For Love of the Yankees: An A-To-Z Primer for Yankees Fans of All Ages was written in New York in 2003. For Love of the Yankees: An A-To-Z Primer for Yankees Fans of All Ages was written by Frederick C. Klien and illustrated by Mark Anderson. There are illustrations and rhythms on every page. The book was written for children but is entertaining for everyone. There is a foreword by none other than Yogi Berra. As the entire alphabet is presented, do you think anyone is missing?
Learn For Love of the Yankees’ Alphabet
In For Love of the Yankees First, there’s “A” for Mel Allen. His warm Southern drawl on the radio band made Yank fans ‘cross the land. ‘B” is for Yogi Berra, who was a great catch. With a bat – or a quote- he had hardly a match. “C” is for Roger Clemens, who scattered the hitters with fastballs, giving even catchers the jitters. “D” is for Joe DiMaggio, whom all fans embrace – the sleek ‘Yankee Clipper’ whose trademark was grace.
“E” is for Eddie Lopat: the lefty was able. With Reynolds and Raschi, the Yanks ran the table. “F” is for Whitey Ford, a pitcher with guile. His 10 series wins were done in high style. “G” is for Lou Gherig, who only knew one way: The great ‘Iron Horse’ came to play every day. “H” is for Elston Howard, who played in a mask. For 13 seasons, he was up to the task. “I” is for innings, the standard is nine. But if the game is tied, then more is just fine.
In For Love of the Yankees, “J” is for Jackson and Jeter, two guys you could love. Reggie beat ’em with muscle; Derek won with his glove. “K” is for ‘Wee’ Willie Keeler, a true baseball saint. He was the guy who hit ’em where they ain’t. “L” is for Don Larsen, a World Series hero. He mowed down the Dodgers with nothing but zeros. “M” is for Mickey Mantle, who earned the triple crown. Some of his home runs have yet to come down.
“O” is for Paul O’Neill, who had just the right touch. With runners on base, he came through in the clutch. “P” is for poor Wally Pipp, who had a headache one day. That was the last time the Yankees let him Play. “Q” is for the quest: A pennant each year. If the Yanks don’t win it, they get a Bronx cheer. “R” is for Ruth, the “Sultan of Swat”, “The Babe”, and, “The Bambino” who once called his shot.
“S” is for Stengel, the lineups he would juggle. His teams won 10 Pennants without too much of a struggle. “T” is for Joe Torre, the man in the wings. Through four series of triumphs, he pulled the right strings. “U” is for the umpires, who, though fans may howl, still have the last word: safe or out, fair or foul. “V” is for victories and titles galore. In all of baseball’s history, no team has won more.
“W” is for Williams, Winfield, and White. They gave their team’s lineups plenty of bite. “X’ marks the spot of the longest home run, It was hit by a tiger whose first name was Juan. “Y” is for Yankee Stadium, the best in the land. When “The Babe” built a house, he built it to stand. “Z” is for Tom Zachery, who changed in midstream. He served up Babe’s 60th and then joined the team.
Snubs from For Love of the Yankees
A notable snib from the song is Bill Dickey. The Hall of Fame catcher taught Yogi Berra everything he knew. Under C, it might be too recent, but an argument could be made for first-ballot Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, instead of Roger Clements. Elston Howard was also the first black Yankee, which is not mentioned.
It is a tough letter, Pete Incavelia. “N” is for Graig Nettles, who undoubtedly changes many a line drive from a double to an out. “P” could have been Yankee Captain Roger Peckenpaugh. It does make sense to have Mickey Mantle represent “M” though Don Mattingly was a Yankee Captain and Mickey Mantle was not.
Conclusion
For Love of the Yankees is a kid’s book, but it is good, clean fun even for adults who are fans of the New York Yankees. On the last two pages of the book, Klien gets to a host of Yankees, including a few mentioned as snubs. With so many great players, it isn’t easy to narrow things down. It is fair to wonder, however, why more letters were not like “W” a letter that has four players listed.
