BUMS An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers

This history of the Brooklyn Dodgers concentrates on the final dozen years of the franchise, 1946-1957. The bad guys (O’Malley, Bavasi, and Durocher) are clearly identified, as are the good guys (Branch Rickey and all the Dodger players). The narrative includes copious commentary by most of the major players associated with the integration of baseball and the Dodgers’ winning of their first-ever World Series. Raymond Todd tells the story well. Without much vocal dramatizing he puts the listener in the middle of Irish-Italian-Jewish Brooklyn and creates a range of voices that move the narrative forward. Each voice is immediately identifiable and convincing. An interesting listen for fans of baseball history. R.E.K. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]