Sixty Feet, Six Inches

Starred review from September 21, 2009
In an inspired Major League pairing, all-star pitcher Gibson, 73, talks mechanics, psychology and culture with 63-year-old Reggie Jackson, one of the game's greatest hitters. Although they never faced each other on the field, they square off on everything from pitch counts and swing styles to catchers, managers and umpires, to clubhouse environments and media distractions. In lengthy discussions steered by author Wheeler (Gibson's autobiography collaborator), the two often turn conversational, sharing stories about Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols, among others, but the book reads best when the duo discusses controversies: spitballers, hit batters, steroids, free agency and racism. Their egos and memories remain remarkably vivid; Gibson, who spent 17 years on the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals, constantly cites his own stats, and Jackson, who won the World Series with both the A's and the Yankees, takes credit for Derek Jeter's success. Fans will come away from this discussion between greats with even greater understanding and appreciation for the game.

September 15, 2009
What would it be like to sit down with two of baseball's all-time greatsone a pitcher, one a hitterto hear their perspectives on the game? This book provides just such an opportunity. Gibson is a two-time Cy Young Award winner who played with the St. Louis Cardinals for 17 years, and Jackson was one of the most dominant hitters in the game during his 21-year career. (The title refers to the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate.) Structured as a dialog between the two, the book offers readers the chance to sit in as Gibson and Jackson discuss and debate every aspect of their respective crafts, including mechanics, strategy, and velocity. Both men possess encyclopedic knowledge, extensive experience, and charming self-confidence that stops just shy of arrogance. Their numerous anecdotes and war stories make this a thoroughly fascinating and entertaining read. VERDICT It is heavy on baseball jargon and pitch-by-pitch analysis that may be tiresome or simply incomprehensible to those who are not avid fans. Highly recommended for readers who love baseball history and wish to develop a deeper understanding of the game.Michele Martin, MLIS, Petaluma, CA

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2009
The true baseball fan lives for the insights imparted in this extended conversation between the preeminent power pitcher (Gibson) and the preeminent power hitter (Jackson) of their eras. The topics range widely, from managers to pregame routines to pitching and hitting strategies to umpires to mechanics to playing in the World Series. Each speaks with authority, and each obviously appreciates the others career and work ethic. But each couldnt be more different in how and why he competed at the major-league levelGibson for the team and Reggie for, well, Reggiewith equally successful results. And throughout the conversation, the reader will see flashes of the iron wills that were on view when these two Hall of Famers played, such as this exchange: Reggie: The movement on a pitch makes all the difference. Id rather hit against ninety-seven mph straight than ninety-three with good sink. Gibson: Id rather throw ninety-seven straight. Great stuff.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)