Synopses & Reviews
The average pitcher has about a .000645 chance of throwing a no-hitter. In the spring of 1938, Cincinnati Reds rookie pitcher Johnny Vander Meer pitched two, back to back. The feat has never been duplicated, which comes as no surprise to sports professionals and aficionados alike. Decade after decade, in one poll after another (from
Sport magazine,
Sports Illustrated, and ESPN),Vander Meerand#8217;s consecutive no-hitters turn up as one of baseballand#8217;s greatest and most untouchable achievements.
Double No-Hit offers an inning-by-inning account of that historic second consecutive no-hitter accomplished during the first night game in New York City, with the Cincinnati Reds facing the Brooklyn Dodgers in Ebbets Field. James W. Johnson sets the stage and assembles the colorful cast of characters. Highlighting the story with recollections and observations from owners, managers, and players past and present, he fills in the details of Vander Meerand#8217;s accomplishmentand#8212;and his baseball career, which never lived up to expectations heightened by his sensational performance. In the end, Double No-Hit brings to life a bygone era of the national pastime and one shining spring night, June 15, 1938, when a twenty-two-year-old fireballing left-hander with lousy control pitched his way into the top tier of baseballand#8217;s record book.
Review
"This is a carefully researched and passionately written account of one of the greatest amateur teams ever assembled. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of college basketball."and#8212;Wes Lukowsky, Booklist starred review
Review
and#8220;James Johnson has executed a literary slam dunk worthy of Bill Russell in proving that those USF Dons of 1955 and 1956 were the most frighteningly dominant college basketball team ever. This book is well researched, well crafted, and well worth any hoop junkie's curiosity.and#8221;and#8212;Dave Newhouse, columnist of the Oakland Tribune and author of Old Bears
Review
"This is a carefully researched and passionately written account of one of the greatest amateur teams ever assembled. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of college basketball."-Wes Lukowsky, Booklist starred review
Review
and#8220;UCLAand#8217;s many championships and Texas Westernand#8217;s single dramatic win over Kentucky have perhaps obscured larger truths. As James Johnson shows so very well, the University of San Francisco's NCAA champions of 1955 and 1956 may not only have very well been the finest teams ever to win, but they surely endured the most racist anguish. And Bill Russelland#8217;s legacyand#160;only looms more majestic with time and the telling.and#8221;and#8212;Frank Deford, NPR commentator, author of The Entitled, and senior contributing writer for Sports Illustrated
Review
"The Dons may not have been from the largest school, but Johnson makes it clear their impact was far-reaching."and#8212;Robert S. Brown, Sports Literature Association
Review
"The combination of Johnson's well written no-hitter recaps along with an engaging look at pre-War baseball made the book enjoyable."and#8212;Ken Massey, Red Reporter
Review
"Every acolyte of balldom will be grateful for Johnson's research, which allows him to re-create the world of baseball in the late 1930s and 1940s."and#8212;J.C. Martin, Arizona Daily Star
Review
and#8220;Johnny Vander Meerand#8217;s extraordinary feat of pitching back-to-back no-hitters is truly one of baseballand#8217;s unique records. The story of how he went about pitching no-hitters four days apart deserves to be told for future generations of baseball fans. The phenomenal accomplishment is a record that is unlikely to be tied or broken.and#8221;and#8212;Nolan Ryan, Hall of Fame pitcher and CEO and president of the Texas Rangers
Review
and#8220;There was out-of-the-blue, lottery-winner magic in Vander Meerand#8217;s accomplishment, two no-hitters in a row, something never done before or since, probably never to be repeated. Pose! Smile! Pop! That magic has been captured here in fine detail and preserved between the covers of Double No-Hit by James Johnson. A terrific job.and#8221;and#8212;Leigh Montville, author of Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero
Review
and#8220;The history of baseball is abundant with remarkable, even mythical, stories of achievement. And meticulous research will unearth these heroic feats for modern-day readers. I encourage you to read and marvel at Jim Johnsonand#8217;s biographical journey with one such baseball hero who, almost seventy-five years ago, stunned the baseball world with an achievement never yet equaled and, dare say, will never be eclipsed.and#8221;and#8212;Jerry Kindall, former infielder with the Cubs, the Indians, and the Twins, and three-time NCAA baseball coach of the year
Review
and#8220;Johnny Vander Meerand#8217;s life is defined by one of baseballand#8217;s most astonishing achievements: two amazing games pitched by a twenty-two-year-old rookie in 1938. That feat has made him the envy of all pitchers, even the greatest stars, in the subsequent generations. With thorough research and an easy, comprehensive narrative, James W. Johnson describes the no-hitters and the ups and downs of Vandyand#8217;s long but unique and enigmatic career.and#8221;and#8212;Dave Baldwin, former pitcher with the Washington Senators, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Chicago White Sox
Synopsis
In the mid-1950s three unrecruited black basketball players, coached by a white former prison guard who had never before coached a college team, led a small Jesuit university in San Francisco to two national titles.
The Dandy Dons describes for the first time how the unprecedented accomplishment of the Dons, led by coach Phil Woolpert and future hall-of-famers Bill Russell and K. C. Jones, paved the way for black talent in major college basketball and transformed the sport.
James W. Johnson traces the backgrounds of the coach and players, chronicles the heart-stopping games on the road to the championships, and details the Donsand#8217; novel techniques: a more vertical game, more central defense, and intimidation as part of game strategy. He also gives a textured picture of life on an integrated basketball team amid a culture of racism and Jim Crow in mid-twentieth-century America.
About the Author
James W. Johnson is an emeritusand#160;professorand#160;of journalism at the University of Arizona in Tucson and the author of several books, including The Wow Boys: A Coach, a Team, and a Turning Point in College Football, available in a Bison Books edition.