Larry Bowa: "I Still Hate to Lose"

by Larry Bowa, Barry M. Bloom

As current manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Larry Bowa has seen a lot in his 34-year career in baseball; so much that Bowa himself recently exclaimed, "I've been in the game for so long now, nothing really shocks me anymore." True, perhaps, but while Bowa may no longer be shocked by what he witnesses on and off the diamond, his passion for winning has remained as constant as his love for the game. Bowa's initiation into the big leagues began in Philly as a shortstop in 1970 and has spanned the life of three Phillies ballparks. During those early years with stints at organizations including the Mets and the Cubs, Bowa gained a reputation as a passionate loud mouth. Although Bowa himself admits his misdeeds were a result of nothing more than youthful inexperience ("Since I left San Diego I've never thrown chairs or the food spread again"), he still has a flame in his heart and a flair to win. "Looking back on it, I was wrong. That's inexperience. But I still come to the ballpark every day with that burning desire to win. I hate to lose and that will never change."

Hardcover

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Scott Breslove]

More like 2.5 stars

It was an ok autobiography that more often than not contradicted itself and ran you around in timeline circles. I think the book was meant to paint Bo in a good light, but most of the quotes and factoids and examples seemed to do the opposite. And the biggest contradiction within the book is the title itself, "I hate to lose". He played for the Phillies and lost most of his career, One World Series not with standing, then went on to manage the Padres, and lose more, and then manage the Phillies, where he didn't really win either.
All in all, not a bad book, but a weird one, nowhere near the top of my must read list, my hatred of Philly sports teams having no bearing on my impartial reading of this book.