Former Yankees All-Star Pitcher and 'Ball Four' Author Jim Bouton Dies at 80
By Scott Rogust

The New York Yankee family -- indeed, the baseball family -- lost a great one Wednesday. Jim Bouton has passed away at the age of 80.
Friends of the family revealed that the pitcher-turned-scribe's death was passing by dementia.
Bouton began his MLB career with the Yankees in 1962, and he played an integral role in the team's World Series championship that season. It was his second year with the Yankees that was most impressive, as he posted a 21-7 record and a 2.53 ERA, resulting in Bouton earning his first and only All-Star nod.
We're saddened to learn Jim Bouton, 80, has died. The former @Yankees All-Star pitcher revolutionized baseball journalism and literature as the author of "Ball Four" — named one of @nypl's best books of the 20th century. #SABR bio: https://t.co/IkZSDuMNBq pic.twitter.com/hjkExQnH8i
— SABR (@sabr) July 10, 2019
After his Yankees tenure ended following the 1968 season, Bouton spent the latter part of his career with the Seattle Pilots (1969), Houston Astros (1969-70), and Atlanta Braves (1978). Bouton retired following his lone season with the Braves, where he accumulated a career record of 62-63 with a 3.57 ERA.
Bouton eventually became best known for his book, "Ball Four," which served as a tell-all from his time with the Pilots and included behind-the-scenes stories during his Yankee tenure. As a result of the book's publication in 1970, Bouton relationship with former teammate Mickey Mantle and the Yankee organization deteriorated.
Jim Bouton, a 20-game winner in 1963 who won two games in the 1964 World Series for the #Yankees and penned the best-selling 1970 book ''Ball Four," died Wednesday at 80 https://t.co/HMYNObUEUI via @markpherrmann pic.twitter.com/NWPy7EAnWA
— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) July 11, 2019
Bouton would get back in the good graces of the Yankees in 1998 when he participated in that year's Old Timer's Day. Prior to that, Bouton and Mantle received some closure about the whole ordeal; Mantle died in 1995.
Bouton served as a sportscaster in New York up until 2012. His loss will be felt. You'd be hard-pressed to find a career quite like his.