markmtz's review
4.0
It’s not easy being a baseball fan in New Mexico. The Triple-A Isotopes play in Albuquerque, but the nearest major leagues teams, the Rockies and Diamondbacks, are at least a six hour drive from my home. So I make do with DishTV and the occasional exceptional baseball book, like this biography by Jane Leavy.
Published in hardcover by HarperCollins.
Published in hardcover by HarperCollins.
castlelass's review
4.0
Non-fiction about the legendary Dodgers’ pitcher Sandy Koufax. It is told in alternating chapters of one of his best pitching performances and biographical insights. The author sets the record straight regarding several myths. It harkens back to an earlier age in baseball, prior to free agency, when “bonus babies” were required to remain on the major league team even if it would have served everyone better to go through the learning experiences in the minor leagues. It covers a wide range of topics, including his Jewish faith, friendships with other players, integrity, and accomplishments. It raises questions of how much better he could have been if not mishandled by the Dodgers early in his career. It sheds light on decisions such as the joint hold-out with Don Drysdale and why he retired when he did. I was astounded at the extremes he endured to deal with the pain in his arm, near the end of his career, while still managing to attain spectacular results.
The author weaves together many interviews from players, fans, and management to provide a fascinating picture of an interesting man. This is not a typical biography, as in it does not follow a linear progression through his life, but instead contains social commentary about the times and stories from his life that highlight his personal qualities. Overall, I found it an enjoyable read. Recommended to baseball fans interested in learning more about the life of Sandy Koufax.
The author weaves together many interviews from players, fans, and management to provide a fascinating picture of an interesting man. This is not a typical biography, as in it does not follow a linear progression through his life, but instead contains social commentary about the times and stories from his life that highlight his personal qualities. Overall, I found it an enjoyable read. Recommended to baseball fans interested in learning more about the life of Sandy Koufax.
b_jud's review against another edition
5.0
Great book, especially considering the lack of help Koufax himself directly gave. Fascinating guy.
jakewritesbooks's review
4.0
An interesting take on a man that doesn't want anyone to know much about him. However, I think Jane Levy did a good job deconstructing the "mysterious" mythos surrounding Sandy Koufax. Rather than intensely private tortured soul, as was the case with DiMaggio (of whom Richard Ben Cramer did such a good job ripping the mask off), Koufax is instead presented as a guy who is content with his life, what was given to him, and what he did with it. I get the impression that more than being a "good guy," Koufax is good at not letting celebrity go to his head and finding ways to relate to others.
eely225's review
4.0
Why this man? Leavy asks this question, in many variations, throughout the book. Why, of all people, did this man transcend his humanity at so young an age? Why does his myth endure, as if he evaporated at age 30? What made the public perceive Koufax as more than human?
This was a real education for me. I love baseball, but I'll admit that I don't dive deep into its lore. Most of what I read are minutiae regarding the current Chicago Cubs roster. But even I knew that Koufax stood out from history. Leavy does an excellent job balancing the actual details of his career with the mythic resonance they wielded later on. She parses what Koufax meant in the moment from what he means in hindsight. And she does an excellent job of not losing sight of the straightforward humanity of her subject.
This isn't, thankfully, hagiography, but a dissection of the many hagiographies Koufax found himself subject to. He didn't think of himself as Jewish Exemplar, Pitching Legend, or Unionist Hero. He was just a competitor who knew who he was and chose not to compromise. Koufax does stand as a unique symbol of the beginning of a new age of celebrity, connecting the baseball laborers with jobs in the offseason to the baseball stars of today. It was a more than admirable reflection of the subject's time and how he lived in it. That's about all you can ask for.
A brief note on the audiobook version, which I listened to: the author is a woman, but the publisher chose to have the book read by a man. I am of split opinion here. There are so few female voices in sports journalism that it feels like a betrayal to literally take one away. I do think we lose some of the uniqueness of her narration when its disassociated from her voice. That being said, the book is heavy on quotations, so there is something to hearting the almost-entirely-male cast of characters being voiced by a man. There's no perfect way around it, but it's just something to be aware of going in.
This was a real education for me. I love baseball, but I'll admit that I don't dive deep into its lore. Most of what I read are minutiae regarding the current Chicago Cubs roster. But even I knew that Koufax stood out from history. Leavy does an excellent job balancing the actual details of his career with the mythic resonance they wielded later on. She parses what Koufax meant in the moment from what he means in hindsight. And she does an excellent job of not losing sight of the straightforward humanity of her subject.
This isn't, thankfully, hagiography, but a dissection of the many hagiographies Koufax found himself subject to. He didn't think of himself as Jewish Exemplar, Pitching Legend, or Unionist Hero. He was just a competitor who knew who he was and chose not to compromise. Koufax does stand as a unique symbol of the beginning of a new age of celebrity, connecting the baseball laborers with jobs in the offseason to the baseball stars of today. It was a more than admirable reflection of the subject's time and how he lived in it. That's about all you can ask for.
A brief note on the audiobook version, which I listened to: the author is a woman, but the publisher chose to have the book read by a man. I am of split opinion here. There are so few female voices in sports journalism that it feels like a betrayal to literally take one away. I do think we lose some of the uniqueness of her narration when its disassociated from her voice. That being said, the book is heavy on quotations, so there is something to hearting the almost-entirely-male cast of characters being voiced by a man. There's no perfect way around it, but it's just something to be aware of going in.
yulelogue's review
5.0
Leavy is excellent at composing unique and compelling sports autobiographies (this and her Mantle and Ruth books). She avoids simply recapping games and really finds anecdotes and stories that gets to the heart of her subjects without needing their words. A large chapter goes to Koufax’s Jewishness and how it defined him as a celebrity but also how anti-semitism might have contributed to him being yanked around to start his career. Also goes deep into Koufax and Drysdale collectively bargaining well before Curt Flood and free agency. Great book.
puzzlebound's review
3.0
great bio of a great pitcher. Learned a lot about Dodger and baseball history
hxvphaestion's review
5.0
Halfway through the book I told my friend that the only words I had about it, and about Koufax, were "It's so much". "He's so much." *Edit: meaning that this book, in some ways, was indescribably emotional and it really just. Hit. The right spots emotionally! Love a brilliant and loving and wonderful and in pain baseball god.
I didn't grow up a baseball fan. In fact, before the beginning of this year I'd never given it a second thought, much less knew who Sandy Koufax was. But uh. This book was just. A Real Lot. The best biography I could have asked for.
*Edit: Might re-read it after I watch his perfect game and cry
I didn't grow up a baseball fan. In fact, before the beginning of this year I'd never given it a second thought, much less knew who Sandy Koufax was. But uh. This book was just. A Real Lot. The best biography I could have asked for.
*Edit: Might re-read it after I watch his perfect game and cry