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Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,282 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The Glass Castle meets Ball Four as Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey weaves searing honesty and baseball insight in this memoir about his unlikely journey to the big leagues.An English Lit major at the University of Tennessee, Dickey is as articulate and thoughtful as any professional athlete in any sport-and proves it page after page, as he provides fresh and honest insight into baseball and a career unlike any other. Fourteen years ago, Dickey was a heralded No. 1 draft choice of the Texas Rangers, only to have an $810,000 signing bonus, and his lifelong dream, ripped away by an X- ray-and the discovery that he did not have an ulna collateral ligament in his right elbow. Five years ago, he gave up a record six home runs in three innings to the Detroit Tigers-and was effectively consigned to the baseball scrap heap.Sustained by his profound Christian faith, the love of his wife and children, and a relentless quest for self-awareness and authenticity, the immensely likable Dickey details his transformation from a reckless, risk-taking loner to a grounded, life-affirming big leaguer. He emerged as one of the premier pitchers in the National League in 2010-and the knuckleballing embodiment of the wonders that perseverance and human wisdom can produce. Dickey views his story as one of redemption. Readers will come to see it as something more-a uniquely American story of beating back demons, listening to your heart, and overcoming extraordinary odds.
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"I don't say this often, but I loved this book. Judging by what he writes, R.A. Dickey is clearly doing pretty good in his "quest for ... authenticity". Extremely candid about his faith, his failures and his battle with his personal demons. The only quibble I have is that it would have been very nice to have an account of the 2012 season, where Dickey was awarded the Cy Young as the best pitcher in the National League. But then again, he whips over good stretches with comments like 'After 10 consecutive quality starts it was time to face the Phillies' (not an actual quote, but a paraphrase). I will certainly be following how he is doing at his new ballclub in 2013."
— Kristjan (5 out of 5 stars)
Wherever I Wind Up Listener Reviews
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" Great book! R.A. and I were at the University of Tennessee together and had one maybe two classes together. We both grew up in Middle Tennessee. I knew he went to MBA, and thus had a pre-conceived notion about his background. He shatters that notion to pieces in this book. I highly recommend this book, not just to Mets, or baseball, or sports fans, but to anyone. "
— Ross, 2/15/2014 -
" I loved this book. I could feel R.A.'s passion and determination, it was inspiring! "
— Christine, 2/11/2014 -
" As a fan of baseball and knuckleballers in particular I enjoyed this book. Dickey comes across as humble and honest about both good and bad in his past. "
— Chris, 2/10/2014 -
" A truly outstanding memoir. A great baseball book! "
— Garry, 2/4/2014 -
" Absolutely loved this book! He is so open to the world to see from the inside out. What he endured throughout his life and to come out as successful as he is, is remarkable. Nowadays people so often feel sorry for themselves when bad things happen to them but here is a guy that just never gave up trying to make the world a better place for himself and his family. When he came to TO this year I wanted him to do well because its the Blue Jays now I want him to do well because he's R. A. Dickey! Great read! "
— John, 1/23/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book . . . Dickey's tale is one of perseverance if nothing else. I found his story inspirational. "
— Suzanne, 1/8/2014 -
" Interesting and honest portrayal of his life not only with baseball. Goes quite a bit into his Christianity and its importance to him. This was something I didn't realize about him as he isn't as pushy about his beliefs as many in sports are these days. Too bad the Mets dumped him before I even got a chance to read the book. "
— Bruce, 1/2/2014 -
" Tremendous story. R.A. is an inspiration. So glad he's knuckling for my Blue Jays this year. "
— Jeff, 1/1/2014 -
" Admire his perseverance but could do with less baseball statistics. I admire his wife more as she deserves all the credit! "
— Damon, 12/15/2013 -
" One of the better sports autobiographies that I've read. "
— Lisa, 11/26/2013 -
" This is more than a typical baseball biography. This is a story about a man who battles several adversities stemming from his past that challenge him throughout his professional and personal life. "
— Mikey24, 11/8/2013 -
" Loved it. Makes me so excited that he is joining the Blue Jays! "
— Graham, 6/7/2013 -
" The first third of the book was engrossing. Downhill from there. Still, interesting to learn more about baseball. "
— Heather, 4/12/2013 -
" I read this in one summer afternoon after hearing R.A. Dickey's interview on Fresh Air. Deeply moving story, inspiring stuff. Recommended. "
— Bill, 4/8/2013 -
" Really enjoyed this memoir from R.A. Dickey. Reading what he has experienced and persevered through to get to this point in his career was amazing. I am hoping he wins the Cy Young award this year - hard to not root for someone like this to do well! "
— Paul, 3/10/2013 -
" I never watch baseball, but I learned a lot and (maybe) why some people do follow it. Dickey's human and vulnerability story are what make it worthwhile. "
— Pat, 3/7/2013 -
" A good memoir from a guy who had to go to the knuckleball to keep pitching in the majors. I could feel the frustration he had as year after year he was sent back to the minors after working his tail off. "
— Donald, 1/3/2013 -
" Best book I have ever read!!! Such an amazing story!!! "
— Missy, 12/13/2012
About the Authors
R. A. Dickey is a starting pitcher for the New York Mets. He is one of the top starters in the National League, not to mention a widely beloved figure within the clubhouse. When not on the road with the team, he lives in Tennessee with his wife and children.
Wayne Coffey is an award-winning journalist for the New York Daily News and the author of more than thirty books, including The Boys of Winter, a New York Times bestselling chronicle of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. A three-time Pulitzer nominee, he was named one of the nation’s top sports feature writers by the Associated Press three times in five years.