Catfish: My Life in Baseball

by Jim Hunter, Armen Keteyian

The former pitcher for the New York Yankees and Oakland A's recounts his baseball experiences, from the beginning of his career, to his retirement after fifteen years of pro ball, to his election to the Hall of Fame

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography

223 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

"Catfish"

Reviews

[Tom Gase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh it was okay. I guess I've read so much on the two squads Catfish played for (the A's and Yankees of the 1970s) that I didn't learn a whole lot. Some good personal stories by Hunter, but nothing too groundbreaking. This book goes really fast and no part of it has extremely great detail. Was actually hoping for more about his perfect game, which is mentioned but only for a few pages. I met the family a while ago at a Oakland A's unveiling of a gate named in his honor, so it was nice to read about them in this book.

[Anup Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a par-for-the-course athlete autobiography in that Catfish Hunter doesn’t go too far behind the scenes or dig up any dirt that isn’t already known to big baseball fans. Still it is enjoyable for big baseball fans who watched his career or, like me, came a little late but are curious about the era and all the great teams he played for. There are some typos and anachronisms and such, but for the most part it is well-edited. You get at least a sanitized perspective of this great pitcher and some insight into what made him successful.

I was particularly intrigued by his discussion on pitchers versus throwers, at the end. I have seen enough of him on video to know he wasclearly of the former and I think he would have a heart attack if he were alive to watch the blow-your-arm-out-for-five-and-look-to-the-dugout approach that starting pitchers take today.

I liked his take on why Nolan Ryan was a .500 pitcher and the struggles of some other great arms he pitched with and against. He gave a lot of insight into what made the three-peat A’s a dominant force despite all the distractions of an obstructive owner and a small fan base.

Needless to say, anyone with an interest in Catfish or his era in baseball will enjoy the book. I zoomed through it pretty quickly.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun baseball read by one of the best pitchers of his era. He talks a lot about the personalities he played with and for, and shares lots of amusing on and off field antics. Some parts are laugh-out-loud funny. If you are a Yankees fan of the "Bronx Zoo" period you might want to consider reading this. The extensive passages on the business of baseball and Hunter's important role in the development of free agency might be the most valuable material for those interested in the history of the game. The one draw back of the book is that there are very little inside baseball stuff. Nothing about how to baseball tactics or strategy. I found that a little disappointing.

[Joe Santoro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this a while back at a library book sale.... not a guy I'm particular interested in, but I thought it might have some interesting stuff about contracts and the birth of free agency... nope.

Lots about arm trouble (yawn!) and a bit about more about the A's great teams that wasn't in the Charles Finley book that was pretty good.

Overall, I think I like books about a theme or a season than biographies.. they just meander too much. This one was also alot of humble bragging that got old real fast.

[Jeff Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a big A`s fan back in the days of Jimmy Hunter and crew but as time goes by not as much since they are hardly ever on over the air tv. However, reading Jims book brought back fond memories of the Swingin A`s and the players fight amongst each other and with the boss Charlie O. Finley

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was pretty dry, but did have some entertaining stories sprinkled in. Big Catfish Hunter fans would probably enjoy it, but as a casual baseball fan it wasn't anything special.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun...some good stories from a long time ago. I really liked the A’s

[Chris Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prototypical athlete autobiography, written primarily in the light of Hunter's election to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. No major controversies or anything new, but it was interesting to read of the bidding process involving Hunter's status as the first free agent and how he almost became a member of the San Diego Padres. Didn't realize that more went into his decision to retire after 1979 than just his physical ailments. Although Catfish didn't choose a cap for his HOF plaque, he is pictured as a Yankee on the cover of this book - you can draw your own conclusions.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catfish Hunter is a simple guy and doesn't have one of those BIG egos most sportstars have. The book is not just about him, but his teammates, owners, managers, family and friends. I found it very enjoyable!

[David Belisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge Yankees fan ... and growing up watching Catfish pitch was a treat. Rich in detail, this is a must read for all baseball fans. Some great stories, plenty of laughs. I'd put it right up there with Jim Bouton's "Ball Four."

[Lee Norfleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the late Jim "Catfish" Hunter. He was a remarkable man and a great baseball player.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've heard of Catfish Hunter, but really didn't know much about him. He seems like a guy that you really would want to go hunting or fishing with.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkable man and his career as a baseball player.