Bouton - Ball Four

[MantleMarisFordBerra]

Great book. As far as him missing cards in certain years, remember in the book he talks about how important the union was and how the players received double their normal compensation. He then adds a line sarcastically saying “I’m sure it was from the goodness of their hearts”. So who knows, maybe there was in fact some bad blood between Bouton and Topps.

In regards to how other players are depicted in the book, I must confess it forever altered my impression of Frank Crosseti and not in a good way. Bouton made him out to be a high pitched kiss ass.

And finally, not too many folks know Bouton was involved with inventing Big League Chew bubble gum!