This chatty and candid autobiography by the Yankee star and coauthor Parker (Small Business, a novel) presents not only Winfield's career as an athlete but also his views on owners, managers and players, his aid to needy children, the role of blacks in American life and especially in baseball. A brilliantly successful athlete at the University of Minnesota, Winfield began his diamond career with the San Diego Padres, where he ran up against the first owner with whom he had differences, Ray Kroc. Fed up with the Padres, although not with San Diego, he signed with the Yankees, wangling a multi-season, $23-million contract that has resulted in years of litigation with owner George Steinbrenner, about whom he is devastatingly critical. Winfield's life story underscores the fact that blacks, even if celebrities, still struggle for acceptance in the America of the 1980s. Photos not seen by PW. (April)
Eclipsing Tom Schoor's Dave Winfield: the 23 million dollar man ( LJ 12/1/82), the Yankee star, aided by novelist Parker, tells his story. An athletic youth, he advanced his ability and career through college sports to the Padres and Yankees and to one of baseball's heftiest contracts. Outspoken and proud of his talent, Winfield is frank about his achievements, fellow players, drugs, and owners Kroc and Steinbrenner. His generosity come out as he talks of his Foundation for Disadvantaged Youth. Adult and YA sports collections should buy. Morey Berger, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.