The Bullpen Gospels: A Non-Prospect's Pursuit of the Major Leagues and the Meaning of Life

It's strange to find a book that's wholesome and raunchy and poignant at the same time, but I guess that's the life of a sensitive, mild guy who has thrown his lot in with big-time athletics. It's a great read for anyone who loves baseball and enjoys descriptions of life on the road among stunted adolescents. There's not much baseball wisdom and no baseball strategy or statistics, but it's full of wonderfully funny descriptions of players, ballparks, and that special feeling of being a competitive athlete (and of the kinds of things that happen that can bring you down off your pedestal, too).The author, Dirk Hayhurst, is part of the Animal House atmosphere that pervades any male college or pro locker room in any sport, but he's a bit uncomfortable with it and a bit aloof. You get the feeling that he does a lot of watching and a lot of quietly returning to his hotel room or apartment, while the guys go out and party. And you get the feeling that the guys think he's okay, but none of them really consider him a good friend. (It's how I've aleays felt when I've been thrown into locker room situations.)First, the raunchy. It's mild by baseball tell-all standards, but there's all sorts of things about players farting in each other's faces, talking about how big their "packages" are, etc. Hayhurst does a good job of showing how humor pervades the clubhouse and brings together guys from different backgrounds and cultures --- and guys who are, ultimately, competing against each other for the attention of the major league general manager.Then, the poignant. Early in the book, after a couple of chapters about the silliness of spring training speeches, Hayhurst gives a glimpse at why he's sticking it out in Class A minors after four years of not doing very well. First, there's black humor about living with his crotchetly grandmother, who makes him sleep on a plastic-covered mattress in a junk-filled room and tells him "Go to hell" whenever he suggests that she actually throw out some junk. The next chapter describes his family, which can only be called hellish: A father who's fallen into depression due to a accident 20 years ago that left him mostly incapacitated; a drunk brother who beat up Hayhurst repeatedly throughout their teen years; and a mom burned out by caring for the two deadbeats. The trio of losers lives on welfare, and Hayhurst visits them as rarely as possible, as all he gets from them is anger and indifference that he has actually tried to make something of himself.Then, the wholesome. Hayhurst is a rules follower, which makes him an anomaly in baseball circles (and in his own family culture). He is a meek guy. He doesn't drink, and he's a virgin late into his 20s. This comes out about midway through the book, as he gives a glimpse into his hope for a pristine life without alcohol-fueled violence and with a lovely, caring wife. As the book chronicles a season in which he had his most significant success in the minors and moves up to AA for a team that wins a championship, he gets into the wholesome, cliched baseball writing that went out of style in about 1960's kids' books. Needless to say, I didn't like the part about "the team came together ... one for all, all for one," etc. But those are likely to be genuine feelings, so you can't argue with it.The book ends on an even more upbeat note. I won't spoil it.

That's right, I was dining at a Cracker Barrel outside of Baton Rouge and hit upon a piece in this book that caused me to explode right there at my table...I bought this book a few months ago at the urging of a mention in Jayson Stark's column. It sat on my bookshelf week after week before finally I found myself in need of something to keep me company on a business trip. This book did the trick and then some, and I am sorry that I waited so long to read it.Have you ever laughed yourself into a fit? I mean, to the point where you are shaking and gyrating so hard that you can't even answer those who are asking 'what's so funny?' That happened three times while reading this book. On one occasion I had to put it down for awhile because I just could not move on.This is not a book that takes you play-by-play, pitch-by-pitch through Hayhurst's games. In fact, little of the book takes place between the foul lines. This is more of a romp thru the ups and downs of a season in which you scale mountains with the author, but also find yourself crawling thru the valleys.Don't be fooled, though. In addition to uproarious laughs, the book caused me to tear up a few times. Hayhurst shares some of his experiences with everyday people, stories that will make you stop, think and be grateful for what you have.Parts of this book might be offensive to some, or full of delinquent behavior to others, yet this is an honest and raw account of the author's battles, both public and private. Though full of locker room banter, absent from these stories is any machismo-laced arrogance.The only disappointment for me came at the end: I would've enjoyed another 100 pages at the least.If you enjoyed Seasons in Hell, rest assured that you'll really appreciate this book as well. Seasons in Hell: With Billy Martin, Whitey Herzog and "The Worst Baseball Team in History"-The 1973-1975 Texas Rangers

How cool would it be to be in professional baseball making all kinds of money? Well, as the reader goes through this book they realize that does not always happen. This book was chosen by me because I have a love for the game of baseball. However, I did not know what I was getting into. I did not know what to expect. What I got was a fabulously written story about a veteran minor league pitcher just trying to make it to the big leagues. One might think the life of a minor leaguer is a marvelous one and they get all they want. As the reader flips through the pages of The Bullpen Gospels, they realize that money and fame do not necessarily come with being a professional baseball player. Along with this, a regular story of a minor leaguer might be a boring one with a sprinkle of funny stories. However, The Bullpen Gospels is a compelling read because of the style with which it is written.Moreover, Hayhurst's approach can be described as being disarmingly conversational; exposing the reader to the enjoyable side of baseball, but also to his inner most fears. For example, Hayhurst described his situation as being one where “all I could think about was how bad things could go, even worse than they were. It was as if baseball’s Grim Reaper was watching every time I took the mound. From the way he looked at me, I knew he couldn’t wait to reach out and snatch my baseball career” (p. 2). This illustrates Hayhurst’s method of writing, uniquely addicting. The style makes this book a must-read. Along with that, Dirk does not chop his stories up and spread them around the book. Everything flows and I was never bored. He writes in such a manner that makes you feel like you are in the room with him. His approach pulls you in, his stories are invigorating, and the result comes as being a major league all- star read.

Great book. Not just about baseball but about life and what is really important. I laughed and I cried reading it. A MUST read for any fan of any sport.

Funny, interesting and nice to read an account of professional sport from an insider who can string a sentence together. At times a little too cheesy for this cynical Brit, but there's no getting away from the fact that Hayhurst is a thoroughly decent bloke who deserved the success he got, despite his often crippling self-doubt.

AM-590 SportsTalkRadio (Toronto) baseball analyst Dirk Hayhurst relates his own not-so-brilliant career as a minor-league (sometimes Big League) reliever, discussing the (sometimes dashed frequently checkered) careers of baseball hopefuls. It includes being compelled to live with a nagging and aging female relative, who made his life miserable while he was trying to get his career on track. There are some off-colour anecdotes and salty language - not for the faint of heart, I can assure you. Finally, a championship in the minor leagues, and some welcome 'call-ups' to the big leagues. Insightful.

In his tell-all best seller, The Bullpen Gospels, Dirk Hayhurst provides an unexpurgated account of minor league baseball and the colorful characters who endure it. It's a hilarious chronicle of the rituals, the seamy hotels and dressing rooms, the bus rides and the general x-rated behavior that prevails. Most of all it's about dreams mostly unfulfilled. It's been called a true picture of baseball. The names have been changed but the story is real.Barry Francis

Habe mir das Buch nach einer Empfehlung im Baseball Today Podcast gekauft und bin begeistert. Erzählt wird aus der Sicht des Autors Dirk Hayhurst der als bis dahin wenig erfolgreicher Pitcher der Padres versucht seine Karriere in diversen Minor Leagues auf den richtigen Weg (in die MLB) zu bringen. Dank des witzigen Schreibstils und des sympathischen Humors und Charakters des Autors wird man bestens unterhalten und erfährt nebenbei auch noch einige interessante Dinge über das wenig glamouröse Leben eines Minor League Pitchers.

I recommend this book to everyone interested in baseball and not educated about life in the high minors. Dirk Hayhurst draws a clear pictures of the daily struggle, the hopes and failures of those baseball players dreaming about glory and money.Hayhurst's background story and progression alone is worth reading. It'll make you root for the man when he'll return to action with the Blue Jays.