Bronx Zoo

Rating:
Summary: tell it like it is baseball
Review: a classic baseball book without a doubt, lyle tells it like he sees it, and i loved every page of it. with a team with personalities like billy martin, lyle himself, mickey rivers, reggie jackson, graig nettles, and the boss, george steinbrenner. if you liked this book like i did read balls by graig nettles.

Rating:
Summary: From Cy Young to Sayonara (with apologies to Graig Nettles)
Review: This book follows the "Ball Four" formula of a seasonal diary, in this case the 1978 season through the eyes of Sparky Lyle. And what a season it was - Lyle goes from Cy Young award winner to set-up man as he is beat out for the closer job by the younger, faster, stronger Goose Gossage. At the same time Lyle is trying to deal with his professional decline, the Yankees make an astounding comeback, catch the Red Sox, beat the Royals in the ALCS and then win the World Series defeating the Dodgers. But the real focus of the book (or at least Lyle's attention) is off-the-field - especially the interaction with Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and Lyle's demands to salvage his professional honor and career. In a sort of sad post-script Lyle got his wish and was traded to the Rangers, yet never reattained the form that made him the Cy Young winner in 1977.

Rating:
Summary: The Book That Started My Love For Non Fiction Books
Review: What can I say? The Bronx Zoo is a deffinet 5 star read! Sparkey Weaves a story that should be made into a movie! Lyle finds himself in a paradox. He is coming off a year in which he won the CY Young award and yet how does he get rewarded for his success? the Boss goes out and signs the hottest Free Agent releif pitcher on the open market to take Sparkey's job. All that plus the trinity of drama that was George Stienbrenner, Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson. Inspite of turmoil the Yankees Manage to come from 14 games back in June to go on to humble my favorite team (LA Dodgers)in the world Series! A must read for anyone who calls themselves a baseball historian!