Ball Four: My Life and Hard Times Throwing the Knuckleball in the Big Leagues - Softcover

Bouton, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0440104157 ISBN 13: 9780440104155

Publisher: Dell Pub Co, 1971

Synopsis

The diary of a major-league baseball player during one season reveals the game's venal and foolish aspects

About this title

Review:

As a player, former hurler Jim Bouton did nothing half-way; he threw so hard he'd lose his cap on almost every pitch. In the early '70s, he tossed off one of the funniest, most revealing, insider's takes on baseball life in Ball Four, his diary of the season he tried to pitch his way back from oblivion on the strength of a knuckler. The real curve, though, is Bouton's honesty. He carves humans out of heroes, and shines a light into the game's corners. A quarter century later, Bouton's unique baseball voice can still bring the heat.

From the Author:

For the new edition of this historic book, Jim Bouton has written a highly entertaining epilogue, reflecting upon his life at the age of 60, the traumatic death of his daughter, and the heartwarming invitation from the Yankees to play in his first Old-Timers’ Day game since his exile from the club. Says the author about his ground-breaking book, "By establishing new boundaries, Ball Four changed sports reporting at least to the extent that, after the book, it was no longer possible to sell the milk and cookies image again. Besides, you can get sick on milk and cookies." Ball Four is a high-and-inside fastball that will forever be a journalistic classic.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dell Pub Co
• Publication date: 1971
• ISBN 10: 0440104157
• ISBN 13: 9780440104155
• Binding: Paperback