Jim Piersall, the subject of Fear Strikes Out, was called by New York Yankees manager Casey Stengel "the most natural defensive outfielder" he had ever seen. Piersall won Gold Gloves in 1958 with the Boston Red Sox and in 1961 with the Cleveland Indians. He was selected to the All-Star Team in 1954 and 1956 and named Red Sox Most Valuable Player in 1957-the same year as the film's release.

After retiring from playing baseball, Piersall embarked on a new career as a radio personality, announcing for the Chicago White Sox. Later he served as a minor league coach for the Chicago Cubs organization.

Piersall was known for on-field antics such as running the bases backwards and wearing a Beatles wig for an entire game. In his autobiography he wrote, "Probably the best thing that ever happened to me was going nuts. Whoever heard of Jimmy Piersall until that happened?"

Based on the success of his autobiography and the movie, Piersall penned a second book in 1985 called The Truth Hurts, which detailed his ouster from the White Sox organization.

by Andrea Passafiume