Out of My League.

New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1961. First edition, early printing of this classic work which Ernest Hemingway called "beautifully observed and incredibly conceived." Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper to his publisher , "For Cass Jr.- one of the greatest lefties ever to wear a right-handed mitt in action. I refer, of course, solely to the environs of Bedford Village- more specifically, Crowfields. George 28 March 1961." The recipient, Augustus Cass Canfield was an American publishing executive who was the longtime president and chairman of Harper & Row Publishing. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with some rubbing and wear. Photograph on the front panel by Garry Winogrand. An exceptional association copy, rare and desirable signed and inscribed. The first of Plimpton's remarkable forays into participatory journalism, Out of My League chronicles with wit, charm, and grace what happens when a self-professed amateur has the chance to answer every fan's question: could he strike out a major league star Plimpton's inspired idea -- to get on the mound and pitch a few innings to the All-Stars of the American and National Leagues -- begins as a fun-filled stunt and comes to a deeply hellish, nearly humiliating end. This honest and hilarious tale features Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Ralph Houk, and other baseball greats and is "a baseball book such as no one else ever wrote, and one of the best ever" New York Herald Tribune).