When the Game Changed: An Oral History of Baseball's True Golden Age: 1969--1979

An authoritative look back at the decade that brought
America’s favorite game into the modern era

Acclaimed baseball writer and radio host George Castle recreates the sport’s most revolutionary decade via the memories of those who played, managed, and covered baseball from 1969 to 1979. In addition to a remarkable array of Hall of Famers and budding stars, the era saw numerous major changes. Rules were tweaked to promote offense. Free agency, arbitration, the first players’ strike, the designated hitter, the first African-American manager, the first all-black and Latin starting lineup, baseball’s first $1 million annual salary, the rise of the closer and bullpen specialization, Tommy John surgery—the list of topics discussed in this book by baseball’s participants of the 1970s goes on.

    

Contributors include: A-List players and managers like Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Gaylord Perry, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Bruce Sutter, Brooks Robinson, Orlando Cepeda, Tom Seaver, Phil Niekro, Jim Rice, Jim Palmer, Bert Blyleven, Tommy John, Lou Piniella, Fred Lynn, Luis Tiant, Earl Weaver, and Sparky Anderson; “everyday” players; coaches; front-office staff; announcers; and sportswriters.

 

Praise for George Castle and his books:

“I have read all of George Castle’s books, and I can say without hesitation that he is one of those rare individuals who is extremely gifted both as a reporter and a writer.”
—Buzz Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights and Three Nights in August