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'Munson' is worth a read

Thurman_munson_medium
Thurman Munson

It may seem strange to write a book about a baseball player who has been dead for 30 years, especially one who did not even make the Hall of Fame.

That, however, is exactly what Marty Appel has done in the forthcoming book "MUNSON: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain."

The book, about legendary Yankee catcher Thurman Munson, of course, will be available for purchase in book stores July 7, but Random House was kind enough to send me an advance copy.

I am glad they did.

For Yankee fans old enough to remember watching Munson play, this book is sure to bring back a flood of old memories and emotions. And, teach you some things about Munson and the Yankees you never knew.

If you aren't old enough to remember Munson, read this book and learn. You will be glad you did.

Appel co-authored Munson's biography in the years before Thurman's tragic 1979 plane crash. But, early in the new book explains why he felt compelled to go back and write about him again.

"As I have reread that book over the years, I've always felt that Thurman held back too much, skirting over personal matters, as was his right. ... I was never really satisfied with it.

I was also perplexed. Why were his comments so unenlightening? ... Why did he have so little to say about his childhood?"

In his second try, Appel has done a fantastic job clearing up his questions and showing us the many faces of Munson.

Star-divide

The great, gritty, player who helped revive the Yankee franchise. The gruff, grumpy character who could be hard to get along with and harder still to get to know. The man who was estranged from his family, especially his spiteful father. The man who was a tremendously devoted father and husband, something that ultimately contributed to his death. The man who was beloved by teammates for his determination, and oddball sense of humor. The man who had a complicated relationship with George Steinbrenner, and who always carried some bitterness about other Yankees making more money than he did.

In other words, Appel has taken us down memory lane and showed us what made Munson Munson.

Because we all know how the story ends -- in horrific, unforgettable fashion -- the trip down memory lane is a bittersweet one.

Yet, it is one worth taking.

0 recs  |  Comment 12 comments |

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Donnie Baseball

pretty sure the ‘last Yankee captain’ before Derek Jeter was Don Mattingly

by duffsta328 on Jul 2, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Fixed that

Geesh, brain cramp.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 2, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Captains

Here is the list, which I should have checked first — http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/yankcapt.shtml. Idiot! Too much of a hurry to get this out.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 2, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's all good

just wanted to make sure you noticed it

by duffsta328 on Jul 2, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks

I need to hire myself a copy editor. LOL!!

by Ed Valentine on Jul 2, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thurman Munson

to me was a GREAT player and an inspiration. To me he is/was what the YANKEES were about. Just my 2cents worth.

Rick
Goooooooooooo MSU BOBCATs
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

by ramyankee on Jul 2, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Munson

I was barely two months old when Munson died, and I still can’t watch his Yankeeography without crying my eyes out everytime they show Reggie bawling in right field.

I’ll probably pick this up, should be a good read.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 2, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I was there that night, sitting on the first base side

It was a shock to see Reggie’s shoulders heaving up and down, weeping openly and not caring who saw it. An unforgettable memory but one I wish I had never seen.

by 209209 on Jul 3, 2009 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i rember the game the day of his funeral bobby murcer scored the winning run crying as he croosed the plate.now i could be wrong abot that i was about 9 years old.so if i’m mistaken i’m sorry

by widowmaker6340 on Jul 2, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Murcer

got the game-winning hit, but you are forgiven.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 2, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he has been my favorite player for a few years now when i really started getting into the history as much as the actual game …. i was so happy to learn he was my fathers favorite player ever ( im named after mickey mantle and my brother phil rizutto … my mother always told me i lucked out cause i could have been named thurman.)

cant wait to read this.

by blindmole on Jul 2, 2009 5:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thurm was da man!

I wonder why they waited 30 years? I guess it was an anniversary of his death type of thing? I remember my dad raving about how tough he was when I was a kid,and how Reggie was a hotdog,and Billy was a loose cannon. LOL

by ReggieARodJeter on Jul 17, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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