Bat Boy: Coming of Age with the New York Yankees (Paperback)

by Matthew McGough (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The author, who spent two seasons with the Yankees when he was a high school student in the early 1990s, is evenhanded in describing the job's ups (hanging around the players) and downs (doing menial chores like cleaning sinks and polishing baseball spikes, and putting up with the players' egos). McGough, now a Fordham Law School graduate, chooses to dwell on the positives and tells his story without too much fawning over or dish on the players. He loved getting paid cash tips, meeting girls and becoming famous in a minor way by association. But he also had to deal with outsiders who sought to gain an "in" with players like Don Mattingly and bigwigs like George Steinbrenner by cozying up to peripheral personnel like McGough and other clubhouse workers. The teenager tried to balance all this glamour with a hectic school life, which, naturally, wasn't always easy, much to the chagrin of his parents and teachers. Since Yankee policy dictates that bat boys can work a maximum of two years, McGough matured from "rookie" to old hand in a short time, losing a degree of innocence as he learned how to take advantage of his "veteran" status, which he describes in honest and self-effacing terms. Agent, Heather Schroeder at ICM. (On sale May 10)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–McGough was 16 when he wrote a letter to the Yankees and asked for a position as a batboy. After persistently calling their switchboard over a period of weeks, he was finally granted an interview with the clubhouse manager. He got the job and spent 1992 and 1993 in the position. The author focuses on the positives and tells his story with immediacy, humor, and heart. While he met famous ballplayers and cute girls, he also had to deal with outsiders who sought to gain an in with such folks as Don Mattingly and George Steinbrenner by cozying up to peripheral personnel. This memoir is much more than an all-access pass to Yankee Stadium and baseball–it is an exquisitely written and observed book about growing up and the beauty of the game. The author is honest and self-effacing in his recounting–he almost failed high school when he placed his job before his studying–and he later mentions that being a batboy gave him confidence as he fulfilled his childhood dream. The book is a quick, fast read, full of amusing anecdotes involving spring training, bat stretchers, a pyramid scheme, and 50 illegal CDs.–Erin Dennington, Fairfax County Public Library, Chantilly, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (March 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307278646
• ISBN-13: 978-0307278647
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #558,507 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hate the Yankees, love the book!, May 16, 2005

By	M. Johnson (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees (Hardcover)

It's a tribute to the author that I, an ardent Mets fan and Yankee-hater, really enjoyed the book. Maybe that's because, for all the funny baseball anecdotes and fascinating insider scoops, this isn't just a baseball book--it's a memoir, and the coming-of-age thrust of the narrative is quite effective. McGough manages to convey both the arrogance and insecurity that a 17-year-old boy in an infinitely enviable position--hanging out with his heroes, traveling with them, getting paid (among other perks)--must have felt.

The story is touching without being overly sentimental, and it rings true. Best of all, this isn't one of those corny "Baseball=life" stories; McGough skillfully interweaves the two main elements of his story with humor and a light touch. I actually laughed out loud in some parts, and was genuinely moved in others.

While baseball fans will surely enjoy this book on another level than their non-baseball-loving peers, any reader with an appreciation for clever writing and hilarious tales of hubris and naivete should read this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Boy's Dream, May 11, 2005

By	Adam Lorenzo - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees (Hardcover)

This guy got to live my childhood dream... to be a bat boy for the New York Yankees! He met players like Mattingly and Mantle and got to play baseball with his buddies at 3AM... in Yankee Stadium! And the best part is, he did it all on his own... no connections. Just perserverance and a dream.

It's an unbelievable story that flies off the page. A great summer diversion.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for All Seasons, August 3, 2005

By	N. Beber (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bat Boy: My True Life Adventures Coming of Age with the New York Yankees (Hardcover)

I didn't know I was a baseball fan until I read this book. Matthew McGough conveys the beauty of the game with such humor and heart, I feel an urge to actually go to a game myself -- but even more than that, I want to read more Matt McGough! This is an exquisitely written and observed book about growing up -- elegant, hilarious, smart and assured, it's a big-hearted look at the game of life, and I laughed, cried, and stomped my feet. Now I want more. I'm back on-line to score copies for freinds and family -- this is a wonderful read for young and old, sports fans and sports phobics. It's a great book to share with a circle of people of all ages, inspiring one's own youthful memories and family tales to be told together over hot dogs, beer and lemonade. Don't miss this one -- it belongs on your shelves for generations to read over the years.