Long Balls, No Strikes

August 30, 1999
"Baseball is back, but it's not all the way back," writes Morgan. Having proved himself one of baseball's shrewdest television analysts for both ESPN and NBC, the Hall of Fame second-baseman brings his intelligence and knowledge to this savvy state-of-the-game evaluation of where baseball is and where it should go. With the help of Lally, Morgan convincingly argues that baseball's magical 1998 campaign was an aberration and that the game needs to revamp itself if it is to retain the popularity thrust upon it last year by Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and the remarkable success of the New York Yankees. Baseball junkies will appreciate his host of suggested improvements, ranging from raising the pitcher's mound (which was lowered after pitchers dominated the 1968 season) and standardizing the strike zone (which the league is trying to do this season) to a plea for more aggressive baserunning. They'll also find compelling his list of players who should be in the Hall of Fame (including two of his Big Red Machine teammates, Tony Perez and Davy Concepcion) and his criticisms of certain managerial chestnuts. Morgan intelligently discusses the game's labor issues, explaining the history that produced the players' union, while simultaneously arguing for a revenue-sharing plan that would give small-market teams a chance to compete. A provocative chapter notes the insidious ways in which race--and racism--still affect the game, both on and off the field. Tart and thoughtful, Morgan's opinions will be relished by anyone who knows and loves the game. Author tour.

May 1, 1999
A top player for the Cincinnati Reds in the Seventies and now a major league commentator, Morgan recalls the glory days of baseball--and witnesses its resurgence after a momentary lull.

Copyright 1999 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2000
YA-The summer of 1998 was the most successful year in America's national pastime, with details of the season commanding attention well beyond the usual baseball fanatics. Nonetheless, Morgan feels that changes are needed in order to keep the game vital and to keep fans filling the stadium seats. He writes that baseball should "utilize this opportunity" to erase the color line that keeps African Americans from holding management positions, make umpires learn the strike zone, abolish the designated hitter forever, raise the mound, expand the talent pool by sending scouts to the inner cities, and have all teams share equally from the same profit pool. These and many other issues and opinions are hashed out by the author and other prominent figures such as manager Dusty Baker, union-leader Donald Fehr, executive Mike Veeck, and pitcher David Cone. Morgan's candid examination of the game is but one version of America's favorite pastime: it's not happily ever after, but there is hope. Additionally, an interest in the team over the individual will forever shape every young athlete who plays the game in the future because of this miraculous season.-ayo dayo, Chinn Park Regional Library, Prince William, VA

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 1999
Like Whitey Herzog in "You're Missin' a Great Game", Morgan addresses baseball's surge in popularity after last season's home-run duel between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Both Morgan and Herzog agree that baseball still has numerous problems. Morgan argues convincingly that the home run won't save the game on its own. Yes, fans love offense, but waiting for a home run eliminates such exciting plays as the stolen base, the hit-and-run, and the sacrifice bunt. He also warns of competitive imbalances between large-market teams that buy all the best players and smaller-market franchises that develop talent only to see it leave via free agency. Morgan, whose cogent analysis can be heard in his role as baseball commentator for ESPN television, is also concerned about the lack of good pitching in the game today and the possibility of more labor strife in the future. Morgan is intelligent, opinionated, and obviously dedicated to the game. All of those qualities make this a fine book; his fame will help sell it. ((Reviewed August 1999))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1999, American Library Association.)