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The Bullpen Gospels: Major League Dreams of a Minor League Veteran Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,552 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From the humble heights of a Class-A pitcher's mound to the deflating lows of sleeping on his gun-toting grandmother's air mattress, veteran reliever Dirk Hayhurst steps out of the bullpen to deliver the best pitch of his career—a raw and unflinching account of his life in the minor leagues. Whether training tarantulas to protect his room from thieving employees in a backwater hotel or absorbing the gentle mockery of some not-quite-starstruck schoolchildren, Hayhurst reveals a side of baseball—and life—rarely seen on television.
Upon its release, The Bullpen Gospels became a New York Times bestseller; and with comparisons to Jim Boutons's Ball Four, The Bullpen Gospels is slated to be a classic of the genre.
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"Great book about baseball, particularly because its a bottom-up book. I think its similar to what makes a good history book, it tells a story you have never heard, as crude and sad and bare as it might be. In this case, its about the player who is a commodity, the player who is often not even the infamous "player to be named later." Great insight into clubhouse culture, the meaning of life as it relates to chasing a dream, and a tremendous look into an individual's experiences in the minor leagues. Its not necessarily great writing, but its great story-telling. I would highly recommend to any baseball fans."
— Don (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“One of the best baseball books ever written.”
— Keith Olbermann -
“Hilarious, poignant, a really enjoyable read.”
— Bob Costas -
“He has a message to deliver about the things that matter in life—and those that don’t. And he offers sage observations about the nature of celebrity and ambition, forgiveness and family…Mr. Hayhurst is already a writer, maybe even a major-league prospect.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“The Bullpen Gospels is a rollicking good bus ride of a book.”
— Sports Illustrated, editorial review -
“Dirk Hayhurst has written a fascinating, funny and honest account on life in the minor leagues. I loved it.”
— Tim Kurkjian, senior writer, analyst/reporter ESPN television -
“Bull Durham meets Ball Four.”
— ESPN.com, editorial review -
“If Holden Caulfield could dial up his fastball to 90 mph, he might have written this funny, touching memoir about a ballplayer at a career—and life—crossroads. He might have called it Pitcher in the Rye. Instead, he left it to Dirk Hayhurst, the only writer in the business who can make you laugh, make you cry, and strike out Ryan Howard.”
— King Kaufman, Salon -
“Actor Ray Porter’s narration is engaging and lively; he expertly captures the vocal nuances of the wide variety of colorful characters in Hayhurst’s tale, from no-nonsense coaches to a foul-mouthed grandmother. Recommended for adult baseball fans interested in digging into life in the minor leagues and learning what goes on behind the scenes when the cameras are off.”
— Library Journal -
“A true picture of baseball.”
— Tim McCarver -
“Fascinating…a perspective that fans rarely see.”
— Trevor Hoffman, pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers -
“The Bullpen Gospels is a funny bone-tickling, tear duct-stimulating, feel-good story that will leave die-hard baseball fans—and die-hard human beings, for that matter—well, feeling good.”
— Bob Mitchell, author of Once Upon a Fastball
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
The Bullpen Gospels Listener Reviews
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" A great read with lots of out loud laughs. Also some insightful and at times, poignant comments on life and how baseball can teach important lessons. "
— Tom, 2/18/2014 -
" I picked this up originally for my brother who is a baseball fanatic, but in the end, I read it first. Hayhurst has an easy prose style and a knack for humor, and undeniable skill for bringing his situation to life. The minor leagues have never been so illuminated for me. I did, however, like Hayhurst's internal and family issues over the bullpen/clubhouse antics. A solid read. "
— Tatiana, 2/13/2014 -
" Excellent baseball book. "
— mark, 2/6/2014 -
" Fantastic book. Honestly one of the only books where I found myself having to stifle an audible laugh so as not to appear strange to those sitting around me. This book had everything I like: baseball, humor, life-lessons, behind te scenes information. I loved it; first 5 star book in some time. "
— Kenneth, 2/5/2014 -
" Entertaining stories and a real, often unspoken perspective on baseball and life. "
— Lee, 1/29/2014 -
" Very informative behind the scenes look at baseball. Who knew a athlete would make such a good author. "
— Chris, 1/19/2014 -
" Excellent book for the winter when you're missing the baseball season. I read this book is about 4 days, and I'm sure some folks could read it in a day or two. There are plenty of hilarious stories that make this worth reading. "
— Michael, 1/16/2014 -
" funny stuff. if Slapshot could be made into a book taking place in modern day minor league baseball, this would be it. "
— Greg, 1/15/2014 -
" It started pretty slow, but it really heated up when Dirk started talking about his experiences in the minors. I loved the kangaroo court scenes -- brought me back to my days in amateur ball when we'd do the same thing. He's a strong writer and I look forward to the sequel, due out this spring. "
— Patrick, 12/30/2013 -
" A fascinating look into a player and the lifestyle. I think the most interesting thing is how Hayhurst keeps himself centered, holding tightly to his virtue and his goals, even as he struggles with his ambition, hopes, and his family issues. "
— Marci, 12/9/2013 -
" Great read for any baseball fan. The locker room humor can get a bit heavy, but the meaning of life philosophy is excellent. I really enjoyed the book. "
— Joe, 12/8/2013 -
" A laugh a minute, with a message. Very crude, but well worth the read. "
— John, 11/27/2013 -
" This is a great, crude, sad and funny book. I loved it. If this becomes a movie...go see it...you will scream with laughter. "
— Chris, 11/15/2013 -
" Hilarious! Hayhurst's window into the clearly adolescent world of professional baseball is a funny, easy reading, non-stop romp around the bush leagues.. "
— Michael, 11/13/2013 -
" Hilarious and well-written, but overall too slick for my tastes. "
— Vanessa, 10/5/2013 -
" Funny, honest chronicle of life in the minors. "
— Betsy, 8/24/2013 -
" Very good book, gives you the life of a minor leaguer. "
— Liam, 6/2/2013 -
" very funny at times, but also an insightful look at minor league baseball. "
— Eric, 1/17/2013 -
" I loved this book. Such an interesting perspective in to the life of a minor league baseball player and just through the mindset of Dirk. It's amazing how in the same chapter you can be laughing out loud and then have an emotional tug. "
— Dylan, 9/30/2012 -
" Entertaining account of a couple seasons in the minors. "
— Dennis, 6/19/2012 -
" nice summer read....honest take on pro baseball...i laughed out loud!!! "
— Donnelle, 5/4/2012 -
" I love this book is it is awsome and funny "
— Jess, 11/28/2011 -
" probably the best baseball book... and one of the funniest books i've ever read. i can't wait till someone in hollywood makes this into a movie and turns into into the next 'major league'. "
— Abbas, 5/26/2011 -
" very funny at times, but also an insightful look at minor league baseball. "
— Eric, 5/17/2011 -
" It was interesting that the guys on Hayhurst's teams reminded me so much of the guys I have always played with. He did not share the same passion for the game that most in his position do though, which I found disappointing. "
— Kyle, 5/15/2011 -
" Pretty entertaining, not nearly as good as Ball Four but still a solid read (for a book about baseball) "
— David, 5/14/2011 -
" This was very good. There is a lot of boy humour, which is okay, not exactly my favourite thing. Definitely don't eat while reading this book. Overall, a very fun read. "
— Joëlle, 5/4/2011 -
" Funny and probably pretty accurate, this tale of minor league baseball in entertaining, although it gets pretty lewd and a bit sophomoric a fair amount. "
— doug, 4/26/2011 -
" A very entertaining book that dives into the mind of a minor league baseball player chasing his dream, and the various demons he has to overcome to achieve it. I'd recommend it as a must-read for any fan of baseball. Made me into a Dirk Hayhurst fan after reading this book. "
— Kaz, 4/13/2011 -
" Great book written by a man who happens to play baseball for a living. "
— Paul, 3/23/2011 -
" This book was ok. Half of it provided some insight into the life of a minor league veteran. Personally, I thought the locker room off color humor a bit over done or more than I wanted to read especially about bodily functions. "
— Lew, 3/19/2011 -
" A fascinating look into a player and the lifestyle. I think the most interesting thing is how Hayhurst keeps himself centered, holding tightly to his virtue and his goals, even as he struggles with his ambition, hopes, and his family issues. "
— Marci, 3/5/2011 -
" The dialogue is hilarious and the descriptions of minor-league ballparks, clubhouses, and accommodations are first-rate. The author's discussions about his feelings often turn into ham-fisted metaphor, though, and the book turns out to be not much more than a typical coming of age tale. "
— Mike, 2/6/2011
About Dirk Hayhurst
Dirk Hayhurst, drafted from Kent State University in 2003 as a senior sign, has pitched professionally for seven seasons on seven minor-league teams, as well as for two big-league teams, the San Diego Padres and the Toronto Blue Jays. Since 2007, he has blogged about baseball for Baseball America. Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, he now lives in Hudson, Ohio, with his wife, Bonnie.
About Ray Porter
Ray Porter has garnered two Audie nominations as well as several Earphones Awards and enthusiastic reviews for his sparkling narration of audiobooks. A fifteen-year veteran of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he has also appeared in numerous films and television shows.