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Fear Strikes Out: The Jim Piersall Story
Once again, the Bison Books imprint of the University of Nebraska Press has reached into baseball's past and returned with a Hall of Fame read. Fear Strikes Out is one of the game's most dramatic autobiographies. It is also one of the most important. When first published in 1955, it ventured into territory traditionally considered out of play for a sports story. "I must have been quite a card when I first broke into baseball's big league as a Boston Red Sox rookie in 1952," Piersall opens rather cheerily. He was a baseball clown, and the fans loved his offbeat shenanigans. One paragraph later, he tosses a huge, hanging curve. "Almost everybody...thought I was a riot. My wife knew I was sick, yet she was helpless to stop my mad rush toward a mental collapse."
In time, Piersall would become one of the silkiest centerfielders of the '50s--no mean feat given his contemporaries Mantle and Mays. A new afterword by Piersall catches us up to his later years (and stunts) in baseball and his post-career as a broadcaster. Fear is actually a prologue to that. It's a courageous story. Piersall's demons had him by the throat and nearly choked him. The breakdown he suffered early in his rookie years was so complete and so terrifying that his mind blanked out the next seven months before his own healing allowed for a painful reconstruction. Given that Fear was written in an era before biographic confessional and the public washing of an athlete's unclean flannels, Piersall's honesty and detail about mental illness, hospitalization, psychiatric therapy, and the struggle back to sanity are extraordinary. This is a truly marvelous book--better than the movie starring Anthony Perkins that was made from it--and, like the lead-off hitter Piersall was, it's earned its spot at the top of the order of any serious collection of baseball biographies. --Jeff Silverman
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1955
20 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Jim Piersall
1 book2 followersJames Anthony Piersall was an American baseball center fielder who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for five teams, from 1950 through 1967. Piersall was best known for his well-publicized battle with bipolar disorder that became the subject of a book and a film, Fear Strikes Out.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 21, 2016
As someone who deals with mental illness and has been hospitalized, this is a tremendously inspirational book. I was completely immersed in his life story, and I came away feeling inspired and energized. If he can do it, I can do it.
December 4, 2013
Saw the movie in '06 and got me interested in reading the book. My copy itself is interesting, a yellowed 1957 edition, 35cents original price, Bantam paperback.
Interesting story overall though even being a short book, 150 pages gets a bit tedious at times with baseball replays, and I'm a fan. Piersall did a lot of antics on the field especially as one imagines the game in 1952. What would the media do to him today?! A credit to the Red Sox organization for sticking with him through his ups and downs.
Interesting aside is that he has a big scrape with Billy Martin at the time a young Yankee. Jimmy blames himself, of course this is 53-55ish, we now know Billy himself was a curious case of anger issues.
July 23, 2023
Jimmy Piersall had a lengthy career in major league baseball, playing for 17 seasons with five ball clubs. He was a rising star as an outfielder with the Boston Red Sox in 1952 when he suffered a “mental breakdown” after a series of altercations with opponents, umpires, and even teammates. Pearsall ended up in a mental institution where he was treated for extreme “mental exhaustion” which was later to be determined as bipolar disorder. He returned to the Red Sox the following season and resumed his career. He was a top-notch outfielder and solid hitter - winning two Golden Glove Awards and twice making the American League All-Star Team. "Fear Strikes Out", a memoir detailing his life and career - and struggles with mental illness - was released in 1955. It was followed by a film version, directed by Robert Mulligan, produced by Alan J. Pakula, starring Anthony Perkins (as Piersall) and Karl Malden (as his father). It was released in 1957.
Having seen the film a few years back, I naturally assumed the memoir to be somewhat different and I was correct. Piersall’s memoir is precise and no nonsense. The tone is conversational. He held nothing back and never pointed blame on another person nor did he look for pity. He was not ashamed of his diagnosis or the methods (electro-shock therapy being one) used to stabilize him. He writes about his undiagnosed struggles as a youth growing up in Waterbury, Connecticut. At various times and all at once he dealt with insomnia, hyperactivity, intense fear of failure, and crippling migraine-like headaches. He was a natural and gifted athlete, but could never sit still or quietly reflect on his achievements. He could be combative and highly competitive when he was not playing; he barked out instructions to teammates and paced relentlessly on sidelines or in dugouts as if he was a coach. Both parents struggled with health and mental issues as well; Piersall's mother spent time “resting” in a mental institution through his teenage years, while his father developed a serious heart condition. Piersall’s father is portrayed much differently in the memoir than film - it was true, that he had a “plan” for his son to achieve a career in baseball and was strict about his practicing and staying in shape, but he did not place overwhelming and relentless pressure on him as was the case in the film (which led viewers to believe, such as me, that was the main cause for his mental breakdown). The memoir gives credit to his wife’s endless patience and the support of the Red Sox organization for seeing him through his struggles and giving him a second chance despite enduring his unstable and often bizarre behaviors in his rookie season. I did find this kind of amazing as Piersall certainly rubbed many people the wrong way and infuriated opposing players, umpires, team management, and teammates with his behavior. However, this was the 1950’s and many mental health issues were still misunderstood. In the updated afterward from the 1999 edition of the memoir, Piersall mentions his distaste for the film and how he thought it portrayed his father in a totally negative light. He also went on to mention that Anthony Perkins was not the best choice to play him in the film because he did not have athletic, not to mention, baseball skills - nor did anyone else in the film!
Having seen the film a few years back, I naturally assumed the memoir to be somewhat different and I was correct. Piersall’s memoir is precise and no nonsense. The tone is conversational. He held nothing back and never pointed blame on another person nor did he look for pity. He was not ashamed of his diagnosis or the methods (electro-shock therapy being one) used to stabilize him. He writes about his undiagnosed struggles as a youth growing up in Waterbury, Connecticut. At various times and all at once he dealt with insomnia, hyperactivity, intense fear of failure, and crippling migraine-like headaches. He was a natural and gifted athlete, but could never sit still or quietly reflect on his achievements. He could be combative and highly competitive when he was not playing; he barked out instructions to teammates and paced relentlessly on sidelines or in dugouts as if he was a coach. Both parents struggled with health and mental issues as well; Piersall's mother spent time “resting” in a mental institution through his teenage years, while his father developed a serious heart condition. Piersall’s father is portrayed much differently in the memoir than film - it was true, that he had a “plan” for his son to achieve a career in baseball and was strict about his practicing and staying in shape, but he did not place overwhelming and relentless pressure on him as was the case in the film (which led viewers to believe, such as me, that was the main cause for his mental breakdown). The memoir gives credit to his wife’s endless patience and the support of the Red Sox organization for seeing him through his struggles and giving him a second chance despite enduring his unstable and often bizarre behaviors in his rookie season. I did find this kind of amazing as Piersall certainly rubbed many people the wrong way and infuriated opposing players, umpires, team management, and teammates with his behavior. However, this was the 1950’s and many mental health issues were still misunderstood. In the updated afterward from the 1999 edition of the memoir, Piersall mentions his distaste for the film and how he thought it portrayed his father in a totally negative light. He also went on to mention that Anthony Perkins was not the best choice to play him in the film because he did not have athletic, not to mention, baseball skills - nor did anyone else in the film!
May 7, 2025
I remember Jim Piersall when he played for the Cleveland Indians. That was 1959 to 1961. I didn't know about his mental condition until much later. This is his story, how he battled mental illness which almost threatened his baseball career, and even spent time in a hospital for it. It is an intriguing story.
October 1, 2012
True story of a major league baseball player and his battle with mental illness. Shows clearly the stereotypes and predudices that are endured by the "other" of the human tribe.
A man of remarkable talent and courage, Piersall makes little effort to spare himself in print the horrors, fears and trials he lived, giving us a viewable picture of both the worst and best of humanity. The reader is rewarded with a straight up account of the demanding, shadowed road of the illness and the courageous and painful work that was the means to his recovery.
In my view a pioneer in the war (still largly clandestine and none to popular) against the narrow and particularly vicious type of sterotyping that still flourishes in the American caste (thou art not my species) system.
A man of remarkable talent and courage, Piersall makes little effort to spare himself in print the horrors, fears and trials he lived, giving us a viewable picture of both the worst and best of humanity. The reader is rewarded with a straight up account of the demanding, shadowed road of the illness and the courageous and painful work that was the means to his recovery.
In my view a pioneer in the war (still largly clandestine and none to popular) against the narrow and particularly vicious type of sterotyping that still flourishes in the American caste (thou art not my species) system.
December 4, 2013
In a short, straightforward, and totally honest manner, Jim Piersall, a one time major league baseball player, tells the story of his life long struggle to play baseball and rise above mental illness and crippling fear.
Piersall leaves nothing out and sugarcoats none of his faults, and while the book has very little depth, the total honesty of his situation is moving. Written in the fifties, at a time when mental illness was not as understood, perhaps, as it is today, his story must have given many hope.
The prose and style may feel dated, but there is nothing dated about having the courage to overcome illness.
Piersall leaves nothing out and sugarcoats none of his faults, and while the book has very little depth, the total honesty of his situation is moving. Written in the fifties, at a time when mental illness was not as understood, perhaps, as it is today, his story must have given many hope.
The prose and style may feel dated, but there is nothing dated about having the courage to overcome illness.
February 18, 2009
This was a really interesting autobiography. I am not a huge baseball person so that aspect wasn't that interesting to me but the personal story was very good.
October 27, 2010
great historical fiction for guys, mental illness - very readable and appropriate for jr. high though an adult book
June 20, 2012
Amazing story of recovery from mental illness on a public stage. Written in 1957 but still relevant today.
October 12, 2017
It's October and the battle of division playoffs is at its prime in major league baseball. Having missed the boat by reading The Art of Fielding, I decided to see if a lighter side of baseball would be entertaining, so I read an old story written by and about Jimmy Piersall, Fear Strikes Out.
Perhaps the book fell a bit short for me because I already knew most of Jimmy's story so the telling of his antics and mental breakdown just came as no surprise. The shenanigans he pulled on and off the field are still funny but when you look at the basis for his internal illness it becomes less funny and more depressing. I'm still not sure if his mental and anxiety issues stemmed from heredity (his mother had a revolving door relationship with the local mental hospital) or if it was the overbearing, berating and judgmental personality of his father that drove them both over the edge.
There were moments of redemption when he found acceptance and forgiveness from those he had tormented and was encouraged and uplifted by what he found were true friends and fans of the sport. He was a man blessed with God given talent who, for much of his life, lived with fear he could not overcome. Sometimes it just takes someone believing in you enough to give you courage to step up to the plate once more.
This isn't a book I would want to read again but it was nice to recall not only Jimmy Piersall's challenges in life, but his ability to overcome.
Perhaps the book fell a bit short for me because I already knew most of Jimmy's story so the telling of his antics and mental breakdown just came as no surprise. The shenanigans he pulled on and off the field are still funny but when you look at the basis for his internal illness it becomes less funny and more depressing. I'm still not sure if his mental and anxiety issues stemmed from heredity (his mother had a revolving door relationship with the local mental hospital) or if it was the overbearing, berating and judgmental personality of his father that drove them both over the edge.
There were moments of redemption when he found acceptance and forgiveness from those he had tormented and was encouraged and uplifted by what he found were true friends and fans of the sport. He was a man blessed with God given talent who, for much of his life, lived with fear he could not overcome. Sometimes it just takes someone believing in you enough to give you courage to step up to the plate once more.
This isn't a book I would want to read again but it was nice to recall not only Jimmy Piersall's challenges in life, but his ability to overcome.
May 11, 2018
A fascinating inside look at someone having a mental breakdown. My aunt went through this with someone she was dating who was also bipolar, and aspects of this reminded me of that experience. It's interesting that this was originally written in 1955 and Piersall is talking about trying to remove the stigma of mental illness, and we're still talking about it today. We haven't made much progress.
The book itself is very simply written. At times, like when Piersall is convinced that rhe Red Sox are conspiring against him, it gets a little hard to read - repetitive and nonsensical, but you have to keep reminding yourself that this ie what was going on in Piersall's head. His afterword written in 1999 brings you up to date on his life since, but doesn't provide much in the way of insight.
A good book for the look it provides inside someone's head who's suffering from bipolar disorder.
The book itself is very simply written. At times, like when Piersall is convinced that rhe Red Sox are conspiring against him, it gets a little hard to read - repetitive and nonsensical, but you have to keep reminding yourself that this ie what was going on in Piersall's head. His afterword written in 1999 brings you up to date on his life since, but doesn't provide much in the way of insight.
A good book for the look it provides inside someone's head who's suffering from bipolar disorder.
September 28, 2021
I assumed that athletes and mental illness was a 'new' thing but nope... Piersall was an MLB-er who had a mental breakdown in the 50's. This book is his autobiography from 1955. Much to my surprise, the story is one of candor and understanding. His career was put on hold while he received treatment but he returned to have a pretty nice career afterwards. He speaks of a super tolerant and flexible Red Sox management and supportive teammates and fans. After his playing days were over he had a long career as a broadcaster as well. Perhaps it's the enormous salaries that appeared long after Piersall's era that suggested these folks were more than human which we're now rediscovered isn't the case.
June 10, 2017
Harold Kaese, Boston Globe, 1953:
"More than any other player, the comeback big leaguer of 1953 is Jim Piersall, the twenty-three-year-old Red Sox right fielder. He came from further back than any one of them."
"More than any other player, the comeback big leaguer of 1953 is Jim Piersall, the twenty-three-year-old Red Sox right fielder. He came from further back than any one of them."
November 3, 2017
Piersall's story is a must for all baseball fans.
A great read about baseball, coming back from mental illness and a great tribute to those who helped him along the way. I was really captivated by this one.
A great read about baseball, coming back from mental illness and a great tribute to those who helped him along the way. I was really captivated by this one.
May 30, 2022
Parts were very hard to read because it was my son in those scenes. I returned to it and finished the book. I'm glad that I did. I recommend to friends/family members of those who struggle with mental illness.
December 10, 2025
I really liked this book, but I tend to enjoy reading about people with mental illnesses. And I’m a Red Sox fan, and remember Jimmy Piersall when I was a kid. I thought I was hot stuff because my first grade teacher was named Mrs. Piersall.
May 8, 2009
This was co-written by my wife's uncle, sportswriter Al Hirshberg.
January 26, 2011
Not to undermine what Piersall went through, but this book was corny and poorly written.
November 30, 2011
Tony Perkins as Jimmy Piersall? I don't think so... I'm a Red Sox fan and read this as a kid. I had no idea that JP was having problems at the time(mid-1950's). Date read is a guess.
October 8, 2012
A good book about a touchy subject but it seemed to lack details.
October 6, 2014
Inspirational story that reveals the truth of Piersall's illness and afterward.
September 25, 2013
interesting if you're a baseball fan or RefSox fan, good story...never saw the movie.
May 7, 2014
very straightforward and simplistic autobiography. sensitive subject but it showed how illnesses, when treated and handled with compassion can be overcome.
February 12, 2013
An amazing book about overcoming adversity and facing challenges head on. Inspiring and uplifting!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews