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Start giftingThe Bullpen Gospels
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Learn moreFrom 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.
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.
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.
Reviews
“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.”
“Fascinating…a perspective that fans rarely see.”
“One of the best baseball books ever written.”
“Hilarious, poignant, a really enjoyable read.”
“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.”
“The Bullpen Gospels is a rollicking good bus ride of a book.”
“Dirk Hayhurst has written a fascinating, funny and honest account on life in the minor leagues. I loved it.”
“Bull Durham meets Ball Four.”
“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.”
“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.”
“A true picture of baseball.”
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