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Out of the Blue: Orel Hershiser
Orel Hershiser is proof that great things can happen to ordinary people if they work hard an never give up. But it's not as easy as it looks. Learn what it's like to be a big leaguer, a pitcher, a Dodger, and discover his sources of strength and faith. So slip into his uniform and be him for a couple of hundred pages.
217 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 3, 2011
It was an interesting book, but far from exceptional.
May 1, 2017
The 1988 Dodgers were far from exceptional. In fact they were not even expected to get past the Mets, to whom they had lost 10 of 11 regular season games against. This book is very good for anyone who has a strong background in baseball or plays it themselves, it provides a lot of insight on how to be a mentally tough player, as both and individual and team player. However to someone who has no background in baseball or is new to the game it may not be a good choice for book to read, there is a ton of jargon and many team names that may not be commonly known among readers not invested in the game
May 31, 2024
This is the book that made me a Dodgers fan. And a fan of Orel Hershiser! I think I was in 7th or 8th grade I had to choose a book about sports for a book report and I found this one. So glad I did! This book is like being there alongside the legendary pitcher himself while he goes through the incredible 1988 season. Baseball lore! A pitching legend! A talented Christian guy. Great to read it again and have it in my library now.
February 27, 2017
Good look back on a great time in baseball where players were everyday name, folks talked about them in normal conversation, and legends were born.
January 23, 2020
As a lifelong Dodger fan, this is a must read about Orel Hershiser. What makes this biography so good is that it was written in 1989, the year after the Dodgers last World Series win, so Orel's magical 1988 season is still fresh in his mind. I was amazed that he was rattling off individual game and batter statistics throughout the season. The level of detail made me relive many memorable moments, and want me to rewatch the 1988 playoff run highlights. I hadn't realized how spiritual Orel is, but thankfully he doesn't come across as preachy.
It would be nice if he came out with an addendum (maybe online blog) that covered his recent years as the Dodgers TV announcer.
It would be nice if he came out with an addendum (maybe online blog) that covered his recent years as the Dodgers TV announcer.
March 4, 2018
A quick read, but still pretty good! The first part is a fairly detailed look at the "art" of pitching, which should appeal to anyone interested in that position! And the second is about Orel, and specifically the 1988 season, a season no Dodger fan will ever forget! The book appears to have been written not to long after the World Series, so his memories of the playoffs and Series are really detailed! And the photos included in here are pretty cool too! This is mostly for Dodger fans, but like I said, fans of pitching will enjoy this too! Luv ya Bulldog! And thank you!!!
February 12, 2023
Orel Hershiser's account of the 1988 baseball season, during which he pitched 59 scoreless innings.
He begins with chapters talking about his Christian faith and his views on pitching mechanics, strategy, etc. to give the rest of the book context. Then he gets into truly exciting descriptions of the important games, including the league championship series against the Mets and the World Series against the A's. His blow-by-blow descriptions of key games are enthralling and reminds us of why baseball is such a great sport.
He begins with chapters talking about his Christian faith and his views on pitching mechanics, strategy, etc. to give the rest of the book context. Then he gets into truly exciting descriptions of the important games, including the league championship series against the Mets and the World Series against the A's. His blow-by-blow descriptions of key games are enthralling and reminds us of why baseball is such a great sport.
December 4, 2018
I found this book on the book shelves at my parents' farm house over Thanksgiving weekend. I didn't even know we had it. I'd always admired Hershiser's skills as a pitcher and knew he was a Christian. This book sheds light on how both came to be. It's a quick, breezy read, meant to capitalize on his skyrocketing to fame. It's not terribly deep, though, and I'm not sure if that's been sacrificed to keep the book moving or a reflection of Hershiser. I suspect the former.
November 14, 2025
59 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.
NL Championship Series MVP and World Series MVP that same year.
Only 6 earned runs allowed in the final 101 2/3 innings he pitched in 1988 - that's an ERA of 0.62 across his final 11 starts.
... Ladies and gentlemen, let us all remember - and appreciate - one of the greatest pitching performances EVER, and the man at the center of it all: Orel Hershiser
NL Championship Series MVP and World Series MVP that same year.
Only 6 earned runs allowed in the final 101 2/3 innings he pitched in 1988 - that's an ERA of 0.62 across his final 11 starts.
... Ladies and gentlemen, let us all remember - and appreciate - one of the greatest pitching performances EVER, and the man at the center of it all: Orel Hershiser
November 14, 2025
This was one of my favorite books when I was younger as Orel was such an inspiration. I wasn’t a Dodger fan but at the time rooted against the evil empire (the Oakland A’s)! With the Dodgers winning another ring this year I wanted to give this book another read and it was nostalgiac! Loved it!! I think I was 10 or so when this was released! Whew!
December 23, 2025
I got this at book sale at the local library. No great expectations. I just thought it would be a good read to remind me of Hershiser's brilliance and the Dodgers miracle '88 season. Pretty condensed book that reads quickly. I would recommend to a Dodger fan familiar with Yamamoto's brilliance in this year's series (2025), but maybe too young to know Orel Hershiser. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 11, 2017
"I was thinking how grateful I was to be there, to be healthy, to have had the year I had . . . God blessed me by allowing this moment, the kind of experience any athlete at any level dreams about for years." Nice, humble autobio from the '88 Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP.
December 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and the dodgers history is fascinating as well. good read.
December 27, 2024
Enjoyed the personal journey of his rather more than the baseball moments, but I am not a Dodger fan.
May 17, 2012
Out of the Blue was written after Orel Hershiser's amazing 1988 season. Hershiser, who won a Gold Glove and the National League (NL) Cy Young Award for his regular season work, also picked up the NL Championship Series MVP, World Series MVP, and the Babe Ruth award (given to the player from either league with the best post season performance). En route, he finished the regular season with 59 consecutive scoreless innings, breaking Don Drysdale's record. He even added 8 more in his first playoff appearance but that didn't count towards the streak. The NL leader in wins, innings and complete games, he was absolutely overwhelming.
After relating how he was given the nickname 'Bulldog' (which he didn't like) by the always entertaining Tommy Lasorda, Hershiser starts the book by talking about his approach to pitching. He breaks it down into five parts: attitude, mechanics, strategy, regimen and game day. I've never been a pitcher, and while I understood what he was conveying and why it was important, I didn't find it very interesting. Since that's about 25% of the book, well, not good.
He talks a bit about growing up and getting into baseball, including his first failed attempt at college. I don't mean as a pitcher: I mean, life. He discusses how he found Jesus (Hershiser is an over Christian) and met his future wife, Jaime.
The remainder of the book is about the streak and the fantastic 1988 post season Hershiser and the Dodgers enjoyed. This squad has been called the weakest lineup in the modern era. But it beat the heavily favored Mets of Doc Gooden and Daryl Strawberry. And Kirk Gibson's improbable home run in game one led them to a stunning upset of the Oakland A's, starring Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.
The main flaw I found in this book was that it didn't really convey the drama of the post season. A Dodgers fan, I was surprised to find out that Gibson wasn't even in uniform for most of game one of the World Series. So, Hershiser gives you some behind the scenes stuff. But you're not spellbound with a "what happens next?" feeling, which so many good baseball books do.
Of course, 1988 wasn't the end of his career. He went on to win another 121 games over 12 more seasons, helping the Cleveland Indians reach their first World Series in forty-one years. He is currently a pretty good analyst at ESPN.
I am a fan of Hershiser as both a pitcher and a Christian, and Hershiser's scoreless inning streak and the Dodgers' run to the World Series are great moments in the team's storied history, but this is just an okay baseball book. I'm glad I read it, but I don't expect to be drawn back to it again.
After relating how he was given the nickname 'Bulldog' (which he didn't like) by the always entertaining Tommy Lasorda, Hershiser starts the book by talking about his approach to pitching. He breaks it down into five parts: attitude, mechanics, strategy, regimen and game day. I've never been a pitcher, and while I understood what he was conveying and why it was important, I didn't find it very interesting. Since that's about 25% of the book, well, not good.
He talks a bit about growing up and getting into baseball, including his first failed attempt at college. I don't mean as a pitcher: I mean, life. He discusses how he found Jesus (Hershiser is an over Christian) and met his future wife, Jaime.
The remainder of the book is about the streak and the fantastic 1988 post season Hershiser and the Dodgers enjoyed. This squad has been called the weakest lineup in the modern era. But it beat the heavily favored Mets of Doc Gooden and Daryl Strawberry. And Kirk Gibson's improbable home run in game one led them to a stunning upset of the Oakland A's, starring Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.
The main flaw I found in this book was that it didn't really convey the drama of the post season. A Dodgers fan, I was surprised to find out that Gibson wasn't even in uniform for most of game one of the World Series. So, Hershiser gives you some behind the scenes stuff. But you're not spellbound with a "what happens next?" feeling, which so many good baseball books do.
Of course, 1988 wasn't the end of his career. He went on to win another 121 games over 12 more seasons, helping the Cleveland Indians reach their first World Series in forty-one years. He is currently a pretty good analyst at ESPN.
I am a fan of Hershiser as both a pitcher and a Christian, and Hershiser's scoreless inning streak and the Dodgers' run to the World Series are great moments in the team's storied history, but this is just an okay baseball book. I'm glad I read it, but I don't expect to be drawn back to it again.
December 7, 2016
I am not a Los Angeles Dodgers fan but I am an Orel Hershiser fan. Being a fan of the San Francisco Giants it is hard for me to stomach anything or anyone who wraps themselves in Dodger blue. Orel certainly does that. He did pitch for other teams in his career including the Cleveland Indians and even the San Francisco Giants for a year. This book, however, is about the his life and career up to, and including, the 1988 season in which he set the record for the most consecutive innings pitched without allowing a run to score and the Dodgers won the World Series over the Oakland A's.
Despite all that Orel has against him being a Dodger and all, I still like him as a person because he exudes kindness and he is a Christian former athlete who doesn't hide his faith. In fact, in this book he talks openly about his life as a Christian. Too often even believers will hide their faith from the public. Orel does not. In fact he give Christ the glory for his accomplishments.
So even though there is a lot of Dodger blue in this book give it a try and learn about pitching, the magic season of 1988 for Orel and Orel's Christian beliefs.
Despite all that Orel has against him being a Dodger and all, I still like him as a person because he exudes kindness and he is a Christian former athlete who doesn't hide his faith. In fact, in this book he talks openly about his life as a Christian. Too often even believers will hide their faith from the public. Orel does not. In fact he give Christ the glory for his accomplishments.
So even though there is a lot of Dodger blue in this book give it a try and learn about pitching, the magic season of 1988 for Orel and Orel's Christian beliefs.
October 14, 2009
59 consecutive scoreless innings, 23 wins, 15 complete games, 8 shutouts, 267 innings pitched. What a season! I decided to pick this one up again to reminisce about the 1988 Dodgers, as the 2009 Dodgers are just now entering the NLCS against the Phillies. I was only a kid when I followed the '88 season, but I watched intently. Baseball has always been a riveting game for me. Orel's description of the season of a lifetime brought me back to those incredible moments like Kirk Gibson hitting a walk off homer in game one of the World Series against Oakland's ace Dennis Eckersly. I can still imagine him hobbling around the bases and pumping his fist the whole way. I also enjoyed Orel's emphasis on his pitching technique, including mechanics, strategy, and regimen. His game-time focus and dedication to his craft helped to him to become the 1988 Cy Young award winner, NLCS MVP, and World Series MVP. What a season!
October 5, 2012
I read this book on former Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser again because I saw it for a buck at the Book Fair and wanted to relive the Dodgers winning it all again since they won't be in the playoffs again this year. A very quick read (only 200 pages) and I bumped it up a star to 3 because it is very detailed about the 1988 season in the second half of the book. The first half of the book is not really for me, however, as it gets a little too religious for me. That might be cool for others though. A nice re-read from the time I read it about 23 years ago. I recommend for any Dodger fan or someone wanting to relive and remember just how good Orel Hershiser's 1988 season was.
January 22, 2014
I really enjoyed this trip down memory lane! I have been a Dodger fan for as long as I can remember and remember well the post season of 1988 which led to the writing of this book. It was fun to re-live that and learn some of the inside information. I have also had great respect for Hershiser and his strong Christian stand in those days. Many should remember, or should try to find on the internet, his appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson where he sang. It was very moving. If I remember correctly they went directly to commercial because Johnny was touched and crying. Great stuff!
December 22, 2008
Despite not being a Dodger fan or knowing anymore about Orel Hershiser than his name and he was a pitcher, I enjoyed this book! He seems like a sincerely nice person and a good family man. I know you are saying, Why did she read this book??? It was one of 12 I purchased on Ebay for 1 cent and when I needed a paperback to take on a trip it was the one on top. I'm glad I grabbed it!!!
August 10, 2007
I read this book shortly after its release, which was after the Dodgers won the 1988 World Series. I was 12 and obsessed with baseball (as I still am). Orel is a great man and pitcher. If you like baseball, you should read this one.
December 15, 2007
Rated: C
autobiograhy of Orel world series season w/ the Dodger when he pitched a record of consecutive innings of shut-outs & as under-dogs came back to win the series; he makes mention of his Christian faith
autobiograhy of Orel world series season w/ the Dodger when he pitched a record of consecutive innings of shut-outs & as under-dogs came back to win the series; he makes mention of his Christian faith
March 23, 2008
Great book if you are a baseball fan and like good people. I used to work for Orel Hershiser back when he was in the World Series with the Indians (vs. the Braves). Orel is a true family man ... he and his wife are really great, down-to-earth people.
May 3, 2009
This was one of the first biographies I read...not very well known, but I found it interesting.
*EDIT*
And even though this details my beloved A's losing in the World Series...I still like the book. And I sorta like the Dodgers.
*EDIT*
And even though this details my beloved A's losing in the World Series...I still like the book. And I sorta like the Dodgers.
June 8, 2009
This book is about Orel Hershier and his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988. The book contains a bit about his personal life to the way he practices and teaches himself to be an excellent pitcher. I would recommend this book to fans of Hershiser or the Dodgers.
December 5, 2007
I read this in the 5th grade for a book report that had to be an autobiography. It's actually really good. I liked baseball a lot then.
June 19, 2014
Wouldn't normally have read a sports bio, but this was recommended at the time I read it. I enjoyed reading about some of the behind the scenes baseball info.
August 10, 2011
Fantastic book detailing his rise to greatness and Orel's humility after he had such a remarkable record.
December 1, 2011
A good look at the ideals and work ethic at what made Hershiser successful. He concludes with the 1988 season, which the Dodgers won the World Series.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews