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Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All Stars
The Closer
Danny Connolly is a back-up pitcher with the Dulaney Orioles. He knows that "back-up" means "not good enough to start." When he has gotten a chance to pitch, he hasn't exactly been the shut-down reliever the team needs.To make matters worse, he's playing in the shadow of his older brother, Joey, a lights-out high school lefty with a 90-mph fastball who's attracting lots of attention from college recruiters and major league scouts.
It's bad enough that Danny's parents fawn over Joey and rarely talk about Danny's games. But now, as his big brother's mound exploits are drawing more and more attention, Danny is starting to get the why-aren't-you-as-good-as-Joey? comments from the Orioles, too.
The pressure to live up to Joey's success is stifling. Lonely and frustrated, Danny embarks on a secret project designed to make his family and teammates sit up and take notice. Aided by a mysterious stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the aerodynamics of a thrown baseball, he attempts to learn a pitch no one has seen before.
The clock is ticking as the O's try to repeat as league champions. If Danny's audacious plan works and he can master the magical fluttering pitch known as "The Terminator," he'll soon be the talk of the league--and the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need. PRAISE FOR HOTHEAD:". . . just the ticket for readers who've worked their way through Dan Gutman and Matt Christopher but are still a little shy of Matt de la Pe a and Carl Deuker. "--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Written with Ripken's obvious knowledge of the game, Conor's story rings true, with plenty of good baseball action. If Conor's not always in good spirits, the novel is, with likable characters, lively baseball action and the usual dreams of playing in the big leagues-in Conor's case, at Camden Yards. Ripken and Cowherd, like Conor and his Babe Ruth League Orioles, make a winning team. "--Kirkus
It's bad enough that Danny's parents fawn over Joey and rarely talk about Danny's games. But now, as his big brother's mound exploits are drawing more and more attention, Danny is starting to get the why-aren't-you-as-good-as-Joey? comments from the Orioles, too.
The pressure to live up to Joey's success is stifling. Lonely and frustrated, Danny embarks on a secret project designed to make his family and teammates sit up and take notice. Aided by a mysterious stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the aerodynamics of a thrown baseball, he attempts to learn a pitch no one has seen before.
The clock is ticking as the O's try to repeat as league champions. If Danny's audacious plan works and he can master the magical fluttering pitch known as "The Terminator," he'll soon be the talk of the league--and the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need. PRAISE FOR HOTHEAD:". . . just the ticket for readers who've worked their way through Dan Gutman and Matt Christopher but are still a little shy of Matt de la Pe a and Carl Deuker. "--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Written with Ripken's obvious knowledge of the game, Conor's story rings true, with plenty of good baseball action. If Conor's not always in good spirits, the novel is, with likable characters, lively baseball action and the usual dreams of playing in the big leagues-in Conor's case, at Camden Yards. Ripken and Cowherd, like Conor and his Babe Ruth League Orioles, make a winning team. "--Kirkus
208 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
10 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Cal Ripken Jr.
38 books31 followersCal Ripken, Jr. was a shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles for his entire career (1981-2001). Nicknamed “The Iron Man” for his relentless work ethic and reliability on the field, Ripken is most remembered for playing a record 2,632 straight games over 17 seasons. He was a 19-time All Star and is considered to be one of the best shortstops professional baseball has ever seen. In 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Since his retirement, Ripken has worked as President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc. to nurture the love of baseball in young children from a grassroots level.
Since his retirement, Ripken has worked as President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc. to nurture the love of baseball in young children from a grassroots level.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 9, 2019
Brady Ebling
The Closer
By: Cal Ripken Jr.
The Closer is a book about a kid named Danny Connolly who plays baseball. Danny was frustrated about how he doesn't think he is good enough and doesn't get enough playing time. In order to prove his coaches and everybody who doesn't think he's good enough wrong, he goes to his neighbor who used to play baseball to ask for some lessons on a fantastic new pitch no one has even heard of before! Readers will come to understand that the life lesson in the book is that you should never give up and always look for ways you can improve with something. This shows in the book when Danny wasn't doing so well and wanted to find a way to make himself better. Anyone who is a baseball fan or a hard worker will enjoy The Closer. This is verifiable because in this book the whole story was about sports and working hard at something you love to make you the best you can be at that something. That is a significant life lesson for us all.
The Closer
By: Cal Ripken Jr.
The Closer is a book about a kid named Danny Connolly who plays baseball. Danny was frustrated about how he doesn't think he is good enough and doesn't get enough playing time. In order to prove his coaches and everybody who doesn't think he's good enough wrong, he goes to his neighbor who used to play baseball to ask for some lessons on a fantastic new pitch no one has even heard of before! Readers will come to understand that the life lesson in the book is that you should never give up and always look for ways you can improve with something. This shows in the book when Danny wasn't doing so well and wanted to find a way to make himself better. Anyone who is a baseball fan or a hard worker will enjoy The Closer. This is verifiable because in this book the whole story was about sports and working hard at something you love to make you the best you can be at that something. That is a significant life lesson for us all.
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December 3, 2019Title: The Closer
Author: Cal Ripken Jr with Kevin cowherd
A young boy named Danny who played baseball is struggling to throw strikes and is in a bad slump. His brother joey to help him at this time, joey is a really good baseball team that has scouts looking at him in every game he plays. Danny has lots of friends on his team and they try to help him get better ad do good. Danny has a mom and dad and a brother named joey. And he has a friend named mickey. The conflict in this story was that Danny was not as good as joey and that he was letting the team down. The setting in the story is on the baseball field and at home. The theme of this story is never give up no matter what people say. In the book joey says "I'm going to leave you with this advice try something different". I like this book I don’t think everyone will enjoy but people who play baseball will definitely enjoy this book from the action and the things they say.
Author: Cal Ripken Jr with Kevin cowherd
A young boy named Danny who played baseball is struggling to throw strikes and is in a bad slump. His brother joey to help him at this time, joey is a really good baseball team that has scouts looking at him in every game he plays. Danny has lots of friends on his team and they try to help him get better ad do good. Danny has a mom and dad and a brother named joey. And he has a friend named mickey. The conflict in this story was that Danny was not as good as joey and that he was letting the team down. The setting in the story is on the baseball field and at home. The theme of this story is never give up no matter what people say. In the book joey says "I'm going to leave you with this advice try something different". I like this book I don’t think everyone will enjoy but people who play baseball will definitely enjoy this book from the action and the things they say.
September 5, 2020
great app
September 19, 2022
I think that since he found out he wasn’t a very good pitcher and he found his “new pitch” that that made him think more confidently
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2018
This book would be a great read for fourth through seventh grade kids. This is a splendid read, because Cal Ripken, Jr. really conveys the importance of sticking with dreams, and staying positive, and only take supportive advice. You can find a theme of perseverance throughout life, no matter what other people say. This book will blow your mind, with the importance of so many life lessons learned throughout this book. This book is something you won’t be able to put down.
May 4, 2016
Very good
More interesting than I thought it ever would be.. it's just simply better than I ever expected.... also it's more dramatic and funny than thought to be
More interesting than I thought it ever would be.. it's just simply better than I ever expected.... also it's more dramatic and funny than thought to be
November 26, 2022
Some editing issues, but overall an enjoyable read.
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November 11, 2017Danny Connolly was a baseball player for the all star orioles. Danny was not doing well and would pitch bad every time he would step foot on the mound. Danny was thinking about quitting baseball.Then Mr Spinelli his neighbor,Taught him a secret pitch called the terminator. Danny started to throw it and soon became the best pitcher in his league. Danny was super happy and loved baseball from that day.
I really like this book because it was dramatic and had plenty of action. Every page would be like what is going to happen next? I would not really change anything because it was a great book. This was probably the best book out of the 5 books in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was great with a lot of action, so everyone would like it. People who play baseball or watch it might like it better because they know what is happening,but it truly could be for anyone.I would give this book a ten out of ten stars.
I really like this book because it was dramatic and had plenty of action. Every page would be like what is going to happen next? I would not really change anything because it was a great book. This was probably the best book out of the 5 books in the series.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was great with a lot of action, so everyone would like it. People who play baseball or watch it might like it better because they know what is happening,but it truly could be for anyone.I would give this book a ten out of ten stars.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews