To purchase Bill's latest book, "Who Were the Marysville Drakes? We Were!",
just click the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Who-Were-Marysville-Drakes-Marysvilles-
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"Life Ain't The Same in the Pecos League...A Rookie Manager Navigates Baseball's Most Notorious Independent League,"  is still available on amazon.com. A paperback version of the book and a Kindle version are available. As always, "THANK YOU!"

For the paperback book, click here:

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Aint-Same-Pecos-League/dp/B08JB7M9RN

For the Kindle version, click here:

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Aint-Same-Pecos-League-ebook/dp/B08FZT1S7L
 

REVIEWS!
 

Jay Edwards

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2022

Dean Rotbart

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Guide to Entrepreneurial Management Disguised As a Baseball Book

Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2020

Verified Purchase

You don’t have to be a baseball fan, or even like the game, to thoroughly enjoy Bill Rogan’s latest book.
If “Life Ain’t the Same in the Pecos League” wasn’t nonfiction, I would have believed it to be an allegorical tale designed to teach entrepreneurs about the challenges of running a small business: the struggle to compete; the need to attract and retain competent team members; the competition and race to be one of the winners; the drive to produce a product that customers will love; and, of course, the agony of defeat.
Like many of the players that Rogan writes about, he, himself, is an as-yet-undiscovered gem. A talented and experienced game announcer and sports talk show host, Rogan is also a gifted writer with an eye for detail and the ability to see the irony in his own predicaments.
I had never heard of the Pecos League before reading Rogan’s book. Now I can’t wait for next summer and the chance to take my family and friends out to the ballpark.

Ron

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

I became a follower of the Pecos League after I saw a documentary on the Trinidad Triggers. Then major league baseball took our minor league team out of Bakersfield. Luckily the Pecos League came to town to fill the baseball void. I knew being a player and/or manager in the Pecos League wasn't an easy thing but this book really brought it home. It answered most of the questions I've had about how the league is run, except one, how does the league afford to even exist. The fan attendance in the league is really low and I can't imagine that that is what runs the league. If you're a baseball fan this book is a must read as it give you an idea just how so many guys continue to follow their dream of being a baseball player.

 

Kent Calhoun

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Anyone Who Loves The Game of Baseball

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

If you love the game of baseball you will absolutely love Life Ain't the Same in the Pecos League. Bill Rogan takes you along on his journey - his dream - of managing a professional baseball team. He didn't do it for the publicity and certainly didn't do it for the meager money the Pecos League pays its players and managers. He did it because he loves the game. Bill does a great job taking you through all the ups and downs of the Pecos League and the Tuscon Seguaros from his initial inquiry into a manager's job through spring training and the entire Seguaros season. The stories reflect the real human emotions of people chasing their dreams and doing what they love. They are funny, inspiring and sometimes a bit sad. You find yourself pulling for the people who put their blood, sweat and tears into the game they love and share in both their successes and failures. A must read for those who love our National Pastime.

 

milehimarc

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read for baseball fans

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

Bill Rogan brings to life his experiences managing in the curious Pecos League.
Baseball fans will enjoy his look into a different level of the game through his relaxed writing style.
Buy it, you'll like it!

Lauren Carminucci

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read!

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2020

Verified Purchase

Very enjoyable easy read! This is an outstanding book for anyone who loves the many different forms of professional baseball. Well done!

Danno

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book; an enjoyable and educational read

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020

 

I quite enjoyed this book by Mr Rogan.....a fascinating glimpse at the world of minor league/independent league baseball. Humorous and educational, all in one. I should add, this book isn't just for baseball fans. There are a litany of lessons-learned that apply to management, human behavior, logistics, and other endeavors outside of baseball. I'm hoping to read the 2021 installment, should Mr Rogan recap the upcoming season as well !

Scott Melesky

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2020

 

I have been covering sports as a professional journalist for 19 years and I love Minor League Baseball and am familiar with the Pecos League that Bill Rogan managed in and wrote about. He did a great job and I loved reading his book. It is a fun read and I loved the humor and education that was a part of it. I highly recommend this book.

 

Geo

5.0 out of 5 stars Treee-Mendous!!

Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020

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Fantastic baseball book that puts you in the passenger seat for a wild ride through an entire season of a low-minors professional baseball team, through the eyes of its manager. And what a fascinating ride it is!
Truly human stories magically woven into the tapestry of a team’s ups and downs, detours and diversions. The good, the bad, and the ugly...making for a voracious read that you simply cannot put down!

 

DFinCO

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating

Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2020

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As a fan of baseball, I found myself intrigued at the struggles of the players to keep their dream afloat while paying for rent, food and gas. Truly a baseball world that I didn’t know existed until I read this book.

Rick Schultz

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific and shocking stories!

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020

Verified Purchase

Quite an awesome book! Ive been around the game for decades, however I read things here that shocked me. A terrific behind the scenes account of a season. Thanks Bill, for the fun and hilarious book!

 

Laura Martin

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2020

Verified Purchase

Wonderful

Dan Clemens

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun Read!

Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020

 

I enjoyed Bill Rogan's account of life in the Pecos league. It's an insightful look into the depths of independent professional league baseball with all the quirky characters and funny stories you'd expect. It also reinforces the commitment players and coaches make to follow their dreams in professional baseball - every Pecos league player makes huge sacrifices to follow their passion. This book is a fun, quick read that will leave you smiling, scratching your head, and asking yourself what you're willing to do to follow your passion.

Kris

5.0 out of 5 stars Pecos Leauge

Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2020

 

Great book that invites people into the reality of what it is to be a Pecos Leauge baseball player. Thanks Bill for publishing this book.

 

GM

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love baseball, its a “Must Read”!

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2021

Verified Purchase

A riveting, “behind the scenes” look into life in the “very low” Minor Leagues. Bill Rogan captures the “Good, Bad, and Ugly” of playing in the Pecos League... from dealing with player egos, to the hardships of travel, to playing on make-shift high school fields. Truly informative, funny and inspiring!

 

 

Bam Bam

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021

Bill hits this one out of the park! This first hand experience into the Independent League is hilarious, frustrating and real. Well done!

Bruce Baskin

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional baseball at its most grass-roots level

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021

Verified Purchase

While MLB gets the lion's share of attention, baseball is played professionally in well over 100 more U.S. cities outside the big leagues from Class AAA (one rung below the majors) down to independent leagues with no parent clubs, meaning those teams are on their own. The Atlantic League is the best-known of the indy league but the one that represents pro baseball at its' grass-roots grittiest has to the the Pecos League.

The Pecos League has teams located from California to Texas (and as far north as Colorado and Kansas). These teams are run on shoestring budgets, with players earning fifty dollars per week carpooling for road trips to towns hundreds of miles away and back. Needless to say, the players, coaches and managers have to LOVE baseball to do this with precious few days off ten weeks during the hottest time of the year, playing in front of sparse crowds in small towns from Garden City, Kansas to Wasco, California. It sure ain't for the money. Even so, there is some talent in the Pecos League, with most players coming from college programs or other independent league, and while their lives are spartan, they're not without joy.

Bill Rogan was the manager of the Tucson Saguaros in 2019 after having been a minor league radio broadcaster and senior amateur player for several years. This book recounts his experiences running a team at the lowest rung of the baseball ladder. He's an observant and insightful guy who sees the big picture, can tell a good story and gives readers a clear impression of what he dealt with (good and bad) managing a team where players came and went while he worked with 22-man rosters but no designated hitter rule, meaning that occasionally an outfielder might take the mound while a pitcher (some of whom were good hitters in college) might head out to left in the late innings when the lineup card has been almost used up. Rogan deals with extra problems in the form of head case players and one head case father (although one parent, actress Jane Seymour, was surprisingly down-to-earth and attitude-free when she visited Tucson to watch her son pitch).

I strongly recommend "Life Ain't the Same in the Pecos League" to readers who aren't just MLB fans, but baseball fans (and there IS a difference). Plenty of books have been written about the minors, including the indy leagues, but few bring the sense of adventure and endurance (as well as fun and frustration) as this one. If MLB is the "gold standard" of baseball, the Pecos League represents how the other half lives...that half that the vast majority find more relatable.

Evan Haley

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

It covers managing a low level independent league from the perspective of the author. A very interesting league and one of the lowest levels of professional baseball the Pecos league is neck and neck with the Empire league. As the book is about people playing either for a dream or just the love of the game I found it enjoyable and could not put it down. Had to get another copy for my father who as been a professional sports writer since the 80's cant wait to give him his copy.

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 Bill on the "Dennis Miller Show".... click >  bill.dennismller.mp3

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