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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Add this copy of Ball Four to cart. $6.00, good condition, Sold by Becker's Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Houston, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1971 by A Dell Book/ Published By Dell Publishing CO., Inc..
Edition:
1971, A Dell Book/ Published By Dell Publishing CO., Inc.
Add this copy of Ball Four to cart. $7.97, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published by World.
Add this copy of Ball Four to cart. $11.15, fair condition, Sold by ClickGoodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Indianapolis, IN, UNITED STATES.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. This is a hard cover book: Used-Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media.
Add this copy of Ball Four to cart. $12.98, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by Collier Books.
Add this copy of Ball Four to cart. $18.97, fair condition, Sold by FCD Books & More rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fargo, ND, UNITED STATES, published 1971 by A Dell Book/ Published By Dell Publishing CO., Inc.
Edition:
1971, A Dell Book/ Published By Dell Publishing CO., Inc
Publisher:
A Dell Book/ Published By Dell Publishing CO., Inc
Published:
01/1971
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17435860289
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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.
Add this copy of Ball Four to cart. $23.40, good condition, Sold by HPB-Red rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sports Publishing LLC.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Ball Four to cart. $24.97, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Sports Publishing LLC.
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.
