The Captain & Me: On and Off the Field with Thurman Munson

The Captain & Me: On and Off the Field with Thurman Munson

  • Downloads:8134
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-05-13 06:21:10
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Ron Blomberg
  • ISBN:1629378542
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

The deeply personal story of a friendship between two teammates, and of a human bond which ultimately transcends the game itself。 

As back-to-back No。 1 draft picks for the New York Yankees, Ron Blomberg and Thurman Munson made for an odd couple。 One was a good-looking, gregarious kid from Atlanta who cheerfully talked anyone’s ear off at the slightest provocation; the other was a dumpy, grumpy dude from the Midwest rust belt who was about as fond of making idle chit-chat as he was of shaving。  

Despite the surface differences, the two men would form a close attachment as they ignited a youth movement with the 1970s Yankees。 Now, over 40 years after Munson's shocking death in a plane crash at age 32, Blomberg opens up to author Dan Epstein about the beloved Yankees captain in an extraordinary memoir that reaches far beyond baseball。  

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, The Captain & Me shares tales of clubhouse hijinks during the infamous Bronx Zoo era, adventures on the road, and even rubbing shoulders with mobsters。 Blomberg also offers a fascinating glimpse into baseball history, including the first-ever strike and lockout, the escalation of the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry, and the start of full-scale free agency。  

This illuminating remembrance of Munson is filled with untold stories about his analytical-yet-hard-nosed approach to baseball, as well as his kindness and generosity off the field。 

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Reviews

Steve

Excellent Great book about the team and the players I grew up with and Thurman Munson was my all time favorite

James Beemer

THE CAPTAIN AND ME: ON AND OFF THE FIELD WITH THURMAN MUNSON is a MUST READ book for any Thurman Munson fan。 For any baseball fan, it is an intimate view of baseball and a great player told from the aspect of a close friend and teammate Ron Blomberg。 Co-author Dan Epstein - an astute baseball chronologist - intertwined his observations and research, enabling the reader to imagine oneself like a fly on the wall。Beginning with a beautiful Forward by Diana Munson, the human view of The Captain is f THE CAPTAIN AND ME: ON AND OFF THE FIELD WITH THURMAN MUNSON is a MUST READ book for any Thurman Munson fan。 For any baseball fan, it is an intimate view of baseball and a great player told from the aspect of a close friend and teammate Ron Blomberg。 Co-author Dan Epstein - an astute baseball chronologist - intertwined his observations and research, enabling the reader to imagine oneself like a fly on the wall。Beginning with a beautiful Forward by Diana Munson, the human view of The Captain is first unwrapped for what is to come in the following pages。 Some fans are already aware of this side of Thurman, but Ron's perspective adds incredible depth and nuance。Dan Epstein in his Introduction describes what it is like to see baseball greatness in a player for the first time。 This primes the historical perspectives to come。The table is set - literally - in Chapter 1, Deviled Eggs。 Smiles will begin to appear as the many flavors of each chapter seep into your mind。The book flows in a chronological lane, starting with their first spring training up until their last phone call two weeks before the fateful crash。 Besides the intimate view of Thurman the player and human being, Ron also provides his own struggle of wanting to play baseball so bad, but, being betrayed by injuries that sapped away his natural baseball gift。 Wish Yankee fans got to witness Ron's hitting prowess。I found myself dancing delightedly as Ron talks about Thurman's greatness at handling pitching staffs and calling the game。 Fan club members have heard me say Thurman made mediocre pitchers good, good pitchers great and great pitchers Hall-worthy。 Ron states just that and includes how pitchers responded。The other gem was Thurman mentoring Rick Dempsey and how it contributed to Rick's success。 Thurman's team first/pay it forward resonates on his leadership and his approach to catching。There are so many examples of Thurman's leadership and baseball exceptionalism。 The reader will easily gain a fresh perspective。The crash and funeral are handled with class and sensitivity。 I shared Ron's remorse regarding the inability to attend his best friend's funeral。As Ron concludes, Thurman Munson belongs in the Hall of Fame, as many agree。 Voters and former voters have voiced newfound perspective and are reevaluating。 Come December 2023, let's hope we hear "The Newest Member to the National Baseball Hall of Fame - Thurman Lee Munson。"James Beemer 。。。more