The life of one committed man whose simple little idea ("Let’s play ball!") God is using to make a huge impact on thousands of disenfranchised children, their families, their community, their city, and their world.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A baseball seems like a small weapon with which to combat the myriad forces grinding down boys in the inner city. But in Muzikowski's hands, a baseball is mighty indeed. Muzikowski has sponsored four Little Leagues in the grittiest neighborhoods of Chicago and New York, and those leagues have changed perhaps even saved young ball players' lives. (Sound familiar? The movie Hardball, coming out September 14 with Keanu Reeves, is loosely based on Muzikowski's accomplishments.) In this ably written and moving memoir, Muzikowski tells the story of his faith in boys, in baseball diamonds and in God. The first half of the book gives us the pre-baseball Muzikowski, who grew up the Irish Catholic son of a factory worker in New Jersey. As a young adult, he entered business school, spent too much time drinking beer and snorting cocaine, became a born-again Protestant, got sober in AA, and married the lovely Tina. The second half of the book, in which Muzikowski finally recounts his time coaching, flags a bit. One wants to know more about Tina: does Bob's intense devotion to Little League strain their marriage? The eccentric urban characters the earnest ghetto kids and wizened drug dealers border on the caricature. Still, readers will be drawn in enough to cheer when Muzikowski's players graduate from school and tear up when they get gunned down. Muzikowski and coauthor Lewis offer a well-executed testimony to what an ordinary man with ordinary faith can do to change his corner of God's world.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Muzikowski is one of those rare individuals who caught a couple of breaks in life and has made it his business to pass his good fortune along to those less fortunate than himself. After beating booze and cocaine, he formed a successful insurance business and has become a patron saint to underfunded, sports-hungry Chicago youth. From coaching and fund-raising, to organizing bake sales to raise money for football equipment, to providing a temporary home for those in need, he either does it himself or enlists others to help. Muzikowski believes in sports as a learning venue and as a way to open doors for underprivileged kids. His story is genuinely inspiring, all the more so because he infuses it with self-deprecating humor and humility. His message is simple but profound: the world changes gradually through a series of good deeds by kind people. Excellent reading for those who despair of ever making a difference in this world. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An inspiring, TRUE story,
By
This review is from: Safe at Home (Hardcover)
I have known Bob Muzikowski for three years now, and he never ceases to amaze me. Reading this book has been a revelation. If you're feeling cynical, or doubt that one man can make a difference in society, read this book. Muzikowski chronicles his life from a tough childhood to a self-destructive early adulthood through his current and permanent persona, a caring, compassionate person who genuinely wishes to spread goodwill. Hopefully, this story will inspire others to follow in Bob's footsteps, and love their neighbors. The narrative is alternately heartbreaking, hopeful, and humorous, but always honest. A seemingly endless parade of intriguing supporting "characters" add color depth to Muzikowski's infectiously interesting vignettes. Rather than see the Keanu Reeves/Hollywood version, read the real thing. Pass it on!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Batter Up!,
By Patricia B. Stewart (East Amherst, NY United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Safe at Home (Hardcover)
Although Bob Muzikowski's book, "Safe at Home," is catagorized as an autobiography, it is so much more! This book is a real life story of THE Author's plan for one man. Bob Muzikowski has shown us how one man (and woman, Tina!) can make a difference when he chooses to please an Audience of One - the blessings of God on Bob Muzikowski's life have been multiplied exponentially to others! "Safe at Home" has been described as "inspiring," but Bob's story will only be truly inspiring if it generates a response from its readers; one that takes them out of their comfortable church pews and into the God-prescribed place that He wants them to be! "Batter Up!" The choice is yours: you can take the challenge as the designated hitter or warm the bench in the dugout!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This true story deserves to be told!,
By Scott W. Bolinder (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Safe at Home (Hardcover)
When Bob Muzikowski and I sat across from each other on a plane ride last September, I mostly listened as he told his story. As publisher for Zondervan, I knew by the time we landed I'd be asking him if he was interested in telling this story in print! The world is hungry for stories about "everyday heros" with whom we can actually identify. Bob is a regular guy who, in spite of a rough and tumble first few decades of life, has found a way to live an extraordinary life. His story reads like a novel but the inspiration that drives him is compelling and accessible to all of us. This is a book that you will not be able to just read. You will most definately encourage your adolescent children to read it and you will talk about it with your colleagues and friends. Trust me...for what started as an idle conversation on a plane last September is now a wonderful book that in just over a month is being read by thousands.
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