Planet of the Umps
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
"Two things nobody wants to grow up to be are an umpire and broke. Thanks to my career in baseball, I got both."After calling balls, strikes, and outs for thirty-six baseball seasons and more than three thousand major-league games, umpire Ken Kaiser finally called it a career. From the first day he hit a minor-league catcher with a pool table to the fateful day baseball called him out on a strike, Kaiser was one of the game's most popular and colorful characters. And in this autobiography-written with the coauthor of Ron Luciano's classic bestseller The Umpire Strikes Back-Kaiser brings to life his wild adventures from the pro-wrestling arena to the baseball diamond.This is the hysterically true story of four decades of baseball as lived and loved on the playing field, from Ted Williams and Billy Martin to Derek Jeter and Mark McGwire, from one-eyed umpires to space-age technology. As he did throughout his long and sometimes controversial career, the larger-than-his-chest-protector Kaiser calls 'em as he saw 'em.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0312304161
ISBN13:9780312304164
Release Date:April 2003
Publisher:Thomas Dunne Books
Length:304 Pages
Weight:1.26 lbs.
Dimensions:1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
The Other Side of Baseball
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Ken Kaiser doesn't care for baseball, but he doesn't have to cause he's an umpire. This book chronicles former American League Ken Kaiser's journey through the lowest minor leagues to the "lavish" life style of the majors, up until the infamous umpire strike that led to his ultimate firing. Full of hilarious stories that you'll never hear about on ESPN, Ken Kaiser shows you the other side of baseball we rarely here about. If you love baseball you will love this book.
Great Read!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I enjoyed this book very much. Many funny and insightful stories. You really get a feel for what the life of an umpire is like...the good, the bad, and the ugly.
A Great Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I loved this book. It literally made me laugh until I cried. I couldn't put it down. I loved reading about behind the scenes in baseball and I especially enjoyed walking down memory lane picturing Ken Kaiser on the field. A great read, highly recommended, and a note to Mr. Kaiser..........I hope you win your battle with MLB, you deserve it. You were a great umpire, hang in there. As a great lover of baseball, I still can appreciate the job you did, even if I didn't always agree. Good Luck! Everyone else.........buy the book and give it as gifts. It makes a wonderful reading experience.
LIFE WITH A UMPIRE
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
Mr.Kaisers book is a must for anyone at all interested in what those men in blue do. I for one, did not know,but was extremely curious as to what goes on when a batter,manager,pitcher,or even a fan yells at a umpire. Kaiser tells it like you would be behind the mask yourself. I think the patience to be a umpire is only second to being a high school teacher. Having a somewhat career as a pro-wrestler helps in both cases. This book is the best I have read about the life on and off the field and the struggles to become a major league umpire.
Laugh-Out-Loud Funny
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
This book was laugh-out-loud funny. Not that it is all one-liners, but the humor is spread throughout the book and often catches you off-guard. I would compare it to Dana Carvey (if you like him) -- good humor that is increased by one's ability to put yourself in another's shoes.I have never umpired professionally, but I have umpired enough amateur games to know that Kaiser is right on the money on much of what he writes. That might make the situations more humorous for me than a "typical" reader, but I doubt it. The writing is easy and friendly and requires very little knowledge of baseball (I would say none, but that might be a stretch).Definitely glad that I read the book!
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
