Pat Jordan (author)
Encyclopedia
Pat Jordan is a leading sports writer with his work included in the Best American Sports Writing anthology series seven times. He is also the acclaimed author of A False Spring, a bittersweet memoir about his minor league baseball career, which is ranked #37 on Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Sports Books of All Time. and Time Magazine called “one of the best and truest books about baseball, and about coming to maturity in America…”
where he became a highly pursued baseball prospect after going 17-4 over three seasons for the Fairfield Prep Jesuits. On July 9, 1959, after being pursued by over 15 major league baseball organizations, he signed a $40,000 bonus with the Milwaukee Braves, which at the time was reported to be the highest amount given to any new player signed by the organization. He reported to the McCook Braves of the Nebraska State League
where he played alongside teammates and future major leaguers Phil Niekro
and Joe Torre
. He struggled in the minors for three seasons, as chronicled in his memoir, A False Spring, at which point he hung up his cleats and returned home to Connecticut to pursue his writing career.
in 1959 and received his bachelors degree in English from Fairfield University
in 1965.
Minor league baseball player
Pat Jordan grew up in Fairfield, ConnecticutFairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
where he became a highly pursued baseball prospect after going 17-4 over three seasons for the Fairfield Prep Jesuits. On July 9, 1959, after being pursued by over 15 major league baseball organizations, he signed a $40,000 bonus with the Milwaukee Braves, which at the time was reported to be the highest amount given to any new player signed by the organization. He reported to the McCook Braves of the Nebraska State League
Nebraska State League
The Nebraska State League was an American professional baseball league with five incarnations. At least, the name was adopted five times: in 1892, from 1910 to 1915, from 1922 to 1923, from 1928 to 1938 and from 1956 to 1959....
where he played alongside teammates and future major leaguers Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro
Philip Henry Niekro , nicknamed "Knucksie" because of his usage and skill level with the knuckleball, is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997....
and Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
. He struggled in the minors for three seasons, as chronicled in his memoir, A False Spring, at which point he hung up his cleats and returned home to Connecticut to pursue his writing career.
Writer
Jordan is the author of eleven books and a regular contributor to a number of prominent periodicals. Jordan work has been included in Best American Sports Writing seven times, the Best American Mystery Stories, Best American Crime Writing, Best American Essays, and the Norton Anthology of World Literature.Best American Sports Writing
The following writings of Pat Jordan have appeared in the Best American Sports Writing anthology series:- 1993: The Wit and Wisdom of the White Rat from The Los Angeles Times Magazine
- 1995: Behind the Icy Glare from The Sporting News
- 1996: Belittled Big Men from The New York Times Magazine
- 2005: The Lion in Late, Late Autumn from The New York Times Magazine
- 2006: Card Stud from The New York Times Magazine
- 2006: The Magician from The Atlantic Monthly
- 2010: Chasing Jose from Deadspin.com
Best American Mystery Stories
The following writings of Pat Jordan have appeared in the Best American Mystery Stories anthology series:- 1997: The Mark from Playboy, July 1996
- 1998: Beyond Dog from Playboy, August 1997
Best American Crime Writing
The following writings of Pat Jordan have appeared in the Best American Crime Writing anthology series:- 2002: The Outcast: Conversations with O.J. Simpson from The New Yorker
- 2004: CSC: Crime Scene Cleanup from Playboy, July 2003
Education
Jordan graduated from the Fairfield College Preparatory SchoolFairfield College Preparatory School
Fairfield College Preparatory School is a Jesuit Prep School located on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. It is an all male school of about 900 students, first founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942...
in 1959 and received his bachelors degree in English from Fairfield University
Fairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
in 1965.