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Hey Columbus Sports Fans!

With all the time on the long bus trips from ballpark to ballpark, I have acquired some pretty good reading habits. Over the past year I have read some fascinating sports books and figured I would give my perspective on them. Hopefully I’ll get some insight from you readers as well. Here are a few of my favorites from the summer:

1)      Beyond Belief – This is about the story of Josh Hamilton’s comeback to baseball. After being the 1^st overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, Hamilton was consumed by drugs that ultimately caused him to fall completely out of baseball. He gives a first-hand account of his downward spiraling life and how he almost lost everything including his family, baseball, money, and his dignity because of his drug abuse. This was definitely my favorite book because it is such a remarkable story of how a man with such natural ability can have everything, lose it all, and find the strength to come back through his faith and will. This book was especially appealing to me because our Ohio State team is mentioned in the book and I actually met Josh Hamilton when he was at his lowest; before he made his big comeback. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, this is a highly recommended book to anyone.

2)      Quiet Strength- This is Tony’s Dungy story about faith, family, and coaching that led him to be the first African American coach to win a Super Bowl. He describes his subtle coaching tactics that ultimately gain the respect of his players and staff without screaming or profanity. This is a feel-good book that touches people emotionally by elaborating on his faith in every circumstance of life. This is another highly recommended book that anyone would enjoy. Tony Dungy has recently written another book, Un-Common, that I will definitely be reading soon.

3)      Odd Man Out – This book is written by Matt McCarthy, a former minor league baseball player who gives a first-hand account of his experiences in the Anaheim Angels organization. McCarthy’s baseball career was short-lived after being released in his first spring training. However, the former molecular biophysics major at Yale provides very descriptive accounts that are not for the weak-at-heart. He goes through the in’s and out’s of a minor league baseball season with a lot of the dirty truths that are revealed. This book really hit home with me because I could relate to most of the experiences that McCarthy encountered. If you want an accurate account of what the minors are like, give this book a try.

Other Notable Books: Game of Shadows, Moneyball, The Yankee YearsIf anyone has any other books they have read and would recommend, please feel free to share. Thanks for reading!

Tags: josh hamilton, minor league baseball, tony dungy