Steve Blass

A Pirate for Life, by Steve Blass with Erik Sherman, is a very interesting sports autobiography. Steve Blass made it to Major League Baseball in 1964 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and had an outstanding pitching career with them. In the 1971 World Series, Blass won game three and game seven to help the Pirates become the World Champions. I was attending the University of Pittsburgh during that time and, although I could not attend any of those WS games, I certainly participated in the celebration after the Bucs won game seven. Unfortunately, during the 1973 season, Blass suddenly lost his ability to throw strikes, and he had to give up what he had dreamed of doing since he was a youngster. Since then, Steve Blass Disease has become the name of the condition when other pitchers have suddenly lost their control. Although Steve Blass was forced to quit playing baseball in 1974, he has managed to maintain a lifelong relationship with the Pirates organization and team. He has been working as a sportscaster for Pirates games since 1983, and I enjoy seeing (and hearing) him when I watch their games on TV. For me, a lifelong Pirates fan, this was a fantastic book because Blass writes about his relationships and experiences with many of the Pirates’ players and managers during and after he was player. It was a wonderful experience for me to read about the players’ backgrounds, careers, and personalities. It was even better to read Blass’ personal reminiscences about players, including Roberto Clemente, Dick Groat, Bill Mazeroski, Bill Virdon, Gene Alley, Richie Hebner, Doc Ellis, Manny Sanguillen, Al Oliver, Willie Stargell, Bob Moose, and many more. Likewise, it was great to learn more about Pirates’ managers Danny Murtaugh, Harry Walker, and Jim Leyland and about the longtime Pirates’ radio and TV sportscaster, Bob Prince (The gunner). It was also great to read about the Pirates organization and to learn more about the current broadcast cadre, whose work I enjoy very much. Of course, this is an autobiography and Blass is very candid about the ups and downs of his life. However, overall he communicates to the reader that he realizes how lucky he has been and how grateful he is for the life he has lived. If you have been a longtime fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, you must read this book. If you are a fan of baseball, you ought to read this book. If you enjoy reading well-written autobiographies by people (especially sports people) who reveal their struggles and successes through an informative and positive narrative, you ought to read this one. I thought it was great!… (plus d'informations)