About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2025)
» Your hometown newspaper since 1861 The Eatonton Alessenger THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025 | B3 GWM Review: Big Cat: The Life of Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Mize Johnny Mize JERRY GRILLO Big Cat: The Life of Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Mize is more than simply a biography of a sports star; it brings to life the glory years of major-league baseball. From Mize’s early days in the North Georgia mountains, through the St. Louis farm system, to barnstorming in the Caribbean, to his stint in the major leagues, and finally to Johnny’s long-awaited and overdue enshrinement in Cooperstown, author Jerry Grillo relates an honest and compassionate portrait of one of the game’s finest pure hitters. You can almost hear and feel the crack of the bat and the echo of the crowd as Grillo relates the man and the game to the reader. The titans of the game during the golden age of baseball — Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Ralph Kiner, Satchel Paige, and Bob Feller — each have their place in the story of Mize, as do John ny’s cousins, Babe Ruth, and Ty Cobb. Grillo’s writing is rich in detail but never monotonous, and he doesn’t shy away from societal issues of the day that impacted the game, touching on the Negro Leagues, base- ball’s integration, player mili tary service, and the imbalance of power wielded by ownership. Always at the center of the story is Mize. Grillo’s account will satisfy baseball junkies, fans of Americana, and anyone who appreciates hard work and perseverance. Big Cat is more than a sports biography; it’s a labor of love from baseball fan Grillo, and it’s a powerful tribute to an underappreciated baseball great. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the golden age of baseball or discover one of its most overlooked stars, Big Cat is for you. On June 3 at 7 p.m., with doors open at 6:30 p.m., Grillo will present his book, Big Cat: The Life of Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Mize. Tickets are $40 each or $35 each for two or more, and the event will include a dinner created by Chef Brent. Grillo has been a journalist and sportswriter for almost 30 years. He is the current editor and publisher of the White County News. A science writer for Georgia Tech for a number of years, his work has appeared in Georgia Trend,Atlanta magazine, Paste, and Newsday, among other publications. —Reviewer Drew McCand less is the treasurer and a board member of Georgia Writers Museum. DERBY CONTINUED FROM » B1 circles, he traveled the world from Dubai to Ireland to the United Kingdom to Australia to Japan to Blue Ridge in the North Georgia gaining traction. She has written a novel, Back to Blue Holly, based on life in the mountain commu nity and some of the char acters that abound. A thoroughbred execu tive with an abiding grasp of the graphic meaning of Sovereignty’s victory last weekend, Dan does not mile-and-a-quarter race before. To capture the garland of roses that goes to the Derby winner requires winning against staggering odds, but all along, Dan and the Godol phin team saw promise in Sovereignty, primarily in his finishing power. Dan watched the Derby position to make a cham pionship run. “When he was 3/8s from the finish line, I saw him make his move which got us all excited. This was where he was trained to do his best. He saw daylight at the last 1/16 of a mile, and we knew we had the advantage.” The rest, we all know, is history. What a memo rable week for Dan and his associates. The first celebration for him and his team came in the 11th race on Friday of Derby weekend when their filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks. One stable winning both races had not taken place since 1952 in the heyday of Calumet Farms. It was double the pleasure for Dan and the Godolphin team, sublime and unfor gettable moments. Just like Georgia winning back-to-back national championships in football. Mountains. That last address is a getaway place to recharge for him and Beth, whose reputation as an author is take this enviable plum of success for granted. None of the three-year-old horses entered in the Derby had ever run a without trepidation. As the field made the final turn headed for the homestretch, Dan saw Sovereignty in excellent BASEBALL CONTINUED FROM » B1 Wallace Thompson had successful outings on the mound for the Gators when facing Brentwood. Both earned wins, with Roberts pitching seven innings and striking out nine batters while allowing just two hits enroute to a 4-2 win. In the next game, Thompson pitched five innings with five strikeouts while allowing just four hits on his way to a decisive victory over the Eagles. “The past few weeks have been a little bit of a roller coaster,” Gatewood head coach Brandon Moss said of the regular season. “We scheduled the games at the end of the season the way we did so that we could face the best possible competition heading into the playoffs. And while we definitely could have played a lot better than we did, it also gave us a real look at areas we needed to shore up before the playoffs.” Moss added that he thought the Gators’ biggest advantage heading into the playoffs is experience. “Our guys have been in these moments over and over the last few years, and we have seen almost TREY NORRIS/Staff Jack Wooten has represented Gatewood well on the basepath this season. EAT LOCAL f APPLY AT AMICICAREERS.COM COMPETITIVE PAY, MEDICAL AND DENTAL INSURANCE, PAID TIME OFF, 401K 706-4 1 3-9600 every scenario unfold, whether it’s us jumping out to a big lead, the other team getting out to a lead, late losses, late wins, weather delays, field changes, or injuries,” he said. “Most any scenario a team could face adversity with, we have faced at TREY NORRIS/Staff The Gators will look to Wilson Moore to give qualify performances on the mound if they want to win a third straight state title. one time or another over the last five years. That is preparation that you just can’t get in any other way. I have complete confi dence that when the time comes, these guys will be ready to perform.” Moss added that the Eagles don’t have any overpowering arms; however, their pitchers do a good job of getting ahead, mixing pitches, and expanding the strike zone. He believes his batters will be prepared for Brentwood, regardless of what gets thrown at them. 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