Between the Lines: Nine Principles to Live By - Hardcover

Orel Hershiser; Robert Wolgemuth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0446528501 ISBN 13: 9780446528504

Publisher: Warner Faith, 2001

Synopsis

Orel Hershiser diligently paid his dues day after day until he accomplished his dream and become the highest-paid pitcher of his time. Along the way he was guided by principles and values that he now shares in the pages of this book, including perseverance, adaptability, balance, family, laughter, and personal reflection.

About this title

About the Author

Orel Hershiser is respected by fans and non-fans alike for his clear example of right living and esteem for traditional family values. A devoted husband and the father of two sons, he's currently a baseball analyst for ESPN.

Robert Wolgemuth is a twenty-five-year publishing veteran and bestselling author of nine books, including She Calls Me Daddy and Daddy@Work. He and Orel have been close personal friends for many years.

Reviews

Hershiser, one-time acclaimed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers (and a few other teams), seems to have led a charmed life: he pitched 58 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988, won the Cy Young Award and was the World Series MVP, all in the same year. However, as Hershiser readily admits, his early career was not as promising. He was cut from his first teams and played in the minors for several years before moving up. Yet faith, determination and some crucial values helped keep his career on track. Writing in a casual but convincing tone, he shares his guiding principles for everyday life: believe your coaches, love your family, pursue excellence and balance, among others. After one frenzied afternoon at an airport when Hershiser and his family were literally trapped by fans, he faced the fact that "because we were famous, we were going to be recognized and interrupted.... Jamie and I set boundaries. We learned to say no without feeling guilty. And we stayed involved in our church." While the extremes of Hershiser's experience may not correspond to the lives of most readers, his basic advice is sound and applicable. And though his words may not be unique, they will ring true for many. (Sept.)Forecast: Hershiser's reputation in tandem with the publisher's planned five-city tour and extensive national advertising should make this a winner as soon as books hit the stores.n

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Hershiser's best-selling autobiography, Out of the Blue, chronicled his finest year, 1988, when he won both a Cy Young Award for best National League pitcher and a World Series Most Valuable Player trophy as he propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers to a world championship. But his subsequent years were not golden as he struggled to overcome serious arm troubles. He recently retired after pitching into his forties. In this book, he offers advice liberally sprinkled with baseball anecdotes. Despite being a ferocious competitor, Hershiser has always been known as an almost squeakily clean role model who found particular strength through his religious beliefs. The principles stressed in this book include believing in your coaches, striving for excellence, keeping a balanced outlook, and striving to love and live with gratitude. Key points and quotes are highlighted throughout the book. Hershiser has written an upbeat book of advice in the baseball-as-metaphor-for-life tradition. This is an entertaining and easy-to-read book and libraries should purchase as demand warrants. Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Through the late 1980s and most of the 1990s, Hershiser was one of baseball's best pitchers and fiercest competitors. Rather than a follow-up to his 1988 autobiography, Out of the Blue, which sold 300,000 hardcover copies, he now offers a self-help guide that explains the principles he has followed throughout his very successful career. His advice is commonsensical but worthwhile. For example, one principle is "Believe Your Coaches." He means coaches in the broadest sense of the term: parents and teachers as well as ex-jocks with whistles and clipboards. He doesn't advocate blind adherence, either, but suggests the importance of asking coaches for advice and remembering that they usually have your best interests at heart. It's doubtful anyone will find any genuine revelations here, but Hershiser's approach to life, founded as it is on faith, family, effort, and integrity, isn't likely to hurt anyone. His pitching prowess may make the message more palatable to many readers. Unpretentious self-help. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"Orel Hershiser is one of the smartest players I ever
managed....If you want great advice...you've come to the right place."
(from the foreword by Tommy Lasorda)

Edition details

• Publisher: Warner Faith
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0446528501
• ISBN 13: 9780446528504
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352