Gator: My Life in Pinstripes

by Ron Guidry, Andrew Beaton

Legendary New York Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry recounts his years playing for one of the most storied and celebrated teams in sports history--the world champion New York Yankees during their heyday in the Bronx Zoo years, with manic manager Billy Martin, headline loving owner George Steinbrenner, and an ego-driven all-star cast that included everyone from slugger Reggie Jackson and All star catcher Thurman Munson to Cy Young Award winners Sparky Lyle and Catfish Hunter.

Ron Guidry, known as Gator and Louisiana Lightning to his teammates, quickly rose in 1977 to become the ace of the Yankees' stellar pitching staff, helping the team regarded as the most famous and notorious in Yankee history win the World Series. In 1978, he went 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA and won the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in baseball, helping to bring home the Yankees' second straight World Series championship. A four-time All Star and five-time Golden Glove winner, he played from 1976 to 1988, served as the Yankees' captain in the 1980s, and remains one of the greatest pitchers in Yankee history. In Gator, Guidry takes us inside the clubhouse to tell us what it was like to play amidst the chaos and almost daily confrontations between Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner, Martin's altercations with star slugger Reggie "the straw that stirs the drink" Jackson. He talks poignantly about the death of Thurman Munson in 1979, and the impact that had on Ron and on the club. He tells stories about players like Lou Pinella, Willie Randolph, Bucky Dent, Catfish Hunter, Chris Chambliss, and Mickey Rivers, and coach Yogi Berra (who in 1984 became the Yankees' manager) and Elston Howard.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction, Biography

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2018

About the author

RON GUIDRY was the ace of the Yankee pitching staff from 1976 through 1988, playing under manager Billy Martin and later Yogi Berra. He won two World Series titles (1977, 1978) and the Cy Young Award in 1978 as the best pitcher in baseball, when he went 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA, one of the best seasons any pitcher has ever had. From 1986 through 1988, he served as the Yankee captain, one of only fifteen in franchise history. He was a four-time All Star and five-time Golden Glove winner. Since his retirement, he has served as a Yankee spring-training instructor and was the Yankee pitching coach under Joe Torre in 2006 and 2007.

Reviews

[Gary Sites · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 220 page gem of a book is a must-read for any Yankee fan, especially if you grew up during the ‘70s and ‘80s when Guidry was pitching, as I did. When he was on the mound, I always felt like something magic could happen. He was one of those rare players that you couldn’t take your eyes off of. You knew you were watching something special when he threw the ball. He was pure poetry in motion on that mound.

In this really well-written memoir of those years, and small excursions into the times before and after, Guidry shares his poignant thoughts about those he played with and against.

He opens the narrative with “The Game”. Any Yankee (or Red Sox) fan in the ‘70s knows what game he’s referring to. The Yanks and BoSox were tied at the end of the 1978 regular season, so they had to have a one-game playoff to determine who would move on to the American League championship series. Guidry was the starting pitcher for the Yankees. No one could have predicted what happened in that magical and memorable game. Guidry’s insight into that game is a fabulous story in itself.

Chapter 9 really got to me. It was about Thurman Munson, my favorite player of all-time. Guidry remembers the Yankee captain’s tragic death in ‘79, and relates how it affected him and his teammates.
I’d heard how Munson had a way of talking to his pitcher that could bring out their best performance. Guidry says that after he’d given up a homerun once, Thurman came out to the mound, pointed up at the sky and said,
“You ever notice how clouds make all the strange formations and shit?”
Guidry says, “What the hell you talking about?”
Munson replies, “That one over there looks like the pitch you just threw that went out of the frickin’ ballpark like a cannon shot.”

Guidry covers a lot of ground in such a short book, giving anecdotes on teammates, coaches, and others he met during his career. Usually in baseball books, there’s a lot of statistics and gossip laden stories, but that’s not the case here. It was more a refreshing and modest story of one man’s life in baseball, who made it to the top of his sport. Guidry is so relatable, it’s like he’s just sitting across from you and talking to you like you’re an old friend.

The very best part of the book is the last chapter, his tribute to his friend, Yogi Berra. Everyone who loves baseball should read that section. Just that chapter is worth the price of the book.

“Here’s the thing about Yogi. There are so many things one can take away from his life: the values of passion, hard work, kindness, mentorship, stubbornness, righteous indignation--the list goes on. But if I could leave you with one thing, it’s that he taught the world that the only opinion of yourself that matters is your own. He was constantly told no in his life, and he inevitably fought his way to yes. He was told he was too small, yet he became the biggest man in baseball history. He was laughed at for the way he spoke, and he grew to be one of the most brilliant commentators the world has ever seen. That is the legend of Yogi. He might have had a funnier way of explaining it, but he was the most underestimated athlete and person this game ever saw. I was just lucky to be friends with him.”

I consider myself extremely lucky myself for being able to watch Guidry pitch in his prime, and for being able to read this fine memoir.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up on Long Island in the late seventies, the Yankees were my team. I collected, flipped for, and traded for those baseball cards, the most treasured being Catfish Hunter, Thurman Munson, Craig Nettles, Reggie Jackson, and of course Ron Guidry. There were so many great players on those teams.

The 1977 and 1978 World Series came at the perfect time for me. I watched every inning -or at least as much as I could, constantly adjusting those damn rabbit ears on top of the TV set. The heart and soul of this book are those two larger than life years and Ron Guidry, the Ace pitcher, discusses those years in such an easy and approachable style that's it's a pleasure to read. The following year -1979- was marred by the plane crash that took Munson's life, and the book discusses 1979 and the succeeding years.

Some of these books about sports often fall into the traps of either giving too much statistical detail or too much gotcha gossip. This one doesn't fall into those traps and every page is interesting, fascinating, and well worth reading.

Many thanks to Penguin Publishing for providing an advance copy.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little recounting of familiar Yankees stories. Not much new, but it was good to hear from Guidry's point of view. I really enjoyed hearing about his Cajun upbringing, and wish there was a little more in that section. The final chapter is about his close friendship with Yogi Berra. This makes a good companion to the 2012 book "Driving Mr. Yogi" written by Harvey Araton.

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite biography so far this year. The last chapter alone about Yogi Berra is worth the price of the book. Guidry stopped by to see Yogi about a month before he passed away in 2015:

"So I drive there that day, and she (Yogi's caretaker) pokes her head into Yogi's room. He's sitting in bed. 'Look what I found in the hall,' she says. He turned his head, and I walk in.

"'Hey, buddy, what's happenin',' I said. Oh, the big smile he got on his face! He sat up in bed; I walked over, gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. We start talking, and I tell him I'm here to watch the game with him. Then his face lit up even more when Joni told him he was getting those cheeseburgers and fries he loves. 'Oh, that little place down the road makes 'em good,' he said."

Yogi makes some other appearances throughout the book as well, but I really enjoyed reading about the great Yankees teams of the late 70s, as well as the experiences of Guidry as he career wound down during the 1980s. That was the era in which I became a baseball fan. I had previously read another book about those Yankees teams (Reggie Jackson's 'Becoming Mr. October') and where both Guidry and Reggie did not enjoy playing for Billy Martin, they each had decidedly different outlooks on life in general beyond that one thing in common. Reggie seemed to not get along with most people he played with and was bitter, whereas Guidry seemed to really enjoy the relationships he formed through baseball, as they added meaning and value to his career and his life after he retired.

The final chapter of the book, about Yogi, is a great example of what Guidry took away from his career: a chance to treasure, preserve, and pass along the Yankee legacy from one generation to the next. It's the reason Guidry remained involved with the team long after his playing days were through.

You know, a lot of people "hate the Yankees," and I although I certainly understand being envious of their success, I don't understand the hate. Is it because they "win too much"? Everyone knows that the Yankees come to Spring Training each year with the goal of winning a World Series. Isn't that what you should want your team to do? It makes much more sense to hate the teams that don't try to win: Those owners and corporations that operate their baseball franchises strictly as a money-making business, with no focus or effort to field a winning team. As a fan, even if you don't want to like the Yankees, at a minimum, you have to recognize that they are a very significant part of the history and legacy of Major League Baseball. They have a winning culture and it has been sustained for generations and generations. That is worthy of respect. Guidry gets it. He was proud to be a part of that, and he wants to see it continue into future generations. This book articulates that legacy very well.

[Lafourche Parish Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Ron Guidry loved baseball and hunting. He played baseball for the University of Southwest Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). He is best known for his time as pitcher for the New York Yankees, winning 2 World Series, the Cy Young Award, 4 All-Star and 5 Gold Gloves. He also earned the ERA Pitching Champion twice. His accomplishments are numerous, and this is his story – about his love of the game of baseball, and the people who influenced him throughout his career.

Guidry takes you into the world of baseball: spring training, the clubhouse, the bullpen, and out on the field. He invites you into the clubhouse to see the inner workings of the New York Yankees as he experienced it. He shares the interactions of pitcher and catcher and the importance of teamwork – no matter what is happening elsewhere. Explaining how he received the nicknames “Gator” and “Louisiana Lightning,” Guidry details that memorable game and relates how the fans influenced his pitching 15 strikeouts. He also tells how Rabbit Stew and Fried Frog Legs helped to cement the relationship between the team and owners.

Ron Guidry tells his story in a thoroughly engaging manner, with personal glimpses of people who touched his life, while his passion for baseball shines throughout. Very interesting & very hard to put down, this autobiography gives you a look into the background of the world of baseball, and the New York Yankees.

- Kathy, Cataloging Librarian

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GENRE: Autobiographies & Memoirs; Life Stories; Sports and Competition
SUBJECT: Baseball Players; Ron Guidry; New York Yankees; Pitchers; Professional Baseball; Professional Baseball Players

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rod Guidry's book "Gator: My Life in Pinstripes" was a fun read for fans of Yankee baseball in the late 70's and early 80's. Guidry tells a little of his story as a youngster in rural Louisiana, of learning to pitch as a minor leaguer in the Yankees organization, and of his troublesome relationship with manager Billy Martin during his rookie season. Soon, he became the ace of the Yankee pitching staff, and developed as great relationship with owner George Steinbrenner, manager Billy Martin, and his teammates.
It was nostalgic to hear Guidry talk about some of his early teammates, such as Dick Tidrow, Goose Gossage, Yogi Berra, Craig Nettles, Thurman Munson, and Reggie Jackson. Some of the great competition with the Red Sox and Royals brought back some great memories too, especially of the Bucky Dent playoff homerun against the Red Sox, the "pine-tar" game against the Royals, and a number of other memorable games. All-in-all, the book provides a nice review of those Yankee years when starting pitchers actually completed games, teammates focused on team victories vs. individual stats, and players interacted in the locker room and on the team bus instead of losing themselves in their iPods and headphones.

[T.S. Folke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Rob Guidry and Goose Gossage when I was a kid. Those guys were mythical and I idolized them, mimicking their mannerisms and pitching styles. I owned a #54 Gossage t-shirt,purchased outside Yankee stadium during a family vacation, and proudly wore that as often as possible in my small town Wisconsin high school. I nostalgilize these memories as a buffer to my disappointment reading this book. Gator is flat out boring and dull. Very little new ground exposed and Guidry fails to explore and probe and reveal his thoughts beyond the surface. This reads like a bad summer vacation recap by an adolescent. A dry white read that will not cheapen my fond memories of Louisiana Lightning.

[Jim Gallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gator is Ron Guidry, a mainstay of the New York Yankees’ pitching staff from 1975 to 1988. “Gator” is his memoirs of his days in the dugout, on the field and with the team. It provides a peaks into the Yankee days of Billy Martin, George Steinbrenner and others. It was an era of growth, triumph and ebbing for Guidry. He gloried with the Yankees in World Series Championship seasons and felt the disappointment of the downer years.

I enjoyed the accounts of games. Some are memorable for their significance. The book opens with the 1978 one game playoff against the Red Sox for the right to advance to the ALCS. I remember listening to that game as I drove to the airport. I did not learn who won until I returned from Ireland over a week later. Others are only significant because of the stepping stones they were in Gator’s career or the playing out of particular seasons. The accounts of high-volume exchanges between George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin provide insight into the inner workings of at least one team. His assessments of other players, some famous as Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter as well as also rans reflect the dynamics that powered teams. His obvious affection for Yogi Berra aids the understanding of this St. Louis native. His writing about Thurman Munson reveals the importance of a catcher and a leader to a team. What I like most about this book description of Guidry’s appreciation of the Yankee culture in which older pitchers mentored him, an obligation he later assumed as a veteran pitcher and spring training coach. I recommend “Gator” for any fan of baseball and particularly for devotees of Yankee Nation.

[Jason M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A run-of-the-mill as-told-to autobiography mostly describing things that happened 40 years earlier. For Yankees fans of a certain age -- I grew up in a Yankees household on Long Island where the name Ron Guidry was spoken in hushed tones, where we cleared our schedules to make sure we were watching the game on nights he started -- add one or two stars.

Baseball books are best when they discuss what happened off the field. There are a few moments where "Gator" finds greatness. The chapter about Ron's late-in-life friendship with Yogi Berra, for example, or brief anecdotes about his upbringing in Louisiana. But mostly it's about his time with the "Bronx Zoo" Yankees of the late '70s. Very little shade is thrown (there's a surprising criticism of Don Mattingly), with Reggie Jackson and Dallas Green catching the brunt of Guidry's ire. Credit to the ghostwriter for making sure game summaries and statistics are accurate (did Guidry at 68 *really* know John Mayberry's lifetime lefty/righty splits?!), but ESPN's "The Bronx is Burning" is incorrectly called a documentary.

Many books have been written about the 1977-1978 New York Yankees. "Gator" is certainly one of them, but as far as baseball autobiographies go this one is easy to read and easy to forget.

[Matthew Sciarrino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Caveat is that this was one of my favorite players, who played on my favorite team, not just the Yankees, but the 77-78-79 etc Yankees. The stories he tells, brought back a lot of great memories. Two of my favorite memories of my dad popped into my head while reading this book. The first when the Yankees beat the Royals by a walk-off homerun by Chris Chambliss. I remember cheering in our living room running around so happy. Then in 1978 being at Yankee Stadium when they clinched the playoffs against the Royals (Guidry Pitched) with my dad. I’ll never forget that game. The book is filled with great behind the scenes stories told in the same modest tone that you would expect from the non flashy incredible pitcher. The chapter that talks of the death of Thurman Munson will bring you to tears, if you are a fan of his, the Yankees or baseball. Great stories of Steinbrenner, Martin, and Yogi. Book was very enjoyable.

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads Giveaway - Guidry was a borderline great pitcher (All-star, Ace, Cy Young Winner; but not in the HOF) for the Yankees in the late 70's and 80's. Playing with guys like Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Sparky Lyle, and Don Mattingly, and coached by Billy Martin and Yogi Berra - so he's got a lot of stories to tell. And he shares a handful in this quick, fun, little book. Ron "Gator" Guidry gives some context to a lot of the legends that have sprung up around those Yankees teams, especially the Billy Martin-George Steinbrenner-Reggie Jackson feuds that took up so much oxygen around those teams. But we also get some insight into the mentality of 70s and 80s ballplayers through his friendships with Sparky and Thurman. If you like baseball and enjoy good stories from a good story teller, this books is worth a look.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to First to Read for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Gator by Ron Guidry is a look into his life as the Yankees' pitcher, from the 1970s to 1980s, and his connections to the other players and the professional baseball life. The main focus of the book is his recounts of the Yankees winning the 1977 and 1978 World Series and all the ups and downs the team goes through. Guidry also entertains us with inspiring stories of the other members of the Yankees team. Unfortunately, I feel like there were times when the writing was too statistical and I had a hard time following, but I'm also not a die-hard sports fan. Either way, this was an entertaining read and I'm glad I persevered through the book.

[Kevin J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joy to read. The last chapter about Yogi Berra is special. The Yankees' back-to-back World Series championships in 1977 and 1978 are memorable, particularly the one-game playoff in 1978 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and the homer by Bucky Dent. But I love Ron's analysis of hitters and pitchers and catchers, too. I would have loved to hear even more about his experiences after life as a Yankee and as a family man. But that's fine. Ron focuses on baseball and brings so many of the colorful characters from those late 1970s teams to life, from Reggie "Mr October" Jackson to Goose Gossage to Sparky Lyle to Willie Randolph to Billy Martin. I grew up a Mets and Orioles fan but even I could appreciate how special Ron was as a lifetime Yankee. A great book!

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't watched a baseball game in at least 8 years probably was 2010 the last time I really paid attention the whole season. Doubt I could name 10 players playing now. Though at one time in the mid 80s and 90s I could go through every team and roster. I seen this book and got slightly notasgilac, so I picked it up. Was a fun read and made me want to read more baseball books from the era I was watching and before. Gator said it himself that the game has changed and in my mind not for the better. Nice to remember the days that I would study box scores and watch games every day.

Highly recommended for baseball fans and for those used to be fans like me.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a guy who played alongside Reggie and Nettles and Sparky Lyle, this book won't bring to mind any of their more controversial (and profane, and funny and therefore, more entertaining) memoirs, but the Gator does bring a great deal of heart and his personal story to this book, particularly when he waxes nostalgic on a pair of legendary Yankee catchers, Munson and Berra. I read this book on a beach, and you didn't hear me bitch about it for a minute as the waves hit the shore. Ball Four it ain't, but what is?

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delighful look back at a great Yankees career including years in the midst of the notorious Bronx Zoo teams of the late 70's.

A marvelously breezy memoir where one can almost hear Guidry's Louisiana drawl in every word.
filled with marvelous moments like the time when Billy Martin came to the mound in the 9th inning and asked, What do you think? Guidry's response:
"I think you ought a get your ass of my damn mound so I can finish my damn game."

[Bill Christman · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I loved Guidry as a player and he comes across in the book as a great teammate and person, but that doesn't make a great book. Guidry is too nice a guy to write a tell all book. He is passing his memories on here but offers no great insight into what he was thinking or feeling along the way. After the 1978 season Guidry really blows through. It may be how he does remember those teams and his career but leaves the book feeling too short to me.

[Freddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obligatory for any Yankees fan— Guidry briefly touches upon his Louisiana upbringing, but makes clear his love for home. Mostly, he shares fascinating anecdotes about his games and other greats: George Steinbrenner, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, “Catfish” Hunter, etc. Along the way, he offers insights into the game of baseball: “In an era that has turned the game into spray charts and spreadsheets, the ballet has gotten lost.”

[Randall Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stuff he writes about his career wasn't very interesting; it's been covered by others in many previous books. However, I found his narrative about his time after he retired the best part of the book.

This is by no means a deep, heavy story; it's a sports biography so you know what you're getting. Regardless, I found it enjoyable reading about one of my childhood idols.

[Jack Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really awesome sports book. It was heartfelt honest and brought back a lot of memories. Ron like everyone probably has problems but he truly has lived a life that a lot of us dream about. If you have memories of the Yankees Reds Dodgers and Red Sox you should give it a read to bring back the good ole days.

[Casey Holencik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great memoir by one of the all time great Yankees. Easy reading, it stretches from Guidry's childhood to his retirement and time working with current Yankees in Spring Training. It spends more time, of course, on the major events of his career, Thurmun Munson, Reggie Jackson, The '78 Season and one game playoff vs the RedSox. Must read for any Yankee fan and a great read for any baseball fan.

[Dorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big Yankee fan and a huge Gator fan

Being a huge Gator fan, it's nice to revisit the pass along with Ron and his discussions of his experience. I relive mine as I watched him pitch. Ron was one Yankee's greatest pitchers, if he didn't start so late in his career, he would be in the HOF.

[Mommarush · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well written book. It's filled with charming stories of Ron's memories as a Yankee. He speaks very favorably of everyone associated with the Yankee organization. His gratitude about being fortunate enough to spend his career pitching for the New York Yankees oozes out of every page. He is a real class act.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read for fans of the man and/or fans of the New York Yankees. Most of the book focuses on the 1975-1979 seasons, which is covered in other books. There is no dirt here, just Mr. Guidry’s experiences as his life as a Nee York Yankee.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
It gave a behind the scenes look at the Yankees and their owner and some of the biggest
stars of that era.
What was nice is that it also was not a huge novel and could be read in a couple of days.
Thought it was a very good read.

[Kurt Zisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Yankee biography by Guidry. Highlights the Bronx is burning years and gives an in depth look into the inter-personal relationships with George Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, and Yogi Berra. The books final chapter on Guidry's friendship with Yogi Berra is definitely this books highlight.

[Tbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book Baseball is my 3rd favorite sport and I dont even like the Yankees but this book was awesome as it has some really great history and compares baseball from the 70s 80s and today. IT was just a good read all around that I beleive any sports fan would enjoy. Even a Red Sox fan :)

[Chris Zook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about his time with the Yankees and about the battles they had with the Royals who were very good back then. I kept waiting to hear the story about the pine tar bat and was happy it was covered.

[Kelly Showalter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were or are a Yankee fan for the late 1970 - early 1980 - an excellent walk down memory lane!

[Bill Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, easy read. Its quite a tribute to both Thurman Munson and Yogi Berra as well.