The October Twelve: Five Years of Yankee Glory 1949-1953 - Hardcover

Rizzuto, Phil; Horton, Tom

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312856210 ISBN 13: 9780312856212

Publisher: Forge, 1994

Synopsis

The Hall of Fame shortstop recounts the period when the Yankees won five consecutive World Championships, the longest winning streak in the history of the game

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Reviews

This often rambling and convoluted memoir is Rizzuto's tribute to the 12 men who played with the New York Yankees in each of the team's championship years from 1949 to 1953. Besides Rizzuto, the October 12 were: Yogi Berra, Charley Silvera, Bobby Brown, Jerry Coleman, Johnny Mize, Joe Collins, Vic Raschi, Allie Reynolds, Eddie Lopat, Gene Woodling, and Hank Bauer. While there are several reminiscences from ``the 12'' (including Bauer's being consoled by Senator John F. Kennedy over a brawl at the Copacabana), the majority of anecdotes belong to Rizzuto. He initially failed a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers when Casey Stengel ``told me to get a shoe shine box, which was unnecessary.'' Rizzuto considers Joe McCarthy ``the best manager I ever had''; still remembers with hostility Eddie Stanky kicking the ball out of his glove in the '51 World Series; and manages to gush about the generosity of George Steinbrenner. Rizzuto criticizes modern ballplayers for the money they make but can state, more than 40 years later, how much he made in the World Series between 1949 and 1951 ($17,811). He also takes David Halberstam to task, saying of his book Summer of '49, ``I can tell you that a number of his anecdotes are just plain untrue.'' But Rizzuto recalls Johnny Mize playing for the Cincinnati Reds, which never happened, and when talking about the 1941 World Series he says, ``We won the first and then they beat us four straight.'' Unfortunately, Rizzuto is referring to the 1942 Series against the Cardinals (which the Yankees lost), not the 1941 Series against the Dodgers (which they won). The chapters on the individual series read like play-by-play accounts, offering little insight. The concept behind this book was excellent. It's a shame that the Scooter and Horton (Yogi: It Ain't Over, not reviewed) have executed it in such a haphazard manner. This is strictly for the die-hard fan. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Fresh from his recent election to baseball's Hall of Fame and aided by Horton (coauthor of Yogi: It Ain't Over, McGraw, 1989), "The Scooter" salutes the group who won five successive World Series titles. Rizzuto relates his fond memories of Yogi Berra, Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, Gene Woodling, and the rest who played with him. His feelings for Casey Stengel are less fond, and he also has some terse comments for opponent Eddie Stanky. Another account of the Yankees during this era by Rizzuto's teammate Mickey Mantle (Mickey Mantle: The American Dream Comes to Life, LJ 2/ 1/94) provides a contrasting perspective. Rizzuto's book is essential for New York libraries and is worth considering elsewhere.
Morey Berger, St. Joseph's Hosp. Medical Lib., Tucson
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In an unparalleled streak, the New York Yankees won five World Series in a row, from 1949 through 1953. Only 12 players were on all five winners, and current Yankee broadcaster Phil ("Scooter") Rizzuto was one of them. With the help of coauthor Horton, he tries to impart a sense of the camaraderie among the 12 and how the import of what they accomplished has colored their lives. He's only marginally successful. Early on, Rizzuto reveals his dislike and disrespect for manager Casey Stengel, who, years before while managing Brooklyn, had rudely dismissed a young Rizzuto from a tryout. It was a wound that festers yet today, and it sets a surly tone for the book. Rizzuto also fails to provide thorough profiles of the other 11 players--too much Scooter, not enough Gene Woodling. On the positive side, he does offer a few fresh anecdotes, and his best buddy, Hall of Famer Yogi Berra--one of the 12--supplies some humor. Expect interest in a book that's not bad but could have been much better. Wes Lukowsky

Edition details

• Publisher: Forge
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0312856210
• ISBN 13: 9780312856212
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 223