A Baseball Guy: Former Kansas City Royals Farmhand, Scout, and Major League Coach Takes You Inside the Game He Loves

During his career as a professional baseball scout and coach, Guy Hansen helped sign an impressive roster of future big leaguers, including Bret Saberhagen, Cecil Fielder, Kevin Appier, and Jeff Conine, and coached dozens of the game’s best pitchers. In this book, Hansen details the lessons he learned during his decades in the game, including "The Answer," his key to sound pitching mechanics, and tells colorful stories of the players he encountered—stories that will reinforce those lessons. He explains what it was like to see Saberhagen when he was a scrawny high school freshman, how Bo Jackson responded when he brushed him off the plate, how Zack Greinke both amazed and frustrated him, and why the great George Brett told Guy to time him to first base before his final at bat. This book will show you baseball through the eyes of one of the sport's most impassioned and devoted teachers.

"Without Guy's ability to think outside the box and willingness to embrace the unconventional regarding my style, much of my major league career may never have come to be." -- Kevin Appier

"Guy's belief in me when I was a young player helped give me confidence in my abilities ... He saw me as a future major leaguer when few others did, and I've always been grateful for his trust and support." -- Cecil Fielder

"Prior to the 1989 season, Guy reviewed my pitching mechanics and subtle changes were made. I proceeded to set career bests in wins, earned run average, strikeouts and won a second Cy Young Award." -- Bret Saberhagen

"Among the hundreds of players I coached at UCLA for 25 years, Guy will remain at the top of my all-time favorites list. His book is a must-read for all who love America's favorite pastime." -- Glenn Mickens