Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest For Truth, Authenticity And The Perfect Knuckleball (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Growing up, R.A. DIckey was always a kid that everyone was scared to hit against. All through high school R.A. was dominant. He was untouchable his junior and senior year and earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Tennessee. The transition from high school to college is a big jump. Some people get to college and are expected to do big things and do not end up reaching those expectations. R.A. was not one of those. Just like high school he dominated. After his 4 years at UT, he was selected by the Texas Rangers #18 in the 1996 draft. Like all players that get drafted, you have to go through procedures and medical examinations. R.A. went through his and thought nothing was wrong until one day the doctor and coaches called him in and told him he did not have a UCL in his right arm. The Rangers then took most of his money away and told him that they would give him a chance but for less money. A couple of years went by and he wasn't doing that well and the team was about to give up on him. R.A. wasn't ready to give up his career so he had to do something. So he started working on a very rare pitch called the Knuckleball. Eventually he got really good at this pitch and ended up making it really successful at the highest level, the MLB. I love R.A.'s story because it shows how he responded when adversity hit. Dealing with adversity is not only in baseball but everyday life and this story is a great example of it. Here’s a Major League Baseball trivia question for you. What pitcher started more games, (33), pitched more innings, (233), struck out more batters, (230), completed more games, (5), pitched more shutouts, (3) than any other player in the National League in the just completed 2012 season? Here’s another MLB trivia question for you. What pitcher finished second in most wins, (20), and second in the ERA category, (2.73)? Give up? Need a little hint? The answer to both questions, of course is the same athlete who co-authored this 332 page baseball diary. New York Mets right hander R.A. Dickey has created a page turner here. I picked this sports tome up at my local library mid-afternoon on a Monday and I was finished reading it mid-afternoon the next day. I literally could not put this down. It’s that good. The key to understanding Dickey’s “quest for truth, authenticity and the perfect knuckleball” is found on pages 224 and 225. Here’s where the veteran right hander shares what he learned after a near fatal encounter with the wide Missouri River. That aborted swim on June 9, 2007 caused the then 32 year-old knuckleballer to see life as a daily journey and not the final destination.Dickey’s roller coaster ride through the minor and major leagues would make a terrific sports movie. In the footsteps of The Natural or The Rookie. It’s too bad the last chapter ends with Dickey’s mediocre 2011 season. What he just accomplished in 2012 would make a better than average sequel.
What do You think about Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest For Truth, Authenticity And The Perfect Knuckleball (2012)?
Dickey's honest review of his rollercoaster ride life in and out of baseball is unique because it was written as a confession. It tells his personal story from the perspective of a Christian whose faith becomes increasingly integrated into his life as he seeks healing from childhood sexual abuse, struggles to be a faithful husband and loving father while also pursuing his dream of pitching in the major leagues of baseball. He is admits everything: his fears, his shame, his love for his family and his sport, and his dependence on God in it all. It reads like a personal journal, even peppered with prayers throughout. RA is a storyteller, so each chapter is headed by a vignette, the best of which describe his memories of special experiences with players he admires. A delightful and edifying memoir.
—pialabrador
The tale of a Baseball Journeyman is as old as the game itself, but Dickey manages to bring a very personal level to the classic tale.His story, much like many other aspiring big leaguers, is a long winding road of setbacks and fading dreams. The question that must be rolling through their heads over and over is "when do I give up?" Fortunately, for R.A. he managed to break into the majors and stay, which leads to the other interesting aspect about his book. This book was published in 2012, the same year that he won the Cy Young award. So finally as he truly learns to let go he achieves what has always been just out of reach for him.
—Jacki
Read this because I am a NY Mets fan. Interesting read.
—Varney333
A good story of God's faithfulness in suffering.
—Christy
