Product Description

Chicago Cubs history through the eyes of those who were there

Banks to Sandberg to Grace is the saga of the post-WWII Chicago Cubs--more than 50 years of (few) victories and (many) heartaches--as told by those who were on the field, in the front office, or on the fringes. Organized by era, each storyteller is a "chapter," sharing his or her account--some hilarious, some angry, some poignant, and all entertaining.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #705648 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

From Library Journal
Chicago sports journalist Muskat has former and current players and personnel tell the story of the Cubs from their last pennant-winning year, 1945, to the present. Despite their losing ways, the Cubs have fans nationwide, and this book will circulate well in many libraries. It is more thorough than John Skipper's oral history, Take Me Out to the Cubs Game (LJ 8/00) and should be purchased along with George Castle's fine history The Million-to-One Team: Why the Chicago Cubs Haven't Won a Pennant Since 1945 (Diamond, 2000).
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

The Chicago Cubs are one of the most beloved teams in all of sports, though not for their success on the baseball field. The post-World War II years have been especially rough for the Cubs: they have been without a pennant since 1945--longer than any team in the major leagues. Banks to Sandberg to Grace takes the reader on a nostalgic journey through the triumphs (few), the heartaches (many), and the lighter moments, as told by those who were actually there--on the field, in the front office, or behind the scenes. Each storyteller shares his or her personal, revealing account of what it was like to play or work for the Chicago Cubs. Hank Sauer laughs about fans in the bleachers throwing tobacco at him. The team's longtime equipment manager, Yosh Kawano, talks about gaining the trust and friendship of players like Ryne Sandberg. And WGN-TV producer Arne Harris reminisces about sharing an earpiece with Jack Brickhouse and Harry Caray.

Banks to Sandberg to Grace offers more than 60 first-person stories from the past 50 years. Cut from the cloth of memory, these warm, insightful stories make a perfect gift for Cub fans who, through love and frustration, remain forever faithful to their team and to the promise of future success.

About the Author

Carrie Muskat is a writer for USA Today and USA Today Baseball Weekly, and her work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Inside Sports, and ESPN Total Sports magazine.

Customer Reviews

They wouldn't be the Cubs, if they didn't break your heart
As a lifelong Cubs fan, I had high hopes for this book. Granted, I was reading it while the Cubs were yet again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by losing 7 of 8 and dropping out of the playoffs. Not since 1969 did the Cubs have this kind of talent, and fail to use it. Oh well, they wouldn't be the Cubs if they didn't break your heart.

This book is really not a story about the Cubs, thus the three stars. It is rather dozens of short stories by former Cubs players and other personnel. There was no attempt at pulling the stories together; they are simply laid out in a general chronological order.

The highlights are some of the funny anecdotes. Rick Sutcliff describes some hilarious moments with Don Zimmer, and gives another view of Greg Maddox. Mark Grace gives some great insights. Several players imply racism was present in how Wrigley conducted business. The Cubs were never known for their great trades or player moves, and some bitterness from former players' remains. There are some touching moments as well, and many declare their identity with the Cubs despite playing for other teams.

Overall, if you are a Cubs fan, you will likely enjoy these short essays and anecdotes. I can say with some certainty that being a Cubs fan builds character. Who knows, maybe sometime this century they will actually win the World Series, and in doing so, end the world as we know it.

WRIGLEY TIME MACHINE
I BELIEVE THIS IS A GOOD LOOK AT HOW IT WAS AT WRIGLEY FIELD, THE FANS, AND THE HISTORY OF THE CUBS. AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF VARIOUS STORIES BY SOME CUBS ALUMINI. THE PERFECT MIX OF VETERANS REPRESENTING A DIFFERNT DECADE IN CUBS HISTORY. THE BOOK IS HUMOROUS, WELL TOLD, INTERESTING, NOSTALGIC AND DOWN RIGHT ENTERTAINING. I REALLY ENJOYED THE GREAT NOSTALGIA THIS BROUGHT BACK TO MANY CUBS FANS INCLUDING MYSELF. I CONSIDER THIS A GOOD READ AND A MUST FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CUBS FANS OR HAVE BEEN TO WRIGLEY FIELD. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A great experience for any sports fan
I absolutely loved this book, and I am not even a Cub's fan. It was very entertaining, very informatative, and very fun. It has great tales from Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and Andy Pafko. I would recommend this book to any baseball fan. No, I would recommend it to any sports fan!

A+