SLEEPER CARS &FLANNEL UNIFORMS*NEW ISBN*: Amazon.ca: Elden Auker, Tom Keegan: Books

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From Library Journal

In the past few years there has been a dearth of quality baseball books that don't deal with the Mets, Yankees, or one of baseball's new millionaires. This book of reminiscences by 1930s pitcher Elden Auker breaks this trend. Only the most dedicated fan could still identify Auker as one of the rare submarine pitchers in the Major Leagues, but all fans will find his recollections enjoyable. Now over 90, Auker recalls his boyhood growing up in Kansas and pitching against the great Negro Leagues star Satchel Paige, his Major League career with several teams, and a post-baseball business career that included a particularly interesting visit on Cape Cod fishing with Joseph P. Kennedy. Auker recalls his relations with such stars of his era as Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Jimmie Foxx, and Ted Williams, and the closeness that traveling together by train brought to a team of players. Auker was not a star, never winning 20 games, but he played on two pennant winners and one must wonder what his talents might be worth today. This memoir deserves wide reading and is highly recommended for all public and school libraries. William Scheeren, Hempfield Area H.S. Lib., Greensburg, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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3.0 out of 5 stars a surprising book, Nov 29 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: SLEEPER CARS &FLANNEL UNIFORMS*NEW ISBN* (Hardcover)

eldon auker? didn't he lose to dizzy dean in the 7th game of 1934 world series? i can believe he's still around.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A storied life, April 15 2002

By

Cory D. Slipman (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: SLEEPER CARS &FLANNEL UNIFORMS*NEW ISBN* (Hardcover)

Elden Auker, with the aid of celebrated New York sportswriter Tom Keegan crafts an autobiographical piece spanning his 90+ years. Auker was born in rural Kansas and graduated as a three sports star from Kansas State university. Deciding that his quickest road to success was through baseball, he signed a professional contract to pitch for the Detroit Tigers.

Auker developed an unorthodox submarine delivery which allowed him to enjoy a creditable 10 year major league career. Along the way he befriended some of the greats of the game such as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth and countless others. Auker was wise enough to create a life for himself outside the game. He evolved into a highly thought of executive in the abrasives industry. As such he rubbed elbows and played golf with some of the paragons of both politics and industry.

The book is essentially an array of amusing stories which formulate the backbone of Mr. Auker's long and fruitful life. This was one of the better sports type books I've read in that Auker feels no compulsion to be politically correct on many issues.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasure To Treasure, Feb 6 2002

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W. Wayne Marlow (Schofield Barracks, Hi United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SLEEPER CARS &FLANNEL UNIFORMS*NEW ISBN* (Hardcover)

I read a lot of baseball books and this is one of the best I've come across in years. I took it straight home from the bookstore and read it in one sitting.
Auker tells us what baseball was like in the '30s without getting on a soapbox about how wonderful the old days were.
It uses humor in just the right doses and offers plenty of insight into a past era.
One minor complaint: Toward the end, we get a little too much about his post-baseball life. But that's not near enough to bump this from the elite of baseball books. This one will endure.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, for Tiger Fans Only.
"Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms" is a perfectly titled baseball yarn from an era when life was easier, gentler and the players did indeed wear flannel and travel from... Read more

Published on Nov 1 2001 by Mcgivern Owen L

5.0 out of 5 stars A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. ELDEN AUKER DOES A GREAT JOB DESCRIBING HOW IT WAS WHEN MEN WERE MEN. TODAYS ATHLETES ARE SO PAMPERED, SPOILED AND GREEDY. Read more

Published on Oct 16 2001