Out of My League [Hardcover]

Dirk Hayhurst (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 28, 2012

"Dirk Hayhurst writes about baseball in a unique way. Observant, insightful, human, and hilarious."
--Bob Costas

-  

 "Even more than he did in The Bullpen Gospels, Dirk Hayhurst teaches us here what happens when a 'dream career' collides with reality. There is such universality in his struggles, that if by the book's end you don't become him in your mind, there's probably something wrong with your heart. This book shows why baseball is so often used as a metaphor for life."
--Keith Olbermann

"Not many pitchers have replaced future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. Only one has written a delightful book about it. This isn't the story of any old Triple-A veteran trying to finally reach the majors. This is the story of Dirk Hayhurst finally reaching the majors. Which makes the story worth reading."
--Rob Neyer, Sports Nation
 
"Hayhurst has done it again... Turns out he's a starter and a closer."
--Tim Kurkjian, ESPN
 
 "A stirring, revealing tale of humanity."
--Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports
 
"Gripping, revealing--and not at all what you'd expect."
--Tyler Kepner, The New York Times

  

"With razor-sharp wit and keen observational powers, Dirk Hayhurst delivers a rare gem of a baseball book. Out of My League captures both the joy and the toll of becoming a big leaguer unlike anything else before it."

--Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated

  -
"Hilarious, illuminating and poignant...This is more than a baseball book. It's the story of a man learning that it's possible to grip a baseball without it gripping him."
--Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports.com
 
"Hayhurst has done it again...If only I could pitch as well as he can write, I might have more Cy Youngs than Greg Maddux."
--Jayson Stark, ESPN.com
 
"Memorable... Hayhurst delivers an entertaining story for more than just sports fans. This is about life, relationships and the sacrifices made to pursue a dream"
--Jordan Bastian, MLB.com
 
"Funny, earthy, touching. Dirk finally makes it to a big-league mound, but as a writer, he's been throwing strikes in the Show for a while now, and "Out of My League" is another quality start."
--King Kaufman, Bleacher Report
 
"The most candid portrayal of life as a professional athlete I've ever seen."
--Michael Dolan, Editor-in-Chief, Athletes Quarterly
 
"It's never too inside baseball, even though it is literally from inside baseball."
--John Manuel, Editor, Baseball America
 
"Dirk is a good friend who has never been afraid to tell it like it is. He has a genuine gift for telling the stories of his life in such a way that they reveal profound truths. I find his writing both entertaining and thought provoking... unlike his fastball."
--Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays All-Star
 
"Baseball is a game governed by countless rules, none bigger than this one: Don't over think it. Dirk Hayhurst takes us down the rabbit hole that is his mind, to a place where that rule is constantly violated, every decision, every move, every breath over thought. In the process, he provides a brutally honest take on life in the majors--the oversized ballparks, hotel rooms, and personalities, but also the self-doubt, loneliness, and despair. I laughed, I cried, I even learned how to doctor a baseball."
--Jonah Keri, author of The Extra 2%
  
"Compulsively readable and enjoyable...Apparently, it's not enough for Hayhurst to be a major league pitcher; he has to be a fantastic writer, too."
--Matt Fraction, Marvel Comics

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dirk Hayhurst writes about baseball in a unique way. Observant, insightful, human, and hilarious."--Bob Costas

"With razor-sharp wit and keen observational powers, Dirk Hayhurst delivers a rare gem of a baseball book. Out of My League captures both the joy and the toll of becoming a big leaguer unlike anything else before it."--Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated 

"This book shows why baseball is so often used as a metaphor for life."--Keith Olbermann

 

About the Author

Dirk Hayhurst.

--The Person.

Born in Canton, Ohio in 1981, Dirk grew up in the small town area of Canton South where he attended Canton South high school, home of the Wildcats. Though Dirk now makes his home in Hudson, Ohio with his wife, Bonnie, Dirk's family remains in Canton South. Dirk holds a degree in communication studies from Kent State University, where he is also a member of the athletic hall of fame. 

--The Player.

Dirk was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 8th round of the 2003 amateur player draft. He signed as a senior in college at Kent State University, put his communication degree on hold, and set off to the fabled Northwest League to become a mighty Eugene Emerald.

After 6 years of toiling in the minors, playing for the Eugene Emeralds, Fort Wayne Wizards, Lake Elsinore Storm, Mobile BayBears, San Antonio Missions, and Portland Beavers, Dirk emerged in the big leagues with San Diego to start against the San Fransico Giants on August, 23, 2008. His performance in that start was unremarkable, but the story between the two aforementioned dates is not, and is detailed in his 2 books, The Bullpen Gospels, and Out Of My League. 


--The Writer.

Dirk's first book, The Bullpen Gospels, came out on March 30, 2010 and was met with a surge of acclaim from all manner of key figures, such as Keith Olbermann, Bob Costas, Jayson Stark, Tim McCarver, Tom Verducci, and several esteemed print sources like, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, The Boston Globe, and the list goes on. You can read more reviews about Dirk's book on the Book's page, or order it at all fine book sellers.

Dirk second book, OUT OF MY LEAGUE is slated to hit shelves in 2012, and it the story of how Dirk made it to the Big Leagues for the first time, and all the the trials and tribulations that came with it.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: C Hardcover (February 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806534850
• ISBN-13: 978-0806534855
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Advanced Praise for OUT OF MY LEAGUE--


"Even more than he did in The Bullpen Gospels, Dirk Hayhurst teaches us here what happens when a 'dream career' collides with reality. There is such universality in his struggles, that if by the book's end you don't become him in your mind, there's probably something wrong with your heart."
--Keith Olbermann

"We all know the story of the wide-eyed rookie just happy to reach the major leagues. Problem is, there's so much more to it. Dirk Hayhurst takes us along on his journey from fringe prospect to major leaguer, with its exhilarating highs but also its punishing lows. The ride is gripping, revealing--and not at all what you'd expect. The author peels back his evolution as a person and a player, ranging far from the field yet showing compelling sides of the game that fans rarely see."
--Tyler Kepner, The New York Times

"Once again, Dirk Hayhurst brings readers into a world they rarely see: the hardscrabble world of minor-league baseball. It is a world full of political drama, financial stress and daily heartache. These are players you rarely hear about, players who rarely become rich or famous. Most, in fact, face the same kinds of struggles as the rest of us."
--Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

"Dirk Hayhurst has done it again. His second book is as good if not better than his first. Turns out he's a starter and a closer."
--Tim Kurkjian, ESPN

"Baseball is a game governed by countless rules, none bigger than this one: Don't over think it. Dirk Hayhurst takes us down the rabbit hole that is his mind, to a place where that rule is constantly violated, every decision, every move, every breath over thought. In the process, he provides a brutally honest take on life in the majors--the oversized ballparks, hotel rooms, and personalities, but also the self-doubt, loneliness, and despair. I laughed, I cried, I even learned how to doctor a baseball."
--Jonah Keri, author of The Extra 2%

"Out of My League is no mere sequel to The Bullpen Gospels. Yes, Hayhurst continues to chronicle his journey through the good, bad, absurd, mundane and often harrowing world of professional baseball, and yes his excellent writing continues to be hilarious, touching, illuminating and poignant. But this is more than a baseball book. It's the second -- and hopefully not the last -- chapter of a larger story of a man learning that it's possible to grip a baseball without it gripping him."
--Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports.com

"Dirk Hayhurst manages to bring an outsider's point of view to the baseball world, even while reaching the major leagues for the first time. It's never too inside baseball, even though it is literally from inside baseball."
--John Manuel, Editor, Baseball America

"Hayhurst has done it again. I was blown away by every page, every chapter, every twist, every turn. I kept thinking that if I could only pitch as well as Dirk can write, I might have more Cy Youngs than Greg Maddux."
--Jayson Stark, ESPN.com

"Once again, Hayhurst delivers an entertaining story for more than just sports fans. Baseball provides the backdrop, but this is about life, relationships and the sacrifices made to pursue a dream. Hayhurst's unique storytelling style makes for another memorable read."
--Jordan Bastian, MLB.com

"In Dirk Hayhurst's funny, earthy, touching new book, he finally makes it to a big-league mound. As a writer, he's been throwing strikes in the Show for a while now, and "Out of My League" is another quality start."
--King Kaufman, Bleacher Report

"The most candid portrayal of life as a professional athlete I've ever seen. Out of My League is a must for anyone who has dreamed of making the Major Leagues and has wondered what they missed."
--Michael Dolan, Editor-in-Chief, Athletes Quarterly

"Hayhurst isn't afraid to tell it like it is. He has a genuine gift for telling the stories of his life in such a way that they reveal profound truths. I find his writing both entertaining and thought provoking... unlike his fastball."
--Ben Zobrist, Tampa Bay Rays All-Star

"By the time you finish OUT OF MY LEAGUE -- which is so compulsively readable and enjoyable that it could be the same day you start - you'll feel like you've just sat with an old pal who clawed his way into the bigs and couldn't wait to tell you everything about the experience. Apparently it's not enough for him to be a major league pitcher; Dirk has to be a fantastic writer, too. This is because God is cruel and unfair. You, however, are lucky: you get to read OUT OF MY LEAGUE."
--Matt Fraction, Marvel Comics


Dirk Hayhurst


--The Person.

Born in Canton, Ohio in 1981, Dirk grew up in the small town area of Canton South where he attended Canton South high school, home of the Wildcats. Though Dirk now makes his home in Hudson, Ohio with his wife, Bonnie, Dirk's family remains in Canton South.

Dirk holds a degree in communication studies from Kent State University, where he is also a member of the athletic hall of fame. He's also Kent Sate's all time innings pitched leader, strike out leader, and two time recipient of the coveted Steve Stone award. He was MAC pitcher of the year his senior year, 2003, and a 3 time All Conference honoree. He was also honored with an Outstanding Student Athlete Role Model award in 2003, an award he tired to replicate in his professional career by winning the Community Player of the Year award when pitching for the Portland Beavers in 2008.

The Dirk of today is a polymath of sorts, trying his hand at all manner of things from baseball lessons to candle making. Websites, blogs, speaking, writing, Garfoose taming and baseball playing are only the tip of the iceberg. Dirk is a staunch believer that what you do does not define you, but you define it. In that sense, he dabbles in, and occasionally excels at, a viaritey of things, often garnering the reaction, "You're not the typical athlete, are you?"

--The Player.

Dirk was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 8th round of the 2003 amateur player draft. He signed as a senior in college at Kent State University, put his communication degree on hold, and set off to the fabled Northwest League to become a Eugene Emerald.

After 6 years of toiling in the minors, playing for the Eugene Emeralds, Fort Wayne Wizards, Lake Elsinore Storm, Mobile BayBears, San Antonio Missions, and Portland Beavers, Dirk emerged in the big leagues with San Diego to start against the San Fransico Giants on August, 23, 2008. His performance in that start was unremarkable, but the story between the two aforementioned dates is not.

Dirk started recording his minor league adventures in 2007 in the belief that if he didn't make it to the big leagues, at least he could write down some of the life experiences he had while trying to get there. Maybe form them into a book? The result was the capturing of stories and experiences spanning the deserts of the Cal League, the snowy peaks of the Pacific Coast League, and beyond the baseball field itself to the warn and traveled roads of real, raw life. In short, the result was a self discovery no string of stats could explain. However, if it's simple career stats you're interested in, you can find them here.

At the end of the 2008 campaign, Dirk was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays where he spent parts of the 2009 season in the Bigs. All the of the 2010 season was spent on the disabled list, rehabbing shoulder surgery. In 2011 Dirk become a member of the Tampa Bay Rays organization, and spent a full season on their Triple A club, the famous Durham Bulls. Once again healthy, Dirk hopes for a successful 2012 season and a chance to return to the big leagues.

--The Writer.

Dirk started his literary career on the floor of his grandmother's basement. Since, he's written in minor league tour buses, flooded hotel rooms, red-eye twin-prop flights, small town bullpens, and even on the occasional big league jet.

Dirk's work was first featured at baseballamerica.com, where he wrote The Non-Prospect Diaries (now The Bullpen Gospels, in connection with his book), a blog about the other side of the baseball dream. At the time Dirk had no idea he would someday become a big leaguer, and the column was Dirk's way of keeping perspective in the midst of all the crazy things he encountered on the minor league trail. As it would happen, The Non-Prospect Diaries became so popular he was approached by several newspapers, including that of his home town, The CantonRepository, where he began a column called The Bullpen Gospels. Only one year (and several thousand readers) later, Dirk was not only knocking on the door of the big leagues but in discussions to write a book as well.

Dirk's first book, The Bullpen Gospels, came out on March 30, 2010 and was met with a surge of acclaim from all manner of key figures, such as Keith Olbermann, Bob Costas, Jayson Stark, Tim McCarver, Tom Verducci, and several esteemed print sources like, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, The Boston Globe, and the list goes on. You can read more reviews about Dirk's book on the Book's page, or order it at all fine book sellers.

Dirk second book, OUT OF MY LEAGUE is slated to hit shelves in 2012, and it the story of how Dirk made it to the Big Leagues for the first time, and all the the trials and tribulations that came with it.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read baseball book March 5, 2012

By dmb

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Dirk Hayhurst has taken us behind the scenes in his latest book, Out of My League, and shed light on the difficult struggle of a ball player who has worked his way through the minors in hopes of one day making it to the big leagues.

The book is equally funny, honest and insightful. You will laugh out loud at some of the stories Hayhurst retells. Stories about his offseason relationship with his grandma, getting hit on by transvestites while on the road, and many of the rookie hazing moments he goes through when he finally reaches the big leagues.

Even with all the funny moments, and there are plenty of them, this book focuses on so much more. The reality and struggle of what a fringe prospect goes through.

Baseball is a sport that is marked by failure. Players will always fail more often than they succeed. These failures can weigh heavily on a players psyche and in turn make them even worse as a player. It is a struggle to overcome these overwhelming obstacles and find success in a sport where the odds are stacked against you.

Hayhurst takes us behind the curtain and sheds light what it is like to be an actual baseball player and what runs through their minds in many of these types of situations.

Baseball, even with all its benefits, can be a serious grind for its players forcing them to sometimes wonder if making it to the show is worth it or not. Hayhurst openly talks about many of these struggles that he faced throughout his 6 years in the minors en route to his first appearance in the majors.

What I love most about this book is the honest approach it takes to what life is like for a major league player. So often in movies and books that talk about this subject, we see the athletic side of life being glorified, but we fail to see a lot of the real struggles and doubts that are also a part of being a professional athlete. Living up to 6 or 7 figure contracts are not as easy as it would seem.

We want this dream of becoming a professional athlete to be glorified. We want to dream that if, by some miracle, we were to be in these players shoes, everything would work out for us in our own lives. The reality is that it isn't easy and if we were in their shoes, we might think differently about what it is we want to do with our lives.

Don't get me wrong; this book isn't about feeling sorry for a major leaguer who is having a tough time. What it does do however is paint a complete picture of what life at the major league level is really like. There is both good and bad that comes with being at that level and we, the reader are shown what it really is like.

The other thing that makes me appreciate the book is that it helped shed light on the human nature side of baseball. Ever since Moneyball came out, stat heads have had an increasingly bigger and bigger impact on the game trying to make the way we look at the game as precise and scientific as possible.

What has gotten lost in all of these stats is that what we are dealing with is human beings. Sure certain players and their stats have been incredibly predictable through the years but that doesn't mean they aren't robots. Hayhurst has helped shed light on what goes on behind all this and what can affect a player during his ups and downs throughout the season.

If you would like to get a picture of what being a professional baseball player is like I can't recommend this book enough. Between this book and his first, The Bullpen Gospels, an equally compelling and well written book that focuses more on what life is like in the minors, you won't get a better picture of what life in the world of professional baseball is really like.

(This is an excerpt from a review I wrote for my website)

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes the Shattering of Some Dreams Lead to the Fulfillment of Others March 2, 2012

By ReaderinReno

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book depicts Hayhurst's last steps towards becoming a major league baseball player. It shows the absurdity of minor league life and the absurd excesses of major league life well.

But the book is about more than the comings and goings of a baseball player and team. The book is about spending years dreaming about something, only to find out the dream is really a nightmare when it actually happens. It is about broken homes and bad marriages, held together with fights. And it is about getting to the major league mound and forgetting the person you are. It's about changing--sometimes for the worse--to win social approval and finding the disapproval of those who matter most to you.

And the book is about failure. It's about realizing that the dream cannot be realized...whether that dream is to simply grip a ball or to become a star pitcher on a World Series Champion. Sometimes those dreams cannot be fulfilled.

Hayhurst is most interested in life's meaning, as anyone who read Bullpen Gospels should know. And he struggles with what it means to throw a baseball 85 mph in front of 30,000 fans. He struggles to find purpose and place.

Many people do. Some people think they've found their spouse only to be left at the alter, or be told no during a proposal. People can work hard and still get a pink slip. You can land a dream job only to fail at it and not do well.

The book is well written, flows nicely, and is touching in parts and hilarious in others (hint there are two transvestite conventions in the book, one in Salt Lake City and another aboard a plane where 15 of the attendees are wearing Hooter's outfits).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any baseball fan March 4, 2012

By tpolzien

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

After reading Mr. Hayhurst's first book I was very much looking forward to reading the follow up. It did not disappoint. For anyone who has ever wondered what life as a professional baseball player would be like, this is your ticket to the show. I was unable to put this one down and can only hope there will be more works by Mr. Hayhurst. I enjoyed watching him pitch in Las Vegas and certainly have enjoyed both books. Buy this book immediately!