Overview

Legendary first baseman Keith Hernandez tells all in this gripping literary memoir and New York Times bestseller. Keith Hernandez revolutionized the role of first baseman. During his illustrious career with the World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets, he was a perennial fan favorite, earning eleven consecutive Gold Gloves, a National League co-MVP Award, and a batting title. But it was his unique blend of intelligence, humor, and talent -- not to mention his unflappable leadership, playful antics, and competitive temperament -- that transcended the sport and propelled him to a level of renown that few other athletes have achieved, including his memorable appearances on the television show Seinfeld. Now, with a striking mix of candor and self-reflection, Hernandez takes us along on his journey to baseball immortality. There are the hellacious bus rides and south-of-the-border escapades of his minor league years. His major league benchings, unending plate adjustments, and role in one of the most exciting batting races in history against Pete Rose. Indeed, from the Little League fields of Northern California to the dusty proving grounds of triple-A ball to the grand stages of Busch Stadium and beyond, I'm Keith Hernandez reveals as much about America's favorite pastime as it does about the man himself. What emerges is an honest and compelling assessment of the game's past, present, and future: a memoir that showcases one of baseball's most unique and experienced minds at his very best.

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9780316552431

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Reviews

I have known Keith my entire adult life and this revealing and honest autobiography made me smile and weep. Everyone has their own 'bruises' and Keith lets us in on what it takes to survive the troughs and tough times to make himself into the MVP he was and fine man he is today. Incredible perseverance of the human spirit with the help of his family, Keith will always be the greatest ballplayer I ever played with. I'm proud to call him my friend. --Ron Darling 'Don't think, ' said Crash Davis to Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham. 'You can only hurt the ball club.' No one ever said that to Keith Hernandez, the thinking person's ballplayer. 'You're gonna have to learn your clich�s, ' Crash advised Nuke. 'They're your friends.' This, too, is a rule that, fortunately, Hernandez ignores in this romp through his life before, during and after baseball. Except there is no life after baseball. --George F. Will Meeting Keith when I was 13 remains one of the greatest moments of my life. The long arc of his career has been an inspiration for all of us, as we've watched him grow from the trials he's been through. This book shows how much grit it takes to be great. Indeed, after reading so many stories we never knew about his life and career, my appreciation for Keith--as a player, as a colleague, and as a friend--has reached new heights. I think we all have a great deal to learn from the dedication Keith has to the sport and the insights (and foresights) he has for its past, present, and future. --Alex Rodriguez Praise for I'm Keith Hernandez As a longtime baseball fan, I appreciated learning about the evolution of one of my favorite ball players--Keith Hernandez. Even when he is writing about his slumps, his book is a hit. I recommend it. --Gay Talese, author of High Notes and A Silent Season of a Hero

As a longtime baseball fan, I appreciated learning about the evolution of one of my favorite ball players--Keith Hernandez. Even when he is writing about his slumps, his book is a hit. I recommend it. --Gay Talese, author of High Notes and A Silent Season of a Hero Meeting Keith when I was 13 remains one of the greatest moments of my life. After reading this book which so accurately describes the grit, dedication, and perseverance it takes to become one of the Baseball's greats, my appreciation for Keith--as a player, as a colleague, and as a friend--has reached new heights. It hits home, as do his keen insights into the game's past, present, and future. If you love baseball, you MUST read this book. --Alex Rodriguez Praise for I'm Keith Hernandez I have known Keith my entire adult life and this revealing and honest autobiography made me smile and weep. Everyone has their own 'bruises' and Keith lets us in on what it takes to survive the troughs and tough times to make himself into the MVP he was and fine man he is today. Incredible perseverance of the human spirit with the help of his family, Keith will always be the greatest ballplayer I ever played with. I'm proud to call him my friend. --Ron Darling 'Don't think, ' said Crash Davis to Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham. 'You can only hurt the ball club.' No one ever said that to Keith Hernandez, the thinking person's ballplayer. 'You're gonna have to learn your clich�s, ' Crash advised Nuke. 'They're your friends.' This, too, is a rule that, fortunately, Hernandez ignores in this romp through his life before, during and after baseball. Except there is no life after baseball. --George F. Will Praise for I'm Keith Hernandez

As a longtime baseball fan, I appreciated learning about the evolution of one of my favorite ball players--Keith Hernandez. Even when he is writing about his slumps, his book is a hit. I recommend it. --Gay Talese, author of High Notes and A Silent Season of a Hero

'Don't think, ' said Crash Davis to Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham. 'You can only hurt the ball club.' No one ever said that to Keith Hernandez, the thinking person's ballplayer. 'You're gonna have to learn your cliches, ' Crash advised Nuke. 'They're your friends.' This, too, is a rule that, fortunately, Hernandez ignores in this romp through his life before, during and after baseball. Except there is no life after baseball. --George F. Will As a longtime baseball fan, I appreciated learning about the evolution of one of my favorite ball players--Keith Hernandez. Even when he is writing about his slumps, his book is a hit. I recommend it. --Gay Talese, author of High Notes and A Silent Season of a Hero

Author Information

Keith Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played the majority of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets. A batting champion and five-time All-Star, Hernandez was corecipient of the 1979 NL MVP award and won two World Series titles, one each with the Cardinals and Mets. He earned more Gold Glove awards -- eleven -- than any first baseman in baseball history. Since 2000, Hernandez has served as an analyst on Mets telecasts for the SNY, WPIX, and MSG networks and is a member of the FOX Sports MLB postseason studio team. He divides his time between New York and Florida.

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