Ricci G. (goldie61) reviewed Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero on + 39 more book reviews
This is a very well written account of the life of a great ball player. Clemente didn't get the accolades of Robinson, Mays, Aaron, and other NL outfielders, but he certainly was their peer in nearly all areas (not power) and a superior outfield to all except perhaps Mays.
The struggles of being a Puerto Rican coming through into the major leagues in the mid-50's are particularly well written. Roberto was a dark skinned man, so he was often considered an African American by those around him and felt the struggles of blacks in the 50's and 60's. I thought the chapters on racial integration were truly eye opening. By 1965, black's weren't a side attraction on each team, but rather, some of the leaders on each. Minorities dominated the baseball world, including the All-Star games, yet blacks and whites could not room, eat, or hang together at spring training in Florida. Change eventually happened, but it was infuriating to see it occur at such a slow pace. The baseball commissioners during these years (Frick and Eckhart) should be ashamed of their legacy.
Maraniss covers this complex man in great detail. I wished he would have gone more in depth on the baseball side of things as I found the coverage of Roberto's career in the 1966-1971 seasons to be lacking. The author chose to focus on what made Roberto unique and spend less time on the baseball statistical feats... stuff I would have loved to read. That said, there is great and truly wonderful detail written about Clemente's two world series appearances in 1960 and 1971.
I think the book peters out after Clemente's 3000 hit is retold. There is too much written about President Nixon and his political connections in Nicaragua. There are also numerous references to Howard Hughes, which add nothing to the story. I found there to be some really excellent, well researched detail on the plane crash and the events leading up to the tragedy. But there's nothing about Clenente's widow or children after 1973. A lawsuit was mentioned in passing, (nothing noted in the book) but referenced in the Notes section. What happened? Who filed the suit? What was the outcome?
Fix the end and you have a truly first class book about one of the most revered and respected players in the history of baseball.
The struggles of being a Puerto Rican coming through into the major leagues in the mid-50's are particularly well written. Roberto was a dark skinned man, so he was often considered an African American by those around him and felt the struggles of blacks in the 50's and 60's. I thought the chapters on racial integration were truly eye opening. By 1965, black's weren't a side attraction on each team, but rather, some of the leaders on each. Minorities dominated the baseball world, including the All-Star games, yet blacks and whites could not room, eat, or hang together at spring training in Florida. Change eventually happened, but it was infuriating to see it occur at such a slow pace. The baseball commissioners during these years (Frick and Eckhart) should be ashamed of their legacy.
Maraniss covers this complex man in great detail. I wished he would have gone more in depth on the baseball side of things as I found the coverage of Roberto's career in the 1966-1971 seasons to be lacking. The author chose to focus on what made Roberto unique and spend less time on the baseball statistical feats... stuff I would have loved to read. That said, there is great and truly wonderful detail written about Clemente's two world series appearances in 1960 and 1971.
I think the book peters out after Clemente's 3000 hit is retold. There is too much written about President Nixon and his political connections in Nicaragua. There are also numerous references to Howard Hughes, which add nothing to the story. I found there to be some really excellent, well researched detail on the plane crash and the events leading up to the tragedy. But there's nothing about Clenente's widow or children after 1973. A lawsuit was mentioned in passing, (nothing noted in the book) but referenced in the Notes section. What happened? Who filed the suit? What was the outcome?
Fix the end and you have a truly first class book about one of the most revered and respected players in the history of baseball.
Rich D. (richmadcity) -
A look at one of the greatest baseball players in history. This book tells the tale of a man who transcended his sport, by playing with an indomitable fire and grace who lived as well as he played. Clemente is a hero to many for more than his baseball talents, and Maraniss does a wonderful job of explaining why. More than just a baseball book, it's a book about a man who stood above the rest and who died much too soon, while trying to help others.
