The Perfect Pitch: The Biography Of Roger Owens The Famous Peanut Man at Dodger Stadium (Paperback)

by Daniel S. Green (Author) "In through the large, open doors of the hospital entrance, the cold, morning wind flowed..." (more)
Key Phrases: pitching peanuts, peanut holders, loge level, Dodger Stadium, Roger Owens, San Diego (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The story of Roger Owens, Dodger Stadium's famous Peanut Man, whose rise from hopelessness on L.A.'s inner-city streets to peanut-tossing fame in the baseball stands continues to inspire sports fans -- and non-fans -- looking for a real-life American hero.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Llumina Press (January 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932560297
• ISBN-13: 978-1932560299
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #969,329 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 a delightful story of an underdog coming out on top, July 21, 2004

By	BookReview.com (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Perfect Pitch: The Biography Of Roger Owens The Famous Peanut Man at Dodger Stadium (Hardcover)

The Perfect Pitch is a biographical portrait of Roger
Owens, the famous Peanut Man at Los Angeles' Dodger
stadium. Owens has been expertly trick-tossing bags of
salted peanuts to enthusiastic baseball fans for over
40 years. He began working as a peanut vendor at the
age of 15. In 1962 he moved right along with the LA
Dodgers into Dodger Stadium. His arsenal of throwing
tricks (behind the back, overhand, underhand,
between-the-legs) and general friendliness had made
Owens into something of a celebrity, which was
cemented in 1976 by an invitation to appear as a guest
on The Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson.

The eldest of nine children, Owens struggled in his
youth with issues that many readers will be able to
relate to. His mother's battle with a mental illness
sent him and his siblings into foster care for some
time. In his twenties, Owens was involved in a Jeep
accident that nearly cost him his life. But even in
the face of poverty and distress, Roger Owens never
let it crush his optimistic and warm spirit.

This is a delightful story of an underdog coming out
on top, and you don't have to be a baseball fan to
enjoy it. (Although baseball fans will love the
detailed descriptions of the games). It is a story
about real people persevering throughout the struggles
of life. You can put yourself in Roger Owens' shoes
and feel his excitement radiating from the pages. A
moving tale with plenty of photographs, it is a fast
paced and engaging story for all readers.

Review by Gretchen Olson of BookReview.com.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Amazing Peanut Vendor Tells his story, April 20, 2004

By	Gary Tallman "avid reader" (Tarzana, Ca USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You might be thinking to yourself...why would you want to read a book about a peanut vendor...but this isn't any ordinary peanut vendor, this is the famous Roger Owens who has thrown peanuts at Dodger games for the last 46 years and is still going strong.Roger's story is heartbreaking and uplifting. It is inspirational and engaging. He came from a very large family and spent a very tough childhood trying to find himself and help support his family who were very poor.His mother suffered from mental problems and Roger and his siblings were placed in different foster homes.Baseball and the LA Dodgers turned out to be Roger's saving grace. He began his long career at the Coliseum and moved with the Dodgers to Dodger Stadium in 1962 and he has been there ever since.Roger developed quite a following in the sports and entertainment world with his humor and special ability to throw peanuts behind his back and between his legs and hit his mark every time.Roger also experienced a life threatening jeep accident early in his career. Roger's nephew Daniel wrote this book about his uncle and it is indeed a labor of love.If you read one book about a peanut vendor make it this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars A super crowd pleaser, May 13, 2009

By	Julia - See all my reviews

This story is too good to be true. It's about a mom and dad who have a son with a unique talent, a talent he doesn't discover until he's 19. Actually he's the eldest of nine kids and his name is Roger Owens.

He grew up in poverty, dealing with a mother suffering from a mental breakdown. He even endured foster home abuse, since he and his siblings were sent away to foster homes for three years. After reuniting as a family, except his mom who was being treated, in 1956, Roger finds work to bring in grocery money. Soon, as a 15 year old he works as a soda vendor for the Dodgers at the L.A. Coliseum. In 1962, he follows the team to Dodger Stadium and begins his pioneering talent of trick tossed bags of peanuts under his leg and behind the back with amazing accuracy.

It's a moving rags to riches success story and has lots of emotion, drama, action and even some romance. It has something for all readers of all ages. It also features two family miracles, their faith in God to overcome obstacles, and Roger's own rise to success as the Famous Peanut Man. A friend of mayors, celebrities, and everyday people, he is someone who is known throughout the world and seen as the best in the world at what he does, working hard for over 50 years to bring smiles to sports fans everywhere.