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Rating: 
Summary: This Book is an Unsung Gem
Review: I have only one complaint about this book. I wish it was available in hard cover. Wilbert Robinson was a member of the nasty Baltimore Orioles of the 1890's and later distinguished himself as a pitching coach for his friend John McGraw's Giants and finally as the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1914-1931. The authors give us the true story of Robinson's catch of what he thought was a baseball from an airplane. Their version is much different from what you may read in other baseball books. The object he caught was a grapefruit and, no, the one who dropped it was not Casey Stengel, but a female airplane pilot. Why the grapefruit? Read the book and find out. The reason for Robinson's feud with his old pal John McGraw is here as well along with their reconcilation many years later. The authors point out that Robinson has an underserved label as a clown due to the Dodgers reputation as being "Daffy" during his reign. As the authors point out, during those so-called Daffy years, "the Robins won more games than they lost at home and played the Giants tough. Robinson didn't win a pennant, but neither did McGraw. In Brooklyn, that mattered a lot." Wilbert Robinson is a deserving member of baseball's Hall of Fame whose career covered a very colorful period of baseball's history. This book is an unsung gem, and Wilbert Robinson is a subject worthy of a book. I only wish it was in hard cover. Thanks to authors Kavanagh and Macht. You have both done a great job and I know the subject of your book would thank you.
Rating:
Summary: This Book is an Unsung Gem
Review: I have only one complaint about this book. I wish it was available in hard cover. Wilbert Robinson was a member of the nasty Baltimore Orioles of the 1890's and later distinguished himself as a pitching coach for his friend John McGraw's Giants and finally as the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1914-1931. The authors give us the true story of Robinson's catch of what he thought was a baseball from an airplane. Their version is much different from what you may read in other baseball books. The object he caught was a grapefruit and, no, the one who dropped it was not Casey Stengel, but a female airplane pilot. Why the grapefruit? Read the book and find out. The reason for Robinson's feud with his old pal John McGraw is here as well along with their reconcilation many years later. The authors point out that Robinson has an underserved label as a clown due to the Dodgers reputation as being "Daffy" during his reign. As the authors point out, during those so-called Daffy years, "the Robins won more games than they lost at home and played the Giants tough. Robinson didn't win a pennant, but neither did McGraw. In Brooklyn, that mattered a lot." Wilbert Robinson is a deserving member of baseball's Hall of Fame whose career covered a very colorful period of baseball's history. This book is an unsung gem, and Wilbert Robinson is a subject worthy of a book. I only wish it was in hard cover. Thanks to authors Kavanagh and Macht. You have both done a great job and I know the subject of your book would thank you.
Rating: 
Summary: Should be titled the "The Dodgers during the Robinson Era"
Review: This book was good, but not great. My impression was it was about the Dodgers during his time as manager. Few quotes about him from other people. Some discussion about his personal life, but the story centered around baseball during his time. There is even chapters where he is not even mentioned. The book left me with many questions, including, "How did he supercede the rough Mcgraw Orioles?". Little discussion on how he arranged his pitching staff, which historically he is given credit for. "How did develop pitchers?" Questions like that where never touched, but may have been able to give a better perception of the person he was
Rating:
Summary: Who Is This Book Really About ???
Review: This is indeed a very interesting book. A well written and well researched book this is. I only have but one question: Who is this book really about?I found that Wilbert Robinson, although the subject of the book, was often overshadowed by virtually everyone encountered in this effort. Robinson's Baltimore Oriole days...Overshadowed by John McGraw. Robinson's Brooklyn Dodger days...Overshadowed by John McGraw, Charles Ebbets, Babe Herman, etc. I never even once got a feeling that this book was about Wilbert Robinson. Even his accomplishments as both a player and field manager were often overshadowed by others and their accomplishments. Either Robinson is baseball's poster child for hard luck cases, or the author(s) really missed a great opportunity. I am truly at a loss for this one. Both authors are well known Baseball authors. This effort is just not like them. I rate this effort a 3 star, only because it still contains enough useful information that is kept in a nice clean package. Who is this book really about?
Rating:
Summary: Who Is This Book Really About ???
Review: This is indeed a very interesting book. A well written and well researched book this is. I only have but one question: Who is this book really about? I found that Wilbert Robinson, although the subject of the book, was often overshadowed by virtually everyone encountered in this effort. Robinson's Baltimore Oriole days...Overshadowed by John McGraw. Robinson's Brooklyn Dodger days...Overshadowed by John McGraw, Charles Ebbets, Babe Herman, etc. I never even once got a feeling that this book was about Wilbert Robinson. Even his accomplishments as both a player and field manager were often overshadowed by others and their accomplishments. Either Robinson is baseball's poster child for hard luck cases, or the author(s) really missed a great opportunity. I am truly at a loss for this one. Both authors are well known Baseball authors. This effort is just not like them. I rate this effort a 3 star, only because it still contains enough useful information that is kept in a nice clean package. Who is this book really about?
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