Jim Bouton is gone

[SCyclone]

The author of the most irreverent, talked-about sports book of the 1970s has died. Jim Bouton, author of Ball Four, passed away yesterday at the age of 80.

Bouton wrote his book - more or less a diary of the 1969 MLB season - while pitching for the Seattle Pilots (who would go on to become the Milwaukee Brewers) and the Houston Astros. His book gave readers a view into all the funny, nasty, goofy things that happen when talented young men are together on a daily basis.

I loved the book - I still use quotes from it. If you want to read a genuinely funny and honest book, do yourself a favor and find a copy.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Man, did the baseball establishment HATE that book. Pretty much buried any illusions that teen Boxster might still have been harboring about his favorite players from his adolescent Yankee fan days.

 

[CoachKM]

I read Ball Four many times in the early 1980's as well. Definitely opened my adolescent eyes to what adulthood is like in pro sports! LOL.