From Library Journal
In the past few years there has been a dearth of quality baseball books that don't deal with the Mets, Yankees, or one of baseball's new millionaires. This book of reminiscences by 1930s pitcher Elden Auker breaks this trend. Only the most dedicated fan could still identify Auker as one of the rare submarine pitchers in the Major Leagues, but all fans will find his recollections enjoyable. Now over 90, Auker recalls his boyhood growing up in Kansas and pitching against the great Negro Leagues star Satchel Paige, his Major League career with several teams, and a post-baseball business career that included a particularly interesting visit on Cape Cod fishing with Joseph P. Kennedy. Auker recalls his relations with such stars of his era as Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Jimmie Foxx, and Ted Williams, and the closeness that traveling together by train brought to a team of players. Auker was not a star, never winning 20 games, but he played on two pennant winners and one must wonder what his talents might be worth today. This memoir deserves wide reading and is highly recommended for all public and school libraries. William Scheeren, Hempfield Area H.S. Lib., Greensburg, PA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Kick back and take a trip back in time to meet some of baseball's all—time great personalities, with one of them as your own personal guide.

Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms brings baseball legends to life through the eyes of Elden Auker, a submarine—style pitcher in the American League from 1933 through 1942. Auker, one of the last living pitchers to have faced Babe Ruth, teamed with baseball greats Ted Williams, Hank Greenberg, Jimmie Foxx, Charlie Gehringer, and Mickey Cochrane, played against the likes of Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Dizzy Dean, and Bob Feller, and struck up off—the—field friendships with many of them. He takes readers behind the scenes and into the clubhouse for stories like the time Babe Ruth pummeled a sticky—fingered roommate who later went on to have a Hall of Fame career of his own.

But the baseball anecdotes are only part of what make this lively memoir fascinating reading. Auker went on to a life and career after baseball that saw him forge friendships with politicians, business leaders, entertainers, and other personalities. From fishing with Joseph P. Kennedy to golfing with President Ford, Auker tells the story of his life with humor, grace, and refreshing candor.

"Elden Auker just notched career victory #131. This book's a winner!" —Bob Costas

"As a rule, nothing is more boring than listening to someone talk about himself when I want to talk about myself. Elden Auker is a rare exception to that rule." —Tommy Lasorda

Tom Keegan is a baseball columnist for the New York Post and has covered major league baseball for newspapers in Orange County, Chicago, Baltimore, and New York.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal