(Note: I did this Biofile with Jim Bouton very early in my career, in 1993, at Mr. Bouton’s office on Cedar Lane in Teaneck, N.J. Though it lacks some of the more insightful questions & answers, it’s still a decent read…)
Status: Former MLB pitcher from 1962-1970 and 1978 with New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. Author of the book “Ball Four.”
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170
DOB: March 8, 1939 In: Newark, N.J.
Baseball Inspirations: ”Sal Maglie, Monte Irvin, Bobby Thomson – I was a New York Giants fan.”
Early Baseball Memory: ”The fun of throwing my first knuckleball that really moved (age 12).”
Favorite Movie: ”One-Eyed Jack.”
First Car: ”1955 black Ford Coupe.”
Hobbies/Interests: ”Motivational speaking, writing.”
First Job: ”Paperboy for the Bergen Evening Herald. Door to door in Rochelle Park, N.J. Of course, I had lemonade stands before that.”
Nicknames: ”Foggy – because I always had my head someplace else. Flakey – for having different opinions. Bulldog – from Elston Howard, because I was a good competitor on the mound.”
Musical Tastes: ”Billie Holliday.”
Favorite TV Shows: ”Nature shows. I don’t watch much TV.”
Childhood Dreams: ”Never thought of the future as a kid.”
Greatest Sports Moment: ”Winning my first World Series game against St. Louis in 1964.”
Toughest Competitors Encountered: ”Whitey Ford. I saw him pitch with a sore arm one night. He had nothing. We needed him. He went out and pitched seven innings with guts and junk. Amazing. Great competitor.”
Closest Baseball Friends: ”Gary Bell, Steve Hovley, Tommy Davis, and guys from the minor leagues – Stu Livingstone, Roger Alexander, Larry Owens.”
Funniest Player Encountered: ”Frenchy Bordegaray. He had the funniest quote. He was fined $50 for spitting on the umpire. He said, ‘That’s more than I expectorated.’”
Most Treasured Possession: ”I don’t have one.”
Favorite Non-Baseball Sport To Watch: ”Hockey.”
Favorite Non-Baseball Sport To Play: ”Football.”
Future Ambition: ”I live in the present.”
People Qualities Most Admired: ”I admire a man by the name of Ruben Fuentes. A fellow baseball player, a teammate of mine. He fell off a ladder and broke his neck. Became a quadriplegic. He still made a life for himself. He’s married with three kids. He has a job and goes to college. I admire Ruben.”
Family: Wife, Paula; sons, Michael, David, Lee Hollis (d.); daughter, Laurie.
Career Accomplishments: 1963 All-Star; 1962 World Series Champion; accumulated a 2-1 record and 1.48 ERA in World Series play; Was a 21 and 18-game winner.
Topics: Atlanta Braves, Billie Holliday, Black Ford, Bobby Thomson, Elston Howard, Funniest Quote, Gary Bell, Giants Fan, Houston Astros, Insightful Questions, Jim Bouton, Knuckleball, Larry Owens, Lemonade Stands, Monte Irvin, New York Giants, New York Yankees, Sore Arm, Sports Moment, Whitey Ford, World Series Game
Biofile Classic with Jim Bouton | 