Wherever I Wind Up

TITLE:  Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity, and the Perfect Knuckleball
AUTHOR: R.A. Dickey, with Wayne Coffey

R.A. Dickey

More than a baseball book, Dickey's memoir is the story of perseverance, faith, overcoming adversity in both his personal and professional life, and finally, redemption. Dickey, currently a starting pitcher with the New York Mets and the only knuckleball pitcher still practicing the craft, pulls no punches in examining and sharing the traumatic events in his life, from his rough childhood through his early successes on a baseball field, through the years he was mired in the minor leagues, and finally, to success. 

A child of divorce and the son of an alcoholic mother and an increasingly distant father, Dickey suffered sexual abuse when he was eight at the hands of a babysitter and a teen boy he encountered one fateful day, resulting in shame he locked away deep inside him and never shared for decades. Reckless acts, deep bouts of doubt and lack of confidence, he had only the love of his wife and his faith in God to sustain him, until thoughts of suicide lead him to finally seek therapy. He's been on a painful, yet incredible journey and I was a bit teary-eyed by the end of the book.

Dickey majored in English lit at college and it shows in the prose. He's an articulate athlete and the story he has to share is compelling. Even if you're not a baseball or sports fan, you might want to give this a try. Baseball is only the backdrop for a very human story.

And yes, I got to meet him at a book signing at Barnes & Noble back in April. :)