From the publisher
Many have tried to become world champion two-sport professional athletes, the most well known may be Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, Danny Ainge or even Michael Jordan. There is only one who actually achieved this goal and his name is Gene Conley. One Of A Kind chronicles Gene's amazing career where he was able to win world championships in Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association. One reason that you might not recognize the name of Gene Conley is that he won the World Series with the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and three NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics in 58/59, 59/60 and 60/61. If Gene had achieved this today he would have multi-million dollar contracts with both teams, multi-million dollar commercial endorsement contracts and perhaps be the biggest name in sports. Gene played in an era with some of the all-time greats in both sports. Here is what some of them had to say about him and this book. "Gene Conley was one of the greatest athletes of our generation. There was no tougher or more competitive player than Gene. He is the only man, to my knowledge, to be a member of a championship baseball team and basketball team in the same year. That is quite an accomplishment." Arnold "Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics President. Red shares Phil Jackson's honor as the "winningest" coach in the NBA. "Gene and I were both Rookies when we broke into the Majors with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954. I could tell right away that he was going to be a great big league pitcher. He was a natural athlete. He could pitch, run and had a good bat. I enjoyed him as a friend and teammate for several years. I was playing in the 1955 All Star game in Milwaukee when he got the win and we both played together in the 1959 All Star game in Los Angeles. I was not surprised that he was able also to play several years with the World Championship Boston Celtics. What a great achievement to be able to perform at the highest level on World Championship teams in both baseball and basketball. We are to this day, great friends." Hank Aaron: Present all time Home Run Leader. Inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame, played in 21 All Star Games, 23 years in the Majors, 1 World Championship. "Gene Conley was a great pitcher, a tough basketball player, a winner, and dedicated athlete who had a unique way of looking at life." Tom Heinsohn: In Basketball's Hall of Fame, he was on 8 World Championship teams with the Celtics, 9 years with them as a player, 6 time all star, 2 World Championship NBA titles as a coach. "Gene was really something. I don't know of anyone else quite like him. He has a World Series ring and an NBA Championship ring. To have a great success in two sports is rare. To me, Gene was a Giant figure on the mound. He really scared me. You had to respect him. I did and I still do. A great guy." Willie Mayes: Inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame, played in 20 All Star Games. Was on one World Series Championship team. Twice, MVP of the National League. Played 22 years in Major League Baseball and was known as the greatest all around baseball player of all times. "We knew from watching him win the World Series that Gene was a great pitcher. When he came on board with the Celtics, he quickly proved to be a solid rebounder and superb defender in low post. Playing alongside and as a back-up to Bill Russell, Gene played with tremendous motivation and heart, contributing to three more World Championships. A bona fide double legend in two sports, Gene never lost his smile, his team spirit or his positive attitude. Thanks to Katie Conley for insuring his phenomenal accomplishments won't be forgotten." K. C. Jones, Inducted into Basketball's Hall of Fame, K.C.Jones played 9 seasons with the Celtics, was on eight World Championship teams and coached two World's Championship teams in the NBA. Friend since the fifties.
