Gloucester author and baseball historian Doug Williams recently released the latest book he has been working on alongside former Major League Baseball pitcher Eli Grba.

The book, titled, “Baseball’s Fallen Angel,” details Grba’s days as a pitcher with the New York Yankees and California Angels and also focuses on the player’s struggles with alcoholism and the journey he has taken to remain sober.

Following three seasons with the Yankees, Grba was the first player chosen in 1961 by the new Los Angeles Angels, in baseball’s first-ever expansion draft. According to Williams, Grba took the mound on opening day that year in the first game for the franchise, pitching a complete-game masterpiece, defeating the Baltimore Orioles, 7-2.

Williams said Grba was not prepared for life as a baseball star and it wasn’t long before his once-promising career was on the skids.

Alcohol quickly took control of his life and after less than three seasons with the...