Interesting post. I loved it, became friends with Jim Gosger (“Yeah, surrrre”) even included him in the final chapter of my new baseball book, “Diamond Duels.” I also chatted by phone with Bouton and did an interview. We have to remember times were a lot different and so was media coverage. Bouton thought it was such an exciting life,knew fans didn’t have a clue and thought why not? I stayed up all night on Christmas Eve when it came out and loved it. Still do. Nice post.
I met Bouton in 2010 in Burbank, Ca. He was doing a talk in the library about Ball Four, and afterwards he and Greg Goossen and Tommy Davis signed autographs. All really cool dudes, and all sadly gone.
If Jim Bouton hadn't written this book, someone else would have done it,I think.Jim Brosnan(another pitcher referred to as 'Professor')got there first.Jim's book seems to have opened the floodgates,though;other pitchers soon followed.Sparky Lyle and Bill Lee are the two I remember most, probably because neither man pulled any punches when it came to team owners or coaches.Or teammates;Bill Lee's description of Yaz as a bit of a loafer comes to mind.Bouton's book had/has more,um...heart?His running secondary plot regarding the annoyances of having to relocate in a hurry, especially in the minors,is funny and heartbreaking.Did I buy Big League Chew?You bet your ass I did.
Love that book
I gifted this to my dad maybe a decade ago. I think I'll pick up a copy for myself now.
Interesting post. I loved it, became friends with Jim Gosger (“Yeah, surrrre”) even included him in the final chapter of my new baseball book, “Diamond Duels.” I also chatted by phone with Bouton and did an interview. We have to remember times were a lot different and so was media coverage. Bouton thought it was such an exciting life,knew fans didn’t have a clue and thought why not? I stayed up all night on Christmas Eve when it came out and loved it. Still do. Nice post.
This has been on my TBR pile forever. This was the nudge I needed to fix that.
Makes me think I need to re-read this book too. Like you, I was a teenager when I read it the first time and didn't fully grasp everything.
It is has an interesting feel now, having more wisdom and knowing the changes ahead.
I met Bouton in 2010 in Burbank, Ca. He was doing a talk in the library about Ball Four, and afterwards he and Greg Goossen and Tommy Davis signed autographs. All really cool dudes, and all sadly gone.
If Jim Bouton hadn't written this book, someone else would have done it,I think.Jim Brosnan(another pitcher referred to as 'Professor')got there first.Jim's book seems to have opened the floodgates,though;other pitchers soon followed.Sparky Lyle and Bill Lee are the two I remember most, probably because neither man pulled any punches when it came to team owners or coaches.Or teammates;Bill Lee's description of Yaz as a bit of a loafer comes to mind.Bouton's book had/has more,um...heart?His running secondary plot regarding the annoyances of having to relocate in a hurry, especially in the minors,is funny and heartbreaking.Did I buy Big League Chew?You bet your ass I did.