Book Review: Ain’t
No Sense Worrin’
The Wit and Wisdom of Mick “the Quick”
Rivers
by Jonathan Leshanski
August 31, 2003
Ain’t No Sense Worrin’: The Wit and Wisdom
of Mick “the Quick” Rivers
by Mickey Rivers and Michael DeMarco
$19.95 list price
Sports Publishing LLC.
p. 164
One of baseball’s grand characters, Mickey Rivers, presents us with
a collection of anecdotes - great stories about both himself and his teammates
along with the wonderful quotes or “Gozzlehead speak” which
made him famous and stand on a par with some of Yogi Berra’s best.
Mickey is someone who has always been underestimated by people but he
is a true baseball man who has a keen incite and understanding of the
game, which is often missed due to the way he explains things. After reading
this book and also speaking with Mickey, I realized that there are depths
that are not evident in the first few minutes of conversation.
Simply put this book is fun. It’s not a serious
literary anthology, nor is it a simple story that is easy to follow but
a collection of anecdotes, personal information, and baseball wit and
knowledge. You will smile and laugh at some things and others you will
wonder about. Mickey’s language is his own and it will remind the
reader of either Satchel Paige or Yogi Berra in some of his sayings. Quotes
like “Me and George and Billy were two of a kind” are sure
to leave you smiling.
The book is light but is full of interesting gems that
fans of Mickey, the Yankees, Angels and Rangers will enjoy. There are
stories of how he got into the game, playing in the minors and discussions
of his unorthodox stance, his bat waggle and his sense of humor.
There is also a lot of baseball history intertwined into
the story although it is all seen through Mickey’s eyes. You’ll
meet the Yankee teammates from his World Championship seasons, see how
he learned to just go up and hit, and hear about his relations with famous
players from Bobby Bonds to Whitey Ford, Joe Dimaggio and other Yankee
legends.
His mischievous sense of humor always made him a part
of the team but it certainly was enough to give him a reputation in some
circles. Yet even now decades after being traded from the Yankees he is
still a Yankee in his heart. His work with the Yankees and with troubled
children makes Mickey something special. Here you’ll get all the
dirt.
Give this one 2 balls out of 4 for being a very
unique look at a special player.
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.
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