Shocktober - by Jonathan Weeks (Paperback)

About the Book

Baseball's October showcase has provided some high drama over the years. Willie Mays's spectacular catch in 1954, Bill Mazeroski's walk-off homer in 1960, and Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit blast in 1988 are just a few of the memorable moments that have dominated highlight reels. The outcome of the Series has not always been terribly surprising--especially during the late-1940s/early-1950s when the Yankees captured five consecutive championships, breaking their previous record of four straight titles from 1936 to 1939. But in spite of its predictability at times, the Fall Classic has taken many unexpected turns. The 1906 Cubs lost to the weak-hitting White Sox after establishing a new regular season record for wins. The 1955 Dodgers avenged seven prior October failures with an improbable victory over the seemingly invincible Yankees. And in 1969, the Mets finally shed their image as "loveable losers," dethroning the powerful Orioles. In more than a century of World Series play, a number of similar scenarios have emerged. Twenty-two of those stories are told in Shoctober. The book also includes an appendix of game statistics as well as a section on World Series trivia.

Book Synopsis

Baseball's October showcase has provided some high drama over the years. Willie Mays's spectacular catch in 1954, Bill Mazeroski's walk-off homer in 1960, and Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit blast in 1988 are just a few of the memorable moments that have dominated highlight reels. The outcome of the Series has not always been terribly surprising--especially during the late 1940s and early 1950s when the Yankees captured five consecutive championships, breaking their previous record of four straight titles from 1936 to 1939. But in spite of its predictability at times, the Fall Classic has taken many unexpected turns. The 1906 Cubs lost to the weak-hitting White Sox after establishing a new regular season record for wins. The 1955 Dodgers avenged seven prior October failures with an improbable victory over the seemingly invincible Yankees. And in 1969, the Mets finally shed their image as "loveable losers," dethroning the powerful Orioles. In more than a century of World Series plays, a number of similar scenarios have emerged. Twenty-two of those stories are told in Shocktober. The book also includes an appendix of game statistics as well as a section on World Series trivia.

Review Quotes

"[B]aseball writer Weeks has delivered a tidy, informed, and wholly readable recap for each of 22 World Series--from 1906 (White Sox versus Cubs) to 2019 (Astros versus Nationals)--whose outcomes were, at the very least, unexpected."

"Author Jonathan Weeks has painstakingly and passionately researched the twenty-two most unbelievable and unforgettable upsets in World Series history. Shocktober begins its journey with the White Sox, who had the largest winning percentage gap between their opponent, defeating the Cubs in the 1906 World Series. Weeks continues to carefully examine, in great detail, classic contests where the supposed winner, failed to clinch the title, despite overwhelming odds. Pirates over the Yankees in '60, Mets over the Orioles in '69. Marlins over the Indians in '97, all here, and dozens more, along with fascinating game statistics, and an entire section of World Series trivia."

"Jonathan Weeks' back stories leading up to the greatest World Series upsets are fascinating with well-researched details about the seasons, the players and their teams. Great anecdotes I've never seen before. Rookie Nolan Ryan was lazy until he had an epiphany watching Tom Seaver? Pitcher Steve Carlton was mistaken for a Secret Service agent? News to me. These chronicles are a great reminder that in a short series, the odds are far different than over a full season and clearly the season's winningest team does not always prevail. Lots of new material for the seasoned baseball reader, and great history of some of the best World Series of all-time because of the shocking results. I've done my share of Baseball research, and Jonathan has really delivered for even the most knowledgeable among us."

"Readers who love baseball will devour this recommended book."

About the Author

Jonathan Weeks has published several nonfiction books on the topic of baseball, most recently The Legend of the Mick: Stories and Reflections on Mickey Mantle. Additionally, he has two novels to his credit--one of them a posthumous collaboration with his father. He lives in Malone, New York.