Book Review: Man on Spikes

Man on Spikes
by Eliot Asinof
Published by Southern Illinois University Press
p. 276

Man on Spikes is perhaps the best baseball book I have ever read. It’s not a factual book, but a historical novel which tells a story much more true than most factual accounts of baseball before, during, and just after World War II. Baseball was a monopoly like today, but players were regularly exploited to make money for the owners.

The protagonist of Man on Spikes is a centerfielder by the name of Mike Kutner who has all the talent in the world, but lacks an understanding of how the game is played off the field. Of course, this handicaps him in a world of managers with personal grudges, crooked owners, “yes” men, and cut-throat competitors.

The book traces Mike’s journey from a 17 year old high-schooler discovered by a scout who can see his potential, to his taste of the Majors. The book revolves around his minor league career and the battles and challenges he faces in trying to get to the big show, and the personal sacrifices he must make, both financially and regarding his relationships.

One of the fascinating aspects of the book is that each chapter is written from the perspective of a different person, including the scout, the manager, the father, the old ballplayer, the sister, the commissioner, the reporter, the negro ballplayer, the clown and the junior executive. This provides a fascinating backdrop for the novel, as the characters interweave, and interact over Mike’s career. This gives us a look into their heads, and we see Mike through their eyes.

Perhaps more important are the perspectives that these characters give us on the life of a ballplayer back then, and perhaps in some cases even now. For a historical perspective, we learn about the role of commissioner and how only a few really were able to wield power. How the owners manipulated the systems to cheat ballplayers and keep them trapped in an organization with half truths, outright lies, and manipulation.

We also see baseball’s effects on his relationships with his father, mother, sister, and wife as Mike travels down the road of his dream. It’s a story of disappointments, and some triumphs, and how hard the life of a minor leaguer used to be.

The book was written in 1955 and was a novel far ahead of its time. Its brilliance is not just in the storyline, but in the writing itself. The book flows, with each chapter having its own flavor, but contributing to the entire story of Mike Kutner’s life. The eloquence of Asinof’s writing makes this story so much stronger and more poignant than a lesser writer could have done. All in all, it’s a marvelous work.

Another interesting thing about this book is the forward by Marvin Miller, who helped the players establish a true union and free agency. Miller views the story as representative of baseball as it existed in the era, and discusses how common and true the events portrayed were. It’s a piece of the book I would not have wanted to miss.

The book was inspired at least in part by the life of a career minor leaguer named Mickey Rutner who was a friend and teammate of the author when they played college league ball.

This book comes close to perfection, especially for anyone who has an interest in what it was like back in the trenches in the 30’s though the early 50's. In fact, it’s so close to perfection that I’m going to give it the first walk we’ve ever issued. Give it 4 out of 4 balls - worth an immediate walk to get yourself a copy.

Our Rating System is based on a four ball system as follows:
One Ball: Average. It has something to say but is nothing special.
Two Balls: Something men usually have - also means its a cut above average, and worth reading/owning.
Three Balls: Stands out from its peers and is highly recommended.
Four Balls: More than just what two men have when hanging out together, it means it is an exceptional book that truly earns a walk - straight to the local book store to get a copy.

At Home Plate

Book Review: Man On Spikes