The DH

The Triple Threat #3

by John Feinstein

Perfect for baseball lovers and fans of Mike Lupica, book three in the Triple Threat series by New York Times bestselling sports writer John Feinstein explores what happens when athletes break the rules.    Alex Myers’s football and basketball seasons were mired in controversy, and his dad’s been MIA since his parents split up. All Alex wants this spring is to work on his fastball and hang out with his maybe-girlfriend, Christine. But he runs into unexpected competition on both fronts.   Matt Gordon was suspended from sports after he admitted taking PEDs during football season, but the athletic board has decided to give him another chance. So he’s on the team—and he’s got something to prove. He’s also got his eye on Christine. The question this season—is all fair in love and baseball? Or are some things truly foul?   Filled with action, intrigue, and intense rivalries, The DH and the other books in the Triple Threat series follow the ups and downs of one talented athlete’s year in sports.    Praise for book one in the Triple Threat series, The Walk “All the goods for the sports enthusiast—and more.” —Kirkus Reviews   “Full of refreshingly decent high school students, first crushes, a dose of dating drama, and a cliff-hanger ending, The Walk On will interest even non-football fans.” —School Library Journal   Praise for book two in the Triple Threat series, The Sixth   “Suspenseful and well-dramatized sports action scenes. . . . Solidly drawn, both on and off the court.” —Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Sports, Realistic Fiction, Baseball

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2016

About the author

John Feinstein was an American sportswriter, author, and sports commentator.

Reviews

[Tyler Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feinstein was my favorite author at 14 and remains my favorite author at 25. His knowledge of sports makes his stories realistic and he tells a great story while explaining the trials and tribulations of teenagers. Books one, two, and three of The Triple Threat had me hooked from start to finish. 5 stinkin stars.

[Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book. Had great detail and i enjoyed the first book in the series

[Will M · Rating 5 out of 5]

That even if someone is better than you does not mean your best self is bad and to not get too cocky or you might be the one to get hurt in the long run.

[Max Mallah · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The DH by John Feinstein, Alex started baseball season. After loosing in the state championships in football, and making it to the playoffs in basketball, he is ready and excited for baseball season to start. He is also thrilled that Matt Gordon, who got suspended from playing high school sports from taking PEDs, appealed his suspension and is going to play baseball. The team gets off to a rocky start but then picks it up and starts winning. Late in the season they realize that they can't make the playoffs. Even though they think they can't they still want to beat Chester, their rival, in the last two games of the season. The whole team's mindset changes when they hear that the team that clinched the Conference championship, got disqualified because two of the players on that team were taking money from agents. This ileagal in High School Sports. Therefore, Chester Hights, Alex's team, and chester have a chance of making the playoffs. Chester Hights needs to win both games to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The first game against Chester was at home, which they won. The second game, was at Chester. Alex was the starting pitcher. It turns out, they also won that game too. Overall, this was a great book.

[Brandon Z. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I belive this was a great book.It was thrilling and exciting.The was some problems but they weren't big.There was two main characters.They were Matt Gordon and Alex Meyers.Matts parents just got a divorce and he is really hurt by it.So he ignores it by playing baseball.That is all he felt like doing because of the situation.I feel bad for Matt and the situation he is in.Alex has a almost normal life until that day.Him and Matt got into a argument over Alex's girlfriend and Matt punched Alex.The next day Alex and Christina (his girlfriend) had lunch.That is when it all went down.Christina said she needed a break from Alex.He was so heartbroken.I would be too if that were to happen to me.This book has some drama and some fun.It is a good book for kids who are into sports.Matt Gordon has never played baseball much but he is a natural.He is a slugger, hitting home runs like crazy.He is also the teams ace.That means he is the number one pitcher.He always holds the other teams off while he scores runs for his.There was scouts coming from everywhere to watch Matt.There was news vans and reporters everywhere.After every game he was interviewed by tons of people while the rest of the team got nothing.Then one day Matt, Alex, and Christina went to talk to Bryce Harper.They did that because Matt was planning to skip his senior year of high school like Bryce did.At the end of the meeting Matt was different.I would do that for any of my friends if I was in that situation.To me this book is very emotional and crazy.I get sad at some points and at others I am trying not to cheer because of what happened.This would be a good book for the ones out there who love sports or baseball.I think this book is good for all ages.After the meeting with Bryce Matt played differently.He was still a all star but he just was different.The old Matt had come out at times.Other than that he was just all about the media and attention.Everyone on the team missed the old Matt.Everybody agreed that the attention and media had gotten the best of him.He didn't have any free time to play with his friends it was all taken up by the media and newspapers.Overall this was a great book and I really liked it.I would suggest this author to anyone and everyone.This is one of the best sports books I have read so far.I loved how the author wrote the book.This book is filled with goodness.By goodness I mean all of the things you would want in a sports book or in any book.

[Aaron Gerhart]

Do you know what it's like to have media or drama surrounded around you for your entire school year? The main character of this book is Alex Myers a three sport athlete. Throughout the whole book he faces challenges on and off the baseball field with his teammate and his girlfriend. Alex is a very jealous person but is also really caring every since his old teammate was aloud to play sports he has changed a lot. He is happy for his friend, but also misses the old Matt. Alex, Matt, Jonas, and Christeine have been friends all year, they got through everything by having each other’s back.
With Basketball finally over it's finally time for Baseball season to start. Alex and Jonas were a couple weeks late because of them making the conference finals but, when they arrived for practice they had a pleasant surprise. There old teammate Matt Gordon won his trial for his steroid use during the football season and is finally aloud to play sports again. With Matt getting into some trouble while pitching their friendship grew a lot more and, Alex finally got what he deserved
This book is the last one in the triple threat series. I really enjoyed reading this book because it gave a different look at the characters that you haven’t seen before, a new look at different situations that they haven’t experienced yet. I read this book with a background on these characters but, every page my opinion changed on each person. I was very happy through the first part but, towards the end everything started to unfold and I had very mixed emotions. This book is very happy, but at some points it really puts into perspective how quickly things can change.
I recommend this book to people that really enjoy baseball or people that just really like sports in general. The author John Feinstein really uses rich adjectives and a deep use of vocabulary to explain the sequence of events that happen. Throughout this book Alex has many flashbacks about his dad and really develops character. I would really recommend this series to anyone who loves sports or just enjoys reading action packed books.

[Brendan Shader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading the book, The DH, by John Feisntein. To understand my review, you need to know a little about the book. In The DH, an athlete, Alex Myers who plays football, basketball, and baseball and all Alex wants to do is play baseball and spend time with his maybe-girlfriend,Christine, but he runs into competitiion on and off the field. Matt Gordon is a teammate of Alex's who had admitted to taking steiroids during the football season, but he gets another chance to play since the board board decided to let him. Matt also has his eye on Alex's maybe-girlfriend, Christine. Out of no where, all the people Alex had trusted in his life suddenly turn on him and friendly competition has turned into an all out war.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. Through out this whole book, I was never bored and I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. Throughout this book, the author was very descriptive with everything he wrote. " Matt abandoned the casual, arms-folded, leaning against the desk stance. He waled right over to where Alex was standing. He wasn't that much taller than Alex--about six three to Alex's six one--but outweighed him by a good thirty pounds." This is a small portion of the story, but from this you can tell how much detail the author goes into when explaining characteristics of certain things to keep the story interesting. From the quote above, you can tell as the reader what actions Matt took and how tall he was and how much he weighed.

The reason I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars was because this book is on a topic I can relate to and very much like. This book does have drama that occurs throughout the story and some chapters end with a cliffhanger that'll make you wanna read more so if you are a person that likes dramas, suspense and baseball, this book is a must read for you.

[Michael Furry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reading experience I had with this book was very good. I could relate to it a lot because I play baseball myself and some of the situations that took place in the book I have experienced before. What I really liked about the book was how realistic it was. I could see many of these events occurring in real life. What I didn’t like about the book was that sometimes it was very unrelated to baseball and focused on stuff that didn’t really relate to the story. The parts that confused me the most was when they went from the players baseball life to the players real life. This book helps answer one of our essential questions because in the book Alex’s dad messed up big time lying to his kids about where he was going. This really made Alex and his sister Molly upset with him. Later in the book Alex’s dad then made it up by being Matt’s lawyer and helping him get out of trouble since he was a big part of the baseball team. This helps answer one of the questions because it shows that even if you mess up you can make it up. “I think you did a great job, Dad,” he said. “More important, thanks for just taking all the time to be here and help Matt.” This quote explains that Alex forgives his dad for what he did in the past and is very thankful for helping Matt. I would recommend this book to baseball players. Baseball players will relate to this book a lot and enjoy it just like I did.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series about Alex Myers. First he played football, then basketball, and now he's playing baseball. Teammate Matt Gordon, who was a prominent character in The Walk On, is back. After getting caught using steroids in the football season, a technicality shortened his suspension. He missed basketball season, but he's back for baseball. He surprises everyone by being even better at baseball than football. Agents are all over him and he's thinking about graduating at the end of his junior year to join the pros. Alex is good, but Matt is definitely the best all around player.

Then Matt's temper gets the best of him and he throws an outside ball that hits the batter in the head. The batter is in critical condition and Matt is suspended for the rest of the season. Not having much money for an attorney, Alex's dad agrees to take his case pro bono to fight the lawsuit and the suspension.

As usual, Feinstein delivers intensity and action. He includes a lot of play action that true baseball fans will enjoy. He always includes interesting sports information to bring nonplayers up to speed. He talks about the art of pitching and the reasons for certain batting calls. He talks about the reason players are only allowed a certain number of pitches in a game and why they take days off between games. As a non-athlete I didn't know any of this, and now I do!

The characters in this series are high school age, whereas Lupica's are middle school. Otherwise, the two authors write a similar book.

[Ronan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the last book in a series of three, I read all three and thought this series was very good. I found this book series very enjoyable because it was relatable and about sports which i enjoy. The first book was about football, the second is about basketball, the third and final is about baseball. This goes through a tough season with a lot of ups and downs and it was a good complement to the series. In the DH I really enjoyed the Genre because it's about baseball and sports, which i like reading about, some of my favorite parts in the book were when they were describing the game threw the eyes of the main character Alex Myers. Another aspect of the book i enjoyed was the characterization of the main characters in the book, I found them interesting to follow during the book and it was cool to see how the writer John Feinstein showed their emotions and reactions during this book. I also like how he used foreshadowing in the title, it created suspense because it made me think about who would become the eventual DH and then when it happened it was satisfying. I really enjoyed this book and the entire series, I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys sports books.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feinstein, John The DH, 293 pages. Knopf (Random), 2016. $17. Content: G (there might have been 3 swears, but I really wasn’t paying attention for once).

Now that basketball season is over, Alex is eager for baseball. Matt Gordon was declared ineligible after the events of the football season, but he argued his case and is now also on the team. When Matt proves to be a pitching and hitting natural, he head starts to swell, causing problems for Alex both on the team and between him and Christine. Disaster is looming for someone – but I am not giving away any secrets!

Watching Alex through his freshman school year has been very exciting. I will drop one spoiler – Stevie and Susan Carol make an appearance! Keep writing Feinstein.

MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Gus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Choice book # 3 Quarter 1
The DH by John Feinstein is a sports book which takes place Philadelphia.

The main characters in the book are Alex Myers and Matt Gorden. Alex is and Matt both go to the Chester hights high school. Alex this school year has played football and basketball now he and Matt are trying out for baseball.

The problem in the story is when Matt hits a kid on the other team in a game and gave him brain bleeding. the kid had to have multiple surgeries. Matt is getting sued by the parents of the kid and is getting suspended by the high school athletic association.

I liked the book because there was a lot of stuff going on in it. The author made me feel like all the bad things were happening to me. I read all three books in the series and it didn't feel complete. I would have made more good/happy parts in the books. I would also have the teams that Alex plays on winning more games.

[Jarrett]

This month I read the book The DH by John Feinstein. This book is about a high school kid who is a good athlete and plays three sports. The book starts with Matt Gordon being allowed to play sports again after taking PEDs and being suspended from sports for awhile. Alex isn't sure how to feel about Matt being reinstated because Matt's blood sample was purposely switched with Alex's so it look like Alex was the one taking steroids. The book is set in high school and both boys are competing for scholarships from colleges. Alex also feels like Matt is trying to steal his girlfriend. Matt later is accused of intentionally throwing a ball at a batter. Alex has to decide if he can trust Matt and support his teammate. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes baseball. I gave this book an 8 out of 10 because I liked the action.

[Davis Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Alex Myers after his basketball and football season. Alex's friend, Matt got cleared to polay baseball after his performance inhacment drug test came in positive. Matt is really good and had national attention. Matt started changing like flirting with Alex's girlfriend and just not being a nice person. Alex tries different things to try and make him the normal Matt. One day in a game Matt got angry and threw a pitch at a kids head and put him in the hospital. Matt was suspended for this. With all of the pressure of MLB scouts and the kid in the hospital and his suspension Matt is confused. Its up to Alex to get Matt back on the right tracks.

[Chandler Stocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Matt be able to convince the league to reduce his suspension, so he can come back and help the team win a State Championship? I really liked this book and the way the author wrote it. I can kind of put myself in Alex’s shoes because I play baseball and some of the things that happen, happen on every team so I can see it happening to me. The reason they have a tough time deciding about Matt’s suspension, is during football season he got suspended for taking steroids because Alex was so much better than him. This shows how much your past choices can impact your life now or your future. I really liked this book and I would recommend reading it especially if you like sports or baseball.

[Jeff Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in a series about a kid who is great at a lot of sports but not so great at being a great human being, this book drops you in the midst of his school sports year where he isn't technically suspended from baseball and thus is playing baseball. Even though I'm a sports fan, fictional sports books have never quite done the trick for me the way they do a lot of reluctant readers who may not reach for anything else, so I'm more appreciative that this exists as opposed to thinking this is any sort of truly great read.

[Barrow Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, this book was entertaining and fun to read the whole way through. At times, I felt like the author was just dragging on the book on and on with Useless information. This book is very predictable and cliche also, it's just like any other stereotypical high school. This book als is kind of unrealistic, because I've never heard of a player hitting a ho,Erin nearly every time he went up to bat, especially in high school. This book had flaws, but it was mostly entertaining and exiting.

[Jacob Wilms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and believe that anyone in the sports Genre will enjoy it like I did. It is a pretty typical sports book but it has some great elements to it. The main character, Alex, is thrust into a very difficult situation where his "friend" Matt goes through several controversies. The ending is unpredictable unlike most books in this genre, and is also great. For me it would have mad more sense to have Matt as the main character, but its not my book. All in all, I think this is a great read for anyone who like the genre, or even a little drama.

[Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alex Myers's football and basketball seasons were mired in controversy, and his dad has been MIA since his parents split up. All Alex wants this spring is to work on his fastball and hangout with his maybe-girlfriend, Christine. But he runs into unexpected competition both on and off the field. I didn't really like this book very well because it wasn't really my time of book that i like to read. But i do like how they relate the book to the real life world.

[Tommy Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and it's story line. I liked how it piggy-ed backed well off the first two books. I really liked how it showed that Matt was dealing with the pressure of him taking PEDs during football season. That he had to over come that and show that he was a good player without the PEDs. I also liked how it showed Alex maturing in his relationship from the beginning to the end of the book.

[Nich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally liked this book because it was about baseball, and I love to play, watch and read about baseball. Not only that but it was also about teammates who help each other out, and it was also about how they are always there for you. I enjoyed reading through the tense situations in the games that were described in the novel. Overall, it's a great book to read.

[Rumtin Khorram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to end the series. I don't like baseball that much but I loved the book. I was skeptical about getting the book because I don't love baseball and don't know much about it but I am extremely grateful that I got the book. Loved every page of this book and the whole series. You enjoy reading it and genuinely get happy when Alex overcomes a problem or accomplishes something.

[Zachary Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the DH because it was a real life book and taught important lessons I think most kids should know. There where some parts I felt repeated and some of the dialogue was boring but it didnt ruin the book. I think this is a great book

[Zachary Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the DH because it was a real life book and taught important lessons I think most kids should know. Therre were some parts I felt repeated and some of the dialogue was boring but it did not ruin the book. Overall, I think this was a great book.

[Marshall Kiester · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[Danny Zheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book to read, even if you hate reading, This book is very interesting because it kind of relates to real life.It is a pretty quick book to read and isn't too hard.

[Mateo Mwemba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Colby Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad it's over......

I'll miss new adventures with Alex and Jonas! These books really create conflict with situations that actually exisit. Thank you

[gavin faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like this book. it was a good third book in this series and had a very good connection to the other two books. it was a good story overall

[Ryanm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good