BO: The Life Of Bo Belinsky
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In the tumultuous realm of 1960s baseball, few figures shone as brightly — or burned out as spectacularly — as the flamboyant southpaw, Bo Belinsky. Born on December 7, 1936, in the heart of New York City, Belinsky’s journey through the world of baseball and celebrity unfolded against a backdrop of Hollywood glitz and personal excess.
I have a history with Bo myself. I made the first part of a planned documentary/video essay-style series I was going to do on him a couple of years ago on YouTube. You can check it out if you want here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kmGPiR_jwE
His rookie season in 1962 with the Los Angeles Angels was nothing short of meteoric. Bo burst onto the scene with a captivating blend of charisma and skill, capturing hearts both on and off the field. A no-hitter in just his fourth big-league start solidified his place in the annals of baseball history. But it was his off-field escapades that truly defined Belinsky — a roughneck from the streets of Trenton, New Jersey, unapologetically defying baseball’s conventions.
Belinsky was a maverick with slicked-back black hair, and an ego as imposing as his fastball. Hollywood embraced him, and he reveled in the afterglow of parties, mingling with A-listers and an endless parade of actresses vying for the attention of the most eligible bachelor in town.
His love life became as legendary as his pitching was inconsistent. From dating Ann-Margret to a brief engagement with Mamie Van Doren, Belinsky’s romantic exploits were as well-documented as his pitching statistics. Yet, beneath the glitz, his career on the mound faltered, marked by a lackluster win-loss record.
Belinsky’s larger-than-life personality, however, was not limited to baseball. A brash individualist, he navigated Hollywood in a bright red Cadillac convertible, living a lifestyle far exceeding his modest rookie earnings. His mother, though uneasy, acknowledged Bo’s penchant for glamour and excess, commenting that he liked money but didn’t work hard to earn it.
In retirement, Bo downplayed his baseball career, acknowledging its dismal nature on the mound but emphasizing the whirlwind of his off-field life. He became a symbol of the swinging ’60s, embodying the counterculture spirit that challenged the conservative norms of the previous decade.
The narrative of Bo Belinsky takes a darker turn as his post-baseball life becomes a harrowing tale of excess and self-destruction. Heavy drinking, drug abuse, and tumultuous relationships marked the ensuing decades. Despite a brief stint in rehab, Belinsky’s life spiraled out of control until a turning point in 1976 when he embraced sobriety and found solace in religion.
Bo’s later years were marked by struggles with health, failed marriages, and a persistent battle against inner demons. He remained active in Alcoholics Anonymous, trying to guide others through the pitfalls of substance abuse.
On November 23, 2001, Bo Belinsky passed away at 64. His legacy, a mix of baseball brilliance, celebrity excess, and personal redemption, stands as a complex testament to a life lived at full tilt — a life that, in his own words, had been a ball, with no regrets.
