Undergraduate Review
Volume 1 | Issue 1
Article 8
1986
Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's
Ball Four Changes Baseball's Image
Steven B. Stone '86
Illinois Wesleyan University
Recommended Citation
Stone '86, Steven B. (1986) "Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Changes Baseball's Image,"
Undergraduate Review: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 8.
Available at: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/8
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©Copyright is owned by the author of this document.
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
Fugitive in Brink's Case," NIT, May 25,
:night-Ridder Newspapers), Holmesburg
'he New York Review of Books, Sept. 22,
Myth and America's
National Pastime:
Jim Bouton's BaH Four
Changes Baseball's Image
Steven B. Stone
IAIsweek, July 21, 1980, p. 35.
lewsweek, Dec. 15, 1980, p. 31.
'86, p. 1.
1m St. Charles, Illinois, where he
m won a Fulbright Scholarship in
::>r of Arts in History, Jim left to
ny. He plans to attend graduate
59
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------";"
1
Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 8
Jim
,
t
Myth and America's National Pastime:
Bouton's Ball Four Changes Baseball's Image
During the 1970 baseball season, while struggling with an ERA of
around 5.50 for the unrenowned Houston Astros, pitcher Jim Bouton
released a baseball book; a diary of the 1969 season. Realizing that he,
as a ballplayer, was far from being considered a major league "star", he
admitted to being "a little nervous that it (the book) might not get
noticed at all."1 The colossal attention his book received, however, not
only exceeded his wildest dreams, but perhaps far exceeded his worst
nightmares as well. Bouton's book was indeed "noticed," for in only a
few short years it became the largest selling sports book in the history of
the United States. 2 Book reviews varied from New York Daily News
columnist Dick Young labelling the author "a social leper, " to the
Boston Globe's George Frazier declaring the book "an authentic
revolutionary manifesto," to even Roger Angell recognizing it as "the
funniest book of the year.,,3 As much as it was clearly America's most
popular sports book, it was equally the nation's most controversial. Ball
Four perhaps did more to change the image of our national pastime, to
alter the perception of an institution which is the embodiment of some
of our country's most sacred myths, than any other event or publication
in the history of the game. Heroes are an aspect or part of myths, and
some of our young nation's most revered heroes--Babe Ruth, Lou
Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle-are products of the game.
This paper discusses the myth or myths surrounding American baseball
and then examines how Jim Bouton lead America to a changing view of
its great National Pastime through the publication of his book Ball Four.
Myths are in a sense illusions; perceptions of events, people, or
situations which reflect a society's beliefs and fantasies. They are,
therefore, somewhat separated from reality, and their existence lies in
the minds and thoughts of a population or culture. Myths are not an
actual event, place, or happening, but rather an expression or depiction
of them. Myths are expressed orally or in writing, and consequently, the
study of myths is the study of what has been written and said about
events and/or places, etc. This paper is, therefore, primarily a discusion
of what has been written and said about the sport; a study of how it is
perceived.
Every nation and every culture has its myths. The United States,
being one of the world's younger nations, has had to create its own
myths more from aspects of relatively modem culture. A large majority
of Americans would probably consider our greatest hero to be George
Washington, the first U. S. president and leader of our great democratic
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2
tradition. Other names con
of the Union and Franklin
War II and the end of the g
part of the political arena, l:
tedious in the short term (a
is not astonishing that we Ie
world of sports for many of c
Historians tend to believe
than other American sports
statistics. Since the sport is
amount of tradition, and tra
major factor in the creation
is baseball's propensity for st
array of records such as Eam
Bases, Batting Average, Stril
Magazine's David HalberstaIt
and broken, new myths and
this ... it is sharply different
where statistics are kept but;
Baseball then clearly has a
for mythological representati.
contends that in the 1920's, I
which reflects the Jeffersonial
idealizes the countryside, the
upon the big city as being pa~
myth abound up to the mid-1
Mickey Mantle was born and
most know of Bob Feller as th.
with a blazing fastball at age I
article written about him by ~
"tum.of-the-century athlete, ,
1964, Dean Chance is referrec
sensation. "8
Stars, however, were not all
preconceived, popular myths.
created around special aspects
of their lives became dramatic
Babe Ruth was famous for visi
orphans, promising to "hit anI
was ironman Lou Gehrig, calll
and Mickey Mantle, suffering
coming back to hit even more
home runs. Players of future gl
National Pastime:
Changes Baseball's Image
l'S
. while struggling with an ERA of
ouston Astros, pitcher Jim Bouton
the 1969 season. Realizing that he,
:onsidered a major league "star", he
that it (the book) might not get
ion his book received, however, not
Jut perhaps far exceeded his worst
was indeed "noticed," for in only a
:t selling sports book in the history of
aried from New York Daily News
author "a social leper," to the
ring the book "an authentic
loger Angell recognizing it as "the
:h as it was clearly America's most
the nation's most controversial. Ball
le image of our national pastime, to
>n which is the embodiment of some
than any other event or publication
are an aspect or part of myths, and
"ered heroe&-Babe Ruth, Lou
Mantle--are products of the game.
yths surrounding American baseball
1 lead America to a changing view of
the publication of his book Ball Four.
rceptions of events, people, or
leliefs and fantasies. They are,
l reality, and their existence lies in
.tion or culture. Myths are not an
but rather an expression or depiction
, or in writing, and consequently, the
has been written and said about
~r is, therefore, primarily a discusion
bout the sport; a study of how it is
as its myths. The United States,
.tions, has had to create its own
ly modem culture. A large majority
:ler our greatest hero to be George
.t and leader of our great democratic
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
tradition. Other names come to mind, such as Abraham Lincoln, savior
of the Union and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who presided over World
War II and the end of the great depression. But all of these figures are
part of the political arena, and since politics are generally dull and
tedious in the short term (and in many periods the long term as well), it
is not astonishing that we look to the always exciting, always happening
world of sports for many of our myths and heroes. 4
Historians tend to believe that baseball lends itself more to myth
than other American sports because of its age and propensity for
statistics. Since the sport is old, it necessarily has developed a certain
amount of tradition, and tradition, if not a prerequisite, is certainly a
major factor in the creation of mythology. But perhaps more important
is baseball's propensity for statistics. Heroics are quantified into a vast
array of records such as Earned Run Average, Home Runs, Wins, Stolen
Bases, Batting Average, Strike Outs, Runs Batted In, etc. Harpers
Magazine's David Halberstam points out that "records (are) to be set
and broken, new myths and heroes (are) to replace the old. In
this ... it is sharply different from pro football and pro basketball,
where statistics are kept but are quite secondary to performance."s
Baseball then clearly has a certain disposition towards being adopted
for mythological representation. Sports historian Richard Crepeau
contends that in the 1920's, baseball tied itself to the "agrarian myth"
which reflects the Jeffersonian ideal of rural individualism. This myth
idealizes the countryside, the farmer boy with his fidelity, and frowns
upon the big city as being paganistic and untrue. 6 Evidences of this
myth abound up to the mid-1960's. Every baseball fan knows that
Mickey Mantle was born and raised in a small Oklahoma town, and
most know of Bob Feller as the man who came straight off the farm
with a blazing fastball at age 17. Casey Stengel is referred to in an
article written about him by Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford as a
"turn-of-the-century athlete, country boy ... "7 And even as late as
1964, Dean Chance is referred to by Newsweek as "a farm boy
sensation. "8
Stars, however, were not always destined to play in the shadow of
preconceived, popular myths. Many of the larger stars have had myths
created around special aspects of their own unique characters. Aspects
of their lives became dramatic stories of truth, justice, and courage. 9
Babe Ruth was famous for visiting hospitalized children and little
orphans, promising to "hit one out" for a: particularly sick child. There
was ironman Lou Gehrig, calmly and fearlessly facing a deadly disease,
and Mickey Mantle, suffering injury after excruciating injury, yet
coming back to hit even more tremendous, towering, game-winning
home runs. Players of future generations were expected to live and play
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Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 8
by these ideals which the heroes of the past had created or followed.
They were to hold, as these myths did, a certain wholesomeness and
virtuousness. Attending events such as functions for under privileged
kids, and just simply holding the values of a good, strong American
citizen became expected of them.
These myths-and being exaggerations they are indeed generally
myths-were created and maintained loyally by a vast array of
sportswriters. Almost regardless of what a player did off the field, his
image was somewhat protected and how he was perceived was to some
degree controlled. He, therefore, was not entirely responsible for his off
the field actions, for the general rule among sports writers was that
irresponsible or socially unacceptable behavior was to be ignored. Babe
Ruth was once sidelined, for instance, for eating too many hot dogs,
not for having social disease. lO
People and cultures like their myths. In their continuity they find
comfort and they therefore do not like to see them changed. As Jim
Bouton discovered in the aftennath of Ball Four, "Baseball players are
like people. They enjoy the legends and the myths they've grown up
with and they don't like to see them blurred. "n By the late 1950's early
1960's, a triangle of players, sportswriters, and fans had managed to
inclose themselves in their own unique creation of mythological
characters and ideas, and they seemed quite content to maintain this
situation as the status quo.
But as the 1960's progressed, the cozy world of baseball experienced a
period of drastic change brought on by an alteration of the attitudes and
values of the country. This alteration of attitudes or "invisible spirit"
enveloping the nation was defined by Mr. Mike Burke, president of the
New York Yankees, as "the changing velocity of American life."12 Many
considered the 1960's as the beginning of the space age, and by the end
of the decade a man was to walk on the moon. Red Barber, who was at
the microphone for Bobby Thompson's historic ninth-inning, pennant­
clinching home run relates that "the plain fact is, baseball just hasn't
kept up with the times. When I was growing up, baseball truly was the
National Pastime. Kids today move to a more insistent beat, the yimpy
pace of the space age, and, instead of keeping up, the game has been
slowing down. "13 Other sports were catching up to and exceeding
baseball in popularity. "I think (baseball) has not kept up with the
velocity of American life, the jet age, instant gratification (and) instant
action, the way others sports have," insists David Halberstam of Harpers
Magazine. 14
concentrated action televised pa:
not. Paul Weiss, professor of phil
that baseball was badly distorted
It's too slow and becomes just pit
interaction in the outfield. The E
Obviously, the problem here Vi
the game of baseball was just too
newscasts lamented the game's ir
Red Barber compares the Yankee:
average with the entire 1968 Am
hitter pacing the rest of the leagL
"baseball must regain excitement
Many tests were conducted-rest:
being obtained-which showed j,
Harris of New York Times Magazir.
motion studies conducted last sea
game of baseball is 'dead time' be
time' between innings, that one c
miscellaneous ways (catcher rubs
replacements enter the game, bat
only the remaining 5 per cent is c
a passion for continuous, ceaseles­
numbers ... "17
Adding to these problems were
controversies leading off the 1970
taking baseball to court in an atte
constitutional grounds. It was a bi
number of years. During this feud
inevitable-that "sooner or later,
right to treat human beings like u;
on the other hand, dealt with Me.
admitted involvement with Flint,
controversy arose when Commissi
suspension would end on July 1 of
finish the entire second half of the
suspicion that the Commissioner's
that McLain had been a 30-game
Baseball clearly had some major
The game was obviously too slow I
a new Commissioner was making 1
decisions, and one of its star piaye
constitutional grounds in an atterr
"like used cars." Then at about mi
.
Television was widely viewed as a leading culprit in baseball's
declining popularity. Football and basketball with their instant,
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4
lle past had created or followed.
d, a certain wholesomeness and
as functions for under privileged
ues of a good, strong American
tions they are indeed generally
I loyally by a vast array of
nat a player did off the field, his
he was perceived was to some
s not entirely responsible for his off
among sports writers was that
~ behavior was to be ignored. Babe
e, for eating too many hot dogs,
lOW
1S. In their continuity they find
{e to see them changed. As Jim
:l BaU Four, "Baseball players are
md the myths they've grown up
blurred."ll By the late 1950's early
'iters, and fans had managed to
rue creation of mythological
~d quite content to maintain this
:ozy world of baseball experienced a
by an alteration of the attitudes and
1 of attitudes or "invisible spirit"
y Mr. Mike Burke, president of the
velocity of American life."12 Many
tlg of the space age, and by the end
the moon. Red Barber, who was at
n's historic ninth-inning, pennant­
.plain fact is, baseball just hasn't
growing up, baseball truly was the
:0 a more insistent beat, the yimpy
,f keeping up, the game has been
:atching up to and exceeding
ball) has not kept up with the
~, instant gratification (and) instant
insists David Halberstam of Harpers
leading culprit in baseball's
lsketball with their instant,
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
concentrated action televised particularly well, whereas baseball did
not. Paul Weiss, professor of philosophy at Catholic University believes
that baseball was badly distorted by television. "It's not the real game.
It's too slow and becomes just pitcher against batter. They ignore the
interaction in the outfield. The spectator is being cheated. "15
Obviously, the problem here was speed. In our new, frantic space age,
the game of baseball was just too dam slow. Articles, studies, and
newscasts lamented the game's incessant slowness and lack of action.
Red Barber compares the Yankees "murderers row" and its .307 batting
average with the entire 1968 American league which had one .300
hitter pacing the rest of the league at a .301 clip. He concludes that,
"baseball must regain excitement and motion, action and pace. "16
Many tests were conducted-resulting in many figures and statistics
being obtained-which showed just how slow the old sport was. Mark
Harris of New York Times Magazine reports the following. "In time
motion studies conducted last season in Baltimore, they saw that half a
game of baseball is 'dead time' between pitches, that one-fifth is 'dead
time' between innings, that one quarter is 'dead time' passsed in
miscellaneous ways (catcher rubs up the ball, players confer,
replacements enter the game, batter goes for new bat, etc.) and that
only the remaining 5 per cent is devoted to actual play. To anyone with
a passion for continuous, ceaseless action these are very bad
numbers ... "17
Adding to these problems were the Denny McLain and Curt Flood
controversies leading off the 1970 baseball season. Curt Flood was
taking baseball to court in an attempt to outlaw its reserve system on
constitutional grounds. It was a bitter fight which was to last for a
number of years. During this feud, Flood once commented that it was
inevitable-that "sooner or later, someone would challenge baseball's
right to treat human beings like Ilsed cars. "18 The Denny McLain affair,
on the other hand, dealt with McLain's suspension from baseball for his
admitted involvement with Flint, Mich., bookies in 1967. The real
controversy arose when Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announced that his
suspension would end on July 1 of that same year, allowing him to
finish the entire second half of the season. There was widespread
suspicion that the Commissioner's compassion resulted from the fact
that McLain had been a 30-game winner the previous year. 19
Baseball clearly had some major problems to start off the 1970 season.
The game was obviously too slow for a changing American population,
a new Commissioner was making highly controversial, unpopular
decisions, and one of its star players was taking the game to court on
constitutional grounds in an attempt to keep it from treating its players
"like used cars." Then at about mid-season, Jim Bouton and his book
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Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 8
Ball Four appeared on the scene. The whole baseball world was in
i
I'
II
Ii1
Iii
Ii
r:
}i
uproar even before the actual book was released, for, as Bouton
explains, "the shit hit the fan when the excerpts began running in Look
in May, and I was beseiged all the time. "20 These excerpts in Look were
all that were really necessary to cause the fuss which the book created. )
This was true largely because the editor, Larry Shector, managed to
include in the Look articles all of the key, controversial passages
Bouton's book contained. When Bowie Kuhn called in Jim Bouton later
that season to "discuss" the book, his knowledge of its contents rested
solely on the excerpts he had read in Look. He, as was the case with
many of the book's other critics, had not even read the book!
Ball Four was obviously not your ordinary dull, drab baseball book.
Other supposed "diaries" of a baseball season had been written in the
past, but they were generally conservative and unrevealing. Jim
Brosnan's book Pennant Race, published in 1962, was a fairly popular
diary of the Cincinnati Reds' previous pennant winning season. It
portrayed the bullpen as "a wire gate (which) leads back under the
stands, where several benches provide room to sit and watch the game,
catch a quick nap, read Playboy, or discuss world affairs. "21 His
anecdotes about life on the road generally resembled the following.
"Eventually they send around a little-bitty maid about four feet tall. We
stand around watching her clean up the room so we can go to bed. Half
an hour later a dog starts barking next door! He shuts up and five
minutes later a duck quacks! In a hotel! To hell with 'em."22 Comments
about fellow players proved overwhelmingly favorable, and his stories
about fellow player's faults were generally light in nature. Referring to
Alvin Dark's batting slump, Brosnan tells how "the frustration tore at
his soul, and Alvin, who eschews profanity, often released his pent-up
self-torment by slinging his batting helmet around the
dugout ... Occasionally many benchwarmers are bruised by helmet­
slingers. "23 Pennant Race was a success as far as baseball books are
concerned, but it revealed nothing new about the baseball world,
nothing pragmatic was said, and no myths or illusions about the
baseball world and its players were tampered with.
Jim Bouton's Ball Four, on the other hand, was anything but lacking
in pragmaticism. The book talks at length about sex, stars, drugs, and
kissing games among the players on the bus. The whole tone of the
book is completely different than that of Brosnan's Pennant Race. "If you
want to know what aspect of the moon landing was discussed most in
the bullpen," asks BOuton, "it was the sex life of the astronauts. We
thought it a terrible arrangement that they should have to go three
weeks or more without any sex life. "24 This, as can be observed, is a
tell-all book that pulls no punches when describing the private lives of
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6
major league baseball players.
the best dates.» He explains:
affairs. »25 He tells of the "ad.
players - a verbal one.» For it
Oyler and say, 'Ray, when yo
bring my socks? I left them II
this kind of conversation: PI::
night.» Player 2, "Gh, she w:
have been there earlier. She
All of the preceding and f,
Look excerpts so they were, c
early in the controversy. The
Bouton, was the aspect of hi~
description of a beaver shoot
Beaver shooting can be anytl
dugout to look up dresses, to
floor of some hotel to look ir
a particularly good beaver, yc
hero of sorts. The Yankees WI
hotel) in squads of 15 or so, C
One of baseball's greatest 1
portrayed as some sort of pe1""
worse, he could be highly res
Bouton did more, however, t
told how Mantle could simpL
instance, "there were all thOE
they wanted his autograph, a
reporters, just about making
time. I've seen him slam a bL
autograph. And I hated that
somebody and cut him down
opinion that "Yastremski is fc
with everybody else. »29 This
baseball's biggest stars was SOl
virtuous athlete was being dil
But Ball Four was controve
previously known that "greer:
Jim Brosnan even refers to th
somehow managed to shed a
he says, "are pep pills - dextn
ballplayers couldn't function
teammate how many major-It
answer was, "a lot more than
e whole baseball world was in
.vas released, for, as Bouton
the excerpts began running in Look
me. "20 These excerpts in Look were
Ie the fuss which the book created.)
itor, Larry Shector, managed to
e key, controversial passages
,wie Kuhn called in Jim Bouton later
is knowledge of its contents rested
11 Look. He, as was the case with
1 not even read the book!
)rdinary dull, drab baseball book.
til season had been written in the
vative and unrevealing. Jim
hed in 1962, was a fairly popular
us pennant winning season. It
~ (which) leads back under the
de room to sit and watch the game,
1iscuss world affairs. "21 His
lerally resembled the following.
e.bitty maid about four feet tall. We
, the room so we can go to bed. Half
:xt door! He shuts up and five
)tel! To hell with 'em."22 Comments
~lmingly favorable, and his stories
erally light in nature. Referring to
n tells how "the frustration tore at
rofanity, often released his pent-up
helmet around the
hwarmers are bruised by helmet­
~ss as far as baseball books are
new about the baseball world,
myths or illusions about the
ampered with.
her hand, was anything but lacking
length about sex, stars, drugs, and
the bus. The whole tone of the
tat of Brosnan's Pennant Race. "If you
:xm landing was discussed most in
he sex life of the astronauts. We
lat they should have to go three
"24 This, as can be observed, is a
",hen describing the private lives of
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
major league baseball players. "Baseball players are not, by and large,
the best dates." He explains: "They prefer wham, bam, thank·you ma'm
affairs. "25 He tells of the "odd sort of sexual liberation among baseball
players. a verbal one." For instance, Gary Bell would "go up to Ray
Oyler and say, 'Ray, when you come to the ball park tomorrow, will you
bring my socks? I left them under your bed.'" Or sometimes you'd get
this kind of conversation: Player 1, "Gee, your wife was great last
night." Player 2, "Oh, she wasn't all that great." Player 1, "You should
have been there earlier. She was terrific. "26
All of the preceding and following quotations were included in the
Look excerpts so they were, of course, available to the baseball world
early in the controversy. The art of "beaver shooting" as described by
Bouton, was the aspect of his book most shocking to some. Bouton's
description of a beaver shooter is that he is "at bottom, a Peeping Tom.
Beaver shooting can be anything from peering over the top of the
dugout to look up dresses, to hanging from the fire escape on the 20th
floor of some hotel to look into a window." "... in baseball if you shoot
a particularly good beaver, you are a highly respected person, a folk
hero of sorts. The Yankees would go up there (the top of the Shoreham
hotel) in squads of 15 or so, often led by Mickey Mantle himself."27
One of baseball's greatest heroes, Mickey Mantle, was being
portrayed as some sort of pervert, a Peeping Tom. And to make matters
worse, he could be highly respected by other players for doing so. Jim
Bouton did more, however, than reveal The Mick as a Peeping Tom. He
told how Mantle could simply be rude and insensitive at times. For
instance, "there were all those times he'd push little kids aside when
they wanted his autograph, and the times when he was snotty to
reporters, just about making them crawl and beg for a minute of his
time. I've seen him slam a bus window on kids trying to get his
autograph. And I hated that look of his, when he'd get angry at
somebody and cut him down with a glare. "28 He also reveals Gary Bell's
opinion that "Yastremski is for himself first and second, and the hell
with everybody else. "29 This unfavorable, backstabbing talk about
baseball's biggest stars was something entirely new. The myth of the
virtuous athlete was being directly attacked.
But Ball Four was controversial for other reasons as well. It was
previously known that "greenies" or "uppers" were used in baseball, for
Jim Brosnan even refers to their use in Pennant Race, but Jim Bouton
somehow managed to shed a stronger light on the subject. "Greenies,"
he says, "are pep pills· dextroamphetamine sulfate - and a lot of
ballplayers couldn't function without them. "30 When Bouton asked a
teammate how many major.leaguers he thought took greenies, the
answer was, "a lot more than half. A lot of the guys on the Baltimore
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Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 8
team take them. A lot of the Tigers. Most of the guys on this club. And
that's just what I know for sure. "31
Probably the final, and surely the oddest, controversial subject
covered in Ball Four, was the kissing game that went on for a short time
among the players. '~.fter awhile, some of the guys began to walk up to
each other and pretend to kiss on the lips. In fact, one of them would
put his hand on the other's face and kiss the back of it. If you did it
fast, it looked like a real kiss. Then we got a little drunk on a bus one
night, and the guys started kissing without bothering to put their hands
up. "32 This, surely, was not a game of champions and heroes.
Bouton's original hope for Ball Four was that "they'll read the book ­
everybody in baseball will read the book - and they'll have a good
laugh. Maybe they'll make a few policy changes to correct the evils I
discussed ... and accept the book as mature adults should. I thought
that, I really did. "33 But Bouton's ideal for the book was far from met.
Critics and proponents alike were less concerned with changing some
of the problems he mentioned (Greenies), and focused more on his
projection of the major league ball player, namely Mickey Mantle. Joe
Cronin, president of the American League, said, "It's the most
derogatory thing and the worst thing for baseball I've ever seen. He's
got ballplayers sleeping with each other's wives. He's got them being
Peeping Toms. He's even got them kissing each other. I've never read
anything so bad in my whole life. "34 The object of highest concern here
was obviously the disruption of the superhuman, almost immortal image
held of the "homo baseballus."
"What Jim Bouton has done, then," proclaimed Richard Tobin of
the Saturday Review, "is to tell the average fan what really goes on
during the twenty-four hours of a ballplayer's life, especially on the
road. "35 Another reviewer notes that, "reading Bouton, the baseball
players became what they are, not larger than life, but perhaps, if
anything, a little smaller.,,36 Ball Four resulted in a rash of insiders
proclaiming that yes, baseball players were and always had been this
way. Richard Tobin, who travelled with the old St. Louis Cardinals of
Dizzy Dean and Pepper Martin, writes - "We have probably seen every
off-field antic Mr. Bouton describes and a few he could never publish,
not even in these permissive days." About the only thing ballplayers
didn't have available to them that they have now are 'greenies,' pep
pills probably more dangerous than they're worth since they can induce
malnutrition and neurqsis. But yesterday's ballplayers are themselves
little or no different from the way Roger Lipsyte recently described Jim
Bouton's pals in The New York Times; Twenty-five young, insecure,
undereducated men of narrow skills keep circling the country to play
before fans who do not understand their problems or their work and
66
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who use them as symbols for the
Chicago wrote Bouton that "I w
22-23 years ago!! It was just as b
International League.... We h~
players, it seems, are just like rei
been. Amazingly they share the
the same desires as everyone els~
It is interesting that the greatl
from the sportswriters and baseb
labelled Bouton a "social leper, "
writing "the way lovesick little g
May Alcott. "39 Joe Pepitone ad,
cry because he thought he wasn
eight hundred per cent. He had
have tom it down like that. It ~
just don't think it was necessary
is, people don't want to know tl
news. "41 When the publisher of
section in which Bouton talked
partying whenever they played i
note was attached to the rnargir
Marvin Miller, head of the Majl
about the sportswriters was that
book is a pack of lies. That's an
was true that sportswriters rarel)
lies, but rather they questioned
phenomenon had previously ad
of American society. When the
anger among fellow journalists 1
similar reaction greeted the tea!
reporting of the Watergate scan.
So the question, considering
Four, is how or why did the hoc
with the fans. A few, like the Sl
the book. A youth from Bronx.
rudely disturbed by the way YOl.:
[sic] Joe Pepitone, Mickey Man
majority of fan responses were .:
wrote to Look magazine, "Is it 1
Yes, they are overpaid, overcor­
poor English, have low IQs am
same magazine, '~t last he has
major-league baseball. At last 1
8
Most of the guys on this club. And
oddest, controversial subject
game that went on for a short time
me of the guys began to walk up to
.e lips. In fact, one of them would
kiss the back of it. If you did it
we got a little drunk on a bus one
'ithout bothering to put their hands
)f champions and heroes.
tT was that "they'll read the book ­
oak - and they'll have a good
icy changes to correct the evils I
, mature adults should. I thought
eal for the book was far from met.
;s concerned with changing some
nies), and focused more on his
layer, namely Mickey Mantle. Joe
_eague, said, "It's the most
:for baseball I've ever seen. He's
!ler's wives. He's got them being
issing each other. I've never read
The object of highest concern here
uperhuman, almost immortal image
I," proclaimed Richard Tobin of
'erage fan what really goes on
lplayer's life, especially on the
:, "reading Bouton, the baseball
rger than life, but perhaps, if
T resulted in a rash of insiders
i were and always had been this
ith the old St. Louis Cardinals of
:s - "We have probably seen every
lnd a few he could never publish,
I.bout the only thing ballplayers
ey have now are 'greenies,' pep
iley're worth since they can induce
:day's ballplayers are themselves
,ger Lipsyte recently described Jim
'Twenty-five young, insecure,
:eep circling the country to play
leir problems or their work and
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
who use them as symbols for their own fantasies.' "37 A man from
Chicago wrote Bouton that "I was in that same Tacoma dressing room
22-23 years ago!! It was just as bad then, in the old Western
International League.... We had some real 'beavers' too. "38 Baseball
players, it seems, are just like regular people, and they always have
been. Amazingly they share the same problems, the same needs, and
the same desires as everyone else.
It is interesting that the greatest critical outcry against the book came
from the sportswriters and baseball players. Dick Young, the man who
labelled Bouton a "social leper," also sneeringly accused Bouton of
writing "the way lovesick little girls used to do it in the time of Louisa
May Alcott. "39 Joe Pepitone adds, "I've seen Mickey break down and
cry because he thought he wasn't doing enough for the team. He gives
eight hundred per cent. He had an image and I don't think Jim should
have tom it down like that. It wasn't necessary to say all those things. I
just don't think it was necessary. "40 Bouton believes that "The sad fact
is, people don't want to know the truth, they don't want to hear bad
news. "41 When the publisher of Ball Four cut the manuscript, the
section in which Bouton talked about the Yankees staying out late and
partying whenever they played in Los Angeles was crossed out, and a
note was attached to the margin asking - "Is this possible?"42 What
Marvin Miller, head of the Major League Players Association, noticed
about the sportswriters was that he "never heard ... someone say the
book is a pack of lies. That's an interesting omission. "43 And indeed it
was true that sportswriters rarely questioned the book as being a pack of
lies, but rather they questioned the right of Bouton to tell it. This
phenomenon had previously arisen, and was to rise again in other areas
of American society. When the My Lai story initially broke, there was
anger among fellow journalists towards the men who reported it. 44 A
similar reaction greeted the team of Woodward and Bernstein in their
reporting of the Watergate scandal.
So the question, considering all the friction against Jim Bouton's Ball
Four, is how or why did the book become such a hit. The answer lies
with the fans. A few, like the sportswriters and players, were upset by
the book. A youth from Bronx, New York, wrote Bouton; "We are
rudely disturbed by the way you critizied [sic] many ballplayers especially
[sic] Joe Pepitone, Mickey Mantle, Elston Howard, etc. "45 But a vast
majority of fan responses were in praise of Bouton's work. One fan
wrote to Look magazine, "Is it true what they say about baseball players?
Yes, they are overpaid, overconfident, oversexed individuals who speak
poor English, have low IQs and a one-track mind. "46 And from the
same magazine, '~t last he has revealed to us the forbidden facts of
major-league baseball. At last he has exposed the heroes and toppled
67
Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986
9
them from their Undergraduate
pedestals. Mickey
Mantle,
Carl Art.
Yastremski.
Wonderful,
Review, Vol.
1, Iss. 1 [1986],
8
Jim - great job. "47 Another fan writes, "If baseball can't stand to have
something written about it that is not hero-worshipful to a nauseating
degree, it's in deep trouble. "48 Bouton himself received many letters,
including this one: "It really is about time that someone knocked them
off their pedestals and revealed the truth (that they're not heroes off of
Wheaties boxes but just men - horny men at that!)"49
Eventually, even sportswriters and professional people got into the
act. A professor of psychology from Mitchell College, N.C., wrote
Bouton the following letter. "For too long America has idolized its
baseball players as some kind of gods whose integrity and superhuman
qualities must never be questioned. What your book did for me was to
make me realize that baseball players ... are subject to the same
pressures, the same tensions, and problems that confront us all. "50 The
New York Times sportswriter Bob Lipsyte writes, "His anecdotes and
insights are enlightening, hilarious and, most important, unavailable
elsewhere. They breathe a new life into a game choked by pontificating
statisticians, image conscious officials and scared ballplayers. "51 And
George G. Hill of The Christian Century; "Life will be better if people
will recognize their idols as idols and quit worshipping them. Jim
Bouton's book ... makes a contribution to the needed deidolizing of
the American Way of Life by desacralizing one of its holy
symbols ... "5Z Wilfred Sheed of Life was probably right on target when
he noted, "For all the pious whinnies over Bouton's book, the baseball
establishment can probably stand having the players exposed - in fact it
may even be good for business: top-dollar adults were getting awfully
tired of the short-haired, cliche-bearing prigs we used to get ... "53
All through the 1960's, baseball seemed to be on the decline.
Attendance was dropping year after year and television seemed to favor
faster-paced sports such as football and basketball. Sportswriters
continually pointed out that baseball was too slow, that it was failing to
keep up with the fast pace of American life. A mass of new rules were
proposed to "liven up" the game and many were seriously considered.
Among them were: Narrowing home plate from 17 to 15 inches,
reducing the size of fielders' gloves, lowering the pitcher's mound
(again), moving back the pitcher's mound two feet, bringing the
outfield fences in closer to the plate, etc. 54 But perhaps all those
sportswriters and speculators were, as they say, barking up the wrong
tree. Yes, the ideals of America were changing during this time, but a
desire for speed and action were not the only aspects of this change.
This was also a period of growing anti-war movements and increasing
discontent with the image of '~merica the Beautiful." The United
States had always portrayed itself as virtuous and true, coming to the
heroic aid of its righteous, demo(
by the obviously evil, domineerir
the 1960's began to see their inv(
Korean and Vietnam war as not!
increasing awareness that commt
little red devils we had imagined
beginning to discover that Amer
suffered from the same short sigh
other nations did. At times we a]
nation that, at times, refused to
restaurants because of the color (
whose army had literally wiped a
men, women and children in ViE
losing faith in the whole myth d
It is not surprising, by the sam
the myth of the baseball player..
life stars seemed increasingly um
impatient with the stale, phony
adorned baseball cards and cerea
real people, and in Jim Bouton's
Shortly after the book was releas
called Bouton into his office in ~
him for writing the book. Bouto·
the Commissioner, "I think it gi
and baseball players are like. As
interested in baseball, not less. I
phony goody-goody image. So I
or bad for baseball. "55 Marvin ~
Association, also attended the n
something like this. "What you'
the past was that the public had
But I believe fans today are diffe
and a lot more concerned with I
make a case that something whi
view of the life of a professional
deal more down to earth could I
The popularity of Major Leag
1970, and attendance records ar
rose from below 25 million in 1~
Obviously, one cannot prove th
Bouton's demythologizing of the
the mass wave of fan approval Sl
by those close to the baseball sc
68
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10
Mantle, Carl Yastremski. Wonderful,
tes, "If baseball can't stand to have
[lot hero-worshipful to a nauseating
ton himself received many letters,
ut time that someone knocked them
truth (that they're not heroes off of
ly men at that!)"49
id professional people got into the
. Mitchell College, N. c., wrote
>0 long America has idolized its
Is whose integrity and superhuman
What your book did for me was to
rs ... are subject to the same
roblems that confront us all. "50 The
psyte writes, "His anecdotes and
and, most important, unavailable
into a game choked by pontificating
ils and scared ballplayers. "51 And
lturyj "Life will be better if people
d quit worshipping them. Jim
ition to the needed deidolizing of
alizing one of its holy
(e was probably right on target when
es over Bouton's book, the baseball
aving the players exposed - in fact it
dollar adults were getting awfully
ring prigs we used to get ... "53
:eemed to be on the decline.
year and television seemed to favor
iIld basketball. Sportswriters
Uwas too slow, that it was failing to
can life. A mass of new rules were
I many were seriously considered.
e plate from 17 to 15 inches,
lowering the pitcher's mound
nound two feet, bringing the
, etc. 54 But perhaps all those
s they say, barking up the wrong
: changing during this time, but a
the only aspects of this change.
ti-war movements and increasing
ca the Beautiful." The United
virtuous and true, coming to the
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
heroic aid of its righteous, democratic allies when they were threatened
by the obviously evil, domineering German regimes. But Americans in
the 1960's began to see their involvement in conficts such as the
Korean and Vietnam war as not so justified and true. There arose an
increasing awareness that communists were people too, not just the
little red devils we had imagined them to be. The nation's citizens were
beginning to discover that America was not always so virtuous. It
suffered from the same short sightedness and prejudices, it seemed, that
other nations did. At times we appeared downright wrong. We were a
nation that, at times, refused to serve a certain race of people in
restaurants because of the color of their skin, and we were a nation
whose army had literally wiped out a village of seemingly innocent
men, women and children in Vietnam. American citizens were clearly
losing faith in the whole myth that surrounded America.
It is not surprising, by the same token, that Americans were tiring of
the myth of the baseball player. The image of superhuman, larger-than­
life stars seemed increasingly unreal. In short, people were getting
impatient with the stale, phony image of the baseball player who
adorned baseball cards and cereal boxes. Americans, it seemed, wanted
real people, and in Jim Bouton's Ball Four that is exactly what they got.
Shortly after the book was released, baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn
called Bouton into his office in an effort to obtain a public apology from
him for writing the book. Bouton, however, refused to oblige and told
the Commissioner, "I think it gives an accurate view of what baseball
and baseball players are like. As a result, I think people will be more
interested in baseball, not less. I think people are turned off by the
phony goody-goody image. So I think you're wrong about what's good
or bad for baseball. "55 Marvin Miller, head of the Major League Players
Association, also attended the meeting and told the Commissioner
something like this. "What you're saying is that what was good about
the past was that the public had this image of the player wearing a halo.
But I believe fans today are different. They're a lot more sophisticated
and a lot more concerned with players as human beings. I could well
make a case that something which took away this phony, unrealistic
view of the life of a professional player and showed that it was a great
deal more down to earth could be very good for baseball. "56
The popularity of Major League Baseball has increased steadily since
1970, and attendance records are now broken regularly. Attendance
rose from below 25 million in 1968, to about 38 million in 1977.57
Obviously, one cannot prove these figures to be a direct result of Jim
Bouton's demythologizing of the baseball player. However, considering
the mass wave of fan approval supporting his book, the remarks made
by those close to the baseball scene that it "breathed new life into the
69
Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986
11
influenced towards these same act
this image is not through sportswr
examples of drug use. Quite to th€
time and effort into revealing just
situation, as previously mentioned
behavior directly. Upholding the "
become, once again, a matter of I=
establishment. If it is allowed to sl
bad for America as well.
Myths, such as the myth of the
control the values and attitudes ot
attitudes, and values of a culture c
holds sacred. America seems to he
to its values and beliefs in the last
1950's were a time of strong pro-A
discontent or anti-Americanism tc
1960's and early 1970's around the
of America. Today, in 1986, Amet
more conservative and pro-Ameril
Reagan. Baseball, being an institlJ
some of our country's most sacred
of shifting American values. In 19­
how much we were tired of superh
deidolization of them seemed to re
acceptance of mandatory drug test
game, and even its consideration [
and the myth surrounding it. But:
of time - a period of separation fro
gathering of events which will occ­
new America of the 1980's again c
National Pastime.
game," and the fact
that BallReview,
Four became
greatest
Undergraduate
Vol. 1, Iss. 1the
[1986],
Art. 8 selling sports
book of all time, one can conclude that a strong connection definitely
does exist.
Even though Ball Four was published 16 years ago in 1970, its effects
are still felt in the baseball world today. Ted Simmons, a 16-year veteran
of the Major Leagues, commented on the book in 1984 much the same
way people did in the early 1970's. "To whatever extent people
appreciate, or don't appreciate, what Bouton's book did, one would
have to say his coverage of pro athletes revolutionized the role that
journalism plays," he says. "I think, quite frankly, it was a move for the
better. Whether you like it or not, he humanized athletes.... They
(the fans) want to know about us. Bouton showed us just how
badly.... I think it is better this way. It forces you to be a human
being. Forty years ago nobody was watching, so you could be anybody
you wanted as a human being ... you didn't have to be responsible for
your actions. Today, because of Bouton ... his book forced all of us to
be human beings. "58
But now in the 1980's, people do not like the human beings they are
seeing so up close and personal in the Major Leagues. As Tracy
Ringolsby of Sport magazine explains, "Players find themselves
characterized - by fans, management and the press - as overpaid,
undertalented and chemically dependent. . . . Their love of the
national pastime has become a subject of debate. What was once
ignored (like pay) or considered colorful (like getting drunk) is now
worthy of public ridicule"59 Ken Singleton complains that people are
concerned too much in particular with the personal life of baseball
players. "[People] don't see themselves in the role of a Michael Jackson
or Burt Reynolds." He says. "They don't see themselves on the movie
screen or on television or making albums. But as soon as athletes make
a good salary they get upset. I feel that's unfair because we are
entertainers, too. "60 "It is not fair," says Pete Rose, "When a guy is
accused of taking drugs, right away everybody thinks all players do. It is
very unfair. I bet there's no more percentage of players taking drugs
than percentage of policemen or carpenters or whatever.,,61 It seems
that, although Bouton dented and damaged the myth of the ballplayer,
he did not necessarily destroy it. Today our culture is trying to put
baseball back into its role as representative of our country's values and
ideals, only now they are trying to do so by changing the players
themselves, rather than by hiding their true actions.
Currently in 1986, there is a strong faction pushing for mandatory
drug testing of all Major League ballplayers. Their main concern is with
image. If ballplayers are perceived as drug users, then the youth - who
obtain their values and beliefs from such mythological figures - will be
70
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12
came the greatest selling sports
lat a strong connection definitely
ed 16 years ago in 1970, its effects
ay. Ted Simmons, a 16-year veteran
l the book in 1984 much the same
[0 whatever extent people
Bouton's book did, one would
es revolutionized the role that
luite frankly, it was a move for the
~ humanized athletes.... They
luton showed us just how
. It forces you to be a human
Itching, so you could be anybody
I didn't have to be responsible for
In ... his book forced all of us to
lot like the human beings they are
~ Major Leagues. As Tracy
"Players find themselves
and the press - as overpaid,
lent. . . . Their love of the
:t of debate. What was once
101 (like getting drunk) is now
leton complains that people are
h the personal life of baseball
s in the role of a Michael Jackson
n't see themselves on the movie
llms. But as soon as athletes make
It'S unfair because we are
lYS Pete Rose, "When a guy is
'erybody thinks all players do. It is
:entage of players taking drugs
enters or whatever. "61 It seems
maged the myth of the ballplayer,
Iy our culture is trying to put
:ative of our country's values and
so by changing the players
ir true actions.
faction pushing for mandatory
layers. Their main concern is with
lrug users, then the youth - who
ch mythological figures - will be
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
influenced towards these same activities. But the approach to protecting
this image is not through sportswriters attempting to hide or cover up
examples of drug use. Quite to the contrary, some seem to put extreme
time and effort into revealing just such stories. The answer in this
situation, as previously mentioned, seems to be to alter the players
behavior directly. Upholding the "proper" image of ballplayers has
become, once again, a matter of primary importance to the
establishment. If it is allowed to slide it will be bad for the game, and
bad for America as well.
Myths, such as the myth of the American baseball hero, do not
control the values and attitudes of a culture, but rather the beliefs,
attitudes, and values of a culture determine the myths which a nation
holds sacred. America seems to have completed a full circle in regard
to its values and beliefs in the last 40 years. The late 1940's and early
1950's were a time of strong pro-Americanism. Slowly, a period of
discontent or anti-Americanism took over, culminating in the late
1960's and early 1970's around the Vietnam war and the deidolization
of America. Today, in 1986, American values are becoming more and
more conservative and pro-American in the administration of Ronald
Reagan. Baseball, being an institution which is the embodiment of
some of our country's most sacred myths, has of course felt the effects
of shifting American values. In 1970, Jim Bouton's Ball Four showed us
how much we were tired of superhuman baseball heroes, and his
deidolization of them seemed to revive interest in the game. Today, the
acceptance of mandatory drug testing would be a unique change in the
game, and even its consideration represents an alteration of its image
and the myth surrounding it. But it will, perhaps take a period
of time - a period of separation from the events of today, and the
gathering of events which will occur in the near future - to see how the
new America of the 1980's again changes our perception of the
National Pastime.
71
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13
Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 8
Notes
33
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 57.
34
Ibid., p. 103.
1
Jim Bouton, I'm Glad You Didn't Take it Personally (New York: William Morrow and
Co. Inc., 1971), p. 49.
35
Richard Tobin, "Is Baseball Really Lil
2
Jim Bouton, "Son of Ball Four", Sports Illustrated, 9 Apr. 1979, p. 92.
36
HaIberstam, "Mythology", p. 24.
3
Bouton, I'm Glad, pp. 11, 139, 145.
4
David Halberstam, "Baseball and the National Mythology", Harpers Magazine, Sept.
1970, p. 22.
5
Ibid., p. 24.
6
Jim Gungor, "Ruth and Mantle: A comparison of Post-War Baseball Heroes", Senior
Research Seminar Paper, Spring 1985, Illinois Wesleyan University, p. 11.
7
Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, "Life with Casey Stengel", Saturday Evening Post, May/
June 1977, p. 44.
8
"Pure Chance," Newsweek, 25 Sept. 1964, p. 25.
9
Gungor, "Ruth and Mantle", p. 3.
45
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 154.
10
Halberstam, "Mythology", p. 22.
46
Mary Ann Allen, Letter, Look, 14 Jul
11
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 50.
47
Jim Waltzer, Letter, Look, 14 July, 19:
12
Mark Harris, "Maybe What Baseball Needs is a Henry David Thoreau", New York
Times Magazine, 4 May, 1969, p. 67.
13
Red Barber, "Can Baseball be Saved", Readers Digest, Apr. 1969, p. 155.
14
Halberstam, "Mythology", p. 23.
15
"Who Says Baseball is Like Ballet", Forbes, 1 Apr. 1971, p. 26.
16
Barber, "Can Baseball be Saved", pp. 157-158.
17
Harris, "Thoreau", p. 67.
18
Curt Flood, Richard Carter, "My Rebellion", Sports Illustrated, 1 Feb. 1971, p. 26.
19
Pete Axthelm, "Slap on the Wrist", Newsweek, 13 April, 1970, p. 48.
20
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 51.
21
Jim Brosnan, Pennant Race, (New York: Harper and Bros. 1962), p. 21.
22
Brosnan, Pennant Race, p. 190.
23
Ibid., p. 18.
24
Jim Bouton, "My Love/Hate Affair With Baseball", Look, 16 June, 1970, p. 61.
25
Jim Bouton, "My Love/Hate Affair With Baseball", Look, 2 June, 1970, p. 96.
26
Ibid., p. 87.
27
Ibid., p. 86.
28
Ibid., p. 84.
29
Ibid., p. 95.
30
Ibid., p. 87.
31
Ibid., p. 96.
32
Ibid., p. 96.
Tobin, "Is Baseball Really Like That"
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 153.
39
Pete Axthelm, "Pitcher on the Wry",
40
Halberstam, "Mythology", pp. 24-25.
41
Bouton, I'm Glad, pp. 121-122.
42
Ibid., p. 70.
43
Ibid., p. 79.
44
Halberstam, "Mythology", p. 25.
48
F. B. Lorch, Letter, Look, 14 July, 19'i
49
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 152.
50
Ibid., p. 160.
51
Ibid., p. 65.
52
Ibid., p. 143.
53
Ibid., p. 144.
54
Pete Axthelm, "New Ball Game", Ne
55
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 70.
56
Ibid., pp. 74-75.
57
"Behind Baseball's Comeback", U. S.
58
Tracy Ringolsby, "How Players See 11:
59
Ibid., p. 33.
60
Ibid., p. 36.
61
Ibid., p. 35.
Thanks to Leslie Poshard for helping to fil
and
also for providing some valuable suggestions
than it originally did.
Steve Stone - grew up in Bloomir
University High School in Norm:
History in the spring of 1986. Ste
Midwest in Bloomington.
72
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37
38
14
TSonally (New York: William Morrow and
lStrated, 9 Apr. 1979, p. 92.
ional Mythology", Harpers Magazine, Sept.
rison of Post-War Baseball Heroes", Senior
linois Wesleyan University, p. 11.
Casey Stengel", Saturday Evening Post, Mayl
,p.25.
ds is a Henry David Thoreau", New York
aders Digest, Apr. 1969, p. 155.
s, 1 Apr. 1971, p. 26.
33
Stone '86: Myth and America's National Pastime: Jim Bouton's Ball Four Chan
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 57.
34
Ibid., p. 103.
35
Richard Tobin, "Is BasebaIl Really Like That", Saturday Review, 11 July, 1970, p. 44.
36
Halberstam, "Mythology", p. 24.
37
Tobin, "Is Baseball Really Like That", p. 43.
38
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 153.
39
Pete Axthelm, "Pitcher on the Wry", Newsweek, 15 June, 1973, p. 59.
40
Halberstam, "Mythology", pp. 24-25.
41
Bouton, I'm Glad, pp. 121-122.
42
Ibid., p. 70.
43
Ibid., p. 79.
44
Halberstam, "Mythology", p. 25.
45
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 154.
46
Mary Ann Allen, Letter, Look, 14 July, 1970, p. 70.
47
Jim Waltzer, Letter, Look, 14 July, 1970, p. 70.
48
E B. Lorch, Letter, Look, 14 July, 1970, p. 70.
49
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 152.
50
Ibid., p. 160.
51
Ibid., p. 65.
52
Ibid., p. 143.
53
Ibid., p. 144.
54
Pete Axthelm, "New Ball Game", Newsweek, 18 June, 1973, pp. 95-96.
'-158.
In'', Sports IUustrated, 1 Feb. 1971, p. 26.
•week, 13 April, 1970, p. 48.
larper and Bros. 1962), p. 21.
Baseball", Look, 16 June, 1970, p. 61.
Baseball", Look, 2 June, 1970, p. 96.
55
Bouton, I'm Glad, p. 70.
56
Ibid., pp. 74-75.
57
"Behind Baseball's Comeback", U S. News and World Report, 19 Sept. 1977, p. 56.
58
Tracy Ringolsby, "How Players See Themselves", Sport, June, 1984, pp. 34-35.
59
Ibid., p. 33.
60
Ibid., p. 36.
61
Ibid., p. 35.
Thanks to Leslie Poshard for helping to find punctuation, spelling, and other technical errors,
and
also for providing some valuable suggestions which have made this paper read more smoothly
than it originaUy did.
Steve Stone - grew up in Bloomington, Illinois, and attended
University High School in Normal. He received a B.A. degree in
History in the spring of 1986. Steve is currently employed by Banc
Midwest in Bloomington.
73
Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986
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