60 Feet 6 Inches

For God knows how long now, I've been raving about reading the book 60 Feet 6 Inches, and by Jesus it did not disappoint. I mean honestly, a book written about Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson bantering back and forth about the intricacies, nuances, and art forms that are pitching and hitting, how can you go wrong. Short answer: You Can't. Long answer You Mother F-ing Can't!

This book talks about both players trying to get established in the league in a racist era, talks about personal tribulations that they went through, different nemeses throughout their playing days, opinions on players in their era, opinions on players in this era, slandering bad players, praising the good, classic dialogue between two players that only the walls of Cooperstown should hear. This book was fan-fucking-tastic.

Now I never got to see EITHER of these players play. And I feel borderline-pissed off that I wasn't alive in their eras but after reading this book I left thinking Bob Gibson was more of a man than any pitcher in the history of baseball. One of the most bad ass things I've ever heard anyone say is when Reggie Jackson made a comment about all the "armor" and batters leaning out over the plate, Gibson retorted, "I don't care, I think I can break some of it." Not could, like when he was playing but can, like NOW. This guy probably still throws 96 mph ched-pieces with a knee buckling slider.

Reggie Jackson, in this book, came off as a bitter old man. Don't get me wrong, he is one of the most deserving Hall of Famers, and World Class Ballplayers there was but some of the ways he described things mostly his constant referrals to Derek Jeter were a bit contrived. Although hearing his descriptions about the hitting aspect of the book were quite informative and even insightful but he had to make everything into a pissing match about Black vs. White. Don't get me wrong that was absolutely an issue, but when Gibson's Era started it was much more prevalent and he isn't griping about until Reggie started about how hard it was being a black male in a supposed white man's game.

That being said, the conjecture between these two mega-super-duper stars is amazing. You really get a feel for what some of the other players that people my age didn't get to see like Willie McCovey supposedly having the most RAW power in history as a baseball player, Hank Aaron having the quickest hands that Gibson had ever seen, Mickey Lolich is one of the most underrated pitchers in history and he gave Reggie the most trouble out of anyone, and aside from Willie Mays; Curt Flood was revered as the best CF in the game. It's nice to hear new things about old superstars that you never got to see.

I'd recommend this book to any baseball enthusiast, sports nut, or someone that just wants to read about some pretty important people in the world of entertainment. With these two, you can't lose!

Stay Tuned

Ryan