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(More customer reviews)Author Neil Lanctot has thoroughly researched this new book on former Brooklyn Dodgers' catcher Roy Campanella. Wherever possible the author interviewed former players such as Carl Erskine, Rocky Bridges, Bobby Bragan, Gene Hermanski, Monte Irvin, Andy Pafko, and several others. Teammates such as Clem Labine, Preacher Roe, and Johnny Podres died before he was able to conduct an interview. Other Dodger stalwarts passed on much prior to this time. Writers such as Roger Kahn, Stan Isaacs, and Rachel Robinson (widow of Jackie) were also interviewed. One well-known teammate chose not to be interviewed because he had been misquoted too often in the past while the son of another former Dodger said his father now charges $5,000 an hour to be interviewed.
Roy began his professional career with the Washington Elite Giants in 1937 and then continued on with the team when they moved to Baltimore the following year. Campy was blessed to have a wonderful mentor in Biz Mackey who provided him with the encouragement he needed. Later on Roy credited catcher Mike Sandlock, who later went on to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, for teaching him the finer points of catching. Sandlock had a nondescript major league career, but he left his mark on Campanella.
After spending time at both Nashua, New Hampshire, and Montreal in the Dodgers' minor league system Author Lanctot provides considerable detail regarding Campanella's career with the Dodgers. Campy won the National League's MVP award in the alternate years of 1951, 1953, and 1955. After suffering through a tough season in 1954 due to a hand injury he came back with a strong year again in 1955 while many thought Duke Snider should have won the award instead. Campy rejoiced in winning the 1955 MVP award knowing that his hand had healed and he felt more good years were to follow. We can't help but wonder if Campanella's presence in the lineup of the third game of the 1951 playoff game with the New York Giants would have had a different outcome had Roy been able to be in the lineup. As it was he was out with a leg injury, and replaced by Rube Walker.
The author enlightens us regarding the frosty relationship between Roy and Jackie Robinson which soured during a barnstorming tour due to unequal distribution of pay for each member. Robinson also wanted Campanella to take a more active part in fighting for equal rights for Negro players in hotels and restaurants which the ball club patronized while Campy expressed a thankful attitude for what he had rather than what he was denied. Their relationship was patched up in later years with Campanella taking a more active part in championing civil rights.
Campanella's career came to a sudden and violent end in January of 1958 when his rented car skidded on ice and slammed into a telephone pole and left him paralyzed. I remember the headline in The Sporting News which read "Swerve on A Curve: Player and Car Crashed." If Roy had been driving his own car with snow tires perhaps things may have turned out differently. It was quite an adjustment for this athletic catcher to now depend on others to attend to his basic needs. Author Lanctot states that Roy spent a long day working at his Harlem liquor store, followed by a visit to his mistress prior to going home. Being overly tired or having fallen asleep at the wheel the remainder of Roy's life changed in an instant. Roy's marriage to his second wife Ruth had already deteriorated with both individuals to blame. The book and movie version of "It's Good to be Alive" focus on Ruth's negative behavior, but Roy had his faults as well. The author explains in quite some detail the difficulties Roy experienced in his post-baseball life bound to his wheelchair.
You will find details regarding Roy's life not found in other publications regarding the storied Boys of Summer. Author Lanctot did his homework on this book, and it would be a worthy addition to any baseball fan's library.
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