Christy MathewsonRezensionen

This is a fascinating look at baseball from the inside, in the early days of the major leagues and the first two decades of the twentieth century (ghost-)written by one of the great stars of the game. Mathewson, one of baseball's most magnificent pitchers and an intelligent and erudite man, allowed his friend, newspaperman John Wheeler, to expound upon the art of playing baseball as though Mathewson were himself telling the stories. No doubt, Mathewson had a good deal to say himself, and there is a mixed air about the book, one of authenticity mixed with what passed for lighthearted literary flair in the press of the 1920s. In any event, there is a lot of fun to be had in the musings about various players, teams, and umpires, and some additional amusement to be found in the differences (and similiarities) of the game then and now. Surprisingly, in those long ago days when coaches were called "coachers" and pitchers most frequently referred to as "twirlers," some of the sophistication of modern baseball is evident, and it is clear that the brainy, strategic game played today is nothing new. PITCHING IN A PINCH is an interesting flashback to a time when the game was young and naive, but not nearly so naive as one might think.

An inside baseball book by one of the all time greats. If you are a baseball fan or have a particular interest in the "dead ball era" then you should get your hands on this book. It is a fast read too.

Surprisingly fresh and entertaining.

It's interesting to read this more than 100 years after the fact. Mathewson was a huge star at the time, the idol of nearly every boy in the country. Also, it wasn't ghost written, he was one of the very few college educated baseball players at the time. Fun hearing him talk about the other players and teams in the vernacular of the day½

It saddens me greatly to give this book such a dismal review. This is a book that I had hoped to like much more than I actually did; however, I suppose you don't pick up expecting or hoping not to like it. Regardless, I found the book extremely difficult to get through. The book it considerably antiquated, the writing style somewhat inaccessible. There are some anecdotes that are mildly entertaining, it was interesting to learn that the game was played at a different level than it is currently - players beaned int he head unconscious and hospitalized for days return to the game without a thought. But over all its not a very compelling book and unbelievably difficult for me to get through.½

Perhaps the prototype for all "inside baseball" books written since. There's some interesting stuff in here, but much of what Matty has to say is pretty cliched. Frankly I was hoping for more.

This short review has also been published on a dabbler's journal.½