Synopsis
Big Sexy: In His Own Words, co-written with Michael Kaplan and published in 2020, is an entertaining and candid memoir by one of baseball’s most beloved and enduring pitchers, Bartolo Colón. The book tracks his improbable journey from a impoverished childhood in Altamira, Dominican Republic—where he famously built up his arm strength by cracking coconuts and working with his father on a coffee plantation—to becoming a Major League Baseball legend. Colón shares his story with the same joyful, unpretentious demeanor that made him a fan favorite across his 21-season career, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the life of a modern baseball journeyman who played for eleven different franchises.
Throughout the narrative, Colón reflects on the pivotal moments of his career, including his 2005 Cy Young Award win with the Los Angeles Angels, his struggles with injuries, and his late-career resurgence with the New York Mets, where he earned his iconic nickname "Big Sexy." He does not shy away from the more controversial chapters of his life, openly addressing his 2012 suspension for performance-enhancing drugs and the personal challenges of managing a complex family life. Instead of dwelling on regrets, however, the book focuses heavily on his deep love for the game, his unique training philosophies, and the sheer grit required to pitch in the majors well into his mid-forties.
Ultimately, the memoir is a celebration of longevity, passion, and the power of personality in professional sports. Beyond the statistics and the historic milestones—such as passing Juan Marichal for the most wins by a Dominican-born pitcher—Colón highlights the joy of the game, perhaps best epitomized by his legendary, internet-breaking home run in 2016. Written with a blend of humility, humor, and straightforward honesty, Big Sexy provides baseball fans with an intimate portrait of an athlete who defied aging stereotypes and refused to take himself too seriously, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the game's ultimate survivors.