The words “authentic” and “humble” are words that usually do not go hand in hand with a major League baseball player. But in the book “Wherever I Wind Up (My Quest For Truth, Authenticity And The Perfect Knuckleball)” by current Mets starting pitcher ( and soon to be folk hero) , R.A Dickey ( co-written by Wayne Coffey of the New York Daily News), Dickey proves that he is not part of the game that has been reduced to 10 second cliche ridden soundbites .
Dickey explores his humble beginnings in his hometown of Nashville Tennessee as the child of a broken family. He recollects the good times as well as the bad times growing up – but he looks backs on it as more of a learning experience than with anger.
Dickey chronicles his family’s battle with alcoholism – ( Dickey is adamant that he will never touch alcohol), his sexual abuse by both a baby sitter – and later on by a teenage boy when he was eight.
Dickey also bares his soul on the lone time he cheated on his wife, and the fallback that ensues (even the fact that he admits that he contemplated suicide is a revelation). R.A puts it all out there – warts and all. He shows that he is far from the perfect man that we see in pre and post game interviews.
But because of his blunt honesty as well as the fact that he has fought hard to get to where he is now – from the first round “bonus baby” who had the bulk of his signing bonus that saw most of that money disapear when a routine physical revealed that he was born without a UCL ligament is his arm
Dickey chronicles his struggle to get where he is today. The years of toiling through the minor leagues and the adversity in which he had to endure. He recalls some funny stories about current and former players such as David Wright, Mike Pelfrey and Alex Rodriguez, as well as some poignant thought thoughts on past teammates such as Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran.
This book is a must read if you are a fan of the Mets, baseball or in the human condition. Dickey shows us that the man that we see on the mound or in pre as well as post came interviews is just one facet of his life. He tries to be the perfect husband to his wife Anne as well a good father to his children.
And although I am not a believer in god I do respect R.A’s belief in a higher power – albeit I do feel it was a little heavy handed at times in the book – but this is Dickey’s story not mine.
Either Way I highly recommend “Wherever I Wind Up” and I hope Dickey continues his foray into the literary world.
And with that said….. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Mets starting pitcher from t’64-’65, Frank Lary (1930) is 82.
Mets reserve outfielder from the ’70-’71 seasons, Leroy Stanton is 66 (1946).
Relief pitcher from the ’78 season, Phil Hennigan is 66 (1946).
The New York Mets drafted starting pitcher, Mike Bruhert from the Philadelphia Phillies on April 10, 1973.Bruhert would only spend one season in the big leagues with the Mets (1978)- primarily as a starting pitcher. He went 4-11 with an E.R.A of 4.78.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed spot starter/middle reliever ,Mike Maddux of the New York Mets as a free agent on April 10, 1995.
Mo Vaughn takes all the credit for the Mets fast start !!!
10 comments
srt
4/10/2012-7:25am at 7:25 am (UTC -4)
I’ve downloaded this to my Kindle but haven’t started it yet. I’m sure it’s as good a read as you’ve chronicled here. I have seen mentioned in another review it’s a little heavy on the religious aspect but if that’s what got Dickey through some dark times, I guess that would be expected.
rustyjr
4/10/2012-7:29am at 7:29 am (UTC -4)
No doubt – if religion is what helps him cope & makes him a better person then more power to him
saltygary
4/10/2012-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
You should read Gary Carter’s auto-bio, it’s going to be incorporated into the St. James Bible. As someone that has lost his religion due too too much exposure to it, I can respect how it made them better people and better citizens.
Prismo
4/10/2012-9:35am at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
“Maybe this team IS the ’69 Mets” – Bud Harrelson on Boomer and Carton a few minutes ago
saltygary
4/10/2012-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
Let’s not get crazy, just enjoy the ride.
Prismo
4/10/2012-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
I didn’t say it, he did…
Hater.
saltygary
4/10/2012-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Haha I know.
Ceetar
4/10/2012-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
I’ve been going back and forth on it. It feels a little too ‘real’ for my liking, but then I do want to support him too. I skipped the book signing last week in favor of happy hour.
My wife did suggest she’d like to read it, so maybe I’ll go pick up an autographed copy anyway.
kingman 26
4/10/2012-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
Nice review Rusty!
I plan to read it at some point, although excess religion is definitely a turnoff.
Gus
4/10/2012-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
Nice that he other interests..hopefully his experiences will allow him a place to find inner peace on the mound when he gets in trouble and also in the dugout when Pelfrey starts licking and coughing up walks and hits…