JIM BOUTON - TRADING/SPORTS CARD SIGNED - HFSID 345311

JIM BOUTON
The right-handed Yankees pitcher crouches to the ground with his glove in hand on this signed trading card
Sports Card Signed: "Jim Bouton" 2½x3½ produced as part of a short-lived trading card series from TCMA. Signed in blue ink on player's uniform at the knees. Player biography on verso. Jim Bouton (1939-2019) first gained notice as an integral member of the NY Yankees pitching staff in the final three seasons (1962-64) of the four-decade New York dynasty. He was 7-7 as a rookie, then had an All-Star season in 1963, going 21-7 with a 2.53 ERA. But the Yankee dynasty and Bouton's career both came crashing down in 1965. He blew out his arm and the New York offense failed. He doggedly pitched through pain for two seasons, going 4-15, 4.82 in '65 and 3-8, 2.69 in 1966, the year the Yankees fell to last place. Bouton spent most of the rest of his career in the bullpen, and began to throw a knuckleball in 1968. He retired after the 1970 season and spent some time as a television sports reporter in New York. The former pitcher published a book titled Ball Four that presented an insider's perspective of a baseball locker room to fans and readers. Due to the book's searing and sometimes scandalous revelations, Bouton made many enemies in baseball after it became popular. Bouton was also involved in the early marketing and production of now popular bubble gum Big League Chew. Fine condition.