
The lives of the favorites and the greats

If you're a Yankee fan, then this is the DVD package for you. The biographies are not life stories in the classic sense, but closer to character studies of their subjects, using a combination of actual video and interviews (with the tiger, his teammates, friends, family, and reporters). In some cases, you get a look at their lives beyond baseball, like Bobby Murcer (broadcasting, charities), Rich Gossage (motivational speaking), Bernie Williams (music). Other focus on their home, like Mariano Rivera (Panama), or Willie Randolph (Brooklyn housing projects). Some highlight their connections -- Reggie Jackson's first meeting with Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto in the pantheon of Yankee shortstops, or Ron Guidry coaching in spring. You also get the sense of the pain and endurance of players and their families: Ellie Howard breaking racial barriers, Lou Gehrig and ALS, Thurman Munson and his family -- with some truly touching family photographs of Thurm with his kids, as the opposite of his public grouchy persona.
The discs also give coverage to Yankees who would otherwise not get their time: rattling through stacks of pitchers, for example, and Hall of Famers. There isn't enough video of guys like Bill Dickey or Allie Reynolds to get them full-length biographies, so these serve as salutes and nods to these heroes.
The insights from teammates and opponents is fascinating...modern sluggers compare styles with Roger Maris and Lou Gehrig, for example. Opponents recall incidents in the 1978 World Series, Ron Guidry describes the Reggie-Billy brawl of 1977, and supporting players like Brian Doyle are insightful.
There is also video from the archives for fallen players: Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams describe their 1941 seasons, Babe Dahlgren, Mickey Mantle, and Catfish Hunter turn up through the miracle of taped interviews, and when they're not available, in come historians like David Halberstam and sportswriting icons like Maury Allen to add depth.
I cannot recommend this package too highly to a Yankee fan.
Of course, a Boston Red Sox fan would not be too happy with this.....
Review ID: 10000000010573723

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