Eight Men Out

The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series

De: Eliot Asinof

Narrado por: Harold N. Cropp

In 1919, American headlines proclaimed the fix and cover-up of the World Series as "the most gigantic sporting swindle in the history of America." In this painstaking review, Eliot Asinof has reconstructed the entire scene-by-scene story of the scandal, in which eight Chicago White Sox players arranged with the nation’s leading gamblers to throw the series to Cincinnati. Asinof vividly describes the tense meetings, the hitches in the conniving, the actual plays in which the Series was thrown, the Grand Jury indictment, and the famous 1921 trial. Moving behind the scenes, he perceptively examines the backgrounds and motives of the players and the conditions that made the improbable fix all too possible. Far more than a superbly told baseball story, this compelling American drama will appeal to all those interested in American popular culture.

©1963 Eliot Asinof (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Dramatic detail…an admirable journalistic feat!" ( New York Times)

"As thrilling as a cops and robbers tome!" ( Boston Globe)

"The most thorough investigation of the Black Sox scandal on record…a vividly, excitingly written book." ( Chicago Tribune)

Excellent account. Still, see the John Sayles film

Would you listen to Eight Men Out again? Why?

Not really, I know the story inside out by now. In fact, I'd watched the John Sayles film of the same name (a masterpiece, in my opinion, notwithstanding Jon Cusack's questionable athletic skills). And I've also read The Betrayal, a more recent book on the subject.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Eight Men Out?

I'll say that it was the detailed accounts of the fix by the players, which were not fully fleshed out in the film. In particular, there are quotes from Hap Felsch, Joe Jackson and others which, understandably, would have run the film too long. The one advantage to the book is that there is a deeper understanding of the motivations of the players, beyond the acrimony towards Comiskey.

Have you listened to any of Harold N. Cropp’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't believe so, though it was fine. Only at times does he descend into the campy voice such as he does in the sample when he reads quotes about Arnold Rothstein being a mouse in a doorway waiting for his cheese. There is some of that, but not too much.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not moved, but it surprised me that the actual adjudication of the suspension took much longer (over an entire season) than I'd previously known.

Any additional comments?

As I mentioned, it was a good story, well told, but still, the film is masterpiece for baseball fans.

Awesome

Probably lacks 100% fact, but a hell of a good yarn. Great listen. recommend

Plenty of corruption to go around

Nice to know the details of the scandal, most not given in the movie. Plenty of corruption on both sides to go around.

ENTERTAINING AND SAD...

This is well-worth the reading by baseball historians everywhere, and, like the sad Pete Rose tale, a lifelong cautionary tale against MLB players gambling on the game. Indeed, there should be NO betting on Baseball, period. Sadly, MLB is as full as hypocrites today as they were in 1919!

Spellbinding

A history lesson told in a compelling manner. Loved the intrigue and plot twists. And it was all true! Amazing.