By Paul Semendinger
February 6, 2025
***
This week, we share my interview with the great Marty Appel. ENJOY!
Please tell our readers a little about yourself and, of course, your books.
I began working in PR for the Yankees in 1968, when CBS still owned the team and when Mickey Mantle was still playing. Eventually I became the team's PR Director, later their television producer (actually for WPIX), and along the way, was given an opportunity to write books, which came easily and was very enjoyable.
What do you most enjoy about writing?
I enjoy the research and organization, and the actual writing. (Thank goodness for Spellcheck). It's very different from PR - very little people interaction. But it works for me.
Do you have any current writing projects you are working on? Can you tell us about them?
I am not working on any current projects. I think I'm done after 25 books, and I don't think I have much more to say. But if Paul Simon wants someone to write his autobiography, I'm available.
I would love for you to write Paul Simon's autobiography. That would be fantastic!!! If that ever happens, please let me know. (I may have to sit in on a session.)
Why are people so drawn to baseball and its stories, legends, and people?
It's got very colorful characters on stage, great stories, great anecdotes, and the fans really care about the team's history.
What is your favorite baseball book?
The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter. He was also a friend. Many people would put this #1 on their lists, it is a classic.
Outside of baseball, what is your favorite book and/or who is your favorite author? (You can list as many as you wish.)
I used to love reading Doctorow's books.....but I've come to be drawn to biographies - and the author doesn't matter as much as the subject. Keith Richards wrote a terrific memoir. I will probably read the new one by Michael Richards (no relation that I know of).
There's a lot of talk about baseball needing to be "fixed." Is baseball broken? If you were the Commissioner of Baseball what change(s) (if any) would you make to the current game?
Baseball's marriage to gambling is just awful. I would break that apart "on day one!" I like the pitch clock, I'm neutral about the ghost runner (hate it but love it at bedtime), and I'd like to see a team in Montreal.
I love to talk about the Baseball Hall of Fame. Which former Yankee most deserves to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame?
People expect me to say "Munson" because we were friends and I wrote a book with him.....but honestly, he is 0-18 in elections, and even he would say "enough!" I'd love to see Mattingly go in, but he comes up short on big years. I'm an advocate for Allie Reynolds, but think about it - people always say playing for New York is an advantage. It's not. Lots of Yankee names pop up for the Hall of Very Good.
What is the greatest baseball movie of all time? (Yes, you can list a few!)
I still tear up at Field of Dreams. Eight Men Out is a favorite for its historical authenticity. The Bad News Bears appeals to all ages. I liked the Jimmy Fallon-Drew Barrymore movie, Fever Pitch. And of course, Pride of the Yankees if you're a Yankee fan although it feels primitive when I watch it now.
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Mickey Mantle Day in 1969 when his uniform number was retired. I helped in the preparation of the ceremonies.
Please share anything else you'd like with our audience.
A favorite tale from my Casey Stengel book: The 1969 Macmillan Baseball Encyclopedia arrived at his home and his assistant Bob Case handed it to him and said, "lots of great players in here, Casey" And Stengel said, "Let me tell you - they're ALL great if they are in here. It takes a special talent to get to the big leagues, even for just one game."
I love it! I wish I was in that book.
Thank you Marty. You are one of the nicest, kindest, and most wonderful people I know, in or out of the game. Thanks for taking part in this activity.
Comments