by R.A. Dickey
First published 2012
R.A. Dickey chronicles his improbable baseball career in this candid memoir. The University of Tennessee English Literature graduate seemed destined for stardom when the Texas Rangers selected him as their top draft pick. Then an X-ray revealed he lacked an ulna collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. The Rangers stripped away his $810,000 signing bonus and his dreams crumbled. Years later, after surrendering six home runs in three innings to Detroit, Dickey found himself discarded by the sport he loved. The thoughtful athlete draws on his Christian faith, family support, and relentless self-examination to rebuild his career and his character. He transforms from a reckless loner into a grounded competitor who masters the knuckleball. Dickey combines baseball expertise with literary skill, offering fresh perspectives on the game while examining his personal journey toward authenticity. His story culminates in becoming one of the National League's top pitchers, proving that perseverance can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. This memoir reveals how one man conquered his demons and redefined success on his own terms.
Genres: literary-fiction, christian, autobiography, sports, biography-memoir, baseball
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: overcoming-obstacles, redemption
Setting: Detroit, Texas, University of Tennessee
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
340 pages · Hardcover · Blue Rider Press