Living on the Black

Critical Praise

"What makes the book interesting is the contrasts that these two veterans bring to the game. Glavine, the "crafty lefthander" and Mussina, the previously hard throwing righty who learns to adjust to life without a power fastball. Much like an updated version of Roger Angell’s A Pitcher’s Story, which chronicled David Cone, Living on the Black provides an interesting insight into the lives of two of the current game’s best pitchers."
-Baseballbookreview.wordpress.com

"Feinstein’s book delivers extensive evidence on both sides of this paradox: The players strive and gnash their teeth to perform and stave off slumps even as they count their millions and realize their worst days are almost always far better than the best days of the fans paying to watch them play. With that, Feinstein achieves a double play fans should savor for its scrupulous look at what life is like for the 21st-century major leaguer."
-The Christian ScienceMonitor

"There is a long list of pitchers who couldn't handle New York City. Mike Mussina is an exception, let's hear from the Moose, "You can read about it; You can talk to other players who have been through it; You can tell yourself a thousand times that you can handle it. There is no way to walk into that atmosphere on a daily basis and be prepared for it and most important, accept it. You can't fight it. Every guy who has tried to fight it has failed."-- John Feinstein, Living on the Black.( A stark example of a failed Gotham fighter is Randy Johnson. The image of the Big Unit pushing a camera out of his way foretold an ominous story.)
-Baseballhotcorner.blogspot.com

"The book is a introspective look into the mind of a professional pitcher that any fan can take something from."
-WBAL.com

"The most interesting parts of the book are when they talk about pitching—how to solve problems, what went wrong in a game, who offered what kind of advice."
-Superpupsays.typepad.com

"Do your self a favor and pick up a copy of John Feinstein’s new book Living on the Black. It was without a doubt one of the best books that I have ever read and a great story that is told.”
-WNST.net Boston Sports

"An absorbing read."
-Tampabayonline.com

"You'll relive a few games, hear a few players' names thrown in, and you'll feel like you're in the dugout talking with the guys."
-Laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com

“Both pitchers returned for the '08 season, giving us more reason to hope for a Subway Series. Until then, enjoy this book; the record books are still being written.”
-Fredericksburg.com

"Thumbs-up to this book. It's worth checking out.”
-Blogs.trb.com

"Anyway, this book is strictly for baseball fans with long attention spans. Comes in at around 800 pages, goes through every game in the season for both pitchers. Interesting look at 2 of the best ever at a time towards the end of their careers.”
-John.jubjubs.net

“Feinstein has become a veritable treasure of sports books. In embarking on a baseball book after a number of books on golf, tennis and football, he has chosen to focus on pitchers, those lonely yet heroic gladiators on the mound facing opposing marauders armed with a bat. In Mussina and Glavine, Feinstein lucks out on two players who had moderately successful seasons but who are able to articulate their craft exceedingly well. What ensues is a compelling look at the vicissitudes of these players through an engrossing 2007 season.”
-Curledup.com