Reviews

The Gashouse Gang by John Heidenry

bupdaddy's review against another edition

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3.0

In the introduction, we learn that World War I went from 1915 to 1919, so perhaps we should take any hard information from this book with a grain of salt.

However, it's an entertaining and largely true story, even if I don't double-check all the details. Dizzy and Paul Dean did lead the Cards to a 1934 World Series win in unpredictable fashion, and the exploits make for a good read. Maybe he got everything else right, maybe not - some of the other stuff didn't seem to add up to me, as I recall.

I can't go 4 stars because some of the parts could have dovetailed better - this book is pretty roughly hewn construction.

I also had more respect for the 'gashouse gang' before I read the book than after. Now they strike me as that generation's 1985 Chicago Bears. They got lucky, and they're more fondly remembered than they deserve. It's no wonder Dizzy and Paul Dean's careers were short - the club asked them to whipsaw their arms basically every other day for most of the season.

raegancampbell's review against another edition

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3.0

This book turned the wackos on the 1934 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals into a lovable bunch of guys. Even though it could get boring in its descriptions of the action in World Series games, the book provided an inside look on why this team was so weird and how on Earth they won it all.

yulelogue's review against another edition

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4.0

Well cited. When people opine about older players dedication to the game and professionalism, just tell them to look up Dizzy Dean.
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