Tony C: The Triumph and Tragedy of Tony Conigliaro

Rating:
Summary: The Life of A Boyhood Idol
Review: Dave Cantaneo gives this young fan a second chance to remember a boyhood idol through this very insightful book about the tragic figure thatb inspired thousands of boys my age. The ultimate complement to any baseball player when I grew up was that everyone wanted his baseball card and everyone wanted to "be" the player during pickup games. These were simple times when players were loyal to teams and teams were loyal to fans. Everyone wanted to be Tony C, and since he was just a teenager joining the Red Sox, all of my buddies and I idolized him immediately. This book permits us the opportunity to spend a few hours with a real sports idol. Tony C was to Red Sox fans what the Beatles were to American rock and roll lovers--- except he was right here. Thanks for the book, David.

Rating:
Summary: My reason for this book...
Review: Finally, one of those rare sports books that transcend the genre. Tony Conigliaro was a budding baseball star with the Boston Red Sox, and more, when he emerged in the mid-1960s as the first Baby Boomer baseball icon of his generation. An American League home-run champion at age 20 (take that, Tiger Woods!) and only 22 when he made it to 100 career homers, Conigliaro's life took a horrifying turn when he was nearly killed in 1967 by a pitch that hit him in the left temple. Conigliaro briefly returned to baseball and had a couple of good years, until worsening eyesight knocked him out of the game for good. Tall, dark, and handsome, Conigliaro later was carving out a second career through TV baseball broadcasting when, at age 37, he suffered a heart attack. Ensuing brain damage confined him to a wheelchair for the last eight years of his life. He passed away in 1990 at age 45. Cataneo, the author, does a great job of taking us through Tony C's life. We really get to know Conigliaro the person--as child, adolescent, and adult--both on the baseball field and off, with sideline pursuits that included a rock and roll singing career and romances with women ranging from his high-school sweetheart to Hollywood starlet Mamie Van Doren, with a near-miss involving neighbor Racquel Welch. This book is every bit as touching as "Brian's Song" yet every bit as honest and well-researched as any other contemporary tomes professing the highest standards of journalism. Baseball fans will enjoy this book almost as much as general-interest readers will.

Rating:
Summary: My reason for this book...
Review: I began work on this book in 1994...I'm glad to see that the public has received this book well. It is a fine tribute to a dashing young ballplayer for whom this book was a labor of love...Here's to you, Tony!

Rating:
Summary: The Red Sox should retire Tony"s #25-just read the book.
Review: This is a great book about Tony C. It shows both his strengths as a person and some of his weak spots, which makes this book a very true and real story.
It's a great history of the Red Sox when Tony C. played. It shows the true guts, determination, courage and love for the Red Sox that Tony C. had. No player in any sport has made such an effort to comeback. And, this book captures it all.
The Red Sox should retire his number -- just read the book it supports retiring #25.
Billy Conigliaro's quote sums up how i feel about Tony C. "I will always remember Tony C. as a fighter, a clutch hitter, warm to his fans. He was a brother who made me proud."
Tony thank you so much for all the wonderful memories as a Red Sox player. You have given me the strength to fight my own battles in life. I hope that someone makes a movie from this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Red Sox should retire Tony"s #25-just read the book.
Review: This is a great book about Tony C. It shows both his strengths as a person and some of his weak spots, which makes this book a very true and real story.
It's a great history of the Red Sox when Tony C. played. It shows the true guts, determination, courage and love for the Red Sox that Tony C. had. No player in any sport has made such an effort to comeback. And, this book captures it all.
The Red Sox should retire his number -- just read the book it supports retiring #25.
Billy Conigliaro's quote sums up how i feel about Tony C. "I will always remember Tony C. as a fighter, a clutch hitter, warm to his fans. He was a brother who made me proud."
Tony thank you so much for all the wonderful memories as a Red Sox player. You have given me the strength to fight my own battles in life. I hope that someone makes a movie from this book.