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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This book is unfortunately much more of a Shaughnessy book than a Francona book. It is told by Shaughnessy, with liberal sprinkles of quotes by Francona. It tells of Francona's rise in the major leagues, what he learned from having a life in the big leagues (as his dad was a big leaguer too), and as a manager for the Phillies.
Then it gets to the "Red Sox Years" and tells of the magical 2004 season, through the last ugly year of 2011, at a chapter a year clip. Shaughnessy tells of the machinations and perturbations behind the scenes, and Francona chips in with quotes about how he saw things.
Unfortunately, it all ends badly and Shaughnessy isn't afraid to revel in it. He loves to say things like "and they wouldn't be back in the playoffs for the rest of Tito's time there" and other such portents. The last year, as any Red Sox fan is all too familiar with, was an ugly one of the inmates running the asylum and Francona just hoping they would figure it out before it all blew up on them. Well, they didn't, being the spoiled brats that most professional athletes are. They began to worry more about themselves than the team and it all fell apart.
Basically, there was absolutely nothing in here than any even reasonably attentive Red Sox fan wouldn't already know. In fact, again in what I feel like is the Shaughnessy way, it glosses over the good times, speeding right by the World Championships, and revels in the bad times. And even in the good times, Shaughnessy can't help but put in little digs at whoever is a convenient target. Like when they had Yastrzemski throw out the first ball on Opening Day after winning the World Series the year before, he can't resist throwing it out that "he was gone before the first pitch of the game", digging at Yaz's purported lack of interest in the game of baseball.
There were, of course, many other examples and even by the end, Francona started coming off as a whiner. Due to physical ailments like blood clots and bad knees, he was taking Percocet and when that fact became public, Francona was absolutely determined to get to the bottom of who "spilled the beans" about this supposedly private admission he made to the major league front office. He becomes obsessed with getting the management trio of John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Luchino to track down the perp (as if there might only be one) and punish him appropriately. And when that doesn't happen, he whines.
He also whines about interviewing for new managerial jobs and how they would always ask him about the September collapse, like that wouldn't be topic #1 of any owner looking to hire him. Yeah, you did plenty of good, but a historic collapse also deserves investigation, wouldn't you say?
So I wasn't really that impressed. I didn't really get too much of a feel of being "behind the scenes" (besides images like Francona conducting strategy sessions from the toilet in the manager's office - ugh). It also glossed over things I would like to know or at least have discussed. Like during the 2004 ALCS, what affect did the rainout of Game 3 have on everything? In the end, it was more meh than anything else.
Then it gets to the "Red Sox Years" and tells of the magical 2004 season, through the last ugly year of 2011, at a chapter a year clip. Shaughnessy tells of the machinations and perturbations behind the scenes, and Francona chips in with quotes about how he saw things.
Unfortunately, it all ends badly and Shaughnessy isn't afraid to revel in it. He loves to say things like "and they wouldn't be back in the playoffs for the rest of Tito's time there" and other such portents. The last year, as any Red Sox fan is all too familiar with, was an ugly one of the inmates running the asylum and Francona just hoping they would figure it out before it all blew up on them. Well, they didn't, being the spoiled brats that most professional athletes are. They began to worry more about themselves than the team and it all fell apart.
Basically, there was absolutely nothing in here than any even reasonably attentive Red Sox fan wouldn't already know. In fact, again in what I feel like is the Shaughnessy way, it glosses over the good times, speeding right by the World Championships, and revels in the bad times. And even in the good times, Shaughnessy can't help but put in little digs at whoever is a convenient target. Like when they had Yastrzemski throw out the first ball on Opening Day after winning the World Series the year before, he can't resist throwing it out that "he was gone before the first pitch of the game", digging at Yaz's purported lack of interest in the game of baseball.
There were, of course, many other examples and even by the end, Francona started coming off as a whiner. Due to physical ailments like blood clots and bad knees, he was taking Percocet and when that fact became public, Francona was absolutely determined to get to the bottom of who "spilled the beans" about this supposedly private admission he made to the major league front office. He becomes obsessed with getting the management trio of John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Luchino to track down the perp (as if there might only be one) and punish him appropriately. And when that doesn't happen, he whines.
He also whines about interviewing for new managerial jobs and how they would always ask him about the September collapse, like that wouldn't be topic #1 of any owner looking to hire him. Yeah, you did plenty of good, but a historic collapse also deserves investigation, wouldn't you say?
So I wasn't really that impressed. I didn't really get too much of a feel of being "behind the scenes" (besides images like Francona conducting strategy sessions from the toilet in the manager's office - ugh). It also glossed over things I would like to know or at least have discussed. Like during the 2004 ALCS, what affect did the rainout of Game 3 have on everything? In the end, it was more meh than anything else.
I've never been a fan of the Red Sox, but I've always admired Terry Francona's work as a baseball manager. After finishing this book, even though it is about the Red Sox of 2004-2011, I think it would appeal equally both to those who love and those who hate the Red Sox. It contains all the highlights of the golden era of Red Sox baseball, but it also sheds light on how poorly the Red Sox owners treated the best manager in the history of their franchise (even in the good times). It seems that they had no regard or appreciation for the 2 World Series titles he brought to Boston after an 86-year drought. Communication was described as being very poor during his tenure there, and had it not been for General Manager Theo Epstein, who attempted to bridge the owners and the field personnel, there likely wouldn't have been as much success.
Because most of this biography spans just an 8-year period, with each 162-game season (plus playoffs) in Boston being compressed to one chapter of reading, it highlights how difficult it is to put anyone's life story down into a concise book. As the title suggests, this book presents only one facet of Terry Francona's life: that of one job he held for 8 years. Now that he's managed 8 additional years in Cleveland, it would be interesting to get an updated biography with Francona's additional experiences there. He seems like a great guy that deserves better than the send-off he received in Boston.
Because most of this biography spans just an 8-year period, with each 162-game season (plus playoffs) in Boston being compressed to one chapter of reading, it highlights how difficult it is to put anyone's life story down into a concise book. As the title suggests, this book presents only one facet of Terry Francona's life: that of one job he held for 8 years. Now that he's managed 8 additional years in Cleveland, it would be interesting to get an updated biography with Francona's additional experiences there. He seems like a great guy that deserves better than the send-off he received in Boston.
Given that I'm a Red Sox junky, it's not a shock that I loved this book. More than anything, I was glad that it wasn't all negative. And who doesn't love reliving the 2004 season?
I considered this a trip down memory lane (the good and the bad) with some personal behind-the-scenes insights. Remembering certain games or actions that were told in greater depth.
My one big disappointment was that, given Francona (aka Tito) was give 'top billing' as author. It clearly was his story written by Dan Shaughnessy (which I actually never thought I'd read a Dan Shaughnessy book, even his so called classic 'The Curse Of The Bambino').
In general the Boston Sports market is tough. The baseball market is extra tough! The rivalry with the Yanks is mentioned as the greatest sports rivalry! Though personally I think that fact is all media hype! I don't deny that there's a rivalry with the Bronx Bombers, I've been a blue blooded Sox fan for 48 of my 43 years on earth!
The Sox tale is that of your classic underdog! Dominated the sport in the early 1900's. Winning the World Series the first 5 times they made the fall classic (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918). Then comes the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yanks in 1920. After that the Sox made it to the World Series 4 more times (1946, 1967, 1975, and 1986) only to loose in the 7th game all 4 times! Personally I've hated the Mets with a white hot hate since 1986!
Then in 2004 Tito was hired as the 43rd manager of the team. By 2007 the Sox had won 2 World Series, the 1st in 2004 (an 86 year drought)! When it comes to managers of the Sox the only other one to manage 2 WS winning teams was Bill Carrigan (1915 and 1916). The only other manager that could be considered a great one is Dick Williams the manager of the 1967 Impossible Dream team! For me Tito is the tops!
Now, after 2007 things did tend to go downhill. The starting point can be seen as loosing to the Tampa Bay Rays in 7 games in the 2008 American League Championship Series! The Sox may have never been the same, but they still played great ball for parts, if not most of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons.
The epic collapse in September 2011, was well epic! And hard to read about! The upper managements treatment of Tito is inexcusable in my opinion!
I give it 3 solid stars and a must read for the die hard Red Sox fan and those who just love the great game of baseball
My one big disappointment was that, given Francona (aka Tito) was give 'top billing' as author. It clearly was his story written by Dan Shaughnessy (which I actually never thought I'd read a Dan Shaughnessy book, even his so called classic 'The Curse Of The Bambino').
In general the Boston Sports market is tough. The baseball market is extra tough! The rivalry with the Yanks is mentioned as the greatest sports rivalry! Though personally I think that fact is all media hype! I don't deny that there's a rivalry with the Bronx Bombers, I've been a blue blooded Sox fan for 48 of my 43 years on earth!
The Sox tale is that of your classic underdog! Dominated the sport in the early 1900's. Winning the World Series the first 5 times they made the fall classic (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918). Then comes the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yanks in 1920. After that the Sox made it to the World Series 4 more times (1946, 1967, 1975, and 1986) only to loose in the 7th game all 4 times! Personally I've hated the Mets with a white hot hate since 1986!
Then in 2004 Tito was hired as the 43rd manager of the team. By 2007 the Sox had won 2 World Series, the 1st in 2004 (an 86 year drought)! When it comes to managers of the Sox the only other one to manage 2 WS winning teams was Bill Carrigan (1915 and 1916). The only other manager that could be considered a great one is Dick Williams the manager of the 1967 Impossible Dream team! For me Tito is the tops!
Now, after 2007 things did tend to go downhill. The starting point can be seen as loosing to the Tampa Bay Rays in 7 games in the 2008 American League Championship Series! The Sox may have never been the same, but they still played great ball for parts, if not most of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons.
The epic collapse in September 2011, was well epic! And hard to read about! The upper managements treatment of Tito is inexcusable in my opinion!
I give it 3 solid stars and a must read for the die hard Red Sox fan and those who just love the great game of baseball
I really enjoyed this book. I always liked Francona and now I know he is a caring man of integrity. He demonstrates that you can be a nice guy and be successful in an environment that doesn't necessarily value or reward those qualities in people. I loved the stories of the players. This is a well-written book that any Red Sox fan will enjoy.
Disappointing. If you're a diehard Sox fan, there's almost no new information here, and the writing is bland. Interestingly enough, I actually found Francona to be less likable after reading the book, as there's quite a few examples of him being quick-tempered, petty and unreasonable. I found that very surprising. It's not a bad book per se, but nothing to go out of your way to read.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
As a fan of the Sox, I was very interested in Francona's perspective on events. While some of this is interesting, it is not much of a book.
First off, I'm not sure why the book is "by" Francona since there is no attempt to even hide the fact that he did not actually write the book in the text. For example, it quotes him often. Actually, that in may tell us more about Francona and his ego than anything in the rest of the book.
So, Dan Shaugnessy wrote it and he's a hack, so readers should know going in that it is not going to be particularly well written.
Casting all of that aside, however, if Francona wanted to get his story out there, he might have thought about waiting a few more years -- maybe 10 years, and then done this. A lot of it reads petty and comes back to the same points again, and again, and again. Oh, and then it hammers them again.
Interesting to read if you are a fan of the team, not worth if it you are not a fan. I actually think less of Francona -- both as a coach and as a person -- than I did before I read the book. That was probably not his goal.
First off, I'm not sure why the book is "by" Francona since there is no attempt to even hide the fact that he did not actually write the book in the text. For example, it quotes him often. Actually, that in may tell us more about Francona and his ego than anything in the rest of the book.
So, Dan Shaugnessy wrote it and he's a hack, so readers should know going in that it is not going to be particularly well written.
Casting all of that aside, however, if Francona wanted to get his story out there, he might have thought about waiting a few more years -- maybe 10 years, and then done this. A lot of it reads petty and comes back to the same points again, and again, and again. Oh, and then it hammers them again.
Interesting to read if you are a fan of the team, not worth if it you are not a fan. I actually think less of Francona -- both as a coach and as a person -- than I did before I read the book. That was probably not his goal.
Was this the book of the year? Nope. Was it full on unknown truths, oddities or wisdom? Nope. Was it a fun read, with some witty parts to it? Yes. The book reads really well, and has a simple flow to it, logically breaking the chapters into years and eras. I didn't find it to be a biography so much as a data dump. There is a lot of reminiscing, but it isn't a memoir.
If you are a Red Sox fan, you'll enjoy this. I think you might if you are a baseball fan. If you care about neither, why are you looking at this book?
If you are a Red Sox fan, you'll enjoy this. I think you might if you are a baseball fan. If you care about neither, why are you looking at this book?
This is a nice review of Tito's time in Boston. I enjoyed it. But as someone who follows the Sox fairly closely it didn't add anything really new that I hadn't already heard from WEEI or the Globe. Good summer reading for a baseball fan.