You're Out and You're Ugly Too!: Confessions Of An Umpire With An Attitude

About this book

For twenty-one major league seasons Durwood Merrill has been one of the most colorful characters in baseball. Part John Wayne part Will Rogers part Elmer Gantry this performer has made baseball his stage since he broke into the major leagues in 1976. Like on Luciano in his best-seller The Umpire Strikes Back Durwood will share more than two decades of laugh-out loud anecdotes controversial opinions and sage advice. Hell make calls on: Managers: From Lou Pinella to Earl Weaver to Joe Torre Durwood related tales of his often explosive relationships with top managers of yesterday and today and the vicious and often hilarious barbs they trade during on-field tirades. The Setting Behind the Diamond: Durwood opens the door on baseballs most private places from the clubhouse to the umpires room to conferences at the mound and the banter at the plate. Americas Pastime: Durwood offers up his sage advice and controversial opinion on how to get fans back to the ballpark--including how to speed up the games--and insight into the current labor issues. The Players: From Reggie Jackson to Ken Griffey Jr. Durwood rates all the top players hes seen in his career. But Youre Out and Youre Ugly Too! is also the warm and wholesome story of a man who loved baseball and decided to give up his job as principal of a small Texas high school and follow his dream of becoming a major league umpire. Durwood shares all of his experiences as he journeys through umpire school the minor leagues Puerto Rico and into the majors. No one has been closer to American League players and managers than Durwood Merrill. He has a keen sense of what makes baseball work and no one can lay claim to a better perspective on Americas pastime--and the politics that control it. Durwood has witnessed most of the key moments in modern baseball history--from players strikes to free agency to wild pennant races--and hes going to share all of his thoughts on these issues and more. So take your seat behind home plate and watch as baseballs most outrageous umpire rips the cover off the ball.