Sportswriter Allen Barra gives you an in depth look at the lives of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays and how their lives intersected over the years. Both came from hard working families where sought ways in the off season to make some extra money. They did endorsements together and appeared together. Their statistics were similar and there was often the debate as to who was the better ball player.
Neither one of them had very happy personal lives. You get more of a glimpse into Mickey's life because he was much more open about it. Willie tended to be more private. They were both very popular with their fans, Mickey with the New York Yankees and Willie with the New York Giants (later the San Francisco Giants). They both played during baseball's golden age before the National Football League reached the popularity it is today. It was a simpler time for baseball and there is no doubt that Mickey and Willie contributed greatly to the enjoyment of all baseball fans at that time.
The writer does an excellent job of researching details, conversations and statistics as well as sharing his own personal experiences with the two players. For anyone who loves baseball and history this is a very entertaining read.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
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