OrangeWhoopass.com Forums

General Discussion => Talk Zone => Topic started by: Ron Brand on July 10, 2019, 08:42:51 pm

Title: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: Ron Brand on July 10, 2019, 08:42:51 pm

Jim Bouton, dead at 80 (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/sports/baseball/jim-bouton-dead-ball-four.html).

Title: Re: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: JimR on July 10, 2019, 08:54:02 pm

Quote from: Ron Brand on July 10, 2019, 08:42:51 pm

Jim Bouton, dead at 80 (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/sports/baseball/jim-bouton-dead-ball-four.html).

Dang it.

Title: Re: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: Col. Sphinx Drummond on July 10, 2019, 09:20:37 pm

Legendary.

Title: Re: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: Mr. Happy on July 10, 2019, 09:24:27 pm

Met Bouton in 1980, the year after he pitched for the Braves. I asked him why he didn't continue. He said that chasing the dream was more fun than living the dream. I followed up by asking why he even tried to get back to the big leagues if he knew that if he got there, he wouldn't stay. He said "to prove the naysayers wrong. And because I love the game." He was charming and delightful. I corresponded with him for about six years after that.

Title: Re: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: HudsonHawk on July 11, 2019, 09:47:43 am

I knew he'd been in poor health lately.  Sorry to hear of his passing.

I first read Ball Four in high school...I was maybe 16 or so, and it was certainly an eye opener.  I read it start to finish from time to time, and sometimes I'll just pick it up, open a page and read it.  It always makes me smile. 

RIP, Bulldog.

Title: Re: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: BlownRanger on July 11, 2019, 10:02:30 am

Quote from: HudsonHawk on July 11, 2019, 09:47:43 am

I knew he'd been in poor health lately.  Sorry to hear of his passing.

I first read Ball Four in high school...I was maybe 16 or so, and it was certainly an eye opener.  I read it start to finish from time to time, and sometimes I'll just pick it up, open a page and read it.  It always makes me smile. 

RIP, Bulldog.

For many  years, reading Ball Four was an annual part of my preseason prep.  My favorite blurb among many in the book was when a teammate of Bouton's was in the bullpen flirting with a fan.  The girl cocks her head and suspiciously asks "Are you married?".  The guy replies "Yeah, but I'm not a fanatic".

Title: Re: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: juliogotay on July 14, 2019, 11:07:06 am

Bob Gibson is being treated for pancreatic cancer.

Title: Re: It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be An Astro
Post by: Waldo on July 15, 2019, 11:53:27 am

Quote from: BlownRanger on July 11, 2019, 10:02:30 am

For many  years, reading Ball Four was an annual part of my preseason prep.  My favorite blurb among many in the book was when a teammate of Bouton's was in the bullpen flirting with a fan.  The girl cocks her head and suspiciously asks "Are you married?".  The guy replies "Yeah, but I'm not a fanatic".

My favorite anecdote from the book is when one player asks another player how his arm is feeling, and the player says he's not sure but whenever he looks up he sees buzzards circling overhead.