Fireman: The Evolution of the Closer in Baseball

by Fran Zimniuch, Lee Smith (Foreword)

Revealing how the pitching roles in baseball have been redefined over the years, this book uses statistics, trend analysis, and interviews with front office personnel, managers, coaches, and pitchers past and present, to discuss the changing nature of the bullpen and how the current, specialized role of the closer came into being. Goose Gossage, Dennis Eckersley, Fergie Jenkins and All-Star closer Lee Smith all share their insights and own experiences as pitchers and why they were instrumental in helping to change the role of relievers during their careers. Fireman provides a true understanding of how relief pitching got to where it is today and how the closers role has been able to reshape America’s pastime. Baseball fans from every generation will not want to be with out this book.

Genres: Sports, Baseball

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

A dusty box discovered in the wreckage of a once prosperous plantation on Agate Hill in North Carolina contains the remnants of an extraordinary life: diaries, letters, poems, songs, newspaper clippings, court records, marbles, rocks, dolls, and bones. It's through these treasured mementos that we meet Molly Petree.

Raised in those ruins and orphaned by the Civil War, Molly is a refugee who has no interest in self-pity. When a mysterious benefactor appears out her father's past to rescue her, she never looks back.

Spanning half a century, On Agate Hill follows Mollys passionate, picaresque journey through love, betrayal, motherhood, a murder trialand back home to Agate Hill under circumstances she never could have imagined."

Reviews

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the history of the relief pitcher. It discusses how before the 1960s pitchers were expected to finish what they started so relief pitchers were generally failed starters. Starting pitchers even pitched an inning now and then on their off days. This progressed to the point where now we have one inning specialists who only pitch in certain situations. Managing a pitching staff has changed as a result.

What I enjoyed most was the chapter in which the prevalence of pitch counts today was discussed. I tend to be in the Nolan Ryan camp in which I think starters need to build their arms up to the point where 100 pitch limits are no longer an issue. The pitch count debate is interesting.

What I didn't particularly like was the blatant campaign for Lee Smith to be in the hall of fame. I would have been ok to mention this once but the author discussed this at various times throughout the book. I grew quite repetitive.

[Nicole Perez]

This book was given to me as a Christmas present from a person who's my partner in crime when it comes to Yankees baseball. We both adore and praise the Yankees. What better way to enhance my baseball knowledge then reading a book about baseball closers? The book told me stories of some of the first closers in baseball to the most recent, and to those that have become legends in the making. Also how these closers are a crucial part of the game. I've learned all about different closers in the game, historically and statiscally. Telling us about their career and lives on ad off the mound. I wish to continue reading books that can educate me more on the game of baseball