The Wrong Stuff by Bill Lee and Dick Lally

[sweaver]

I wouldn't recommend this book for a teenager, because former pitcher Bill Lee advocates marijuana and alcohol use (although he counsels against the harder stuff), but for a look at major league baseball from a rather unique viewpoint, this is a fascinating read. Lee's affinity for Eastern religions and his advocation of often controversial causes got him into trouble with baseball's establishment, and endeared him to many of its fans. Even more important to the fans, he could pitch.

Lee talks briefly about his childhood, but the book quickly moves to his college days at USC under legendary coach Rod Dedeaux. Lee then moves into minor league days, joining the Reserves during the Vietnam War, and getting to the major leagues with the Red Sox. His times in Boston, and the 1975 World Series, dominate most of the book. His falling-out with management and subsequent trade to Montreal, and years there, finish out the pages.

Lee tells some great on-the-field stories, but most of his stories are of off-the-field exploits. This volume follows in the frank style of "Ball Four," detailing ballplayers' peccadillos. Lee recounts being drunk, and stoned, and other altered states of mind for himself and teammates. He rails against management decisions he disagreed with (the trade of Bernie Carbo, the release of Rodney Scott) and with what he sees as improper usage of his talents. No lack of ego here.

Lee's thoughts are obviously all over the place, and Lally probably did a lot of work weaving his interviews with Lee into a coherent narrative. Those taped conversations would be a wonder to listen to, but a lengthy session might leave one rather bleary-eyed.

It's fun stuff. Parental guidance suggested.

[Max Power]

Read it a million years ago - - the yellowed paperback still is around here somewhere - - I enjoyed it too.

[rcartman28]

I read it a long time ago, too. Pretty good reading.

[pathogan]

...One thing, though. he genuinely loves, I mean loves, baseball.it's almost a religion with him. Half of what he says is for show,but the book was funny,i dont think it was nearly as shocking as Ball four...nor was it meant to be

[GGC]

I really enjoyed this book. I have a thing for iconoclasts; even those like Lee, who I don't see eye-to-eye on too many issues. I see that he has a new book out. It should be interesting.

Gary Geiger Counter

[gyb13]

welcome aboard GGC! please head on over to the Icebreakers forum and tell us more about yourself...

[GGC]

I'm working on that next.....

[captain_napalm]

I thought it was a pretty good read.

I do wonder what he thought of Rodney Scott finishing up with the Yankees.

Some of the stuff on 1978 was pretty cool, documenting the falling out he had with the Gerbil.

I thought the Dave Kingman story was funny too.

Looks like I'm due for a re-read

[SPeeDy]

I have been a lifelong fan of the Sox and Expos ironically and my all time favorite player is Bill Lee (I am a lefty and always dreamed of pitching for either the Sox or Expos as a kid).

Bought the book when it first came out and I loved it. It was a funny read and it showed his passion for the game and his ireverant attitude towards some forms of authority (Gerbil). It also spoke volumes as to his value on friendship and loyalty (Bernie Carbo).

A must read.

[Skip]

Stick around SPeeDy and check out the rest of the site. I bet you see other things you like.

[Joseph]

Is this book still in print?

[sweaver]

Don't know, but things live forever on ebay. For the right price, you could even buy my copy.