A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cooperstown

by Mickey McDermott and Howard Eisenberg

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572435321
• ISBN13: 9781572435322
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Triumph Books (IL)
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

GOOD BUT A BIT DISAPPOINTING

MICKEY MCDERMOTT WAS QUITE A CHARACTER DRUNK AND SOBER. IN THIS BOOK WE LEARN HE HAD THE POTENTIAL TO BE A GOOD MAYBE GREAT PITCHER. HIS STUBBORNESS, EGO AND CONTROL PROBLEMS LIMITED HIS SUCCESS. LATER ON HIS ADDICTION TO BOOZE WOULD ALSO BE A GREAT CONTRIBUTOR. MICKEY TELLS SOME SCARY AND HUMOROUS STORIES BUT THE HUMOROUS ONES ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. HE IS PRETTY HONEST ABOUT THIS DRINKING AND CAROUSING WITHOUT BEING TOO STRONG ON THE DETAILS. HIS HEART PROBLEM IS REALLY INTERESTING AND WHILE RECOVERING HE AND HIS GIRLFRIEND/WIFE WIN THE ARIZONA LOTTERY. QUITE A BIT IS BACKED IN THIS BOOK ALONG WITH HIS FRIENDSHIPS WITH FRANK SINATRA, JIMMY CAGNEY AND MANY MORE. I RECOMMEND THIS MOSTLY FOR FANS WHO KNOW WHO MICKEY IS AND PEOPLE WHO NEED A DECENT LAUGH.

Life of the party

A very enjoyable book. McDermott seems to have been the Alfred E. Newman ("What, me worry?") of the baseball world. McDermott is one of hundreds of lads who posessed an amazing talent to either hit a baseball or throw it, but for reasons unknown didn't fully make it to the top of the hill. So what? The reason this book is unique is that McDermott was so much more than a baseball player. He was talented in other areas, was full of vinegar, and was generally fun to be around. And that comes through in his book. Because of a strange bit of good fortune (as explained in the book), McDermott was able to reinvent himself - this is a true, real life happy ending.

An enjoyable read from a true character

I'll be honest, I had never heard of Mickey McDermott before I stumbled upon this book. I started reading it in a bookstore and found myself laughing out loud, a very good sign I will like a book. I bought it and was not disappointed. Mickey tells how he went from can't miss prospect to washed up and broke. He's had an interesting life filled with numerous hilarious baseball stories and drinking. Lots and lots of drinking, according to Mickey. He made mistakes throughout his life and Mickey owns up to them. Overall, a very good book about the golden age of baseball and a lot of laughs too.

A fun and hilarious read...

I read this book, interesting enough, while on vacation in Cooperstown. I am a big fan of baseball and enjoy reading about our national pasttime. This book had me laughing out loud many times, drawing interesting looks from my wife, kids and other guests of the resort we were at. McDermott's recollections in this book are hilarious and was written in a very funny and lighthearted way. When he died a few months ago I felt I had known him from reading this book. If you enjoy reading funny baseball stories from both on and off the field, especially during the best years in baseball (40's-50's), buy this book, you won't be disappointed.

A great book by a great character

Mickey McDermott is one of the funniest men in baseball and his book is wonderful. Unfortunately, there are few if any McDermotts and "Spaceman" Lees left in the game and we are left to read about their antics, and pine for the day when baseball was a game and not a business. Fortunately, we are able to do that this summer, as both Red Sox eccentrics have written books. I'd love to get these two guys in a room and just listen!