Interview with sports biographer Jonathan Weeks

Sports biographer Jonathan Weeks joins me today to chat about the second book in his New York Yankee trilogy, The Legend of the Mick: Stories and Reflections on Mickey Mantle.

During his virtual book tour, Jonathan will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Jonathan Weeks spent most of his life in the Capital District region of New York State. He earned a degree in psychology from SUNY Albany and currently works in the mental health field. He has written several sports biographies and two novels, one of which was a posthumous collaboration with his father.

Please tell us about your current release.
The Legend of the Mick: Stories and Reflections on Mickey Mantle is the second installment of a New York Yankee trilogy. The first book in the series, Lore of the Bambino: 100 Great Babe Ruth Stories, was published last year. Tales of the Yankee Clipper, which covers the life and times of Joe DiMaggio, will hopefully be released sometime in 2024. The idea behind these books was to re-explore all of the popular legends and myths surrounding these remarkable players while re-introducing some of the more obscure anecdotes. The material is presented in concise chapters that provide convenient stopping points for readers.
What inspired you to write this book?

I grew up in the Capital District Region of New York State, where the Yankees and Mets were the most popular teams. Yankee Stadium was two-and-a-half hour drive from where I lived and my father would take me to games when I was little. While I was watching guys like Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, and Thurman Munson, I made a point of learning about all the retired Yankee greats. Ruth, Mantle, and DiMaggio were some of my favorites. I got to see Mantle and DiMaggio at an Old-Timer’s Game. I really wish I could have seen the Babe.

Excerpt from The Legend of the Mick:
WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, MICKEY MANTLE?

Born in Newark, Jew Jersey, and raised in Queens, New York, singer-songwriter Paul Simon forged an illustrious career that spanned six decades. A winner of mutiple Grammy awards, he is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Art Garfunkel on the song, “Mrs. Robinson,” which was featured in the 1967 film, The Graduate. Simon had no idea when he wrote the lyrics that he would offend two of the greatest Yankee players of all time.

Simon grew up attending Yankee games and was a self-proclaimed fan of Mickey Mantle. “Mantle was my guy,” he told a reporter from the New York Daily News. “Mantle was about the promise of youth.” In spite of those sentiments, Simon paid homage to Joe DiMaggio when he penned his most famous song, which contains the iconic lines:

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?

A nation turns its lonely eyes to you—woo, woo, woo

What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson?

Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away—hey, hey, hey

Mantle never understood why he was never mentioned in the song and, during a 1970 appearance on the Dick Cavett Show, he decided to ask Simon about it in-person. Simon assured the former slugger that there was no intentional slight. “It’s about the syllables, Mick,” he explained. “It’s about how many beats there are.” Mantle seemed satisfied with Simon’s response and there were no hard feelings. But it was not the first time Simon was forced to explain himself.

As the song began climbing the pop charts in 1967, rumors swirled that DiMaggio believed he was being ridiculed and was considering a legal suit against Simon. A chance encounter between the two at an Italian restaurant in Central Park South helped smooth things over. Simon approached DiMaggio at his table and introduced himself. Well aware of who the singer was, “The Yankee Clipper” invited him to sit down. Simon explained that there was no insult intended in the lyrics and that DiMaggio was actually being hailed as a hero. The Yankee icon was relieved to hear it.

Proving that Mantle was still “his guy,” Simon recruited “The Mick” to appear in a video for the song, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.” Originally released in 1972, the song reappeared on Simon’s 1988 greatest hits album, Negotiations and Love Songs. The opening sequence of the video, which was shot at Mathews-Palmer Park in Hell’s Kitchen, features appearances by Warner Brothers recording artists, Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie. NBA point guard Spud Webb is pictured playing basketball with neighborhood kids in another scene. Mantle turns up a bit later in a stickball segment. Batting left-handed, he swings through one of Simon’s pitches and then launches another one clear out of the schoolyard. The video ends with former NFL coach John Madden attempting to offer advice to some kids engaged in a pick-up football game. “They don’t listen to coaches the way they used to,” Madden grouses as the players ignore his instructions. Simon’s Negotiations and Love Songs attained certified platinum status, selling over a million copies.

What exciting project are you working on next?
I don’t want to give away too much, but I’m working on a book about the history of the World Series with a specific focus. I’ve always been a little secretive about my work while it’s still in progress.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always thought that anyone who writes is a writer—even if you’re just journaling for your own sake. I was nine or 10 years old when I wrote my first short story. The first time my work got “published” was in a Middle School newspaper. Even when I was little, I considered myself a writer. It just took a very long time for me to actually get paid for it.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’m a part-time author. I have worked as a mental health counselor for 25 years now. I’m nearing the end of my career in that profession. I do set aside time to write every day. I’m an early-riser. I get some of my best work done before the sun is up.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I can’t write with distractions. It has to be quiet. I would never have kept a job back in the old newsrooms with the clickety-clack of typewriters and people constantly chirping into the phone. Just can’t concentrate. Nope.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was fascinated by the stars and planets. The first thing I ever wanted to be was an astronaut or astronomer. But I hate tight spaces and am bad at math, so that would never have worked out.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I would love it if people picked up a copy of my latest book—or any of my books for that matter. If you get a chance to read my work, please leave a rating or review on Amazon or Goodreads. It’s actually fairly difficult to get reviews. And I greatly appreciate it.

Links:
Blog | Goodreads Author page | Amazon Author page | Amazon

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