Jimmy Piersall, Baseball Star Turned Outspoken Broadcaster, Dies At 87

Piersall In 1953

JIMMY PIERSALL, who battled bipolar disorder while playing major league baseball and later became a colorful and controversial broadcaster for the CHICAGO WHITE SOX and TEXAS RANGERS, died SATURDAY (6/3) in WHEATON, IL at 87.

PIERSALL was a combative and controversial personality while playing for the BOSTON RED SOX, leading to his writing an autobiography discussing his mental illness, "FEAR STRIKES OUT," in 1955.  The book was turned into a movie starring ANTHONY PERKINS in 1957.  PIERSALL continued his playing career for 17 seasons with the RED SOX, CLEVELAND INDIANS, WASHINGTON SENATORS, NEW YORK METS, and LOS ANGELES ANGELS, making the All-Star squads in 1954 and 1956.

After his playing career ended, PIERSALL briefly served as an analyst on TEXAS RANGERS television broadcasts and then called CHICAGO WHITE SOX games with HARRY CARAY in 1977-81; he later hosted SOX post-game shows on WMAQ-A/CHICAGO and SPORTSVISION and spent 14 years hosting on CBS RADIO Sports WSCR-A (670 THE SCORE).  PIERSALL also served as an instructor for the CHICAGO CUBS until he was fired for comments on the air at THE SCORE.

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