Dodgers Book Review: The Last Innocents by Michael Leahy
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ franchise is filled with a rich history, mostly highlighted by legendary announcer Vin Scully. However, award winning author Michael Leahy has captured an important decade for the team in his book, The Last Innocents.
Leahy takes readers on a significant journey through Major League Baseball in the 1960s. His book tells how seven Dodgers players fought through color barriers and social class issues on their way to the World Series.
Those seven players being Maury Wills, Sandy Koufax, Wes Parker, Jeff Torborg, Dick Tracewski, Tommy Davis and Lou Johnson.
Subscribe to Dodgers Nation TVLeahy is a writer for the Washington Post and the Washington Post Magazine. He is also the author of Hard Lessons and When Nothing Else Matters: Michael Jordan’s Last Comeback. We had a chance to speak with the author and ask him a few questions about the book.
Leahy was amazed with some of the interviews he had while preparing the story. This book deals with heavy subjects such as players dealing with racism, social class issues and discrimination while playing the game they love.
“What most surprised me was the extraordinary candor of the players, sometimes about quite painful subjects. I’m especially referring to Wills, Parker and Lou Johnson in this regard, though all the subjects had stories that required bravery in the telling,” said Leahy.
While trying to capture the emotion of the players during that time, Leahy says the players in this book made it “easy” for him to tell their stories vividly and passionately.
“Some of the players observed that, having developed a greater sense of their own mortality, they wanted their stories told before it was too late.”
Talking to these players gave Leahy more than just a story. It inspired him.
“I came away with enormous admiration for so many of these players (Dodgers and rivals), who, in most cases, had to strive doggedly, and against formidable odds, simply to make it to the major leagues,” says Leahy. “Any writer finds himself drawn to such tales of tenacity and courage”.
Leahy describes his book as the “collision of the turbulent sixties and the Los Angeles Dodgers.”
Vin Scully Remembers Early Impressions of Sandy Koufax’s TryoutUpon the reading of the book some fans took to social media to show their excitement and how thrilled they were after finishing this amazing book.
@autMichaelLeahy I truly enjoyed reading The Last Innocents. Thank you for the great book.
— Jeff the Giant? (@SoxofWhite) June 3, 2016
This from @autMichaelLeahy was delivered today. Dad was a huge Dodgers fan. I'm a child of the 60s. Eager to read pic.twitter.com/LOxszI4VfR
— Mike Harris (@TheAthleticMike) May 20, 2016
… but first enjoying #TheLastInnocents by @autMichaelLeahy – incredible storytelling about 1960s Dodgers and culture/politics of 1960s.
— Karen McAllister (@karenmcallister) June 3, 2016
Some fans were also recommending the book to their followers on Twitter.
@SoxofWhite Dog just finished The Last Innocents. The story of the 1960s Dodgers mixed with the politics of the 1960s. He says it's amazing
— Bill Zimmerman (@ZimmermanSXM) May 6, 2016
Video: Vin Scully Reflects on His Career and LegacyThrilled for @autMichaelLeahy's new book #TheLastInnocents—beautiful portrait of 1960's culture thru @Dodgers eyes: https://t.co/WkMFcygbHO
— Cameron Leahy (@cameronleahy) May 10, 2016
Don’t miss out on this amazing story. Be sure to grab yours on Amazon! Stay connected with the Author by following him on social media:
"Maury Wills was the MVP of the 1962 MLB All-Star Game, but he almost didn’t make it to the game." #TheLastInnocents #OnlyaGame
— Michael Leahy (@autMichaelLeahy) July 7, 2016
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