79. (Re)read “The Boys of Summer”
The names form such a pantheon of gods—Robinson, Reese, Campanella, Snider, Hodges, Furillo, Erskine, Labine—that it’s too easy to forget that they were human. Not just human in the way some fought racism or a catastrophic injury, but human in the way of immature rivalries, witching-hour confessions, barstool wisecrack perfection, overarching family worries and cherished private memories. The Boys of Summer brings that home.
Roger Kahn grew up as a boyhood fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and grew up again as a beat writer covering the team for the New York Herald-Tribune, and grew up once more when he revisited those select ballplayers a decade after the team had left for Los Angeles. As his initial idolization of those who roamed Ebbets Field in his youth dissolves into a first tenuous, then collegial, then warm bond with them, as he guides us back to and inside that celebrated era of Dodgers history, his wonder and insecurity as traveling companions, Kahn lets his readers simply be with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1950s.
Dodgers greats Jackie Robinson (left) and Pee Wee Reese (right) share a light moment with teammate Ralph Branca. Robinson and Reese, among others, were elevated to god-like status in Roger Kahn’s tribute to his beloved Dodgers, The Boys of Summer. Photo courtesy of www.walteromalley.com. All rights reserved.
If, in the years since its 1972 publication, The Boys of Summer has almost drowned in the same kind of unadulterated praise that made the Boys of Summer themselves seem unreal—it’s not a perfect book, lagging in certain parts—it is still unique in its clear-headed facility to bring this peak period of Dodgers history to life. For Dodgers fans who have never read it, it’s essential. For those who did read it but a generation ago, for those who have been growing up themselves and seen baseball and the world become at once more simple and more complex, it’s exactly the type of literature worth revisiting, a treasure trove of experiences meant to be shared and shared again. It’s better the second time around.
Dynasty Challenged
In their entire history through 2012, which includes two NL Wild Card appearances, 12 division titles, 21 NL pennants (not to mention the 1889 American Association crown) and six World Series championships, the Dodgers have never played postseason ball more than two seasons in a row. Close calls? Before consecutive playoff appearances in 1995–96, the Dodgers were in first place in the NL West in ’94 when the players’ union strike shut down the season. But the real chance for even a mini-dynasty was broken in 1954. A five-game deficit to the Giants interrupted what could have been five NL pennants in a row—six if it weren’t for Bobby Thomson in ’51.