The Worst Baseball Pitchers of All Time: Bad Luck, Bad Arms, Bad Teams, and Just Plain Bad [Paperback]

Alan S. Kaufman (Author), James C. Kaufman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1995

Everyone has heard of the superstars,like Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson, Nolan Ryan. But the truly bad hurlers? John Ewing, who was 6-30 in 1889? Howie Hudson, 1-14 in 1949. How about-surprise!-Don Larson, who bounced back from a dismal 3-21 record in 1954 to pitch the only perfect game in World Series history two seasons later? Divided into premodern, dead-ball, long-ball, postwar, and expansion eras, the book determines the hurler who was arguably the worst in each season since 1876. The authors also compare players of different eras.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A father-son research team chronicles the major leagues's greatest losers, using the statistical indexes of John Thorn and Pete Palmer ( Total Baseball , Warner, 1991. 2d ed.). The Kaufmans offer the worst hurlers from five different major league eras, for the 20th century, and for all time. They bestow their nominees with Skunk Stearns Awards, in honor of Bill Stearns, an early victim. In addition to citing the big losers for each year, they ironically include both Hall of Famers and Cy Young Award winners who had their share of bad seasons. While the heavy use of statistics may discourage casual readers, this should attract attention in large sports collections.
- Morey Berger, St. Joseph's Hosp. Medical Lib., Tucson
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"an amusing adjunct to regular springtime purchases" -- Booklist/RBB

"blends humor and statistics in attempting to identify the worst pitcher of each season" -- Houston Post

"chronicles the Major Leagues' greatest losers. This should attract attention" -- Library Journal

"the topic is irresistible, and the authors combine extensive research with engaging commentary and tender care of the losing pitchers they profile" -- Los Angeles Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Citadel Pr (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806516534
• ISBN-13: 978-0806516530
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,771,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource for sports enthusiasts!, February 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Worst Baseball Pitchers of All Time: Bad Luck, Bad Arms, Bad Teams, and Just Plain Bad (Paperback)

This funny, innovative look at baseball's worst pictures is a genuine treat and a gem for historians and all sorts of baseball fans. The Kaufmans have combined photos, interviews, and other materials into a seamless narrative. Excellent!

5.0 out of 5 stars The worst baseball pitchers of all times, August 18, 2011

By 

dafne - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Worst Baseball Pitchers of All Time: Bad Luck, Bad Arms, Bad Teams, and Just Plain Bad (Paperback)

This was a great book! It's filled with interesting details and funny anecdotes from the real majot league baseball players themselves. It was purchased as a gift for a friend who loves baseball, and he loved it. I definitely recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfectly good idea for a baseball book, September 18, 2006

By 

Corey James (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worst Baseball Pitchers of All Time: Bad Luck, Bad Arms, Bad Teams, and Just Plain Bad (Paperback)

The other reviewer seems a bit missing the point and a bit humorless, no? I thought this was a fun read.