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The Greatest Summer in Baseball History: How the '73 Season Changed Us Forever Paperback – April 1, 2023

by John Rosengren (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 119 ratings
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"The vivid story of a young Reggie Jackson on Charlie Finley's A's and the veteran Willie Mays on Yogi's Mets, both destined for the '73 series." ―Library Journal

A rousing chronicle of one of the most defining years in baseball history that changed the sport forever.

In 1973, baseball was in crisis. The first strike in pro sports had soured fans, American League attendance had fallen, and America's team―the Yankees―had lost more games and money than ever. Yet that season, five of the game's greatest figures rescued the national pastime.

  • Hank Aaron riveted the nation with his pursuit of Babe Ruth's landmark home run record in the face of racist threats.
  • George Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees at a bargain basement price and began buying back their faded glory.
  • The American League broke ranks with the National League and introduced the designated hitter, extending the careers of aging stars such as Orlando Cepeda.
  • An elderly and ailing Willie Mays―the icon of an earlier generation―nearly helped the Mets pull off a miracle with the final hit of his career.
  • Reggie Jackson, the MVP of a tense World Series, became the prototype of the modern superstar.

The season itself provided plenty of drama served up by a colorful cast of characters, including the Mets rise from last place to win the division under Yogi Berra's leadership, Pete Rose edging out Willie Stargell as the MVP in a controversial vote, Hank Aaron chasing Babe Ruth's landmark record in the face of racial threats, Reggie Jackson solidifying his reputation as Mr. October, Willie Mays hitting the final home run of his career, and future Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and George Brett playing in their first major league games.

That one memorable summer changed baseball forever.

Originally published as Hammerin' Hank, George Almighty and the Say Hey Kid.

"It's a season-ticket to one of the greatest years in baseball history. John Rosengren has given us one of the most enjoyable baseball books to come along in years." –Jonathan Eig, author of Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig and Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    448 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sourcebooks
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 1.12 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1728271894
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1728271897
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this fine book John Rosengren presents the 1973 season as the pinnacle of the period between the expansion to divisional play and the revolution of free agency. In his telling, the story seems strangely modern, yet if it represents a new wave, it is that of "the new old." He will find ready and willing readers." ― John Thorn, official MLB historian and author of Baseball in the Garden of Eden

"A wonderfully informative book that proves once again baseball reflects American culture more powerfully than any other sport. Indeed, John Rosengren's book shows that sports are not an escape from political and social reality but a magnification of it." ― Gerald Early, baseball historian and author

"This isn't just a book, it's a season-ticket to one of the greatest years in baseball history. With a wonderful knack for capturing the spirit of the seventies and a crackling writing style, John Rosengren has given us one of the most enjoyable baseball books to come along in years." ― Jonathan Eig, author Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig and Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season

"John Rosengren brings to life the personalities and events that made the 1973 season a memorable one. From the star players to the out-of-control owners, it’s all here in Hammerin’ Hank, George Almighty and the Say Hey Kid." ― Stew Thornley, author Baseball in Minnesota: The Definitive History

About the Author

John Rosengren is a SABR member with an MFA. He is the author of nine other books, including Blades of Glory: The True Story of a Young Team Bred to Win, which chronicles a season with a Minnesota high school hockey powerhouse. A Pulitzer nominee for his journalism, Rosengren has written articles for more than 100 publications, including The Atavist, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, and The Washington Post Magazine. His work has been anthologized alongside that of Maya Angelou, Marlon James, Bill Moyers, George Saunders, and Meg Wolitzer. He earned his master's degree in creative writing at Boston University, where he studied under Leslie Epstein, Theo's father. A lifelong Twins fan, Rosengren lives in Minneapolis with his wife, their two children, and two golden retrievers.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks; 2nd edition (April 1, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1728271894
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1728271897
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1.12 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 119 ratings

About the author

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John Rosengren

John Rosengren

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I am a Pulitzer Prize nominee and winner of the Donald Robinson Award for Investigative Journalism along with about 20 other awards. I have published nine books and hundreds of magazine articles in publications such as The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Reader's Digest, Sports Illustrated, and The Washington Post Magazine.

My work has been anthologized alongside that of Maya Angelou, Marlon James, Bill Moyers, George Saunders, and Meg Wolitzer.

The movie and TV rights for one of my books, "BLADES OF GLORY: The True Story of a Young Team Bred to Win," have been optioned three times by different Hollywood production companies, including Milo Ventimiglia's.

I once interviewed a woman shot by hijackers and left for dead on the tarmac.

I raced my bike against Greg LeMond in South Africa (and beat him). I played a tennis match against the world’s top-ranked wheelchair tennis player (and lost). I channeled a 330-pound, Samoan, retired NFL nose tackle who is gay (Esera Tuaolo, for his memoir). I played softball on snowshoes in the summertime (wood chips spread across the infield). I rapped a base hit off former Twins pitcher Rick Aguilera.

I listened to a nurse tell me the story of prying a shotgun shell out of Ernest Hemingway’s hand when he was intent upon killing himself. I profiled a woman who is a Roman Catholic priest. I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with LGBTQ Native Americans. I interviewed a mortician in the room where she embalmed my father. I interviewed a 15-year-old boy in his hospital room after he tried to stop a school shooter.

All in a few days' work, stretching back to 1981, when I began freelancing as a senior in high school, same time I got clean and sober. I was an English major at Saint John's University, mentored by J. F. Powers. I earned my master's in creative writing at Boston University, where I studied with Derek Walcott and Saul Bellow.

Along the way, I have lived in Boise, Boston, Florence, London, Paris, and St. Paul. Today I'm at home in my native Minneapolis with my wife Maria, our two children, and a golden retriever named Maya.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
119 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jim Carlson
5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering when I became a baseball fan
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book very much. Part of my enjoyment came from the fact that during the time from 1971 to 1973 I really had just started to become a fan of Major League Baseball. As a seven year old I started playing little league and also collecting and trading baseball cards. I loved my hometown Minnesota Twins but also the Cincinnati Reds. The Oakland A's had great bright uniforms and players with the best names. The author does a wonderful job in capturing that season. I had forgotten about the Steinbrenner controversies but had heard plenty about Charlie Finley. Go ahead and read this book - it can transform you back to your youth and your love of baseball.
3 people found this helpful
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David Hoyt
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Memories
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023
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This book brought back great memories for me as the reason I fell in love with the game of baseball.
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Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
If you love baseball history, this is a book that you would enjoy.
I grew up as a preteen in the 1970s. Baseball was the center of my childhood. Even before cable television gave you access to all the games, everyday, I knew all of the players and their statistics. But, it wasn't easy. You needed to read the box scores. You needed to memorize the standings. You needed the newspaper. My brothers and I would race to get the newspaper first to get the sports section and check out the standings. It was the way we followed the game that we loved.
This book brought back the teams, the players...Aaron still the King...and the game we loved!
2 people found this helpful
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Patrick P.
3.0 out of 5 stars Issue
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
Good recap of the ‘73 season, though my Mets ultimately came up one win short.
Now the issue; I’m tired of picking up histories of the early-1970’s and, no matter what the book is about, having to read about Richard Nixon. We get it already; Nixon was a bad guy as President. Other guys in recent years make him look like a piker; W, Obama, and the current occupant of the White House, Biden. Stop with the Nixon references in a sports book.
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John
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
Brought back lot of memories
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Dan O'Connell
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book.
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
For anyone who wants baseball history, this is awrsome.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Great book . . . except pages 183 to 214 were missing. I'd love to read them!
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
Again, all good except for the missing pages. Really tough to rate a book with a couple of missing chapters. Of course, I missed the return window because I bought several books with this purchase and didn't get to this book in time. I'd love to read the entire book.
4 people found this helpful
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Charles Marlatt
2.0 out of 5 stars to much mets and oakland
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
too much Willie Mays who was a part time player in 73.Nothing about the death of Clemente and the effect on the Pirates.Another baseball book that revolves around NYC.
3 people found this helpful
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