Screwballs

by Jay Cronley

Book by Cronley, Jay

Genres: Baseball

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Jay Cronley (1948 - February 27, 2017) was a former columnist for the Tulsa World and the author of many works of humorous fiction.

Many of Cronley's novels have been made into feature films including, Good Vibes, Quick Change, Funny Farm and Cheap Shot.

Reviews

[Lucius · Rating 5 out of 5]

The funniest baseball book I've ever read. Started reading this when I was 13 and reread it at least ten times before graduating from high school. Hope I can find it in a used bookstore someday.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tone of this book is reactionary. The characters are one-note and aspire to be one-dimensional. The plot, at least what shreds of one can be found, makes next to no sense. None of the characters develop in any way; nothing is learned; there is no redemption and not much of a catharsis. If anything is being satirized it's the Seventies-era Bronx Zoo Yankees, who are not really much relevant anymore.

And yet: I read this book the first time in seventh grade, during study hall, and I got a bunch of weird looks because I had to put my head down on the desk to try to cover up the fact that I was laughing hysterically. Decades later, it still makes me laugh, and I regularly text lines from this book to others who know, and laugh. Eight stars out of five.

[Engranon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing, but only because I will always be a baseball fan. So many lost opportunities here! It was good enough for a week at the lake, but only barely (and only because it was too cold to go in the water).

[Clark Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Screwballs is a funny book about major league baseball. It is a lot like Ball Four by Jim Bouton, the difference being that Bouton played for the Yankees and other teams. Jay Cronley, the author of Screwballs, never played in the major leagues.

Having said that, the premise is funny. A former major league player becomes the manager of a baseball team. He believes that the athletes of today are too coddled, too immature, and too weak. He decides to show some tough love, and most players on the team come around to like it.

I won't spoil the really comical scenes, but if you read this book, pay attention to the first baseman who is imported from Japan.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny, somewhat sexist and racist (although that might be more the narrator than the book itself), and a joy to read.

I feel like this book is the secret catalyst for Major League and Bull Durham.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny baseball book

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Funny! The Movie "Major League" used alot from this book. Baseball material is very accurate.