Bums

An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers

By: Peter Golenbock

Narrated by: Raymond Todd

Before the team headed to Los Angeles in 1957, the Brooklyn Dodgers were one of the most colorful and beloved teams in baseball. In Bums, best-selling author Peter Golenbock has compiled a fascinating oral history of the Ebbets Field heroes with recollections from former players, writers, front-office executives, and faithful fans. Dodgers legends such as Pee Wee Reese, Leo Durocher, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Ralph Branca, and many others recall in their own words the ups and downs of that unforgettable ball club.

©2003 Blackstone Audiobooks (P)2003 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An era is brought to life with remarkable, consistent passion." (Newsweek)
"Revealing...memorable...reminiscences about the most beloved baseball team of all time." (New York Times)

Easy Listen That Takes Me Back

Loved the different recollections from various players and fans. Took me back to a time I will never know.

Good, not great book on the Dodgers in Brooklyn

I am a die hard Los Angeles Dodger fan, having moved to LA in 1963, so I never experienced the dodgers in Brooklyn, but I knew the basic history of the team during that time. This book gives an in depth look at the players, managers and owners of the team. it was well written and detailed but it lacked a good narrator.

Raymond Todd did not bring excitement to the story, his voice was monotone. Even in times of great elation, or sadness, which the Brooklyn Dodgers were full of both, you could not tell it from his narration. If I was not a big Dodger fan I don't think I could have finished it.

Bobby Mc Carthy

My uncle Bobby was interviewed for this book. He was a Dodger fan. He mentions my Mom. I’m so proud to have them connected to The Brooklyn Dodgers. 5 ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️, A home run!

If you love baseball, definitely read it

It missed being great by a hair, but it was very good. Lots of inside looks into the hearts and minds of legendary players and some very illuminating visits to the Dodger clubhouse, too. It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was good ... written for serious fans of the sport and especially for those of us who grew up with the Bums as their special team.

Well-done!

Solid re-telling of the Brooklyn Dodgers. As a lifelong baseball fan, I particularly enjoy MLB history. Well worth the read for those who love the game's past.

A MUST for the true Dodgers or Giants fan!!

WOW, this was just nothing short of a complete history of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Every Dodger fan should add this to their library. Every Giants, Yankees or just plain baseball fan needs to add this book/audiobook.

Just don't think it is actually the old geezers doing any of the audio...most of them are, well, no longer with us...but included are comments and even several pages of commentary by the all time great players.

The reader is well spoken and carries a nice pace to his reading. It takes a bit to catch on to the style/format of the book itself but once you do it's a smooth listen.

I found this at the perfect time for getting revved up for the baseball season...

While there are not any really adult sections there are a few that younger kids might ask questions about, so if you want your kid to listen be aware a few passages might be a tad off color but nothing horrible and nowhere near as bad as they hear on the playground every day.

With that I recommend it as a gift for your son or daughter too! Probably age 12 and up to really understand enough of the book especially the times of Jackie Robinson.

excellent

Peter Golenbock is brilliant. This book is baseball and history at its best.

Can't believe how much I enjoyed this

There's a reason that 95% of my credits go towards thrillers and suspense books ... because there's nothing more boring than a bland documentary. This is the complete opposite. It was a collection of great stories, interesting items, and enough rich detail to understand what it was like to live in that era. It starts with the early years, and Ebbitts stealthfully buying undesirable land for Ebbitts Field ... when Brooklyn was mostly farms and land (hard to imagine). Then it takes you through 50 years of this country's history, with several significant moments. Sometimes we forget about what it was like in the 40's and 50's.. when there were few choices for sports and radio channels, before TV took off. How the entire neighborhood followed the team and the game was on everyone's radio. The narration is a good fit as well. Well worth the credit.

A must read for septoagenarians!

A very good listens! If the like baseball and like Brooklyn you will love this little gem.

Great insight into a franchise rich with history.

What did you like best about this story?

The individual players perspectives on themselves and each other that brought the story to life. The franchise history of the Dodgers had so many interesting personalities prior to the cast of the boys of summer players. Names like Kirby Higbe, Van Lingo Mungo, and Leo Durocher all came to life for me during the book. Even names that I thought I knew were given a deeper look. I was not aware that Jackie Robinson did not get along with Walter O'Malley or manager Walter Alston or that Duke Snider was a sullen, perfectionist that was both adored and chided by the Dodgers fans.

Any additional comments?

A great book for anyone who loves baseball history and likes it from the players perspective.