The Heart of the OrderThe Heart of the Order
By Angelo Saverino
When Joe Torre first became manager of the Yankees every time he made a good move a friend of mine at work would say that's because he's Italian. So when you look at the cover of this book and enjoy what you are reading I would have to pull out the same catch phrase and say that's because he (author Angelo Saverino) is Italian American.
I must admit I am always very leery about a book written by an agent as I am not a big fan of the Scott Borases and such but Mr Saverino makes the agent seem human. Saverino brings the reader into the clubhouse and give an unbiased account of what actually happens when the fans are home basking in the glow of the game. You get on board a soul trip back to the 70's and 80's and hear of the escapades of Mickey Rivers, Billy Martin, Willie Randolph, Paul Blair, Roy White and Gene Michael.
These names are very similar to the list of players that still work for the Yankees in their fantasy camps. Mr Saverino's memories display his professional and personal life with my boyhood heroes.
He intertwines his life with the players lives and takes you by the hand into the Yankee clubhouse and let's you become the fly on the wall. It's even more than that Angelo takes you beyond the clubhouse in the player's persona. An agent in an era where a lot of player couldn't live on the income of their baseball salaries alone, Saverino shares some great stories that will put a smile on your face.
He tells of his friendship with Mickey Rivers and his "shopping habits". The risk a store owner would take by trading Mickey Rivers a suit of clothing in exchange for a personal appearance. Mickey would always get his clothing up front and often missing the appearance due to his terribly convenient lousy memory. That is not too surprising remembering the loans that Rivers received from George Steinbrenner in his stint in NYC.
Author with the wife of Roger Clemens
Simply HOTO is not just a baseball book but a book that shows baseball as part of Saverino's life both professionally and personally. This is a most enjoyable book with regards to sports and human interest.
The book is not bombarded with baseball facts it tells Saverino's life as an agent, a fan and a friend. The human interest side of the story deals with the writer's early years, growing up in New York's Little Italy and how the characters and events of those days shaped his way of life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in baseball, the Yankees or a growing Italian American boy.
Angelo Saverino is still actively involved in sports and represents many former major leaguers. He is an accomplished movie and TV actor and resides in Sopranoland, in Brick, NJ. Check out his website at http://www.angelosaverino.com .