Jack McKeon

Jack McKeon managed the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series after taking over early in the season. With baseball season approaching it seemed like a good time to read his memoir, which appears to be an edited version of interviews with McKeon talking about his half-century in baseball.

Advertised on the cover as "Baseball's best storyteller," I was ready to give up on McKeon after the first five pages. By relying solely on McKeon's voice he comes across as a bit of a blowhard at first, as if he were paid by the "I." With quotes like "I've done it all and I've been everywhere," why read on? Maybe for the sage advice: "Your attitude determines your altitude." Maybe not. How about astounding health tips? "I'm convinced cigars help keep me healthy."

After a while you get the idea that's just his personality - McKeon saying his mind without worrying what anyone thinks about it. It results in some good baseball stories. McKeon also praises the Marlins players and how they came together that season.

At the end I wondered how much smoke the co-writer, Kevin Kernan - a professed abstainer, had to breathe to do this book. At least they were probably really good cigars.… (lisätietoja)