When Ball Four was first published in 1970, it ignited a firestorm of controversy that raged far beyond the boundaries of baseball. From players and team executives to journalists and broadcasters, everyone had a mostly negative opinion about Jim Bouton's nearly 500- page expose. The former Yankee pitching star was labeled a Judas, a Benedict Arnold and a social leper. Then Commissioner Bowie Kuhn attempted to force Bouton to sign a statement that the stories he told weren't true. The San Diego Padres burned a copy of Ball ...
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When Ball Four was first published in 1970, it ignited a firestorm of controversy that raged far beyond the boundaries of baseball. From players and team executives to journalists and broadcasters, everyone had a mostly negative opinion about Jim Bouton's nearly 500- page expose. The former Yankee pitching star was labeled a Judas, a Benedict Arnold and a social leper. Then Commissioner Bowie Kuhn attempted to force Bouton to sign a statement that the stories he told weren't true. The San Diego Padres burned a copy of Ball Four in protest of its release. However, the majority of the fans who bought tickets to watch their diamond heroes loved Ball Four. Even the people who didn't ordinarily follow baseball devoured the hilariously funny and revealing book. In fact, during its 30-year life, Ball Four has sold more than five million copies worldwide. For the millennium edition of this historic book, Bouton has written a highly entertaining epilogue, reflecting upon his life at the age of 60, the traumatic death of his daughter, and the heart-warming 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 which will forever be a journalistic classic.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. There is either a name, note, or insciprtion on the inside cover. The pages are sun faded and slightly yellowing. We flipped through this book and didn't notice any notes or underlines. There is a lot of wear and tear on the cover-cover appears to be held together with tape. Some corner dings. There are stains or residue on the cover. There is writing and/or marks on the cover. Fast Shipping-Each order powers our free bookstore in Chicago and sending books to Africa!
Publisher:
A Dell Book/ Published By Dell Publishing CO., Inc
Published:
01/1971
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17435860289
Shipping Options:
Standard Shipping: $4.64
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Seller's Description:
Fair. First Dell Printing February 1971, Some cover corner & edge wear, Small tear to edge of front cover, Some soiling to front cover, Some foxing inside, Otherwise pages are clean, tight & flat. Item Shrink-wrapped for additional protection.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. A readable copy. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Dust jacket may be missing. Pages can include considerable highlighting markings writing but cannot obscure the text. May be an Ex-lib. copy and have standard library stamps and or stickers. May NOT include discs or access code or other supplemental material. We ship Monday-Saturday and respond to inquiries within 24 hours.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
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Seller's Description:
VG in VG jacket. Inscribed and Signed by the Author. Inscribed and Signed by the Author. DJ: some rubbing & edgewear; coups scuffs. Book: some rubbing & edgewear; some yellowing; overall clean & tight. 528 pages.
At best I would describe it as an egotistical screed laced with obscenities on virtually every page.
Not worth the paper it is printed on.
baldyankeefan
Jan 28, 2010
Good Book!!
Bought for my dad, and I read it when he was done. Very informative.
KevyKanga
May 31, 2007
Honest, entertaining, significant
I first discovered "Ball Four" while on student exchange from Australia in the USA. Not knowing much about baseball, it provided me with a lot of very personal, open, and honest insight into the game. It's written like a journal, so if you don't have a lot of time you can easily read very small sections without affecting continuity, but if you have all day there's nothing to stop you reading page after page. "Ball Four" apparently caused quite a stir when it was originally released, because the American public didn't like to have the squeaky clean image of their heroes challenged. To me, it's refreshing to be able to get behind the scenes and see that the elevated superstars are ordinary people.
