thomcat's review
3.0
The author was a very successful pitcher at the time this book was written, and unlike most autobiographies today, was also a decent writer. Chapters of this book read like newspaper columns (which some of them may have been), expounding on the pitchers views of managers, hitters, fielders, pitchers, and umpires. As much anecdotes as analysis, this easy-reading book remains relevant today. Recommended for baseball historians and true fans, probably over the head of anyone else.
cydelafield's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining baseball classic. Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson tells his best yarns, and remarks on how far America's game has come from the wild early days of the 1880s to the "modern era" of the 1910s. Tales of spitballs, sign stealing and many a colorful character.
alanfederman's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! Christy Mathewson is arguably one of the best pitchers to ever "twirl" (his expression, not mine). He writes about the game of baseball in the early part of the twentieth century with joy of a child. Much of the game has changed - spit balls are illegal, players are over-paid, and teams take planes instead of trains. However, much has stayed the same - the strategy, the jinxes, and rivalries. What I really enjoyed is that "Matty" had no filter - no one could get away with this today - he calls Honus Wagner a "bow-legged Dutchman" (which I assume was quite an insult at the time), he quotes his famous manager, John McGraw as saying, "the only good umpire is a dead umpire", and he refers to a rival player as having a "spine like a charlotte russe" (which I'm not sure if that's good or bad). My favorite quote: "All coaching, like all Gaul and four or five other things, is divided into three parts..." Awesome!
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