Pre-Owned Roger Maris - A Man for All Seasons (Hardcover) 0917657942 9780917657948

Maury Allen's book is a touching tribute to one of baseball's greatest players. Written in part to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Roger Maris' 61 in `61 home run feat, it honors the tormented athlete with memories from the people who knew him best. Family, friends, and teammates reflect on and remember the man who was loved and hated for toppling Babe Ruth's home run record. Most of the book understandably focuses on the 1961 season and examines his upper Midwest childhood and his post-'61 career from such perspective. While Allen doesn't hesitate to weave Maris' record-breaking year into any stage of the narrative, he is careful to expose a gentler Maris the press actively ignored and defiled. The numerous interviews, including ones from Maris' father and high school coaches as well as players Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and Mike Shannon, bring great honesty to his tortured character. It also is a strong attempt to redeem a player who in life never rose to the glory he deserved.