Zim: A Baseball Life

This book is the autobiography of a man who in his own words was "a liftime .235 hitter." But oh what a .235 hitter! A man who played with Jackie Robunson, Pee Wee Reese, and several other famous Brooklyn Dodgers, who while managing the Red Sox had a pitcher who called him a "gerbil," and dealt with a "clueless owner" while managing the Rangers, and who was fortunate enough to be part of the Yankees' late 90s dynasty. And the stories he tells in this book are ones worthy of a man who has been in baseball over 50 years. His times with the Dodgers, his reign as manager of the perenially hopeless Chicago Cubs, his times as bench coach with the Yankees. And yet he has a kind word for virtually everyone he has either played with or against, or managed or coached, with the exception of Bill Lee. It's apparent the two did not get along, then again I'm not sure how I'd handle being called a "gerbil" either.This book shows "Zim" to be a delight both on and off the baseball field and a man who has seen virtually everything in his baseball life.

Who's the answer to more baseball trivia questions than anyone else in history? Don Zimmer, of course. "Zim: A Baseball Life" is 52 years' worth of anecdotes from the one guy who's been everywhere and seen it all.Zim's the only man to have been in uniform at all three New York Yankees' perfect games (the first and last of which were 43 years apart); he played a pivotal role in the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone World Series victory (by coming out of the game early); he was the first to play third base for the New York Mets (hundreds have followed, and, like Zim, none lasted very long); and he managed the 1978 Boston Red Sox when Bucky Dent hit that pop fly over the Green Monster on October 2nd."Zim" is a fast read, spilling over with Zim stories on every page. It's written on a very simple level, but is meticulously researched and, as a result, is completely authoritative. A couple of factual errors pop up, yes, which co-writer Bill Madden probably could have caught (Zim is said to have received roses when the Yankees won the 1999 season opener; news that is surprising when you remember the Yanks lost that game), but overall the errors, like strands of Zim's hair, are few and far between.The 2002 baseball season is about to begin and, no surprise, Zimmer will be there in uniform again. He's a funny guy (and a funny-looking guy) and it does the troubled sport of baseball a world of good that Zimmer is still around, the link between Pee Wee Reese and Derek Jeter, Clem Labine and Mariano Rivera, Sal Maglie and Roger Clemens, Walter O'Malley and George Steinbrenner. Here's hoping Zim has another half-century's worth of stories left in that massive belly of his.

ZIM IS A GOOD READ. IT IS WELL TOLD, INTERESTING, HUMOROUS, AND NOSTALGIC. DON ZIMMER IS REALLY A UNIQUE MAN. SEEMS LIKE HE HAS BEEN AROUND BASEBALL SINCE THE GAME WAS INVENTED. I READ THIS BOOK IN 3 DAYS, BUT I WISHED I HAD TAKEN MY TIME AND SAVORED IT MORE. IT IS LIKE A FINE WINE IT GOT BETTER WITH EACH CHAPTER. THIS BOOK IS FOR ANY BASEBALL FAN WHO WANTS TO BE ENTERTAINED AND TO LEARN SOME GREAT "WAR" STORIES CONCERNING THE BASBEALL LIFE OF DON ZIMMER. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This is one of the best baseball books I've ever read, and I've read my share of baseball books. He reviews his playing career first, and then goes into his career as manager with several teams and finally his latest incarnation as bench coach. He is refreshingly honest with his opinions of different players, coaches, and managers. He even pulls no punches when talking about the legendary Joe DiMaggio. There are several funny moments in the book as you would expect from someone who's been involved in baseball for over 53 years. One of the best parts in the book is when he counters Fergie Jenkins' claims that he was demoted to the bullpen by a "fat, ugly, bald man who knows nothing about pitching" by saying that Jenkins was right on 3 counts. He admits that he is "fat, ugly, and bald!" What a classic. Baseball needs more people like Zim and I wish there were more books out there like this one.

You don't need to be a Yankee fan, just a fan of fascinating sports stories that span generations. Madden is an excellent author, and wildly suceeds weaving together the intricate stories of Don Zimmer's long experiences on and off the field. A heartfelt opening by Joe Torre completes a great package. If you are a sports fan, buy it and enjoy. If you are a Yankee fan, shame on you for not having this already!