sweaver
07-06-2002, 12:44 AM
Written by the former Montreal Expo, ghosted by Robert Whiting, also the author of You Gotta Have Wa , the acclaimed book on Japanese baseball. The first chapter is on 1984, Cromartie's first year with the Yomiuri Giants. The second chapter deals with Cromartie's life up to then, 1953-83. The succeeding chapter each deal with a year in Japan, through his retirement in 1990.
It is a very interesting book, dealing with adjustment to another culture, rebelling against the rigid Japanese discipline, and finally acceptance of the way of life. Cromartie discusses his childhood in Miami, his career with the Expos (the only manager he has good words for is Dick Williams), and signing with the Giants of Tokyo rather than San Francisco. The Japanese baseball contract made Cromartie a lot of money, but also cost him his marriage.
Cromartie does not come across as much of a hero, or even a likeable figure. His foibles are displayed, in his own words, his moodiness, his extramarital affairs, his, er, "frank" language, his occasionally slacking. However, he does emerge as an interesting character.
The problems of a gaijin in the Japanese leagues are clearly portrayed, in his own life as well as other Americans in Japan, such as Ben Oglivie, Randy Bass, Reggie Smith, Bill Gullickson, and Dick Davis. All have their own problems adjusting. Oddly, out of them all, in the end Cromartie adjusts the best.
Cromartie's relationship with his first manager in Japan, the great slugger Sadaharu Oh, is very touching. Cromartie names his third child after the man who becomes a mentor. Cromartie does not have kind words for most of the Giants' coaches, however.
There are many faults with this book. There are spelling errors, often of names which were apparently not double-checked, and of course we all disremember facts sometimes. This is often a problem with autobiography.
This book was published by Kodansha International in 1991. Cover price was $19.95, but I got it from the bargain bin at Waldenbooks for $1.98 a few years ago.
It is a very interesting book, dealing with adjustment to another culture, rebelling against the rigid Japanese discipline, and finally acceptance of the way of life. Cromartie discusses his childhood in Miami, his career with the Expos (the only manager he has good words for is Dick Williams), and signing with the Giants of Tokyo rather than San Francisco. The Japanese baseball contract made Cromartie a lot of money, but also cost him his marriage.
Cromartie does not come across as much of a hero, or even a likeable figure. His foibles are displayed, in his own words, his moodiness, his extramarital affairs, his, er, "frank" language, his occasionally slacking. However, he does emerge as an interesting character.
The problems of a gaijin in the Japanese leagues are clearly portrayed, in his own life as well as other Americans in Japan, such as Ben Oglivie, Randy Bass, Reggie Smith, Bill Gullickson, and Dick Davis. All have their own problems adjusting. Oddly, out of them all, in the end Cromartie adjusts the best.
Cromartie's relationship with his first manager in Japan, the great slugger Sadaharu Oh, is very touching. Cromartie names his third child after the man who becomes a mentor. Cromartie does not have kind words for most of the Giants' coaches, however.
There are many faults with this book. There are spelling errors, often of names which were apparently not double-checked, and of course we all disremember facts sometimes. This is often a problem with autobiography.
This book was published by Kodansha International in 1991. Cover price was $19.95, but I got it from the bargain bin at Waldenbooks for $1.98 a few years ago.