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Boom! This is Books & Biceps #305!

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If you’re a new subscriber or missed my yearly book round-up, The 15 Most Memorable Books I Read in 2023, you can read it here. 

Today’s issue of Books & Biceps is brought to you by Public Rec.

Pants, Finkel? This issue is brought to us by pants? Yes, yes it it. Because even though I live in South Florida and mostly work from home, when I have to wear pants, I often hate how uncomfortable most of mine are.

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BOOKS

24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid by Willie Mays and John Shea

As you’ve probably heard by now, Willie Mays passed away this week at the age of 93. Every discussion about the greatest baseball players or outfielders or both of all time includes Mays at the top .

Along with Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente and a few others, Mays WAS baseball in the 1950s and 60s.

I’ve read two books on Mays, one was a great biography that came out in 2011 by James Hirsch called Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend and the other was this memoir with John Shea.

Both books are terrific, but biographies and autobiographies are completely unique animals that read differently. In the best cases, they supplement each other and give readers two perspectives on the stories of the subject’s lives.

In some instances, autobiographies can feel one-dimensional because the stories are only told from the subject’s viewpoint. This isn’t a good or bad thing, it just is.

I remember when I was writing “Mean” Joe Greene’s autobiography with him, I’d often listen to his great stories about the Steelers and meeting his new teammates for the first time or playing against the Cowboys for the first time and I’d think, “I’d love to include what Roger Staubach thought the first time he saw “Mean” Joe coming after him in the backfield…”

But that’s what a biography is for… for other people’s viewpoints.

I’m saying all of this because what we did with “Mean” Joe’s autobiography is what John Shea does with Willie Mays’s biography:

They made the book a deep examination about not just baseball, but life and community and the events that made Willie who he was as an 85-year-old man, not just an ex-baseball player. It’s a story about the lessons learned and the values that have grown in importance to him over time.

If you’ve always wanted to learn more about Mays and his place among the baseball greats, I’d read the biography first. If you have a decent knowledge of his life, career and highlights, then go for the autobiography. Can’t lose either way.

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BICEPS

Back in 1989 Will Smith, then the Fresh Prince, came out with a song called “I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson”. It wasn’t a huge hit and it was goofy, but it capitalized on a fascination that sports fans have had for almost 40 years:

What would it be like to be in the ring with Mike Tyson?

Well, I’m happy to share that we finally have video that gives us a taste of what standing toe-to-toe with Iron Mike in the ring might entail.

His team just shared video of Tyson getting in his mitt work with his sparring partner wearing a GoPro and… I gotta say… even though Tyson is 57… the speed, power and intensity of his punches and movements are ferocious.

The effect is probably skewed because when I see his face I still think of him as being 25 and unstoppable (you likely do as well), but this video is kinda mesmerizing. Makes me want to take up boxing even more… To be able to move like this at nearly 60 is awesome (fast forward to about 3:45 to watch the GoPro footage):

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QUICK FLEXES

In honor of my Boston Celtics winning their 18th banner on Monday night, I wanted to share one of my favorite columns, courtesy of the great Larry Legend. You’re gonna love these quotes:

My fellow dads! This one’s for you:

⚾WILLIE MAYS CARD CONTEST→ Do you want to win this vintage 1972 Topps “Mays in Action” card?

This is from later in his career and it’s one of my favorite cards. A rare close-up shot from game action, as opposed to the portraits or staged pics taken during Spring Training.

Everyone who joins Premium Flex by midnight Sunday is automatically entered to win. Become a member here and I’ll ship it off next week!

Here’s why one Books & Biceps reader just upgraded:

Time to Honor Our Meathead Agreement

In the gym there is an unspoken agreement that if a fellow dude needs a spot you jump in and help, one meathead to another.

If you enjoy reading this newsletter every week, let’s spot each other.

Let’s consider my writing and sending each issue of Books & Biceps my spotting you the best books, interviews and meathead content around.

Your spot to me is that you share this issue with ONE person who you think would like it.

That’s the deal. I spot you. You spot me. Just like the gym. Thanks!

Here’s your personal sharing link to get free stuff for every share:

STRONG LINKS :

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3) I know bench press, not stock bench marks. I know the QB option, not trading options. I could make more bad analogies, but I won’t. What I will do is share the link to the Bullseye Trades email written every week by world-famous 20-year trading veteran Jeff Bishop. If you’re into getting daily hot stock ideas and learning options trading strategies, this email is for you:

Thank you all for reading! Stay Strong! - Jon

PS: Don’t forget that you can win that sweet Willie Mays card if you upgrade to a Premium Flex Membership today!

Great card. Awesome community. Don’t miss out:

BONUS: Check out these greatest hits:

1) This feature has been read by more than 10 MILLION PEOPLE:

How ESPN’s SportsCenter United a Generation in the 90s

2) This breakdown of iconic author Lee Child’s success was read by over 4 MILLION:

Did you know Lee Child started his Jack Reacher literary empire with $6?

PPS: You still reading Gus and Mallory? Thanks for getting through the whole thing! No skimming!

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