Mickey Mantle Is Going To Heaven

Not Just for Baseball Fans

Fritz Peterson has obviously lived a life like no other...and I'm not just referring to his days as a Major League pitcher. From his experiences with the likes of Mantle, Munson ET AL, to his infamous "trade," Fritz tells a great story in an every man's voice. He also relates all of it to people's relationship with God in a manner that even an orthodox agnostic will find fascinating. Tremendously interesting and not just for baseball fans.

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Pinstriped Prankster Pitches Prophecy

A little trivia for baseball enthusiasts: who had the lowest E.R.A. ever in "The House that Ruth Built"?; It's Fritz Peterson! Who knew? After reading his book, I also learned who the All-Time Yankee Prankster was, once again.... it's Fritz! I Literally L.O.L.'ed on several occasions. I can't say I've done that very often while reading!
Without the use of a co-author, the anecdotes retain their innocence (so to speak). Peterson's accounts of practical jokes and horseplay involving Pepitone, Skowron, Munson, Murcer and Clete Boyer,and countless other Yankee greats that he had the privilege of playing with, are straight from the horses' mouth. I felt as though I was sitting along side of him on the bench along with Mantle, Maris and Ford and Billy Martin just shootin' the breeze.
The former Yankee (and typically flaky south paw) finally speaks out. Until now, his voice was shrouded by Yankee scrutiny. Black-balled due to the most scandalous trade in baseball history: swapping entire families with team mate Mike Kekich, he has kept a low profile. The time has arrived; he comes forth with treasured stories that were buried behind the Yankees hallowed walls.
This is required reading for all Yankee fans, however if you were unfortunate enough to have suffered through the period referred to as "the Horace Clarke era" as I was, you'll get an extra kick out of this very enjoyable read.
Woven in with priceless, side-splitting stories, the crafty lefty puts an interesting spin on theology. Fritz concludes each chapter by passing final judgement upon his peers, and determining their eternal destiny. His intentions are pure and the "playing God" act is quite amusing, although the message is not to be taken lightly; it hits home solidly. Fritz could not be more serious when it comes to his faith, although his delivery is extremely entertaining. A home run on my scorecard.
Anthony Ficca
Hawthorne, NJ