Date of Birth: November 14, 1929
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: June 3, 2017
Biography
Jimmy Piersall was an American professional baseball player and broadcaster, known for his colorful personality both on and off the field. Born on November 14, 1929, in Waterbury, Connecticut, Piersall made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Boston Red Sox in 1950. His career spanned from 1950 to 1967, during which he also played for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Mets, and California Angels. Piersall was known for his excellent defensive skills as an outfielder and was a two-time All-Star. He won two Gold Glove Awards and finished his career with a respectable batting average of .272. Piersall’s life was marked by his battle with bipolar disorder, which was publicly chronicled in his autobiography and later in the film “Fear Strikes Out.” After retiring from baseball, he became a broadcaster and continued to be an outspoken and sometimes controversial figure in the sports world.
5 Interesting Facts about Jimmy Piersall
1. Jimmy Piersall wrote an autobiography titled “Fear Strikes Out,” which was later adapted into a movie starring Anthony Perkins.
2. Piersall was diagnosed with bipolar disorder during his playing career, which led to a stint in a mental institution.
3. He was known for his eccentric behavior on the field, including once running the bases backward after hitting his 100th home run.
4. Piersall was a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, recognized for his defensive prowess.
5. After retiring from professional play, he worked as a broadcaster and analyst, known for his candid and often controversial opinions.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jimmy Piersall
1. “Probably the best thing that ever happened to me was going nuts. Whoever heard of Jimmy Piersall until that happened?”
2. “I didn’t mind being a little crazy, but it’s hard to be both crazy and famous.”
3. “You can be a great ballplayer without being an egomaniac.”
4. “The pressure of trying to be a good ballplayer and a good man is a lot.”
5. “I played the game the way it was supposed to be played – with enthusiasm and excitement.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Jimmy Piersall was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Jimmy Piersall had nine children. Their names are not widely publicized to respect their privacy.
Relevant Links
1. [Jimmy Piersall Biography on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Piersall
2. [Fear Strikes Out – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050397/
