Just Enough

“A page-turning sports memoir with a solid message.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Like every Cardinals fan, I remember where I was when David Eckstein was named World Series MVP. What I didn’t know was the incredible amount of grit, determination, and perseverance it took for him to get there. His journey is the ultimate underdog story, proving that heart, preparation, and relentless work ethic can overcome even the longest odds.”—Andy Cohen

In JUST ENOUGH, two-time World Series Champion and 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein shares the valleys and mountaintops that shaped him—years defined not by trophies, but by perseverance, faith, family, and the belief that purpose is found in how you rise when life tells you no.

You don’t need to be the biggest. You don’t need to be the strongest. You just need to keep going.

David Eckstein was never supposed to make it. Too small, too unlikely, too easy to overlook. From a fragile newborn fighting for his life to a young ballplayer told he’d never be good enough, the odds were stacked against him long before he reached a major league field.

But what he lacked in size, he made up for in heart.

Through intimate stories of his Florida upbringing, the challenges that forged his family’s bond, and the failures that taught him to fight back, David reveals the truth he learned long before he became a champion: a person isn’t measured in inches…they’re measured in feats.

More than a baseball memoir, this is a story about the people who carried him, the coaches who pushed him, the moments that nearly broke him, and the love that grounded him.

Honest and deeply human, JUST ENOUGH reminds us that if you’ve ever been doubted, dismissed, or underestimated, you can still win.

Contains a heartfelt introduction by actor Sean Astin, who calls Eckstein’s mastery of the game “just a thing of beauty.” This limited-edition hardcover also features specially designed edges, perfect for collectors and fans.

David Eckstein is a former Major League Baseball player known for his Just Enough style of play. The youngest of five in a family affected by kidney disease, David learned early on that life is precious and should never be taken for granted.

He made his major league debut with the Anaheim Angels in 2001, and despite always being considered an underdog, led the league in grand slams while contributing to the Angels’ 2002 World Series victory. 

In 2006, with the St. Louis Cardinals, Eckstein helped lead the team to his second World Series championship and was named the World Series MVP. 

Over Eckstein’s ten-year career, he was a two-time All-Star, the 2006 Babe Ruth Award winner, and the first-ever recipient of the Heart & Hustle Award.

Off the field, David has dedicated himself to advocating for organ donation and, since 2007, has partnered with Mid-America Transplant. Post-career, he can still be found on the baseball field, mentoring young players. He has earned three gold medals as part of the 18U Team USA Baseball coaching staff, and also works with MLB International, coaching kids from all over the world. 

He lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Ashley, who is the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars. Together, they can often be found at Walt Disney World.

Jake Gronsky is a former minor league baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals. His work has been featured in Best American Sports Writing, ESPN, and Fox Sports.

Sean Astin is an actor, director, producer, runner, activist, writer, husband, and father best known for his roles as Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, the title character in Rudy, Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Bob Newby in Stranger Things. Throughout his career, he has portrayed characters defined by hope, determination, and loyalty, and has always said, “People will root for anyone who shows them their heart.”