Two years ago, I had a chance to check out Peter Handrinos’ The Best New York Sports Arguments – and I liked it. So, when I heard that Handrinos had a new book out, called “The Truth About Ruth and More: Behind Yankees Myths, Legends, and Lore,” I was more than happy to review this one as well.

The format of “The Truth About Ruth and More…” is very much like The Best New York Sports Arguments – except this one is completely Yankees-centric. Within this book, there’s chapters devoted to examining Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Casey Stengel, Roger Maris, George Steinbrenner, Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter and Yankee Stadium (itself). Handrinos also offers opinion on the most over- and under-rated Yankees players and teams of all-time. And, there’s small sections of the book featuring Yankees such as Phil Rizzuto, Thurman Munson, Graig Nettles, Dave Winfield, Bucky Dent, Whitey Ford, Billy Martin – among many others.

As it was with The Best New York Sports Arguments, Peter Handrinos is not shy an offering a strong opinion on each of the examinations presented in the “The Truth About Ruth and More…“. And, while I agree with him on some and disagree with him on others, I enjoyed reading what he had to say on each.

Now, to be candid, there may be some members of the Pinstriped Pollyanna Fanboy Association who could take exception to some of the cases made in this book – as they are not all pure Yankees genuflection. But, anyone with an open mind, and who is interesting in learning someone else’s opinion – albeit favorable or not – towards any element of Yankeeland, will enjoy reading “The Truth About Ruth and More: Behind Yankees Myths, Legends, and Lore.” This is a fresh and easy, yet also engaging and informative, read. And, I recommend it.