Customer Reviews

Out Of My League

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Out of My League
By Dirk Hayhurst

It's hard to believe that a person so modest and self-effacing as Dirk Hayhurst could ever dream of becoming a big league ballplayer. But those dreams are the subject of Hayhurst's auto-biographical book "Out of My League."

The book illuminates not only Hayhurst's struggles but the heartbreaking ups and downs of other minor league hopefuls as they strive to make The Bigs . It's not a pretty picture, quite gross at times.

Hayhurst has a great sense of humour and he's painfully honest about his shortcomings and hang-ups as a ballplayer and about his less than ideal family life. The result is an inspiring story of overcoming obstacles and never giving up in pursuit of one's goals. After finally reaching the big leagues, however briefly, he realizes that's not all that life is about; that family life is far more important and that his real talent is as a writer.

This is Hayhurst's second book. I can't wait to read his first - The Bullpen Gospels.

Barry Francis

I didn't think it could get any better than Bullpen Gospels, but somehow Dirk managed to do it. I had this shipped to me in HK, because I couldn't wait for it, and I'm so happy I did. The stories about sharing an apartment and the neighbours next door are classic! Once I actually figure out how to get "Wild Pitches" onto my iPad, I will plough through that one too. I messaged Dirk via Facebook about releasing it on iTunes Canada, and he instructed me how to get it through various apps. Unfortunately, I'm just as bad at technology as his Grandmother is at tact. I think the only one happy about me not figuring this out is my fiancee who doesn't need to hear, "hey honey listen to this" a hundred times. She's never read the book but she's listened to most of the audio book as narrated by me in my best Dirk Hayhurst voice....

Out of My League was a good book on the struggles of a baseball player in the minor leagues trying to make it to the big leagues. It gave some insight in trying to balance family life with the expectations of a baseball player and trying to live up to everyones expectations.

Dirk Hayhurst is a very entertaining author who should not be underestimated.

He seems to have an intricate knowledge of the type of experiences and interpersonal relationships that the average reader and baseball fan would find interesting, and, in fact, I would go as far as suggesting that you probably do not have to be a baseball fan to enjoy his books - although it certainly does not hurt.

While very entertaining and full of amusing stories, Out of My League, focuses more on the budding relationship between Dirk and Bonnie rather than the locker room hijinks and experiences of teammates in AAA and eventually the Major Leagues. While baseball is never far from the plot, I'd say this book provides more of a focus on the personal life of a baseball player than The Bullpen Gospels. That said, it is equally as insightful as the original, albeit a little less humorous. It does provide fascinating insight into the self-doubt and depression that someone who many would think are on the top of the world can experience. That, in itself, is reason enough to give the book a read.

Overall, if you have not read the Bullpen Gospels, I would suggest picking it up first. If you have read Hayhurst's original book, I would highly recommend reading this one as well, keeping in mind that you are reading a different book and that your expectations should be a little different for this one.

I never EVER read sports books - and I really liked this one (My son read it and I thought I'd give it a look). I really enjoyed the book as it's a good insight into the "winner take all" world of the MLB. It's not just about sports though - it's about life in general. I thought it was a bit cornball in spots but otherwise nicely done.

Great Book. I enjoyed the Bullpen Gospels but this was better. Great peek into the life of a major leaguer and he notes the same kind of things I would if I somehow got there. He is apparently a Christian but there is a lot of bad language and other adult information in the book and it is not at all recommended for children.

A fantastic book even if you are not a baseball fan. I loved the first book and was thrilled with Out Of my League. Eagerly awaiting his 3rd book.

Following in the footsteps of Bullpen Gospels, Dirk Hayhurst honestly, openly and humorously shares his experiences as a minor league baseball player. He also discusses how difficult, yet doable it is to have a relationship, when you never know what's next in your career. This is a book you can't put down! You cheer for Dirk, and feel as though you're with him when he's in the major league environment, seeing everything through his eyes. I can't wait for his next book about his time with the Blue Jays!!

I bought this book the day it came out, and couldn't put it down. Even called in sick to work one day, as I was too wrapped up in it to let it go!
It's not a book simply about baseball, but about life, and about the struggles that we all go through. I was able to relate to the entirety of the book, and found that a page turn could take me from a very funny situation, to a very poignant one.
I'd recommend this book highly. It would be a mistake for you to not spend some of your time with Dirk.

Not interesting, not funny, a total waste of time and money! How he ever got to write more than one book is beyond me.