Customer Reviews

Nolan Ryan's Pitcher's Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Power, Precision, and Long-Term Performance

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well this was a severe disappointment. I was expecting some insight on his mechanics, going into grave detail... The information on pitching form was extremely generic and repetitive. There is absolutely no unique insight that you couldn't get from using an internet search engine. It all comes down to this: keep your weight back during the leg kick (don't move forward), and then have a controlled fall towards the plate. Thats about it. Chapter 1 was fluff about his career and Ryan's various coaches, chapter 2 was mostly fluff about mental attitude, and chapter 3 was the only instruction on how to properly throw the baseball.

The rest of the chapters were just an "introduction to weight lifting and stretching". Chapter after chapter of what weights to lift, and how to lift them. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad weight training information... but there are far better weight training books out there and the excercises are not really unique to baseball or pitching. Generic normal excercises, like the ones you'd find in any weight training book (there are only so many ways you can lift a dumbell).

I was looking to the book for some deeper insight into mechanics, and maybe some more illustration of ryans form. I wanted to dissect his delivery, and see how his pitching style differed from my own. The book did not deliver.

To those other reviews that claim conditioning is the reason ryan was so successful... I'd say you are partially right. Conditioning is important. Its also very basic. I don't need a book telling me how to do squats or shoulder presses. The act of throwing the baseball, on the other hand, is extremely complicated. This is where you need the most information...

This is not an "ultimate guide" to anything. I wouldn't even reccomend this book to a novice since its so incredibly vague that the information probably wouldn't be clear to them. There are several superior *free* resources on the internet that can be found using your favorite search engine. Some come equipped with free videos and all.

Bottom line: this book was a waste of time

Nolan breaks down his book into mechanics and training in a very readable format. The critics who said that the book focuses too much on conditioning and not enough on pitching secrets are missing the boat: CONDITIONING IS HIS PITCHING SECRET. How else did he last 27 years?

I thought too much of this focused on the conditioning and strength-building aspects of Ryan's approach to pitching, and far too little on the mechanics of pitching, which would be more helpful for younger players

Nolan Ryan and Tom House put together a wonderful how-to book of conditioning and pitching. Everyone needs to condition to keep muscled tightened, Ryan and House emphasize that wonderfully in "Nolan Ryan's Pitcher's Bible"

My perspective outlines this book like this. Without a proper work-out ethic, you are not going to succeed in pitching or anything else. I dont understand why people are knocking this book. It helped me to EARN a spot on the H.S. team here in Texas. Yes, pitching mechanics is part of the game but it is what you do before that game is what counts. Quote from the book,"You can blow a game without proper conditioning" It clearly defines in the book about mechanics and conditioning. Yes there where too much repetitive stuff about where Ryan works out at before and during the season but I rank it as very helpful tool to be better at the game. For all of you "Disapointed" you are not seeing the real reason for success for you or your son or daughter or players. CONDITIONING is the only reason you stay on top of your game. That is what Nolan and Tom discuss. I found that no other book will dicuss the both conditioning and mechanics in one book. I like to see anyone try to work on mech. and not work on conditioning and see how successful they are. It is the best. Could be better but still the best!

This is a great book for anyone. He is straight forward and has a unique ability to communicate while still making it fun to learn. Nolan covers everything from gripping to training. Great book.

This book on pitching is the best on the market. I highly recomend it to anyone who aspires to better themselves as a pitcher. This would also be great for baseball coaches. If you are thinking about buying a book on pitching this is a great one to start with.

I honestly was hoping for a little more. Specifics about pitching motion were not as prevalent as I hoped. There was a lot of good information about Nolan Ryan, how he trained, how he thought etc. This was very interesting, but not what I was expecting. There was a lot of information on Nolan Ryan's work out habits and nutrition. Again, it was interesting, but just not what I was hoping. I was thinking that it would have more details on the pitching motion, holding the ball etc. This book was almost more of a Nolan Ryan biography.

I bought the book for my 14 year old son. He is a baseball pitcher and he thinks the books is great. He has already ready read it from cover to cover and picked up pitching tips.

Written by the master Nolan Ryan. He shares he secrets on becoming a big league pitcher. It is well written and well illustrated. It covers everything from the mental game, training, grips, and strategy. A nod goes to Tom House who was the co-author of this and many other pitching books.