Pitching in a Pinch: Or Baseball from the Inside by Christy Mathewson

Pitching in a Pinch: Or Baseball from the Inside

Baseball’s Golden Age, Told by a Legend

Narrated byEddie Frierson
Length12h00m
Release dateAugust 29, 2018
LanguageEnglish
★★★★ 4.0 (18 ratings)

Free with Audible trial. Cancel anytime.

Listen to a Sample

Hear Eddie Frierson's narration on Audible.

Play Sample on Audible

Quick Facts

AuthorChristy Mathewson
NarratorEddie Frierson
Runtime12h00m
PublishedAugust 29, 2018
Rating★★★★ 4.0 / 5 (18 ratings)
CategoriesSports & Outdoors, Baseball & Softball
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*Pitching in a Pinch* isn’t just a baseball book—it’s a time machine. Christy Mathewson, one of the game’s first celebrity athletes, pulls back the curtain on early 20th-century baseball with the wit of a raconteur and the precision of a Hall of Fame pitcher. This isn’t dry history; it’s a firsthand account of dead-ball-era strategies, locker-room politics, and the sheer grit of playing without modern luxuries. Mathewson’s voice—sharp, observational, occasionally sly—feels alive in Eddie Frierson’s narration, which balances folksy charm with the gravitas of a seasoned storyteller.

What sets this audiobook apart is the unearthed material: Frierson weaves in Mathewson’s lesser-known writings, adding depth to the legend’s perspective. The production leans into the era’s rhythm—unhurried, conversational, with a cadence that mirrors the game’s pre-steroid pacing. If you crave baseball as it was lived (not just stat-crunched), this is a rare chance to hear the sport’s soul from a man who shaped it. Just don’t expect rose-tinted nostalgia; Mathewson’s critiques of umpires and owners are as biting as his famous fadeaway pitch.

Tags: vintage baseball memoirdead-ball era deep diveathlete-written sports historynarrative nonfiction with witfor fans of *The Glory of Their Times*unfiltered locker-room stories

Why Listen to Pitching in a Pinch: Or Baseball from the Inside?

  • Expert narration by Eddie Frierson brings every character and scene to life across 12h00m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.0 stars by 18 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
Start Listening Free
AE

Editor's Review ★★★★

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I approached *Pitching in a Pinch* skeptical that a 1912 baseball memoir could hold up today. But within minutes, Eddie Frierson’s narration—warm but never schmaltzy—had me hooked. His delivery mirrors Mathewson’s prose: measured when dissecting pitch mechanics, playful when recounting pranks on rookies, and downright salty when ripping ‘the magnates’ (his term for team owners). The audiobook’s pacing is its secret weapon. Frierson lets Mathewson’s dry humor breathe, like when he deadpans that ‘a pitcher’s brain is his best asset’ after describing a batter’s futile swings. It’s these moments that make the listen feel intimate, like eavesdropping on a fireside chat with the game’s first superstar. That said, the production isn’t flawless. The transitions between Mathewson’s original text and the newly added material occasionally feel abrupt, as if Frierson’s tone shifts mid-sentence. And while the unhurried tempo suits the era, some listeners might chafe at the lack of modern audiobook polish—no dramatic scoring, no multi-cast performances. But those quibbles fade when Mathewson’s insights land, like his dissection of how to psych out a batter by *not* throwing your best pitch. The real revelation? How little the game’s psychology has changed. If you love baseball’s cerebral side—or just miss when athletes wrote like writers—this is a home run. Casual fans might find the tactical deep dives slow, but for students of the game, it’s a masterclass in how legends think.

Download: Pitching in a Pinch: Or Baseball from the Inside

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Pitching in a Pinch: Or Baseball from the Inside by Christy Mathewson is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Eddie Frierson with a runtime of 12h00m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.