Pen Men: Baseball's Greatest Bullpen Stories Told by the Men Who Brought the Game Relief

by Bob Cairns

Traces the history of relief pitchers, and shares interviews with top relievers, including Dave Righetti, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, and Bruce Sutter

Genres: Sports, Baseball

413 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1992

Reviews

[Tom Gase · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book got better once it started having chapters about relievers I wanted to know a little more about like Rollie Fingers, Hoyt Wilheim, Goose Goosage, Mitch Williams, Roger McDowell, Dennis Eckersly, Gregg Olson, etc. But the first half, although it had some great stories, kind of read like Grandpa Simpson telling a story. I think the author interviewed the players and coaches, hit record, and then printed it verbatim, not editing anything out and not really having any kind of writing style. Were the stories good? Yeah, sometimes. I felt the book was a little outdated having come out in 1992, and might make for a good 30th anniversary edition with maybe 10 more players while maybe getting rid of 5-10 stories. Good idea by the author for sure, but not my particular writing style.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of interviews of people who helped shaped the way the bullpen is used, players from the 40s through the early 90s. From bullpen catchers and coaches, managers who were considered the best at using the bullpen, to the star relief pitchers of the 80s and 90s. All the interviews were fun and all told great stories.

Highly recommended, hearing from some players that you would probably not hear from in other sources.

[Adam Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but it would have read a hundred times better as an actual oral history.