“Ball Four’s” Characters Revisted: The Seattle Days

As much as Ball Four made a star and a household name out of its author, it did much more when it made its way onto bookshelves in the spring of 1970. Today, 45 years after its publication and surprising rise to national bestseller lists, the book continues to serve as a snapshot of baseball and American culture in the 1960s. Thanks to the writing of Jim Bouton and his underrated editor, the late Leonard Shecter, we have multi-dimensional images of iconic figures like Richie Allen, Mickey Mantle, Joe Pepitone, Joe Torre and others. Although they were already stars, Bouton gave us glimpses into their personalities that had not really been revealed.

Ball Four also gave us in-depth portraits of lesser known people. As a member of the Seattle Pilots and the Houston Astros in 1969, Bouton placed a microscope on the clubhouse dynamics and off-the-field personalities of a wide range of players and managers. The cast of characters with the Pilots alone included former and future All-Stars (like Tommy Davis and Tommy Harper), unheralded journeymen (Don Mincher and Jim Pagliaroni), amusing and oddball characters (George Brunet and Joe Schultz), and even studious intellectuals (Steve Hovley and Mike Marshall).

In many cases, these were characters who would have become quickly forgotten, but Bouton’s words and Shecter’s editing have made them permanent markers of a time when players still wore flannel uniforms and most players lived and died by the vagaries of a one-year contract. Many were obscure players at the time, but some eventually became All-Stars. Others led fascinating lives after their playing careers came to an end. Some have passed away, a few under particularly tragic and solemn circumstances.

The Pilots existed for just one season — 1969 — before moving to Milwaukee as the Brewers. In the first of a two-part series, let’s look at the whereabouts of some of the Pilots Bouton characterized in Ball Four.

Don Mincher (first baseman): The book shows that Bouton’s initial impression of Mincher was not a good one. When Bouton first heard Mincher’s Southern accent, he expected someone who was less than intelligent and perhaps even racist. But later, after Bouton was traded, a quick exchange confirmed that his first impression was misguided. “Don Mincher came over and told me to hang in there—and you know, I really was wrong about him. He’s a good fellow.”

The well-liked Mincher was the only member of the Pilots to appear in the All-Star Game but soon became expendable as part of a youth movement. After the season, the Pilots dealt him to the Oakland A’s for a package of four players. Mincher put up a good season in 1970, but was traded to Washington early in 1971, as part of the deal for fellow slugger Mike Epstein.

Mincher played a partial season with the Senators and then made the move with the franchise to Texas, only to be traded back to Oakland midway through 1972. The trade gave Mincher the chance to earn his only world championship ring. He retired after the World Series.

Remaining downhome and amiable, Mincher became successful after his playing days, assuming the role of general manager and then majority owner of the minor league Huntsville Stars, before becoming president of the Southern League.

In 2011, illness forced him to retire. The following year, he passed away at the age of 73.

Tommy Harper (second baseman/third baseman): Bouton quoted one of his Pilots teammates, who gave Harper a backhanded compliment tinged with racial overtones. “George Brunet was talking about the Negro in baseball, Tommy Harper in particular. ‘You know, for a colored player, he’s not a bad hustler. Hell, he wants to play ball.’ ”

That Harper did. Arguably the most talented player on the Pilots, Harper made the move with the rest of the team to Milwaukee, with the franchise shift made official a week before the start of the 1970 season. With the newly formed Brewers, he became a member of the 30/30 club.

After a downturn in 1971, the Brewers sent Harper to the Boston Red Sox in the 10-player super-swap that brought George Scott to Milwaukee. The Red Sox made Harper a fulltime outfielder and watched him hustle his way to 107 stolen bases over the next three seasons.

After finishing his career with California, Oakland and Baltimore, Harper rejoined the Red Sox as a coach in the 1980s. He challenged the Red Sox’ longstanding policy of inviting their white players to become members of an exclusive country club, while excluding the team’s African-American players. After he complained publicly about the practice, he was fired. Always a strong advocate for civil rights, Harper filed a discrimination lawsuit, which he eventually won.

Harper took another coaching job, this time with the Montreal Expos, but has since returned to the Red Sox as a player development consultant.

Ray Oyler (shortstop): On Aug. 7, Bouton wrote: “Ray Oyler contributed a key ninth-inning error to the loss and spent a long time after the game facing his locker, drinking beer and playing genuine sorrow.”

Unfortunately, Oyler did become a sad figure later in life. In spite of his popularity in Seattle, where his cult status resulted in creation of the “Soc It To Me” Fan Club, the Pilots traded him to the A’s after the season. But Oyler never appeared in a game for Oakland, which re-routed him to the Angels that spring. Oyler appeared in 29 games before his career ended.

Oyler settled in the Seattle area. He managed a bowling alley and also worked for the Boeing Company and Safeway supermarkets. Tragically, Oyler remained a heavy drinker; his problems with alcoholism likely contributed to a fatal heart attack in 1981. Oyler was only 42.

Greg Goossen (first baseman): After hearing that Goossen had been cut during spring training, Bouton expressed his lament. “I passed the Vancouver practice field and saw Goossen working out at first base. He’s hard to miss, with his blocky build, curly hair, working without a hat. I was already missing him and the nutty things he does and I thought here’s a field that’s only about 50 yards away and yet it’s really hundreds of miles away, the distance between the big leagues and Vancouver.”

Goossen would join the Pilots later in the season and move with the franchise to Milwaukee, but would find it hard to avoid that persistent minor league shuttle. He won some early season playing time with the Brewers, but when he failed to hit with the kind of power he had shown in Seattle, the Brewers demoted him and then sold him to the Washington Senators.

After the 1970 season, the Senators traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies as part of the deal for the exiled Curt Flood. But Goossen would never play for Philadelphia. Instead, he spent the 1971 season in the minor league systems of three different teams, never again returning to the major leagues.

Goossen’s life then took a fascinating turn. Still only 25, he went to work as a private investigator and then transitioned to boxing. He became a trainer at his family’s boxing gym, where he worked with such fighters as Michael Nunn, the 1980s middleweight champion.

One day in 1988, Goossen’s brother introduced him to famed actor Gene Hackman, who was doing research for a boxing film called Split Decisions. Hackman took such a liking to Goossen that he hired him as his stand-in, an arrangement that became standard on Hackman films. Goossen appeared in 15 Hackman movies, including The Package and Unforgiven.

In 2011, Goossen earned induction into his high school’s Hall of Fame, but sadly, never made it to the ceremony. His daughter drove to his house, where she discovered that he had died unexpectedly. Goossen was 65.

Tommy Davis (left fielder): Bouton clearly regarded Davis as one of the Pilots’ leaders. “Tommy Davis is loose and funny and a lot of guys look to him, not only Negroes. Everybody sort of gravitates to him and his tape [music] machine, and he’s asked his opinion about things.”

After splitting the season between Seattle and Houston, Davis began 1970 with the Astros before resuming his journeyman travels. In June, the Astros sold him to the A’s, where he hit .290 before being sold again, this time to the Cubs. Chicago released him that December, putting Davis’ career at the crossroads.

With his affinity for veterans, Charlie Finley signed Davis late in spring training. That turned into a wise move, as Davis hit .324 for the A’s. Unfortunately, Davis made the mistake of being Vida Blue’s roommate. When Blue held out in the spring of ’72, Finley took his anger out on Davis and released him.

Davis remained out of work until July, when the Cubs signed him. A month later, they traded Davis to the Orioles for catcher Elrod Hendricks. The 1972 season turned out to be such a lost cause for Davis that Topps did not produce a card for him in 1973.

Little did Topps know that Davis would enjoy a second career in Baltimore, where he served as the principal DH for three seasons. He hit well enough in 1973 and ’74 to earn some back-of-the ballot support for American League MVP. He later found work with California and Kansas City before retiring.

After a brief tenure as a coach with the Seattle Mariners, Davis rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers, his original team, in a community relations role. Known for his affable nature, he often fulfills speaking engagements and has become a regular at autograph shows. He has also worked for the Dodgers as a spring training instructor, where he is popular with the organization’s minor league players.

Mike Hegan (right fielder): Hegan’s humor made him one of the stars of Ball Four. As Bouton wrote on June 13, “It was decided that the most interesting offbeat milieu for sex was a tubful of warm oatmeal. So Mike Hegan promptly leaned out of the bus and hollered to a girl walking by, ‘Hey, do you like oatmeal?’ ”

Hegan moved with the franchise to Milwaukee, where he became the regular first baseman in 1970. He hit 11 home runs, drew 67 walks, and established a reputation as one of the game’s finest fielders. But Hegan lacked power, so the Brewers traded him to the A’s, where he drew the praise of manager Dick Williams, who compared him to Gold Glover Wes Parker.

In 1972, Hegan hit .329 in a backup role and made a phenomenal backhand grab to preserve Game Two of the World Series. Hegan slumped in 1973 and finished his career with the Yankees and Brewers. He moved seamlessly into the broadcast booth, where his sense of humor, deep voice, and personable nature made him a natural. He broadcast for the Brewers and Indians before health problems forced him to step aside in 2011.

On Christmas Day 2013, Hegan succumbed to heart disease. He was 71 years.

Steve Hovley (outfielder): Bouton summarized Hovley’s offbeat persona. “Had a long chat with Steve Hovley in the outfield. He’s being called ‘Tennis Ball Head’ because of his haircut, but his real nickname is Orbit, or Orbie, because he’s supposed to be way out. Hovley is anti-war and I asked him if he ever does any out-and-out protesting in the trenches. He said only in little things. For instance, when he takes his hat off for the anthem he doesn’t hold it over his heart.”

Ever the rebel, Hovley eventually grew out his hair, angering management, which came to regard him as a hippie. On the field, Hovley batted a respectable .280 to start 1970 before being traded to the A’s in June. When he failed to hit in Oakland, the A’s left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. He joined the Kansas City Royals, becoming a useful backup outfielder for two seasons.

After his baseball days, Hovley made the unusual transition from ballplayer to plumber. He no longer talks much about his baseball days and only occasionally grants interviews, but has maintained a friendship with Bouton, his former roommate.

Jim Pagliaroni (catcher): According to Bouton, Pagliaroni was a combination philosopher and comedian. After manager Joe Schultz was seen sitting in the lobby, waiting for players who had broken curfew, Pagliaroni offered his young teammates the following advice. “ ‘If you’re going to be late,’ he said, ‘be at least three hours late. Because if you’re only hour late they’ll still be around trying to catch you.’ ”

Forced to retire at season’s end because of back problems, Pagliaroni went to work as an operator of an A&W Root Beer franchise with his father-in-law. He then became a regional manager in the food service industry for nearly 30 years, but re-entered the baseball consciousness in the late 1990s, when he became a member of the board of directors of the Catfish Hunter Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting ALS. A close friend of Hunter, the outgoing Pagliaroni became one of the foundation’s leaders in efforts to raise money.

Pagliaroni battled his own health problems, including cancer and heart disease. Despite those problems, Pagliaroni made a stirring impression as part of a Pilots panel at SABR’s national convention in 2006.

Four years later, Pagliaroni died at the age of 72.

Gene Brabender (starting pitcher): At 6-foot-5, Brabender drew the attention of Bouton. “He looks rather like Lurch of the Addams Family, so we thought we might call him that, or Monster, or Animal, which is what they used to call him in Baltimore. Then Larry Haney told us how Brabender used to take those thick metal spikes that are used to hold the bases down and bend them in his bare hands.”

With his remarkable strength and live arm, the hulking right-hander had the distinction of winning the most games (13) of any Pilots pitcher, but did not enjoy much success past 1969.

Remaining with the Brewers in 1970, Brabender was hit hard and suffered from a sore shoulder. In January of 1971, the Brewers traded him to the Angels, but he failed to make the team, ending his big league career.

As much as any of the Pilots, Brabender struggled badly after baseball. He started a mobile home business, but it failed. He then formed a small construction company, but mounting debts forced him to put up his World Series ring for collateral on a loan. He became a recluse and fell into deep depression.

Friends helped him regain the ring, but in December of 1996, the gentle giant suffered a brain aneurism and collapsed. Two days later, Brabender died at the age of 55.

Marty Pattin (starting pitcher): Bouton related how Pattin provided clubhouse entertainment with an imitation of a Disney character. “Marty Pattin does a pretty good Donald Duck,” Bouton wrote. “Before he pitched the opener he was going around the clubhouse saying in Donald Duck that you got to be loose, quack, you got to be loose.”

Pattin maintained his Donald Duck imitation, but became a much better pitcher after the franchise’s shift to Milwaukee. Pattin won 28 games over two seasons with the Brewers and earned an All-Star Game selection.

After the ‘71 season, the Brewers dealt Pattin to the Red Sox, where he displayed an unusual nervous habit. According to teammate Bill Lee, Pattin would throw up after the first inning of each appearance.

In October of ’73, the Red Sox dealt Pattin to the Royals for fellow right-hander Dick Drago. The Royals began to transition him from the rotation to the bullpen, and Pattin filled the dual roles beautifully through 1978 before experiencing a downturn the following season.

From 1982 to 1987, Pattin was head baseball coach at the University of Kansas. He’s retired now, but continues to live in Lawrence, where he has become a popular fixture telling stories at area bars and legion halls—and presumably offering up a Donald Duck imitation from time to time.

Fred Talbot (starting pitcher): On the receiving end of many of Bouton’s barbs and pranks, Talbot did not care for his teammate or his politics. After Bouton recommended a restaurant, he quoted Talbot as saying: “If Bouton recommends a restaurant, you can be pretty sure they got some good Communist dishes.”

After the release of Ball Four, Talbot was reportedly critical of Bouton’s writing style. Bouton believed it was likely Talbot who sent him an anonymous note that said the writing in Ball Four could “gag a maggot.”

As a pitcher, Talbot did not have much success after the Pilots. He spent most of 1970 in the minor leagues, appearing in just one game for Oakland before his career ended.

Talbot went to work in the construction business, ultimately retiring in 1996. In his later years, his health deteriorated badly. Suffering from cancer, he died in 2013 at the age of 71.

Steve Barber (starting pitcher): Bouton resented Barber for refusing to go to the minor leagues and rehab his arm. “There was Steve Barber getting his road uniform refitted. I guess he wants to look good while sitting in the diathermy machine. ‘You son of a bitch,’ I said to myself. ‘You’re the guy who won’t go down in order to help out the club. Instead you hang around here, can’t pitch, and now other guys are sent down because of you.’ ”

Barber never forgave Bouton for the portrayal. In spite of his arm problems, Barber latched on with the Cubs and Atlanta Braves, and then found a more permanent role pitching middle relief for the Angels.

After the ‘73 season, the Angels traded Barber to the Brewers, but he never pitched for Milwaukee. After a spring training release, he signed with the Giants, who released him, ending his 15-year career.

Barber moved to Las Vegas and became a school bus driver for children with disabilities. It was a noble job, one that allowed Barber to support his second wife and four children.

Sadly, Barber was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2007. He never recovered, dying at the age of 68.

George Brunet (starting pitcher): Bouton heralded the acquisition of the journeyman left-hander with these words: “The Pilots have bought George Brunet from the Angels for something just over the waiver price. He’ll fit right in on this ballclub. He’s crazy.”

Brunet gained a reputation as a “Dalton Boy,” a man who partied hard into all hours of the night (and didn’t wear underwear). He left the Pilots after the season, traded to Washington for right-hander Dave Baldwin. He made 20 starts for Ted Williams before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates and closed out his major league career with the Cardinals in 1972.

The hard-living Brunet signed on with the minor league Hawaii Islanders, where his ever-expanding belly made him look like a softball pitcher. In 1973, he joined the Mexican League, where he remained a fixture until 1985, even weathering a heart attack along the way. For more than 30 consecutive years, Brunet pitched in either the minor leagues or the major leagues.

Upon retiring, Brunet continued to live in Mexico, where he suffered a second heart attack in 1991. This one was more serious. Brunet did not recover, passing away at the age of 56.

Bob Locker (relief pitcher): At the time Bouton was making notes for Ball Four, Locker did not think too fondly of Players’ Association chief Marvin Miller. As Bouton wrote, “Locker said he understood very well why the owners get so mad at Miller. He said it was because Miller never lets up. ‘If he has a point he jumps on them with both feet and never gets off,’ Locker said.”

Locker has since reversed course on Miller. After retirement, following some success as a reliever for the A’s and Cubs, Locker champions the cause of Miller for the Hall of Fame. He has created a web site where he collects testimonials to the longtime labor leader. “It is appalling that most players of the last 20 years have no idea why they have the salaries and benefits they do,” Locker told this writer a few years ago, “much less any idea of who Marvin Miller really is.”

Locker has also written several non-baseball books and done well in real estate.

Mike Marshall (relief pitcher): Marshall’s intelligence was clear from the beginning. As Bouton wrote, “With Hovley gone, Mike Marshall is probably the most articulate guy on the club, so I asked him if he had as much trouble communicating as I’ve had and he said, ‘Of course. The minute I approach a coach or a manager, I can see the terror in his eyes.’ ”

Marshall’s intellect and outspoken nature intimidated much of the baseball establishment. After setting a record by pitching 208 innings in relief and winning the Cy Young Award in 1974, and then putting together two standout seasons for the Minnesota Twins, the screwballing specialist drew his release. The reason was likely his militant involvement in the Players’ Association. After he pitched briefly for the New York Mets, no one else showed interest, leading to speculation that Marshall had been blackballed.

Having earned his Ph.D. in kinesiology at Michigan State in 1978, Dr. Marshall turned to college coaching, but has never worked a day for a major league organization. The author of two books on pitching, Marshall continues to preach his unconventional pitching methods, offering instruction to young hurlers who are willing to listen.

Diego Segui (relief pitcher): Bouton said little of substance about Segui, a pitcher known for his rituals and superstitions. After the season, the Pilots ill-advisedly traded Segui, their most effective relief pitcher, to the A’s. Pitching as a combination starter and reliever, Segui proceeded to win the ERA title in 1970.

After stints with the Cardinals and Red Sox, Segui joined another Seattle expansion franchise—the Mariners. The only man to play for both the Mariners and the Pilots, he became known as “The Ancient Mariner.” Segui’s major league career ended in 1977, but he signed on with the Mexican League, where he pitched for nearly a decade and tossed a no-hitter at the age of 45.

After working as a minor league pitching coach, Segui left baseball to become a professional bass fisherman, but his legacy carried on in the form of his son, David, a journeyman first baseman who played for several teams, including the Orioles and Expos.

The elder Segui now lives in retirement in Kansas City.

Manager Joe Schultz: On June 1, Bouton provided some insight into the manager’s colorful way with words. “In the clubhouse Joe delivered his usual speech: ‘Attaway to stomp ‘em. Stomp the piss out of ‘em. Stomp ‘em when they’re down… Pound that ol’ Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow.’ ”

The Pilots fired Schultz at season’s end—a fate that many of the players, including Bouton, felt was undeserved given the relative lack of talent in Seattle.

In 1970, Schultz took a job with another expansion team, becoming a coach with the Royals. In 1971, Tigers manager Billy Martin added Schultz to his staff.

It was during spring training that year that Schultz and Bouton met for the first time since Ball Four. Schultz did not like the way that Bouton had portrayed him—as someone who constantly mouthed obscenities and raged in the clubhouse. He approached Bouton, who was working for ABC Television. Schultz told him to leave the field before the Tigers began their workouts. This took Bouton by surprise; he felt he had portrayed Schultz as colorful and lovable. “Joe, you were one of my favorites,” said Bouton. But the ex-manager would not listen. “Get the hell out,” yelled Schultz.

Schultz remained with the Tigers through 1973. When the Tigers fired Martin, they named Schultz interim manager. Over 28 games, he forged a respectable 14-14 record, but would never manage again.

Schultz settled into life in St. Louis, where he died in 1996 at the age of 77.

Tomorrow: In the second part of our look back at Ball Four, we will find out what happened to some of Bouton’s most memorable teammates with the Houston Astros, with whom he finished the 1969 season. That list includes players like Bob Watson, Jimmy Wynn, Larry Dierker and the late Don Wilson.