Bang the Drum Slowly

This is an okay book written by Mark Harris. Fictional baseball pitcher Henry Wiggen hasn't played in a professional game for a while. When he is given an offer to play for the New York Mammoths, he only agrees to sign on if his best friend is allowed on the team as well. He has a very successful season while trying to earn a performance bonus. The book is a sequel to The Southpaw. A 1973 film adaptation was made starring Paul Newman.