100 Things Dodgers Fans Should Know Do Before They Die

by Jon Weisman, Peter O'Malley (Foreword by)

With traditions, records, and team lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every Dodgers fan should know. It contains crucial information such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by singular players. This guide to all things Dodgers covers the team's history in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, the incredible legacy of Jackie Robinson, memories from Ebbets Field, Dodger Adult Baseball Camp, and why fans think the Dodgers invented the high-five.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Baseball

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I love the Dodgers, so this is my kind of book! I will say though, I took away one star because of the title - it is a bit misleading. It reads "know & do", and this book is almost entirely "know". That's not a bad thing, as I said I love the Dodgers, I just wish there was more "do"! This book basically covers the team from the beginning 'till 2008, so there is a ton of information in here! I especially loved the lesser know events and players that really brought the memories crashing back. And, of course, I cringed at the entries that brought back bad memories - Jack Clark, Joe Morgan, et al. Definitely a great book for Dodger fans!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for Dodger fans!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great over-all history of important Dodger events and people. Great pictures too.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a Dodger fan with a sketchy memory, so this was right up my ally. Gimmicky structure doesn’t make much sense after a while—almost nothing in the book is something you do other than buy a dodger dog or go to the ballpark. Multiple delights—reminders of favorite players and their exploits with a different perspective on some items—fleshed out my memory as if living through them again. Unfortunately there were multiple items that could have used one or two more sentences. The anecdote didn’t quite seem finished or a person was introduced but there remained a question what happened to that person. For example a trade is discussed but only mentions the players on one side. Maybe I’m just a trivia junkie but it bothered me. Overall, a breezy fun read with an extra star for the personal memories.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Russell Martin's middle-namesake is Coltrane - perfect! There's a great chapter in here on the best names in Dodger history. Good info in general, but there are way too few things "to do" included in the list. One of the best bits of inside imagery: the locker room after final 1951 game. Press was locked out for an hour. Only silence and bursts of cursing experienced. When doors opened, ripped uniforms and whiskey bottles scattered on the floor.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this book was definitely a five-star experience, but I'm tempering my enthusiasm because I know everyone isn't quite as passionate about the Dodgers as I am... :-) What a fun book, though! Lots of Dodgers history, interesting stories I'd never heard, and Jon Weisman's deeply human writing holding it all together...

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're not a Dodgers fan, I can't see you enjoying this book. But as I am a Dodgers fan, it felt like required reading. I'm glad I read it. I learned a lot about the team I didn't know before. I learned more about things I only had passing knowledge of. Not every entry is amazing and some of it feels out of date, but it was well worth my time to read.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am perhaps biased, but Jon bleeds Dodgers blue, and he's a lyrical writer too! A must for Dodgers fans (and Giants fans).

[Joe Davoust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but skipped the chapter on Pee Wee Reese because I already read 99 others and don't want to die.

[Danielle ⚾️ (Danielle's Escape) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly what I thought it would be. Amazed on how much I actually knew! A must read for all Dodger fans.

[Stephen]

Good

[Derek Wallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is OK. It's basically a history of the Dodgers in 100 nonsequential essays. One problem with a book like this is how fast it ages. This came out in 2009 toward the end of the McCourt era, which in baseball terms feels like 25 years ago. Also it has like half a dozen typos. But I learned quite a bit about the Dodgers I didn't know and it properly got me into the spirit of the new baseball season.