Still a Legend

February 15, 2000
One of the more pleasant and satisfying ironies to emerge from Mark McGwire's historic 1998 assault on the single season home run record is that it brought a long overdue revisionist appreciation to the accomplishments of the man whose record he eclipsed, Roger Maris. The resurgent interest in Maris has undoubtedly helped Rosenfeld's 1991 book to now reach the audio market. Rosenfeld thoroughly examines the life and baseball career of Maris and is particularly observant of the "61 in '61" season in which Maris supplanted Babe Ruth's 1927 record. Quotes and interviews with players, friends, sportswriters, and family help illuminate Maris's tortured relationship with the press and make clear the damaging and unfair delineation between the public persona as reported by the media and the private man grounded in honesty, fairness, humility, and a strong work ethic honed by the North Dakota sensibilities of his upbringing. Unfortunately, the production values detract from the enjoyment of this work. Reader Ian Esmo has an annoying cadence to his otherwise flat and monotonous delivery, which is broken only when he strains his voice to effect each, particularly female, interviewee. Additionally, a faint but annoying echo is present on each cassette. Maris deserves better.--Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX

Copyright 2000 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.