Synopsis
Fam-A-Lee First: The Story of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates' Remarkable World Series Comeback by Jason Zemcik is a detailed recounting of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ triumphant 1979 World Series campaign, where they overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles and claim the franchise’s fifth championship. Written by a lifelong Pirates fan and former U.S. Army officer, the book captures the excitement and drama of this historic seven-game series, emphasizing the team’s unity and resilience, encapsulated by their adoption of the Sister Sledge song “We Are Family” as their anthem. Zemcik, drawing primarily from game footage available on a DVD set, provides a game-by-game narrative of the 1979 World Series, focusing on key moments and standout performances that defined the Pirates’ comeback. While the book is a quick and engaging read for those unfamiliar with the series, it has been critiqued for its lack of original research, player interviews, or deeper context about the team’s regular season or personal stories, limiting its appeal for readers already familiar with the events.
The narrative centers on the Pirates’ remarkable journey through the 1979 World Series, highlighting the leadership of team captain Willie Stargell, whose clutch hitting, including a pivotal home run in Game 7, earned him the series MVP honors. Zemcik details the contributions of key players like right fielder Dave Parker, known for his powerful bat, center fielder Omar Moreno, a speedy base-stealer, and relief pitcher Kent Tekulve, whose 94 appearances led the league that year. The book underscores the team’s collective spirit, with bench players like Mike Easler, Lee Lacy, and John Milner stepping up at critical moments, embodying the “all hands on deck” approach that defined the Pirates’ identity. The series itself was a rollercoaster, with the Orioles taking an early lead by winning three of the first four games, including a rain-soaked Game 1 and a high-scoring Game 4. However, the Pirates’ resilience shone through as they rallied with a crucial victory in Game 5 at Three Rivers Stadium, followed by back-to-back wins in Baltimore to secure the championship.
Zemcik’s account is structured as a straightforward, chronological recap of each game, vividly describing pivotal plays such as Manny Sanguillen’s clutch pinch-hit in Game 2 and Stargell’s game-changing moments. The book captures the emotional highs and lows of the series, from the Pirates’ struggles against Baltimore’s formidable lineup, featuring sluggers like Eddie Murray and pitcher Jim Palmer, to their triumphant comeback fueled by teamwork and determination. However, reviews note a factual error in Game 6, where Zemcik mistakenly describes Stargell hitting a deep fly ball off Palmer in the ninth inning, when Tim Stoddard was actually pitching. This error, combined with the absence of broader context—such as the Pirates’ dominant regular season (98-64 record), their sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS, or the cultural significance of Pittsburgh’s industrial decline—makes the book feel somewhat limited in scope.
Despite these shortcomings, Zemcik’s enthusiasm as a fan shines through, making the book an accessible entry point for readers new to the 1979 Pirates’ story. His writing style is described as pure and enthusiastic, immersing readers in the excitement of key moments, such as Stargell’s iconic windmill batting stance or the electric atmosphere of Three Rivers Stadium. The book celebrates the Pirates’ “We Are Family” ethos, which resonated deeply with the city of Pittsburgh and its fans, reflecting a team that overcame adversity through unity and grit. While it lacks the depth of biographical sketches or primary source material that could enrich the narrative, Fam-A-Lee First succeeds as a concise, fan-driven tribute to one of baseball’s most memorable comebacks, appealing to casual readers and Pirates enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic revisit of the 1979 triumph.