'Ball Four' by Jim Bouton is a groundbreaking memoir that peels back the curtain on the world of professional baseball in the 1960s. With candid humor and sharp wit, Bouton shares his adventures and misadventures as a pitcher, revealing the pressures and absurdities of the sport. The book not only discusses the game itself but also offers a raw glimpse into the lives of the players, their struggles, and their dreams. Controversial for its time, 'Ball Four' challenges the romanticized image of athletes and prompts readers to reconsider the cost of fame. Join Bouton on this unforgettable journey, where the diamond's glitter often hides the grime.
By Jim Bouton
Published: 2010
"A ballplayer's got to be careful, but not too careful. You have to dare to fail because that's where you find real success."
The beloved baseball classic now available in paperback, with a new prologue by Jim Bouton. When Ball Four was first published in 1970, it hit the sports world like a lightning bolt. Commissioners, executives, and players were shocked. Sportswriters called author Jim Bouton a traitor and social leper. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to force him to declare the book untrue. Fans, however, loved the book. And serious critics called it an important social document. Today, Jim Bouton is still not invited to Oldtimer's Days at Yankee Stadium. But his landmark book is still being read by people who don't ordinarily follow baseball. For the updated edition of this historic book, Bouton has written a new prologue, detailing his perspective on how baseball has changed since the last edition was released.
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“A ballplayer's got to be careful, but not too careful. You have to dare to fail because that's where you find real success.”
Ball Four
By Jim Bouton
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Jim Bouton was an American major league baseball pitcher and author, best known for his groundbreaking book 'Ball Four,' published in 1970. This tell-all memoir provided an unfiltered look into the lives of professional athletes and the culture surrounding baseball, challenging the idealized image of the sport. Bouton's candid and humorous writing style, combined with his keen observational skills, set a new standard for sports literature. In addition to 'Ball Four,' which remains a classic, he authored several other notable works, including 'I’m Glad You Didn’t Take It Personally' and 'Foul Ball.' Beyond writing, Bouton was a significant figure in baseball, playing for teams such as the New York Yankees and the Seattle Pilots.
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