Big Sexy: In His Own Words, Bartolo Colón and Michael Stahl, Abrams Books, 208 pages, ISBN: 978-1419740374
The New Dominican Dandy
Despite his status as a beloved cult figure, Bartolo Colón remains an enigma to most of the baseball world.
The portly pitcher earned a Cy Young and has the most wins by someone born in Latin America. Yet, even after twenty-one seasons in the major leagues (with hopes for a 22nd), very few know the real Big Sexy.
Colón sheds light on his eventful and occasionally turbulent baseball journey in the recently published Big Sexy: In His Own Words. This autobiography, co-written with journalist Michael Stahl, traces Colón’s life from his youth in the Dominican Republic to his current role as a cuddly fan favorite.
A Unique Perspective
Big Sexy is not a deeply introspective text, and the writing borders on rudimentary. Even so, the book gives fans a sense of what Colón is like away from the ballpark. In each chapter, Colón recalls an experience that shaped him as a person or that influenced his baseball career. Former teammates and coaches express their feelings toward the ageless hurler by sharing their favorite Big Sexy stories. These testimonies are sprinkled throughout the book, as are stylized graphics that lend the publication a whimsical touch and pop art aesthetic.
As simple as it is in structure, Big Sexy succeeds in explaining how Colón carved out a niche for himself in a highly competitive sport. He developed his trademark command during his childhood in the Dominican Republic, when throwing rocks with expert precision helped him knock fruit out of trees. Years later, he reached his full potential as a ballplayer by taking the sage advice of Greg Maddux and perfecting his two-seam fastball grip.
Armed with the knowledge that the most important pitch in baseball is strike one, Colón evolved from a hard-throwing prospect into a crafty veteran over the course of his baseball odyssey.
Though the writing style of Big Sexy leaves something to be desired, the book offers its fair share of delights. Colón comes across as wholly sincere, even when broaching topics like his PED suspension in 2012. Instead of making excuses for his past transgressions, Colón admits to his faults and pledges to do better. That mindset is refreshing, especially when one considers how often athletes write books solely for image rehabilitation. After decades of living his baseball dream, Colón has emerged as a wiser individual, albeit one who still maintains a certain youthful optimism.
Searle’s Final Say
Big Sexy is an undemanding read that can be consumed in three hours or less. It’s a welcome change of pace from the data-driven books that currently saturate the baseball marketplace, and is sure to evoke warm, nostalgic feelings among readers. As expected, Colón reflects on his 2005 Cy Young season and the unlikely home run he hit at Petco Park just days shy of his 43rd birthday. He also provides perspective on the more traumatic aspects of his life, like the murder of his brother-in-law and a drinking problem that Mariano Rivera helped him overcome. Through it all, Colón displays an honest, self-deprecating sense of humor that makes him all the more endearing.
While it won’t go down as an all-time classic, Big Sexy is a welcome diversion sure to give fans an emotional lift during baseball’s current hiatus.
