The Big Chair

Praise

“One of the best baseball books I’ve ever read.”—Larry King

“As Ned helped me lead the baseball department for the Giants, he brought wisdom and perspective to our discussions. Now, in The Big Chair, readers will hear the wisdom and perspective that helped the organization change its culture and reach levels never before accomplished.”—Brian Sabean, three-time World Series champion, Executive VP, Baseball Operations, San Francisco Giants

“Ned Colletti is the best kind of baseball lifer. With a storyteller’s eye, he expertly pulls back the curtain on the games, the people, the days that made his journey unforgettable. The Big Chair is the worthy product of that life. Ultimately, it is a reminder that baseball—and the people in it—is not all about the numbers.”—Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports writer and New York Times bestselling co-author of Imperfect and The Phenomenon

“Ned Colletti’s terrific account of the inner workings of a baseball team is engaging, honest, accurate and a great read. Baseball fans hungry to understand what it’s really like will devour this.”—Terry Francona, manager, Cleveland Indians and author of Francona: The Red Sox Years

“Ned has been a baseball lifer since long before he climbed up his professional ladder that stretches from Chicago through San Francisco to Los Angeles. His stories, observations, and his baseball experiences ring nothing short of profoundly wise. Sharing in his journey is a must for any baseball fan, including myself.”—Chris Berman, ESPN Sportscaster

“Former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti saw the team through a sale, 14 playoff wins, and the acquisitions of Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig. The Big Chair offers inside-baseball insight thanks to his decades-long career in the major leagues.”—Los Angeles Magazine

“Colletti’s voice is on every page telling the kind of stories we may never hear again. What puts this book in a category of its own, however, is its big, thumping heart. I don’t think I’ve ever read any baseball executive reveal his love and passion for baseball the way Colletti does here.” –John Schulian, winner of the PEN/ESPN Lifetime Achievement Award for Literary Sports Writing

“Hard to put down.” –Boston Globe

“Part baseball handbook and part Cinderella story.” –Los Angeles Times

“A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of his 35 years working in the front office of the Cubs, Giants and Dodgers….More than anything, Colletti shows how being a GM is a 24/7 thrill ride.”—Chicago Tribune

“Highly recommended.” –San Francisco Chronicle

“Alternating among declarations of his unabashed love for baseball, neutral reportage, and score-settling (usually with a smile and a subsequent peace offering), Colletti provides a variety of insights [and] offers unforgettable, candid profiles of hundreds of players…A treasure trove of characterizations and insights bound to entertain any MLB fan.”—Kirkus Reviews 

“[An] entertaining and insightful mix of memoir and behind-the-scenes anecdotes…with a touch of poignancy.”—Publishers Weekly

“This is real inside baseball and fans will devour it. Colletti recalls his career with passion, humor, and telling details.”—Booklist

“An excellent addition to the growing library of sports executive books that will have broad appeal, beyond Dodger fandom.”—Library Journal

“Great book, great stories. . . If you love the game, he’ll take you inside of it.”–ESPN SportsCenter

“[Colletti’s] insider’s perspective of the ups and downs of this process make for revealing reading.” —Christian Science Monitor

“This is not so much a book as it is a late-night barstool chat. Forget love of baseball; the only prerequisite you need for The Big Chair is a thirst for an amusing raconteur.” –Golf Digest, Best of 2017