This book investigates the chaotic inaugural season of the 1962 New York Mets and the leadership challenges faced by manager Casey Stengel. Jimmy Breslin, a prominent journalist known for his observational style, documents the team's historic incompetence through the lens of sports reporting. He utilizes his access to the clubhouse and the dugout to construct a narrative that balances the absurdity of the team's performance with the professional dignity of their veteran manager. The work serves as both a historical record of a specific baseball season and a character study of a man attempting to manage a roster of players who were largely considered past their prime or not yet ready for the major leagues.

Critics and sports historians frequently cite this work as a classic example of New York sports journalism that captures the humor and pathos of a losing team. Readers often note that the prose is accessible and character-driven, making it a foundational text for understanding the early identity of the Mets organization.