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Book Review: Bob Forsch’s Tales from the Cardinals Dugout

Bob Forsch’s Tales from the Cardinals Dugout - A Collection of the Greatest Cardinals Stories Ever Told
by Bob Forsch with Tom Wheatley
Sports Publishing LLC
p. 182

This is part of a series of sports books going under titles such as Tales from the Dugout and Tales from the Mound, which are published by Sports Publishing LLC. Other books in this series that we have reviewed: Tales from the Phillies Dugout , Tales from the Angels Dugout and Leo Mazzone's Tales from the Braves Mound

Unlike most of the other editions of the ‘Greatest Team Stories Ever Told’ the Cardinals version of the book is not an overall historical view of the team from inception to the current day. Instead it is a snap shot through the eyes of one of the Cardinal pitchers from their days of dominance in the NL. Bob Forsch and his brother Ken pitched from the 70s to the mid 80s.

The book is a collection of stories and witty anecdotes from Bob’s days as a player and his interactions with some of the most colorful of the cardinal to ever walk down the pike. Stories about Curt Flood, Bob Gibson, Jim Kaat and many others make the book a wonderful read. Some of the stories are outrageously funny including his story of Joaquin Andujar and learning to drive in the snow.

Many Hall of Famers, not to mention other familiar names are in this book, many of them not Cardinals but all having relation to the Cardinals and how they played the game. Of course the Cards’ visit to the World Series takes more than a few pages as does Forsch’s stories of pitching to players such as Aaron, Carter, Buckner, and Strawberry.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this book however is the sense of community and the inside look at the Cardinals organization from the time that the author, Bob Forsch, was there. Forsch’s stories about Keith Hernandez, Vern Rapp, Bruce Sutter, and Willie McGee (to name a few) who were integral parts of the game are worth the price of the book alone.

Forsch also has a wonderfully zany sense of humor that comes through in all of his stories. It makes the book an easy and delightful read. Forsch's time in the Cardinals minor league system and his Dominican All-Star game with Tommy Lasorda managing also offer a glimpse into the world of baseball, something with which most of us are not familiar.

The book is an easy read and a fun one. If you are a fan of the Cardinals and want to understand what it is like inside what is arguably the best organization to still be playing the game then it's a superb read. Give this one a solid 2.0 of 4 balls and be prepared to sit back, laugh and enjoy the stories that Bob Forsch has chosen to share with us.

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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