If Mickey Mantle's recent confession that he has abused alcohol all his adult life sounds familiar, it might be because Jim Bouton was writing about Mantle's drinking problem -- and the foibles of other major-leaguers -- 25 years ago in his celebrated book, "Ball Four."

These days, Bouton is a lecturer and is co-author of a forthcoming novel, "Strike Zone." Bouton spoke about Mantle's revelations this week with Sun staff writer Mark Hyman.

Q: Mantle details his alcoholism and personal failures in a recent cover story in Sports Illustrated. What did you think when you read it?

A: Any time somebody comes out and is that honest, you can't help but feel very warm toward them. He comes across as having learned a lot and been through a lot of pain. This may be the most courageous thing he has ever done. They talk about Mantle playing in pain all those years, but I don't think that was nearly as courageous.

Q: The Mantle in the SI article . . . different from the Mantle you played with?

A: That's what was most surprising, and makes me think he has really changed as a person. Mickey was basically a shy guy. He could be funny for the sportswriters, but he didn't enjoy the spotlight. It was so unlike Mickey to confront a problem.

Q: You've been an outcast among the old Yankees since "Ball Four" came out. Excluded from old-timers' games. Shunned by some former teammates, Mantle included. Any chance you and Mickey might patch things up?

A: From the article, I got a sense a lot of things are going to change in Mickey's life. He certainly isn't going to invite me over for dinner, but if we're both at a charity golf outing, I wouldn't be surprised if he nodded, or didn't shout me out of the place. It never happened, but I always thought it might.