First published 2018
Keith Hernandez opens his story on the baseball diamonds where he learned to play, then takes readers through the grueling bus rides and wild adventures of his minor league days. The Cardinals first baseman chronicles his rise to the majors, where he faced repeated benchings and constant adjustments at the plate. Hernandez details his role in transforming how first base was played, earning eleven straight Gold Gloves and a National League co-MVP award along the way. He recounts the intense batting race against Pete Rose and his contributions to World Series championships with St. Louis and New York. The memoir follows his journey from Northern California Little League fields through triple-A ball to the spotlight of major league stadiums. Hernandez reflects on his leadership style, his competitive nature, and the intelligence that set him apart from other players. His candid storytelling reveals both his on-field achievements and his life beyond baseball, including his television appearances on Seinfeld. This honest account captures both the evolution of America's pastime and the mind of one of its most thoughtful players.
Genres: biography, autobiography, memoir, baseball
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: memoir, sports-story
Setting: California, New York, St. Louis
Period: 20th-century
352 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company