Customer Reviews

Inside Power

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Gary Sheffield provides us with a hard-hitting opinionated account of his life beginning when his uncle, Dwight Gooden, used to burn his hand in games of catch in Tampa, Florida, up until his recent trade to the Detroit Tigers. He describes his bitter disappointment in being kicked off his Little League team as a twelve year old for threatening his coach with a bat, his immature view of women as sex objects until he met his wife who didn't share his sentiments, and his experiences with six major league teams. We all have people in our lives who have influenced us either in a positive or negative manner. Dave Huppert, his first minor league manager in the Brewers' farm system, sensed his loneliness and provided necessary encouragement. Brewers' manager Tom Treblehorn, Marlins' manager Jim Leyland and GM Dave Dombrowski, uncle Dwight, and a grandfather who instilled in him the phrase "inside power" are among those who had a positive influence on Gary Sheffield. The wiggle in the bat while waiting for a pitch was an adjustment used to slow himself down. After learning to bat against Uncle Dwight other pitchers appeared slower to him. In meeting his wife and accepting Christ as his savior Gary has found the peace that has eluded him and taught him patience. Nevertheless, it is not inconsistent for him to express his views on a number of subjects related to baseball. If you want his opinion be prepared for an honest answer. If you are afraid of what he might say, then don't ask. This book is a quick read with very short chapters suitable for youngsters. It's refreshing to read a book with no profanity. Good luck, Gary, with your seventh team the Detroit Tigers.

This is a very brief story about the earlier years of one of baseball's premier players, Gary Sheffield. It is written in very short chapters along the line of Jose Conseco's book, but is more about a maturing process than anything else. Dwight Gooden is Gary's uncle, and that must have been a riot growing up with a role model like that. Gary has alot of baggage he brings around that resembles a chip on his shoulder-- and seems to blame everyone else for any problem that comes along. Sometimes, you have to admit to yourself, that your life is better than most people's and let little things not bother you so much. Eventually, he learns this, and becomes a better person from the "inside". The Inside Power title is to signify his change into becoming a man from a kid. Gary Sheffield is/was one of the world's greatest hitters...when others talked of going 0 for 20, a bad streak for him was 0 for 3. It was an interesting book, but nothing really remarkable about it. You are not going to get any secret tips on how to bat or hit, but you will get a journey on how baseball will make you grow up or you will be very unhappy your entire career. How many people in this world would trade for a career like this guy instead of complaining about 90% of the time about trades and owners? The time he spent with Barry Bonds must have actually made him worse, and is interesting because it was at the wrong time in his career. When I think of Gary Sheffield, I think of a line drive double hit---HARD. guyairey

This was a good read. Sheffield wasn't as outspoken as I thought he was going to be, but you learned a lot about what makes him tick in this book. He's a very intense person, who will go to great lengths to prove his worth, both to himself and to others. He doesn't like authority, doesn't like being told what to do or how to do things. This is the basic message you will get from after reading this book. The whole "Bonds" chapter was interesting. Not sure if I believe the steroids issue (I mean, come on, there's no way on Earth he's going to admit to using them--he's got MILLIONS of dollars and his legacy to worry about). He was definitely on juice back when everyone else was. He was IMMENSE! Now he's strong, but not even close to what he was back in 2000 or so. Other than the juice issue, the rest was fairly interesting. It was the kind of book that I read in its entirety in one day, because I didn't feel like putting it down.

I have been disappointed in reading Inside Power by Gary Sheffield due to its bland, arms-length approach. His experiences read like a stat sheet without details of his inner combustion. He wants to share his story but he doesn't want you to know him, which is a shame because he had my attention and expectation to learn how he overcame his anger and demonstrative attitude. Everything is relative but learning of his struggles to find happiness while keeping company of 5 or 6 beautiful women everyday highlights his shallowness. If you looking for a book that you'll forget in two day it's Inside Power.

one of best books I have read. So many life lessons and intriguing story

If you like baseball, then read this book. This book describes most owners and GM's are just business men. It shows really how cruel the Yankees baseball staff is and how great the players. It shows how baseball is unfair to a lot of players and how it is becoming more of a racist sport. This book also shows inspiration and how money isn't everything. This book also shows that Barry Bonds is a really egotistical power-hungry maniac(no offense Giants fans). This is a great book. I picked it up and i didn't put it down until I finished it.

This is among the better sports-related books written recently. Gary Sheffield's story is about what makes a player tick -- and the motivation and self-hype that goes with it. A fast and entertaining read, it has some inside insights into the game of baseball. Sheffield, now playing for my Detroit Tigers, is someone I have never admired, nor liked. This book makes me neither like him more, nor admire him more - once a Yankee, always a Yankee -- but it certainly presents a slice of life into the world of baseball, big egos, and (thank God) ghost writers. A good sports book, that reads in about three hours. Don't look for any amazing revelations. Don't look for anything surprising about any of the (now 7) teams that he has played for. This is about pure ego and how it helps you excel.

I thought this book was a great story of inspiration, I bought several copies to give away.... It's more then just a baseball story... Gary Sheffield has a very interesting life, one that has only been told one way and this book tells a very different story ....

Gary Sheffield Is one of My Favorite Players and David Ritz is One of Favorite Writers as well. bring there two Worlds together and you have a strong Book. what I dig about Gary Sheffield is that He is One of the very Few true Soul Brothers around who speaks his mind. I miss that from so many cats who are only too happy to grin and get the Money and Be Bought off. Sheff stays on the real.I dug what he said about his Grandpa I can relate to that. Great mentions of his Uncle Dwight "Doc" Gooden. a Strong Book from a Strong Minded Soul Brother.

GARY SHEFFIELD DOES A GOOD JOB WITH THIS BOOK. INSIDE POWER IS ABOUT HIS LIFE AND CAREER. ONE THING I DID LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK IS LITTLE IF ANY PROFANITIES. I CAN ALSO APPRECIATE HIS HONESTY ON MANY SUBJECTS AND AGREED WITH HIM ON MOST. I FOUND SHEFFIELD TO BE QUITE HUMAN WITH A BIG EGO AND A BIG MOUTH. I AM GLAD HE HAS FOUND A LOVING WIFE AND GOD, BUT HE IS STILL A PAIN TO DEAL WITH AND A MAJOR HEADACHE IF HE DOESN'T GET HIS WAY. I ADMIRE HIS TALENT AND HE WILL AND SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME SOME DAY. GROW UP GARY AND BE MORE LIKE YOUR WIFE. I RECOMMEND THIS FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS.