that us fans just eat up ! ( )

I know it sounds silly, but this book is what it is, it's Ron Darlings musings and sometimes tangents, relating to Game 7, 1986. It doesn't reveal anything earthshaking, but what it does well is contrast the feeling of personal failure (Ron's start in game 7) with overall success (the Mets eventually winning...wait, spoiler alert? Oh no, it happened 30 years ago and is part of public record). Not a bad read, not a great read, an interesting look into the mind of one man, in one game, in one book. ( )

A fascinating examination of the last game of the 1986 World Series, won by the New York Mets. Pitcher Ron Darling wasn't at his best starting that game and in this book, he takes the reader inside his thinking and mental state during that game, putting it in context. His years since hanging up his cleats to become a baseball broadcast analyst serve him well, making this an enjoyable reads for Mets fans and anyone else who enjoys the mental aspect of baseball. ( )

Reviews said Mets fans will enjoy this one and this Met fan certainly did. We followed baseball close in 1986, we were a Met fan and a Red Sox fan. Visiting family in Cincinnati, we were even at the game with the bench-clearing brawl against the Reds mentioned in the book. My memory of that World Series is crystal clear and so it was very interesting to read a detailed account of game 7 from Darling's point of view. Besides the play-by-play of each inning of Game 7, Darling writes about the 1986 season, his background and baseball in general. While Met fans will enjoy this book the most, fans of the sport will enjoy it as well. ( )