Fastball John

Fastball John

From his status as the #17 pick overall in the 1970 June draft to his post-game minor league antics with Goose Gossage, Gorman Thomas and Charlie “Country Chuck” Manuel; the free love and “free agency” of 1972 California; the tragedy at Spring Training ‘74; John’s role as a pawn in the struggle for clubhouse power between manager Charlie Fox and Bobby Bonds; deep inside the untold story of the Bob Gibson/D’Acquisto pitching duels; Dr. Frank Jobe and his handling of John’s critical arm woes; the endless nightlife and shady characters of 1976 San Francisco; the despair of ex-major leaguers deserted in the 1977 AAA baseball purgatory of sunny Honolulu; go behind the scenes of the since-abandoned Free Agent Re-Entry Draft; the backroom dealings between players and management ahead of the 1981 players’ strike; the fateful meeting between John and his former owner that may have derailed his career, as well as a late 80’s stint in the ill-fated independent league that caught the attention of an old influential friend.<br /><br />“Heinie.” Randy. Buzzie. Ronny & The Bear. “Sweet Matt.” “Davvy.” Marvin. “Mac.” Juan. Jimmie Reese. Gibby & Torre. “Moff.” Keith. “Onti.” “Ras.” Pete. “Simba” & Geno, among many others along for the ride.<br /><br />Featuring a foreword by popular 70's baseball historian Dan Epstein and flavored by music of the era spanning his time in the game, from The Everly Brothers, The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Carpenters, The Temptations, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac to Donna Summer, Nicolette Larson, Blondie, Dave Mason, Don Henley, Pretenders & New Order.<br /><br />For baseball fans who love the narrative structure of prestige cable dramas like Mad Men and House of Cards, this book is for you.<br /><br />It’s the love story between a man and his profession.