BALL FOUR: My Life and Hard Times Throwing the Knuckleball in the Big Leagues

by Jim & Leonard Schecter--Ed. Bouton ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 23, 1970

Even though this talked-taped memoir was cut from 1500 pages to about 520, it still goes into extra innings and is intended to show up all aspects of the game--not necessarily good clean or sporting fun. This is the year (1968--69) in which Bouton, dumped by the Yankees, might make a comeback. He's 30; his ""arm is over a hundred years old""; but he had a sound knuckleball he hoped to use 90% of the time. Thus from training in Arizona to an undistinguished start with the Seattle Pilots, sent back to Vancouver (""I died tonight""), back to Seattle and finally to the Astros--it wasn't a comeback year and it wasn't much to make it an ""ego trip"" which is why he hopes to go on playing. Bouton's delivery is just right--casual, funny, limber (""There was a lot of day today. I'm not sure I can take many like that "") and it's a well earned run for your money.

Pub Date: June 23, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION