Here's the Catch

It's the 50th anniversary of the Miracle Mets and their 1969 World Series triumph and Ron Swoboda, a key member of the team that rose phoenix from the ashes from last place to first tells the story that only an insider could do so.

The provides his own memories of his contribution to the team in particular his amazing catch that led to the Mets winning Game Four of a tight series.

He is a keen and honest observer who is unafraid to tell it how it was and also criticise the behaviour and attitude of himself as well as others.

We learn much about the chemistry amongst the roster and the massive contribution of manager Gil Hodges - and how Swoboda irretrievably fell out with him, something he now regrets.

It is an easy and concise read which provides warmth and deep insight about what it takes to make a World Champion.

Highly recommended.

Ron Swoboda is an affable everyman who found success in baseball but remained very accessible throughout his life and in HERE'S THE CATCH, he writes about his life and how blessed he has been. Swoboda explains the infamous catch in the World Series (the picture on the cover of the book) and how he probably shouldn't have taken that much of a risk to catch the ball because of how badly it could have ended up had he missed. His humble attitude and matter-of-fact perception carries throughout the whole book and it feels like the reader is hearing stories from their uncle Ron at a family barbeque.
Swoboda takes the reader back to a different time in baseball, a time where players weren't celebrities, or if they were, you could still see them living in your neighborhood. Swoboda's book reminds the reader that being a baseball player was special and unique, but at the same time it is was a job and that comes with frustrations and challenges right along with the happiness. Swoboda also describes family life when a parent is a professional baseball player and those unique obstacles that families must overcome. He describes all of that very straight forward without call for concern or celebration and within the same book tells some great stories about men he played and many of their quirks and fallacies. The balance in those approaches lead to a truly endearing memoir. Swoboda also spend a good amount of time describing life after being a player and how he will forvever be entwined in America's favorite pastime.
HERE'S THE CATCH does what few sports memoirs do: it tells great stories, has a lot of heart, and pays homage to the game gave the writer his success. At the end of the book, Swoboda talks about the 1969 New York Mets team gathering again to remember the past, but the neatest part is he describes in detail how the wives of the 1969 team had there own reunion. Swoboda is a class act and a good writer and I'm glad I came across his book.

As a Mets fan, I am excited about all of the books coming out to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their World Series win. This book was written by a player on that team and offered a lot of behind the scenes insight that any Mets fan would love! Highly recommend!