Book Review: The Complete Game – Win A Free Copy

Every year more than dozen new baseball books hit the shelf at this time of the year. If you only have time to read one, then let me suggest Ron Darling’s new book entitled “The Complete Game”.

The book is a wonderful look into the life of a major league pitcher. Darling includes his own trials and tribulations as well as his triumphs and accomplishments.

One of the things you’ll notice right away is the way the chapters are laid out over ten innings, nine plus one extra inning! It even has a “pre game” and a “warm up” in place of the introduction. Very clever indeed…

The book is very captivating and not because it is filled with drama, or name calling or finger pointing. You won’t find any tabloid stuff here. What makes the book so enjoyable is it’s simplicity.

It’s so refreshing to read of the real life struggles that Darling faced early on and how he dealt with those adversities. He does an excellent job of drawing us in with that same sincere honesty that makes him so beloved in Mets circles today.

Darling does a great job bring the reader into the psyche of a pitcher in various unique pitching situations throughout his career, but he also delves into some of the concerns of the current Mets as well including Mike Pelfrey, the Willie Randolph years, etc.

It’s a personal journey with many interesting stops along the way, and I love the continuity that is contained within the story-telling.

I consider “The Complete Game” to be essential reading for any Mets fan.

The publisher was kind enough to give me a second copy of “The Complete Game”, so I decided to give the first person to answer the following five questions correctly a free brand new copy of the book.

For those of you not so lucky, have no fear. You can get your own copy at Amazon.com right now.

The Complete Game: Reflections on Baseball, Pitching, and Life on the Mound

1. Darling pitched 10 shutouts for the Mets. In his last one he beat the Dodgers 8-0. What Met homered twice in that game?

2. What former Met hit the first homerun off of Ron Darling?

3. Ron Darling was selected for one All Star game in his career. Who were the winning and losing pitchers in that mid-summer classic?

4. Who were Ron Darling’s first and last strikeout victims?

5.  In Ron Darling’s first start as a Met, who was his catcher?

The first one to correctly answer all five questions wins the book. Make sure you have your correct email when commenting so that I can contact you. Good luck!