Customer Reviews (5)

This book changed my life
Throughout history, the husky gentleman has always had a rough go of it. Aside from the venerable William Howard Taft, portly men of great achievement have been few and far between. That was until 1986, when a young slugger from the hills of West Virginia was called up to the San Diego Padres, ushering in a new era of heavyset competitors. Commentators were astonished at his ability to steal bases and hit for an excellent average. Women flocked to him. Boys, including a young man from New England named Matthew, wanted to be him. After finishing this book at the ripe of age of 10, I promptly set it down and picked up a large meatball grinder. I experimented with a mullet too, but ultimately decided that the style had passed its time. I'd like to blame my current paunch on Mr. Kruk, but instead, I thank him for it. This book will change your life too.

Amusing, Revealing and Fun
This is a highly amusing look at baseball by one of the game's most colorful characters.John Kruk looked more like a beer-swilling softball player from the corner tavern than a pro athlete - maybe that's why so many fans rooted for him.But Kruk was a good ballplayer, not to mention a decent and intelligent human being.Here he recounts the 1993 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, a colorful squad that won that year's NL pennant and faced Toronto in the World Series.Kruk describes himself, many of his teammates, and that very enjoyable season.He is both funny and revealing without being disrespectful.Kruk clearly enjoyed himself as a player and a teammate, and isn't baseball supposed to be fun?

This book may be no compendium of deep ideas, but it's a fun read by a player with a nice balance of decency and humor.

Its Great
I think this book is great it was written so neatly and i think you should all call the publisher and tell them to bring it back.

Journey to a big league lockerroom from a unique perspective
Simply, there are three main reasons to read this book One, it provides the reader with an inside look at the lifestyle of Major League Baseball Players. This is especially interesting because the Krukker is not thestereotypical mold for a baseball player, physically, or as you will knowwhen you finish the book, he has a more humble attitude then baseballplayers are given credit for. It really makes you wish you could live yourlife playing baseball Two,it is hysterical, especially the second orthird time you read it (I have read it at least 5 times) Three, evennon-baseball fans can appreciate this down to earth look at life generally.

What a Ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Kruk was not known in Philly for his neatness therefore you cannot expect his book to be neat either ! Instead the book is everything that embodied Krukker,and the rest of his team mates during that wonderful season 1993. He is honest, open and caring.He is straight forward where criticism is needed and gentle and kind where emotions ran high. His story about his bout with cancer was touching and human.I ain't an athlete lady,maybe not but you are a heck of a human being. Thanks for a terrific experience.This book makes us all part of the 93 Phillies.Welcome to Macho Row ! ... Read more

Product Description
When Mitch Williams threw the pitch that lost the 1993 World Series for the Philadelphia Phillies, no one could have predicted that his reaction to the loss would win the hearts and minds of Phillies fans across the nation. He stood at his locker for an hour after the game, answering every question, most of which could be answered simply: "I threw a bad pitch." He didn't go into hiding, make excuses, or believe that one loss was the end of the world. Phillies fans, notorious as the toughest in sports, recognized a stand-up guy when they saw one and embraced him as one of their own. Though his successful pitching career is behind him, Mitch is still standing up in Philadelphia and telling it like it is. Straight Talk from Wild Thing is the story of his career, but more than that, it is inside baseball seen from many perspectives: sitting on a 10-hour minor league bus ride, standing on a pitcher's mound, and sitting in a clubhouse, a dugout, and a ranch in Texas, where a man who"retired" at age 32 struggled to figure out what to do next. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Straight talk, indeed
I received this book as a gift.I certainly remember Mitch Williams, but was never particularly a fan and didn't know what to expect.It turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.I really like Mitch's attitude about things - he's very straight-forward & down to earth.I feel like I've gotten to know him through the book and can see why he's still popular with Phillies fans.He's also very insightful and I learned a thing or two along the way about baseball in general and pitching in particular.In talking about his early career he helped answer a question I've often pondered, namely why many can't-miss AAA stars never make it in the majors.He repeatedly challenges conventional wisdom on things like pitch counts, 5-man rotations, mechanics, mentality, steroids etc. in the course of dispensing some pretty unconventional wisdom all his own.His humor and personable style make this a very enjoyable read for any baseball fan.

Surprise : Mitch is intelligent and articulate, go enjoy the book.
I was delighted and surprised by how Mitch's baseball intelligence shows in the book. And... it was still a fun read

Mitch Tells It Like It Is
Straight Talk is the perfect title for Mitch William's book.This book is really a book for die-hard baseball fans.He takes the serious fan inside many issues that would be difficult for the recreational fan to understand.Some of the stories are a bit repetitive -- as they are referenced in other parts of the book.All in all, I enjoyed it.It was a quick read but for some reason, I was hoping for more.

BEST BASEBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR
JUST FINISHED THE BOOK IN THREE DAYS. COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. YOU COULD TELL THAT MITCH WILLIAMS WAS HONEST AND HOW HE FELT ABOUT BASEBALL. I ENJOYED HIS TAKE ON RELIEF PITCHERS, PITCHING COUNTS, USING 5 STARTERS INSTEAD OF 4, THE REASONS FOR ALL THE HOME RUNS BESIDES STEROIDS AND MANY CURRENT BASEBALL ITEMS. SOME OF HIS IDEAS YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH BUT THEY ARE GIVEN WITH LOGIC AND HONESTY. IT WILL MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT WHY SOME FAIL AND OTHERS BECOME WINNERS. THE BOOK IS WELL ORGANIZED AND FOLLOWS HIS CAREER WITH MANY GOOD STORIES. THE TITLE FITS THE BOOK.. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Piazza, Jonny Gomes, Hensley Meulens, John Kruk, Rudy Seánez, Cristhian Presichi, Charlie Sands. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 49. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza (pronounced or ); (born September 4, 1968, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Phoenixville, PA) is an Italian American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics. A 12-time All-Star, Piazza is often regarded as the best-hitting catcher of all time and holds the record for home runs hit by a catcher with 396, with a career total of 427. He had at least one RBI in 15 consecutive games for the New York Mets in 2000, the second-longest RBI streak ever (Ray Grimes of the Chicago Cubs had 17 consecutive games in 1922). Piazza grew up in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania with his parents, Vince and Veronica, and brothers Vince Jr., Danny, Derek, Tony, and Tommy. He attended Phoenixville Area High School and graduated in 1986. When Piazza was 12, he received personal instruction from the late Hall of Famer Ted Williams in his backyard batting cage. Vince Piazza was a childhood friend of former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. When the Dodgers came to Philadelphia, Piazza had the opportunity to spend time in the Dodger clubhouse and serve as a batboy in the dugout. Piazza was drafted by the Dodgers in the 62nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft as the 1,390th player picked overall in the draft. The pick was partly a favor to the Los Angeles Dodgers manager at the time, Tommy Lasorda, who is the godfather to one of Piazza's brothers (Tommy--named after Lasorda) and, like Piazza, is originally from Norristown. Lasorda asked ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=182778 ... Read more

Product Description
Chris Coste dreamed of playing major-league baseball from the age of seven. But after eleven grueling years in the minors, a spot on a major-league roster still seemed just out of his reach–until that fateful call came from the Philadelphia Phillies in May 2006. At age thirty-three (“going on eighty”), Coste was finally heading to the big time. The 33-Year-Old Rookie is a real-life Rocky, an unforgettable and inspirational story of one man’s unwavering pursuit of a lifelong goal. Beginning in a single-parent home in Fargo, North Dakota, and ending behind home plate on the flawless diamond of the Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park–where fans and teammates call him “Chris Clutch” because of his knack for getting timely hits–this intimate account of Coste’s baseball odyssey is a powerful story of determination, perseverance, and passion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Good on you mate!
Chris Coste played baseball as a perennial underdog. Yet his desire to be the best he could be took him all the way to the Major Leagues, and a World Series victory. It is the Australian way to always cheer for the underdog, and I clapped for Chris the whole way through the book. We can all apply the principle of his outstanding dedication to our own lives, and who knows a promotion in the workplace or building that extension to the house are all possible if you think like Chris Coste does...never give up!

Nicholas R.W. Henning - Australian Baseball Author

best book ever
so i hate reading. its just not my thing. but i read this book and thought "that was awesome". so if i liked you will 2. its a great story. its a must have.

perseverance pays off
This is an Excellent story told through the eyes of a great student of the game and the definition of the word perseverance.Chris Coste shares his experience from his humble beginnings in Fargo, ND to living the dream of starting in the Major Leagues!Love of the game isn't close to describing Chris's passion to keep going no matter what obstacles he was faced with.This story is a great example of how hard it is to risethrough the levels of pro baseball without the fanfare of being a top draft pick.I can tell you, through personal interaction with Chris, that he is a real and genuine person who respects people and the game!

A reason to root for the Phillies
Good story about a guy from my home state of North Dakota. He is very down to earth in his book. I admire his perseverance through all his struggles.And now in 2008 he gets to wear that World Series ring.Congratulations. Really a good book.

What a book
This really is a great book for diehard baseball fans and casual fans alike.Phillies fans will love this book but non-philly fans will find this hard to dislike.Being a lifelong Phillies fan I may be a little bias but this truely is a wounderful book and worth every penny. ... Read more