The Big Chair

The Smooth Hops and Bad Bounces from the Inside World of the Acclaimed Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager

By: Ned Colletti, Joseph A. Reaves

Narrated by: Ned Colletti

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

An unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at the career of famed former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager (a position also known as "The Big Chair"), whose tenure spanned nine of the most exciting and turbulent years in the franchise's history.

During his tenure with the Dodgers, Colletti had the highest winning percentage of any general manager in the National League. In The Big Chair (coauthored by Joseph A. Reaves), he lets listeners in on the real GM experience - something no one in the position has ever done before - sharing the inner workings of three of the top franchises in the sport, revealing the out-of-the-headlines machinations behind the trades, the hires and the deals; how the money really works; how the decision making really works; how much power the players really have and why - the real brass tacks of some of the most pivotal decisions made in baseball history that led to great success along with heartbreak and failure on the field. Baseball fans will come for the grit and insight, stay for the heart, and pass it on for the wisdom.

Ned Colletti began his MLB career with his beloved hometown team, the Chicago Cubs, more than 35 years ago. He worked in Chicago for a dozen years and was in the front office when the Cubs won the National League East in 1984 and 1989, after which he moved on as director of baseball operations for the SF Giants. By 1996 he became the assistant GM for the Giants before being hired as the GM in Los Angeles in 2006. There he oversaw the Dodgers through the highly publicized and acrimonious divorce battle between Frank and Jamie McCourt that culminated in the equally highly publicized sale of the team. He was present at the press conference where Don Mattingly, having just watched his team eliminated from the playoffs, used the postseason conference to vehemently discuss his lack of a contract extension. He brought marquee names like Greg Maddux and Clayton Kershaw to LA as well as marquee drama with the likes of Manny Ramirez and Yasiel Puig; hired future Hall of Famer Joe Torre as manager; and oversaw 14 Dodgers playoff wins. And these are just a few of the highlights.

Colletti serves up a huge dish of firsthand experiences with some of the biggest names in baseball history (Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Don Mattingly, Don Zimmer, Tommy Lasorda, Scott Boras, Vin Scully, and more). From his humble early years living in a Chicago garage to his path to one of the most prestigious positions in professional sports, his very public and illustrious career has left a permanent handprint in the history of America's sport - and now he's ready to share the insight only those who have sat in The Big Chair have ever seen.

©2017 Ned Colletti (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"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 best-selling co-author of Imperfect and The Phenomenon)

“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)

“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)

Great Story about a Great Man

I decided to listen to Ned Colletti’s Book “The Big Chair” and I’m glad I did.
It gives a good description of his Blue Collar parents and Ned’s Blue Collar start where he basically worked 2 jobs to make ends meet, he seemed to feel it was worth it to be in an industry he was interested in (Chicago Hockey and Cubs Baseball). The book then goes into his days with The Chicago Cubs (the team he rooted for as a young boy), then to The San Fransisco Giants and finally to The Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout the book Ned is very appreciative of the people that helped him during his career. There are probably only about 3 or 4 people in the entire book that Ned has negative words for. All in all, it’s a great book that gives good backstage access and insight to the decision making process of a major market GM.
I’ve always liked Ned and this book made me appreciate him even more. There are some parts of the book that even got me a little misty eyed, mostly stuff about Ned’s Father and other Family members.
I will say that if you’re looking for a book that is going to be negative and stir up controversy about other people you might want to look elsewhere, he has positive words for the SF Giants, Brian Sabian (who I personally don’t like because he’s the GM of the SF Giants and helped them win 3 World Series in a 5 year run), Barry Bonds and Frank McCourt.
I would recommend this book to any long time Dodger fans or any baseball fan for that matter.
Go Blue.

Insight into the Big chair.

Really enjoyable story telling on all aspects of baseball. Enjoy hearing it straight from Ned himself. Great great listen.

Amazing Insight

Fantastic information on the day to day life of an MLB front office executive. Great resource.

My era dodgers

Loved hearing the backstories to the headlines that were making the news in years past. An inside perspective, plus its Ned reading it!

If you love baseball & the Dodgers, listen!

Ned Colletti is a wonderful communicator and loves the game. This was a great book. I love that he is the narrator. I loved the stories. I loved the inside information. It was fantastic.

good listen!

good book, Chronicles the life of ned in the begining then his career as he gets to the big chair. covers the Frank McCourt ownership and some key players moves/ acquisitions from behind the scenes! for any dodgers fan

A must listen!!!

This book is amazing!! Ned reading the book makes you feel like you are sitting next to him talking baseball. The stories and behind the scenes situations, we all desire to know, makes this book a must have!! Simply great!!

Great story about a better man

This is a great read/listen for any dodger fan or baseball fan who wants a glimpse into the life of a baseball executive.

Great book

Really enjoy this book a must read for any baseball enthusiast for those of you who enjoy hearing back stories her famous players trades and what it really is like to be a general manager it’s a must read I become a super big fan of Ned Colletti

Great baseball story

This is both a great baseball story and a great memoir. There are few parts hard to get through (although if you aren't a Giants, Cubs, or Dodgers fan there might be). Colletti has interesting anecdotes that will pique the interest of baseball lovers and entertain the casual fan. He name drops constantly and has the life experience to fathom both young and old baseball enthusiasts.