Season of Glory

Former Yankee manager Ralph Houk recounts the historic 1961 season, when sluggers Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle pursued Babe Ruth's home run record, and the team, considered by many to be the greatest ever, battled its way to the championship

Probably more ink has been devoted to the 1961 Yankees than to any other team in sports, yet this chronicle by the manager of that team and sports scribe Creamer (Babe, Stengel) has freshness and a sense of drama. After winning the 1960 pennant, the aging and somewhat crotchety Casey Stengel was forced out as manager despite his brilliant record, and Houk was named to replace him. The team got off to a shaky start, and criticism of the rookie manager was widespread in the media, particularly galling when it was suggested that he should call Stengel for advice. But the play improved steadily, with Ford, Berra and, of course, the Maris-Mantle home-run combination leading the way. Eventually, Maris's 61 homers and Mantle's 54 made the year especially memorable as the Yankees went on to win the pennant and the World Series.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Sports author Creamer and then-new manager Houk join to re-create the dramatic 1961 campaign, dominated by Roger Maris's home run feat, though the Yanks agains won the World Series. Creamer gives the season's narrative, while Houk assesses the team's performance and his own moves, with comments on Maris, Mickey Mantle, etc. Though Maury Allen's Roger Maris ( LJ 9/15/86) is the best work on Maris's bittersweet triumph, this enjoyable, up-close account will please fans and is recommended for adult and YA sports collections. Morey Berger, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.