Mission 27

May 1, 2019
Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Jorge Posada formed the core four of the New York Yankees as they drove toward their World Series championship in 2009, which would be the team's twenty-seventh (hence, this book's title). In their straightforward account, Feinsand and Hoch, veteran beat writers, emphasize the role of the new Yankee Stadium in the 2009 season. Driving much of the narrative is a series of illuminating interviews with the players (including, of course, the core four), management, and manager Joe Girardi, who wore number 27 on his back until he changed it to 28 the following year. As the authors discuss, the core four were joined, importantly, by Alex Rodriguez (whose relationship with pharmaceuticals is addressed), A. J. Burnett (surprisingly candid), Mark Teixeira, Johnny Damon, Joba Chamberlain, Hideki Matsui, and the others who made up this winning and exciting ball club. The important clubhouse roles of CC Sabathia (calming) and Nick Swisher (beyond frenzied) are analyzed in detail. Much of the action?trades, deals, money?takes place off the field. It's all here, in a book that will bring back fond memories of a championship season.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)