Once Upon a Time in Queens: An Oral History of the 1986 Mets

by Nick Davis

A four-color celebration of the New York Mets’ iconic World Series championship, with oral history-style text throughout and a new foreword by Jimmy Kimmel.

In 2021, ESPN aired “Once Upon a Time in Queens,” a four-part documentary from their 30 for 30 series. Produced by ESPN Films, Jimmy Kimmel, Cousin Sal Iacono, and Major League Baseball and directed by Nick Davis, the docuseries was a huge hit and featured never-before-seen footage, as well as remembrances from almost all of the key players. This tie-in book is an oral history with new contributions from Keith Hernandez, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Lenny Dykstra, and many others. Also included are unique photographs of the team and the era. A foreword by Kimmel, discussing what the Mets and their triumph means to him, rounds out this fantastic package.

The perfect gift for baseball fans and New Yorkers alike!

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

Reviews

[Bookreporter.com Biography & Memoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This colorful (in more ways than one) companion book to the four-part ESPN “30 for 30” sports documentary series is a bittersweet reminder of what was for the New York Mets and their fans, but also what could have been.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN QUEENS mirrors the televised version faithfully so it might strike some as the standard documentary these days: talking heads offering their recollections of events, interspersed with photos and video of the time. But for those of us who experienced the Mets' ups and downs, it's more than that.

It features the before and after of that 1986 season and the state of mind in New York. The Big Apple was dealing with some serious issues: crime, racism and economic hardship. Then the new, brasher Mets came along --- under the leadership of manager Davey Johnson and with veterans like Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter, as well as exciting rookies like Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry --- to give us something to look forward to.

Author Nick Davis, who also directed the series, follows the program closely. In fact, just as the TV version comes with a “viewer discretion” advisory, so should this book. As one who knows the players from that bombastic ball club would expect, Lenny Dykstra comes across as either a foul-mouthed buffoon or a breath of fresh air, depending on your point of view.

A number of other Mets from that team are happy to share their thoughts, including Mookie Wilson, Bobby Ojeda, Ed Lynch, Ron Darling, Ray Knight, Kevin Mitchell, Syd Fernandez and Wally Backman. Non-ballplayers also weigh in: baseball writer nonpareil Roger Angell, who just turned 101; authors Jeff Pearlman (THE BAD GUYS WON), Erik Sherman (KINGS OF QUEENS: Life Beyond Baseball with the '86 Mets) and Greg W. Prince (FAITH AND FEAR IN FLUSHING: An Intense Personal History of the New York Mets); tennis legend John McEnroe; championship boxer Mike Tyson; singer Cyndi Lauper; former Mets PR director Jay Horwitz, who had a unique perspective; and some others I apologize for blanking on. (I would like to have heard more from Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin.)

Knowing the outcome does not detract from the fun. But for every cheer, there seems to be a tear as we revisit Gooden and Strawberry's slide into addiction. Both were quite candid about their failures and our disappointments.

As a lifelong follower of the team, I suffered through the decade-long decline of the post-Miracle Mets of 1969, as well as celebrating when they won their second “Amazin’” championship. As the ’70s turned into the ’80s, the vibe changed from the altruistic Woodstock generation to the “greed is good” philosophy of the movie Wall Street: more was better, and image was more important than reality.

I don't know if baseball fans who did not experience that era can enjoy or understand it as much as my contemporaries and me, but nevertheless they should invest the time to watch it. I can't think of any franchise since then having the same impact, but then again I'm speaking as a New Yorker.

Reviewed by Ron Kaplan

[Michael Monforte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every few years I tell myself , “that’s it , it’s time to move on from ‘86 and move on once and for all” and then something brings backs a memory of this amazing team , this group of players that felt like such a part of my childhood and have continued to bring back the best memories of beings a Mets fan and I realize I can hear the same stories over and over and I’ll never be able to fully move on. It all seems to be good to be true and to read about it and hear from the players themselves is always entertaining. This isn’t the best book on the Mets but is entertaining with some new nuggets and a nice tie in to the excellent 30 for 30 Once Upon a Time in Queens. For my money “The Bad Guys Won” by Pearlman is the de facto book to read but this oral history is every bit as colorful of that team and brings it right back. Let’s Go Mets !

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1986, the New York Mets were one baseball’s dominant teams. Before that, however, most thought they’d never win the World Series. From losers to winners of the World Series, this is their story. The layout is engaging, well-laid out, and helps tell the story in a unique way. The text is well-written and the included primary sources add a lot of depth to the book. Readers who like sports, baseball, history, and true accounts will want to pick this one up. Recommended for collections where sports non-fiction is popular.

Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.

[Mr Disco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little redundant if you've seen the documentary, but a very fun read. I do think they relied a little too heavily on random people (e.g. Howard Bryant and Tama Janowitz) who had no substantial connection to the Mets; even 86 Mets experts like Jeff Pearlman shouldn't really be the driving narrative force when you have the actual ballplayers from the team, in my opinion. But that's a fairly minor nitpick; the book rocks and it's a lot of fun to read. There are some great photos in here, too.

Also: road beef.

[Rafael]

If you're a Mets fan - and not a casual one, a diehard -you definitely should read this.

If not, then not really, though it *is* an entertaining look at the last New York Mets team to win a World Series. It's well-done, an engaging read, but it's first and foremost a coffee-table book, so don't expect timeless writing here. It's best when combined with the ESPN 30-for-30 documentary of the same name.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was right up there with 'The Bad Guys Won' by Jeff Pearlman. I may have enjoyed this one a touch more, as 95% of it is direct quotes from the players or those close to the team. There hasn't been a cast of characters like this in MLB since 1986, and there probably never will be.

[PottWab Regional Library]

E

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give it 86 stars if I could. Awesomeness.