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50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITIONNew York Public Library Book of the Century SelectionTime Magazine "100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books" SelectionNew Foreword from Jim Boutons Wife, Paula Bouton When Ball Four was first published in 1970, it hit the sports world like a lightning bolt. Commissioners, executives, and players were shocked. Sportswriters called author Jim Bouton a traitor and "social leper." Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to force him to declare the book untrue. Fans, however, loved the book. And serious critics called it an important social document. Following his death, Boutons landmark book has remained popular, and his legacy lives on through its many readers, including those who dont ordinarily follow baseball. The 50th Anniversary of his historic book includes a touching and personal new forward by his wife, Paula Bouton.