Retired Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton has passed away aged 80.
He will be best remembered for his 10-season long career on the field as a pitcher, playing for the Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.
The baseball legend suffered a stroke back in 2012, having battled cerebral amyloid angiopathy for a number of years, which can lead to brain damage and dementia.
The dad-of-three played with the Yankees throughout the 60s, helping them to the World Series each season.
In his rookie season in 1962, he had a standout performance, making part of the winning team.
Jim’s 1970 memoir Ball Four made particular waves in the sports industry, as it revealed what happened behind closed doors with icons of the baseball field.
A sportswriter approached him and asked him to write a diary during his 1969 season, which he agreed to.
DEAD: Jim Bouton has died aged 80 (Pic: GETTY)
LEGEND: Jim rose to fame when he played for the Yankees in the 60s (Pic: GETTY)
Written in a tell-all style, it covered the drinking and drug-use that routinely took place off-field, as well the rivalries that existed in the industry.
It notoriously exposed indiscretions on the part of his teammates, resulting in a rift between Jim and other sports legends such as Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.
Some of his teammates never forgave him for the gritty secrets he shared in the book, especially Mickey.
AUTHOR: Jim’s 1970 memoir ‘Ball Four’ stirred controversy in the baseball industry (Pic: GETTY)
After being alienated for a number of years, the Newark-native was finally invited back to Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium in 1998.
When he returned, he received a standing ovation from onlookers, proving his status as a true legend on the field.
Jim is survived by his wife, Paula, and sons Michael and David.
He tragically lost his only daughter, Laurie, to a car accident in 1997.
