Rating: 
Summary: Durwood Merrill Rips The Cover Off The Ball!
Review: "By nature, umpires aren't a particularly lovable breed, but it'll be hard to dislike Merrill after reading this funny and candid memoir of his career. Here's one ump who's not afraid to name names (both good and bad) in terms of mangerial and playing talent." -- USA Today Baseball Weekly
"It may come as a shock to a lot of baseball fans, but umpires are not, in fact, the scum of the earth. Not even close. Merrill aims to create a new appreciation for his fellow impires with this unconventional portrait of his profession. This is not a book that mercilessly repeats "the poetry and beauty" of the game. It is an honest and rather original look at baseball and its players, managers and umpires. There are some surprises: Merrill is coldly honest when discussing the superiority complex displayed by National League umpries toward their American League colleagues. Merrill has watched the game from absolutely the best seat in the house. When finished with his book, the reader will know that he and his fellow umpires respect and enjoy the game like no one else can. And some readers may respect them more as well." -- Library Journal "He's the best umpire in baseball over the last five years. Over in the American League, I gained immediate respect for his skills and the way he handles people. He's one of those guys that you like to watch on TV because he puts so much zest in the game." -- St. Louis Manager Tony LaRussa "He's the greatest storyteller in baseball. And his stories are often metaphors for life's experiences and lessons. He's an entertainer and a real hot dot. And when I say hot dog, I mean it as a term of endearment." - Former Umpire Steve Palermo Durwood, a lot of people say, is the funniest umpire in baseball. I happen to think he is the funniest man in baseball. He puts a kid's perspective back in the game, and that's what baseball needs." - Former All-Star George Brett "He's the Reggie Jackson of umpiring. You would pay to get into the ballpark just to see Durwood Merrill do his act. He's that good." - Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson
Rating: 
Summary: You're Out and You're Ugly Too
Review: A true Baseball Classic. This book is by far the funniest book that I have ever read. It is a must for any serious fan of America's Pastime...It paints a very intersesting and human story of a ML Umps traing and life candidly revealing the happiness and the tears. Excellent insight on modern players and suggestions to improve the game. Truly one of the best!
Rating: 
Summary: Not Worth the Effort
Review: An insiders view of baseball is something I am interested in and attracted me to purchase the book. However, poor writing makes the book frustrating, and extremely tedious to read. Merrills self infatuation and his overblown efforts at promoting a good ol boy image makes the book unbearable.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read Book!!
Review: Durwood (Darewood) Merrill gives the fans of baseball a unigue look at the total game of baseball. Baseball is more than high priced players with attitudes. Durwood describes good and bad managers, owners, and umpires who together with the players, all make up the game once known as good as "Mom's Apple Pie."
Durwood gives a new appreciation for those serving as judge and jury of the game. Early day struggles of umpires and todays changes are set forth with humor and sadness. Durwood's stories offers a refreshing way to look and appreciate those men fans have come to "hate." They have a tough job which very few can or would consider doing. My hat is off to them for the job they do and to Durwood for taking the time and chance to write. Ending his book writing about his charity was heart warming and inspirational, but I felt it took too much from what I expected the book to be about.
Rating: 
Summary: More than a Game
Review: Durwood (Darewood) Merrill gives the fans of baseball a unigue look at the total game of baseball. Baseball is more than high priced players with attitudes. Durwood describes good and bad managers, owners, and umpires who together with the players, all make up the game once known as good as "Mom's Apple Pie." Durwood gives a new appreciation for those serving as judge and jury of the game. Early day struggles of umpires and todays changes are set forth with humor and sadness. Durwood's stories offers a refreshing way to look and appreciate those men fans have come to "hate." They have a tough job which very few can or would consider doing. My hat is off to them for the job they do and to Durwood for taking the time and chance to write. Ending his book writing about his charity was heart warming and inspirational, but I felt it took too much from what I expected the book to be about.
Rating:
Summary: If you ever wanted to see baseball differently, this is it!
Review: Durwood Merril has captured the essence of baseball by bringing you the sport from another perspective. If you are a true fan, pick it up and you will never see baseball the same way! A true gripper. Durwood is hilarious!
Rating:
Summary: Honest, sometimes blunt, portrayal of the umping profession
Review: Durwood Merril shows in this book that he is certainly not afraid of sharing his opinions! The biggest problem I found with the book is that Durwood repeats stories or perhaps talks about something as if you didnt already hear about it, although the preceding chapter was devoted to the subject (Steve Palermo's story is a great example of what I mean). But overall the book is interesting and funny, and it pulls no punches. A must-read for aspiring umps; most casual fans will like the inside info and anecdotes.
Rating: 
Summary: Please someone take the editor out back and....
Review: Durwood Merrill has had some interesting experiences, and crossed paths with some of the more intriguing people behind the scenes of baseball. For that, it may be worth struggling through this poorly written manuscript. Mr Merrill is not expected to be much of an author, and should rely heavily on his editor to tighten up his anecdotes into a readable, coherent, flowing manuscript. Mr. Dent has failed him miserably here. It's as if the editor read each anecdote separately, and forgot about it once he turned the page. Spelling and typos were ATROCIOUS. In short, this book would have been much better if it were edited down to about 2/3rds its size, and nothing of value would have been lost.
Rating:
Summary: RIP Durwood
Review: Durwood Merrill just passed away today, after suffering a heart attack last Sunday. Godspeed, Durwood.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for any and all who love the game of Baseball
Review: Durwood's Book is without a doubt probably the one of the best books I've read in a long time. His insight on the game of Baseball and the perspective that he gives is truly unique. Being graduate of the same Umpire School that Durwood went to, and Umpiring at the High School and College Level, I know what all Umpires face while trying to do their best. His stories about situations with players and managers made me laugh. He has drawn a lot of heat for what he has written, about the players, managers, and owners, "The Baseball Lords." Why you might ask? Because someone needs to tell the "Real Fans" of baseball what happens behind the scenes. He has such a way to tell his story that is unreal, he fires right back at all umpire attackers that truly don't know their head from a donkey's butt(like Tim MacCarver), and in one moment he'll make you laugh (like his story about his grandson and Nolan Ryan), and the next he'll make you cry (when he talk! s about the death of fellow Umps, Lou DiMuro, Nick Bremigan, & John McSherry, or the untimely loss of truly one of the Greatest Umpires of Baseball Steve Pallermo, or even his work with his home town at Christmas time). You feel for him and everyone around him when he tells the story, you feel the emotion as he prepares to the plate for tonights game. I think it would be a total shame if you don't read this book because you will miss out on the story of one of Baseball's Greatest Ambassadors.
| 
