The Illustrated Brilliance of Jim Bouton

Baseball Cards * Series 1: Brilliance, Power, Speed, Elegance

Dec 27, 2023

Greetings & Happy Holidays! After a working on an illustrated baseball project the last few months, I’m ready to start sharing the cards I designed, drew, researched, and wrote. The first three are from a series of twelve titled: “Brilliance, Power, Speed, Elegance.” They’re an ode to my four favorite baseball players of all time. I feel that if these four players were to be assembled, the result would be an Einstein with thunder-and-lightning quads, neutron-bombing biceps, supremely clairvoyant vision, and a magnetic glove.

First up in the Daydreaming at Midnight Base Ball Cards (Series 1), representing Brilliance, is Jim Bouton. He’s best known for his World Series prowess with the Yankees and his book, Ball Four, which documents his year with the Seattle Pilots. It was the first honest portrayal of America’s Pastime, exposing the locker room banter and the rampant amphetamine use in the league, challenging the mental ineptitudes and contradictions of the owners and managers, all while journaling the day-to-day grind of an aspiring knuckleball pitcher.

I think of him as the Tom Robbins of baseball, which is the highest of praise coming from the noodles in my head. Also, the audiobook is fire. His voice is delightful, calming, and emotive, with an intelligent wink in the direction of immaturity and playfulness.