The Best Game Ever - by Jim Reisler (Paperback)

About the Book

A front-row ticket to the most extreme, up-and-down series ever played ("New York Daily News"), recreating in remarkable detail the epic finale of the 1960 World Series."

Book Synopsis

October 13, 1960: The hardscrabble Pirates were a hungry squad, led by Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, and a colorful bunch of overachievers who hit singles and rode solid fielding and pitching to the franchise's first World Series appearance in 35 years. The Yankees, lordly and corporate, were making their 12th trip to the World Series in 15 years and, through the managing of Casey Stengel, power hitting, and immense talent, usually found a way to win. Featuring such legends as Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Roger Maris, the Yankees had outscored the Pirates 46-16 through six games -- only to go down, 10-9, when Mazeroski became the only player ever to decide a World Series Game 7 with a walk-off home run. From extensive personal interviews with those who were there, along with newspaper, radio, and television accounts, Reisler reconstructs this fall classic pitch by pitch, from analysis of managerial tactics and the chatter of the players on the field to the lively atmosphere within the ballpark and throughout the country. The result is the feeling of being right there from the seemingly predictable start to the truly unbelievable finish of the best game ever.

Review Quotes

Shelf Awareness's "Top Ten of 2009," 12/15/2009
"Anyone with some interest in baseball can appreciate this artfully done book."

About the Author

Jim Reisler is the author of Babe Ruth: Lauching the Legend; Black Writers/Black Baseball; Babe Ruth Slept Here: The Baseball Landmarks of New York City; and Before They Were the Bombers.

Reisler has written for Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, and the New York Times, and recently appeared on the YES Networks new documentary, History of the Yankees: Moments and Mystique. He is the editor of Guys, Dolls, and Curveballs: Damon Runyon on Baseball. A Pittsburgh native, he lives with his wife and daughter in Irvington, NY.