 
 
“The Last Nine Innings is the last word on the inside game of baseball. It's full of wonderful revelations and perceptions that help us understand the game in ways that we might never have imagined. Charlie Euchner has done a marvelous job in getting players to talk, simply, about how they play, and we're the wiser for it."
--Frank Deford, National Public Radio, HBO "Real Sports," and Sports Illustrated "Euchner's examination of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees, makes for the rare book which covers familiar ground while managing to continually surprise the reader. Though the structure of the book is similar to the one Buster Olney used in The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty, Euchner uses Game 7 as a starting point to discuss different aspects of the game, not to write about the Joe Torre Era Yankees. There are fascinating chapters on outfield defense (Steve Finley), starting pitching (Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens), and managerial strategy (Bob Brenly). Euchner even evaluates Derek Jeter's fielding in an objective, even-handed fashion. This is a terrific read for new and old fans alike."
--Alex Belth, "Best Baseball Books of 2006," Sports Illustrated “The Last Nine Innings is entertaining, engaging, and enlightening. You’ll never watch a baseball game the same way.” --Andrew Zimbalist, author of Baseball and Billions and professor of economics at Smith College "Call this book 'CSI: Baseball,' as the author introduces us to the host of arcane statistics used by today's baseball executives, managers, players, analysts, and fans. The sport, Euchner maintains, is perfectly suited for statistical analysis because on every play participants make discrete actions on the ball-pitching, swinging, catching, and throwing-totally apart from others on the field (as opposed, for instance, to the swirling maelstrom that often characterizes a basketball game). In our era and in his book, each of these actions and more (consider the Athletic Drive Index, which psychologically analyzes athletes) are carefully dissected. Euchner avoids losing casual fans in a morass of statistics and line-drawing analyses of pitching and hitting by setting his explication against the dramatic final game of the 2001 World Series featuring the New York Yankees versus the Arizona Diamondbacks and by including copious personal recollections from its participants. In so doing, he offers something for everyone, from stat geek to Joe Fan, and has produced a book that is recommended for all medium to large public libraries. --Library Journal “Charlie Euchner takes an unorthodox approach to an emotional week and succeeds at finding the heart of both the tension of the World Series and the technical foundations of the baseball profession. This is a different book, in a very good way.”
--Howard Bryant, The Washington Post “An interesting read, rich in thought-provoking detail and context, in the manner of Malcolm Gladwell. Euchner deftly pulls off a difficult double play: Educating the serious fan while entertaining the casual one.” --Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated "Memo to ESPN analysts, Fox color comementators, anmd daily baseball scribes: Stop telling us about who had a haircut, who didn't have a haircut, and who collects stamps. Rip out the red thread on the baseball, peel back the cowhide, and talk about the stuff that's wound up inside the game. That's what Charles Euchner does in The Last Nine Innings, and it's fascinating." --Leigh Montville, author of Ted Williams: A Biography "Every so often, a book comes along that is really special -- it contributes to the way people think about a topic, and possibly encourages them to look at something in a completely different way. The Last Nine Innings is one of those books. Rewind to Game 7 of the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees were looking for a fourth straight ring, while the Diamondbacks, only in their fourth year of existence, were staking their claim on the game's greatest prize with a collection of top-notch veterans and role players. One team was going home with the hardware that night - while the other would be going home with a lot of what if's and a long wait until the next season. Charles Euchner takes this amazing setting and breaks down nine innings of baseball - mixing physics, storytelling, play-by-play, history, medicine and statistics to literally rip every thread out of the seams of a ballgame and examine the makings of a championship game. It analyzes the amazing amount of stress and almost torture that the human body endures playing the game. It takes you inside the impact that the Diamondbacks had on baseball in the greater Phoenix area, and how they have transformed the Valley of the Sun into one of the hotbeds of youth and amateur baseball. Euchner takes you on the field, into the clubhouse, the front office, and the heads of some of the games biggest stars, while never taking the game over your head. This is one book that will both engage and challenge the serious fan, while entertaining and enlightening the casual one. As a serious follower of baseball, I would love to be able to put this book into the hands of anyone who has ever or will ever watch a baseball game so that they might better understand the inner workings of what happens on and off the field -- and not frivolous details such as a player's favorite food. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Especially during this final week of the postseason, it is a timely read that will help you appreciate just what is going on between the final two teams left. Enjoyable? Absolutely. Worth adding to your bookshelf? Definitely. In fact, I'd suggest adding it to a friend's bookshelf as well - it is that good, and you'll benefit from it as much as your friend will." --Pat Lagreid, BaseballBookReview.com WHAT BLOGGERS AND OTHERS SAY The Last Nine Innings provides “insight into the game at a whole new level" says Alex Belth. "Like Michael Lewis, Euchner took his outsider’s perspective and kept delving deeper and deeper into the soul and mind of baseball," says All Baseball. “Insight into the game at a whole new level," says Double Play Depth. “I actually grew nervous about the outcome as I was reading," says the Joy of Sox.“A nice introduction to the study of baseball without bogging the reader down in too much detail,” says Mad Boa. "I thought I knew a little about baseball, having played it (poorly, without glasses) for a few years, then read about it, watched and listened to it for 60 years," says Emmet Meara of the Bangor News. "Forgetaboutit." A book that “builds and sustains suspense, even though the outcome is already known," says Detroit Tigers Web Log. “If you read only one book this year on baseball, it should be Charles Euchner’s The Last Nine Innings," says Orioles Hangout. “Euchner, in sweet and subtle ways, is especially good at explaining the psychology of baseball,” says the Science Dude, Gary Robbins of the Orange County Register."Guaranteed: Read this book and you'll learn something new, and be entertained in the process," says Garth Woolsey of the Toronto Star. The Associated Press roundup of baseball books. “Very much a worthwhile read for both the serious fan and the semi-serious fan,” says Frinklin of the Frinklin and Fred Show. “Unlike any baseball book I’ve read before,” says The Baseball Zealot. A "fine book ... a compelling re-telling of something worth re-telling, of one of the greatest games ever played," says CubsNet.com. "Entertaining and elightening," says Let's Go Tribe. A useful reminder that pitchers use steroids too, says The Sporting News. “I couldn’t suggest a better read” to get a “baseball fix,” says Sawx Blog. "Made me hungry for the beginning of the baseball season," says Red Sox Reality Check. “Breathes new life into the fan experience,” says Athletic Supporters. “You’ll come away with both a better understanding of the game and a smile on your face,” says Baseball Evolution. “Euchner hits just about everything,” says CardNilly. “One of the most poignant and comprehensive studies of baseball ever written,” says Boy of Summer. “A perfect summer read,” says Mike’s Mets. “Books about baseball never hold my interest as much as the game itself. … I was pleasantly surprised,” says Padres Most Valuable Network. “Euchner wants to be the honest broker and that is why his book is better,” says A Citizen’s Blog. “Uncovers more of the game than any other baseball book,” says The Eddie Kranepool Society. “A coherent and brisk tale,” says Federal Baseball. “A very in-depth look at some of the most complex aspects of the game while remaining accessible," says Nick & Nick’s Twins Blog. "Clever" and "deft," says Amazin' Avenue. “Euchner hits just about everything,” says Behind the Bombers. A balanced treatment, says Random Fandom. “A really good read,” says Heel, Sox and Steelers. “Insight into every facet of the game,” says Baseball News Headquarters. “Fresh … simple, clear, and precise,” says Blindswipe. “Baseball observers from the casual fan to the aficionado will be entertained and educated,” says Tiger Tales. “Stunning,” says Met Squire. “Even though we all know the outcome of the game, Euchner still manages to capture your attention and leave you wanting more,” says In George We Trust. “A great book,” says Shea Faithful. “Check out this book,” says The Juice Box. Recommended reading, says motivational speaker and basketball executive Pat Williams. “Much to like here,” says Baseball Awards. A “pretty good book,” says Raystalk. A “worthwhile read,” says Redleg Nation. |