I'm Keith Hernandez: A Memoir

Description

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.

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.

The book offers an interesting perspective of what it takes to be a success in baseball.--The Daily World Praise for I'm Keith Hernandez '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 [I'M KEITH HERNANDEZ] reflects on his life, career and the state of baseball today.--WNYC's "The Brian Lehrer Show" All in all, Hernandez delivers his book with disarmingly self-deprecating humor and blunt candor - 100-percent authentic to who he is in the broadcast booth.--East Hampton Star An impressionistic account of his baseball boyhood, and a kind of 'Remembrance of At-Bats Past, ' complete with a baked good to set the memories in motion...I'm Keith Hernandez is by turns crust and soft. It's pretty good, too.--New York Times Book Review 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 Even at 64, Hernandez has maintained the coolness quotient that made him a star in New York more than 30 years ago.--Newsday Hernandez writes with frankness and honesty in his baseball memoir...[he] still has the ability to engage readers with thoughts on batting slumps, his worries about a fixation on home runs, and his concerns about baseball's escalating use of statistical analysis.--Christian Science Monitor 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 If you pick up I'm Keith Hernandez, you'll get a lot of incredible stories... Overall, the memoir captures what it's probably like to hang out with Keith.--MLB's "Cut 4" Illuminating and heartfelt memoir.--Memphis Flyer Just as he is on Mets and Fox postseason broadcasts, he is candid and that makes for entertaining, informative reading in I'm Keith Hernandez.--Tulsa World 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 Poignant and unexpectedly literary.--Sports Illustrated Selected for Behind the Bestsellers roundup--Publisher's Weekly Selected for 6 Baseball Books for Mid-season Reading--Christian Science Monitor 5 Books High Performers Should Read This Month In this candid memoir, the legendary first baseman reveals how his early years were strewn with insecurities. Hernandez opens up about how he gained the confidence to thrive in the major leagues.--Equinox's "Furthermore"