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Deep Drive: A Long Journey to Finding the Champion Within
An inspiring, national bestselling memoir from a Red Sox hero and MVP of the 2007 World Series.
In 2007, Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell triumphed over a lifetime of adversity when he led the world’s most zealously followed baseball team to the promised land—their second World Series title in four years. But there was much more to the story than what happened that October night.
From the hardships of his childhood in Puerto Rico, to the ups and downs of his baseball career, to his battle with testicular cancer, this is the story of man who overcame every challenge pitched at him to become one of the best third basemen in baseball—and a true role model for millions.
“Lowell’s story . . . [is] told in his own occasionally salty, but always sincere voice . . . quite candid.” — The Hartford Courant
“Mike Lowell is such an honest man, a man who plays the game hard, and plays the game right, the whole time.”—Manny Ramirez, Red Sox outfielder
In 2007, Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell triumphed over a lifetime of adversity when he led the world’s most zealously followed baseball team to the promised land—their second World Series title in four years. But there was much more to the story than what happened that October night.
From the hardships of his childhood in Puerto Rico, to the ups and downs of his baseball career, to his battle with testicular cancer, this is the story of man who overcame every challenge pitched at him to become one of the best third basemen in baseball—and a true role model for millions.
“Lowell’s story . . . [is] told in his own occasionally salty, but always sincere voice . . . quite candid.” — The Hartford Courant
“Mike Lowell is such an honest man, a man who plays the game hard, and plays the game right, the whole time.”—Manny Ramirez, Red Sox outfielder
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 20, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “FROM CANCER SURVIVOR TO WORLD SERIES MVP! AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY!”
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This is sooo much more than your average baseball book. If you’re interested in statistics alone you can always buy baseball cards. This is a powerful personal story of Mike Lowell: a son, a brother, a husband, a Father, a man who has never, and will never, forget where he and his family have come from and gone through, a CANCER SURVIVOR, and a Major League Baseball player. I can relate to him 100% on everything but being a Major League player. Mike calls this his “FOUNDATION”. He unabashedly and with rightful pride details his family’s history of fleeing from Castro’s Cuba. His Father-In-Law spent fifteen years in a Cuban prison as a political prisoner. His memories of his “Mother having to sew her family’s valuables into her dress as a little girl to circumvent the rule limiting a human being’s life to one suitcase,” is part of what is Mike’s “FOUNDATION”. This is a great deal more important than hitting and catching a baseball, which of course Mike does quite well as his record indicates via a Gold Glove for fielding, two world championships and four all-star teams. But that is not the true essence of this book.
When Mike was eight-years-old, for the first time in his life he hit a game winning home run and life couldn’t be sweeter. But on the way home in the car with his Dad, his Dad turned to him and said: “Doesn’t it feel great to get that hit?” “I told him it sure did, still reveling in my new role as a third-grade-star.” He then added, “If you want to do that more often, you have to WANT to be the guy that’s in that situation-because a lot of people say they want to be in that situation, but they don’t want to be in that situation.” “Unbelievably, the glory of my home run had suddenly taken a backseat to these words. Even at that impatient age, listening to Dad was always the priority, and this was no exception.” Twenty-five years later in the 2007 World Series after he hit the clinching seventh-inning home run he had heeded his Dad’s advice again.”
But in between the childhood home run and the home run on the world’s greatest stage, Mike faced life’s largest and most deadly opponent: testicular cancer! The date was February 19, 1999. It’s funny the way certain dates loom larger and more important than any others in your life. They make birthdays, anniversaries, graduation days seem inconsequential in comparison. I know! MY DATE is February 13, 2003; that’s the day I almost died during brain tumor surgery. Mike hadn’t even played one full season in the Major’s. He describes what it was like driving by himself with tears streaming down his face with a possibly deadly secret, that only he and his Doctor knew, on the way home to tell his bride of four months. I took the same ride wondering how to tell my son. His loving strong family rallied around Mike and he made it through the surgery. He now chants and prays the exact same mantra I pray, every year I go in for my MRI (like Mike the frequency of these possible life altering tests have become less frequent as the positive results add up.) “PLEASE DON’T COME BACK,” “PLEASE DON’T COME BACK. His five year anniversary was February 19, 2004… mine was February 13, 2008. As Mike and I know, these tests make facing a big at bat in a pennant race (or for me trying to close a big sale) akin to a walk in the park on a beautiful spring day.
Yes, Mike has never forgotten where he came from, never forgot the core of his “FOUNDATION”, nor have I. Like Mike, my Dad was my idol, and twenty-eight years after his death still is.
Midway through Mike’s first season in Boston when Cuban dictator Fidel Castro was reportedly very ill, Mike was quoted on the front page of the “Boston Herald” as saying : ** “I HOPE HE DIES!” ** People who didn’t know his “FOUNDATION” thought the quote was blown out of proportion, but the truth was that it wasn’t. “The truth was that it was more real than most could comprehend.” “He explained to the reporters where my anger came from. You have to understand, this was a man who had killed a family member of mine, imprisoned numerous other family members, violated human rights left and right, and forced people to become so desperate to escape his reign that they would go into an ocean knowing only one of four would make it, while the other three would most likely be eaten by sharks. There are tens of thousands of brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husband, and wives who have suffered atrocities at the hands of this man. So that’s where my hatred came from. It might not have been the right thing to say, or something easily understood, but it was from the heart.”
Personally, I went looking for a baseball book, and I wound up finding a brother in arms in the fight against cancer, and instead of a baseball book I found a “BOOK OF INTEGRITY!”
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This is sooo much more than your average baseball book. If you’re interested in statistics alone you can always buy baseball cards. This is a powerful personal story of Mike Lowell: a son, a brother, a husband, a Father, a man who has never, and will never, forget where he and his family have come from and gone through, a CANCER SURVIVOR, and a Major League Baseball player. I can relate to him 100% on everything but being a Major League player. Mike calls this his “FOUNDATION”. He unabashedly and with rightful pride details his family’s history of fleeing from Castro’s Cuba. His Father-In-Law spent fifteen years in a Cuban prison as a political prisoner. His memories of his “Mother having to sew her family’s valuables into her dress as a little girl to circumvent the rule limiting a human being’s life to one suitcase,” is part of what is Mike’s “FOUNDATION”. This is a great deal more important than hitting and catching a baseball, which of course Mike does quite well as his record indicates via a Gold Glove for fielding, two world championships and four all-star teams. But that is not the true essence of this book.
When Mike was eight-years-old, for the first time in his life he hit a game winning home run and life couldn’t be sweeter. But on the way home in the car with his Dad, his Dad turned to him and said: “Doesn’t it feel great to get that hit?” “I told him it sure did, still reveling in my new role as a third-grade-star.” He then added, “If you want to do that more often, you have to WANT to be the guy that’s in that situation-because a lot of people say they want to be in that situation, but they don’t want to be in that situation.” “Unbelievably, the glory of my home run had suddenly taken a backseat to these words. Even at that impatient age, listening to Dad was always the priority, and this was no exception.” Twenty-five years later in the 2007 World Series after he hit the clinching seventh-inning home run he had heeded his Dad’s advice again.”
But in between the childhood home run and the home run on the world’s greatest stage, Mike faced life’s largest and most deadly opponent: testicular cancer! The date was February 19, 1999. It’s funny the way certain dates loom larger and more important than any others in your life. They make birthdays, anniversaries, graduation days seem inconsequential in comparison. I know! MY DATE is February 13, 2003; that’s the day I almost died during brain tumor surgery. Mike hadn’t even played one full season in the Major’s. He describes what it was like driving by himself with tears streaming down his face with a possibly deadly secret, that only he and his Doctor knew, on the way home to tell his bride of four months. I took the same ride wondering how to tell my son. His loving strong family rallied around Mike and he made it through the surgery. He now chants and prays the exact same mantra I pray, every year I go in for my MRI (like Mike the frequency of these possible life altering tests have become less frequent as the positive results add up.) “PLEASE DON’T COME BACK,” “PLEASE DON’T COME BACK. His five year anniversary was February 19, 2004… mine was February 13, 2008. As Mike and I know, these tests make facing a big at bat in a pennant race (or for me trying to close a big sale) akin to a walk in the park on a beautiful spring day.
Yes, Mike has never forgotten where he came from, never forgot the core of his “FOUNDATION”, nor have I. Like Mike, my Dad was my idol, and twenty-eight years after his death still is.
Midway through Mike’s first season in Boston when Cuban dictator Fidel Castro was reportedly very ill, Mike was quoted on the front page of the “Boston Herald” as saying : ** “I HOPE HE DIES!” ** People who didn’t know his “FOUNDATION” thought the quote was blown out of proportion, but the truth was that it wasn’t. “The truth was that it was more real than most could comprehend.” “He explained to the reporters where my anger came from. You have to understand, this was a man who had killed a family member of mine, imprisoned numerous other family members, violated human rights left and right, and forced people to become so desperate to escape his reign that they would go into an ocean knowing only one of four would make it, while the other three would most likely be eaten by sharks. There are tens of thousands of brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husband, and wives who have suffered atrocities at the hands of this man. So that’s where my hatred came from. It might not have been the right thing to say, or something easily understood, but it was from the heart.”
Personally, I went looking for a baseball book, and I wound up finding a brother in arms in the fight against cancer, and instead of a baseball book I found a “BOOK OF INTEGRITY!”
July 31, 2018
Another great one for Red Sox fans, this time about the 2007 World Series season. Also offers good insight into Mike Lowell as both a person, a player and one of the games best “good guys.” Loved this story about how his hustle won over millions and eventually helped the Sox to another title.
July 23, 2011
As a Red Sox fan living in South Florida, it's only natural to be a huge fan of Mike Lowell - the man and the baseball player. "Deep Drive" really brings fans well inside the journey that led Mike Lowell to his well-deserved World Series MVP award in 2007 with the Boston Red Sox.
"It was hard to look into the silver reflection of the trophy and not see all my life's ups and downs staring back."
Written in a very relaxed, conversational style (which I enjoy, as we don't expect Mike to be a writer too), "Deep Drive" touches on many of the personal and professional challenges, hardships and successes that make Mike Lowell the man he is today. Some facts I was already aware of. For example, his successful win over testicular cancer in 1999 when he was just starting out with the Florida Marlins; his 2003 championship season with the Marlins; his horrible 2005 season; being traded to Boston along with former Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett; his 2006 comeback struggle; and, of course, 2007 World Series MVP for the Red Sox.
"When I woke up the morning of game four, I felt, as I think we all did, like we were on the brink of something great. We could feel a championship on our fingertips, although nobody would say as much."
I learned so much more about Mike Lowell and came away being an even bigger fan. I learned how he haggled a draft with the New York Yankees that would allow him to finish school and earn his diploma from FIU (I won't tell you how his mom helped there). Most shocking for me was the horrific sufferings that his family as well as the family who would become his in-laws had endured for generations in Cuba under Castro. Many scars have certainly been forever left upon these families.
As well-respected and very well-liked Mike Lowell is, it's no surprise how far his support system extends throughout many MLB teams and organizations - far beyond his loving family and friends. I'm proud to have him on my team.
"It was hard to look into the silver reflection of the trophy and not see all my life's ups and downs staring back."
Written in a very relaxed, conversational style (which I enjoy, as we don't expect Mike to be a writer too), "Deep Drive" touches on many of the personal and professional challenges, hardships and successes that make Mike Lowell the man he is today. Some facts I was already aware of. For example, his successful win over testicular cancer in 1999 when he was just starting out with the Florida Marlins; his 2003 championship season with the Marlins; his horrible 2005 season; being traded to Boston along with former Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett; his 2006 comeback struggle; and, of course, 2007 World Series MVP for the Red Sox.
"When I woke up the morning of game four, I felt, as I think we all did, like we were on the brink of something great. We could feel a championship on our fingertips, although nobody would say as much."
I learned so much more about Mike Lowell and came away being an even bigger fan. I learned how he haggled a draft with the New York Yankees that would allow him to finish school and earn his diploma from FIU (I won't tell you how his mom helped there). Most shocking for me was the horrific sufferings that his family as well as the family who would become his in-laws had endured for generations in Cuba under Castro. Many scars have certainly been forever left upon these families.
As well-respected and very well-liked Mike Lowell is, it's no surprise how far his support system extends throughout many MLB teams and organizations - far beyond his loving family and friends. I'm proud to have him on my team.
March 7, 2014
Mike Lowe’s Deep Drive amused me with an interesting and thrilling story. I thought the book was very fascinating; it was both humorous and exciting.
The theme in the story is hard to see because it is nonfiction and told in first person, but the theme is mainly to never give up and keep following your dreams.
Lowe’s writing style is in first person and can be very uplifting and inspirational.
There are many characters throughout the book, but Lowe talks a lot about almost character some more than others but he talk mostly about their personality traits and what they did that had an impact on him or the game.
The setting takes place in many places since Lowe travels the country; the story mainly takes place in Florida in spring training and Lowe’s home.
Lowe talks about many interesting and inspirational stories; the plot is Lowe trying to overcome his many battles with the game and overcoming cancer.
I would recommend the book because it very interesting and inspirational and can teach the reader about the about never giving up and always chase your dreams.
The theme in the story is hard to see because it is nonfiction and told in first person, but the theme is mainly to never give up and keep following your dreams.
Lowe’s writing style is in first person and can be very uplifting and inspirational.
There are many characters throughout the book, but Lowe talks a lot about almost character some more than others but he talk mostly about their personality traits and what they did that had an impact on him or the game.
The setting takes place in many places since Lowe travels the country; the story mainly takes place in Florida in spring training and Lowe’s home.
Lowe talks about many interesting and inspirational stories; the plot is Lowe trying to overcome his many battles with the game and overcoming cancer.
I would recommend the book because it very interesting and inspirational and can teach the reader about the about never giving up and always chase your dreams.
January 10, 2010
If you're a Red Sox fan, this is a book you should read. It's not the best book in the world but it's a great way to get a little more in-depth look at Mike Lowell. Unfortunately, the book didn't flow well. It can be hard to follow because it jumps around chronologically. I would have loved to have seen more stories from the clubhouse, too. There was one tedious detail that really bothered me. It concerns two instances where Lowell was discussing Dustin Pedroia. I've wondered for quite a while just how tall Pedroia is and I thought Lowell had told me. Early on, Lowell says Pedroia is five foot six. Later he says five foot seven. What bothers me is that this discrepancy wasn't caught somewhere in the editing process. If you can overlook this type of error and deal with the switching of the seasons throughout the chapters, give it a go. Mike Lowell is definitely a player who faces his challenges head on.
December 28, 2010
I bought this book for about a buck at a going-out-of-business sale at Borders, and then read it basically in one day at the airport. I hate the Red Sox, but for some reason, enjoy reading about their history and players. Mike Lowell, the player this book is about, is no exception. It was nice to go back and relive the 2007 and 2003 World Series, both of which Lowell played in. He seems to be a very nice person and someone who has faced a lot of pressure since he is a surviving cancer patient (I hope I said that right). From now on I will continue to root against Boston, but I hope the rest of Lowell's career turns out great. A lot of good inside information on his teammates and former teammates such as Josh Beckett, Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Curt Schilling, Jeff Conine, Mike Redmond, Jon Lester and David Ortiz to name a few. I recommend for any Boston Red Sox fan, or someone trying to beat cancer. Very inspirational and a very quick read at just over 250 pages.
January 4, 2011
Yep, I liked it. I'm not actually a baseball fan, really, but I am a Red Sox fan. (I like baseball, and I watch games, but I only make time to watch Red Sox games.) Mike Lowell seems like a right kind of guy. After reading this book, he really seems like a right kind of guy. The writing tone sometimes wanders from "These are some things that happened to me, in a nearly conversational way" to "Oh, hey, let me tell you this excellent story almost as if you were there, but not really" in almost a lurching manner, but I'm nitpicking. There's no negativity about anybody in this book, only an occasional "I showed them!" kind of vibe, which makes it rather a pleasant read. I would recommend it for the interested middle-schooler, but beware, there are a few profanities, countable on one hand, but glaring, in quoted comments. I also would recommend it for the interested older reader who wants something pleasant, a bit inspiring, and of fluffier substance.
August 23, 2014
A good read --- it tells Mike's life story from his humble beginnings to his current World Series MVP title in a engaging way. Mike comes across as a very humble person, even with all of the accolades he's gained in his professional baseball career, something all too rare with professional athletes! He remembers where he 'came from' and his family's struggles in a post-Castrel Cuba and his childhood in Puerto Rico. Of course Mike also takes about his battle with cancer, at a point in his career when he was 'just about to make it' -- but he didn't let that knock him down -- he worked hard and came back to become the player he is now. Overall, an inspiring sports-celebrity book worth reading!
January 30, 2016
A good read --- it tells Mike's life story from his humble beginnings to his current World Series MVP title in a engaging way. Mike comes across as a very humble person, even with all of the accolades he's gained in his professional baseball career, something all too rare with professional athletes! He remembers where he 'came from' and his family's struggles in a post-Castrel Cuba and his childhood in Puerto Rico. Of course Mike also takes about his battle with cancer, at a point in his career when he was 'just about to make it' -- but he didn't let that knock him down -- he worked hard and came back to become the player he is now. Overall, an inspiring sports-celebrity book worth reading!
May 9, 2008
If Lowell is not your hero already, he should be. He's the quintessential clubhouse guy: a great teammate (don't forget he's bilingual!) and a great baseball player. I loved all of his clubhouse stories, especially his insights into Josh Beckett (they've been teammates for a long time) and his ribbing of Dustin Pedroia, whom he calls Petie. The 2007 World Series MVP could not have gone to a better guy. Bradford does a great job of making sure this feels like Lowell, telling his own story, without being clunky or overbearing or preachy or lame. Any Sox fan would love this, as would most fans of the game in general. Mike Lowell—what's not to love?
October 13, 2009
I really like this book because it dosent just talk about the good things about being in the MLB but it also talks about the bad things and how they stuggle.I noticed how the author was not hiding anything about his life. He was comfortable with talking about how his family stuggeled and how he struggeled with cancer.I rate this book four stars because it is exciting and interesting but i would like to hear more about being in the MLB and how he handeled the pressure and more about the game. Reading this book it made me feel sad and sorry for Mike Lowell because the media was basicly ruining his baseball life.
January 8, 2009
I've always heard that Mike Lowell was a 'down to earth' guy and after reading this book, I can believe it. He doesn't come across as full of himself like so many sports stars. Many interesting tibits of info on teammates and others make it a great read. My favorite story is when he and another teammate did not make the varisity baseball team at his Catholic high school. They both switched to public high schools [different ones] so they could play on varisity. The teammate was Alex Rodriguez! Boy, was that coach wrong and I'm sure he still regrets his decision!
May 20, 2008
I just had to read this book because Mike Lowell is my favorite Red Sox player. There were some sad moments in the book but his story just confirmed that he is a great person as well as an awesome baseball player. He told us how his career in baseball started, about his family and some of his struggles along the way. He's made some life-long friends and has a very positive outlook. If you love the Red Sox as much as I do, I would recommend that you read this book!
June 28, 2016
This was a fantastic read from the preface through the acknowledgments. I devoured the pages in this book in less than two days, until I reached the Epilogue. Then I set it down & just couldn't pick it up again...because I was sad that it was going to end. If I didn't like Mike Lowell before reading his book (ha!), it would be impossible for me not to now.
September 12, 2008
Mike Lowell is my favorite Red Sox - so when he wrote this book I just had to read it! Honestly, he's not much of an author, but it was a really great way to get to know his background and what it's like coming up in the ranks of Major League Baseball. If you like the Red Sox, you'd like this book!
January 6, 2009
I finished it 1/1/2009 after first picking it up 12/30/2008. Very good read for a book by an athlete. Lowell talks about his in-laws & his own family & Fidel Castro (his father-in-law was a political prisoner in Cuba for 15 years), talks about his cancer, his kids, and of course baseball. I really liked it.
April 17, 2010
Yes, I'm a baseball fan, a HUGE Red Sox fan, and a fan of Mike Lowell. I loved reading about Lowell's family background and his upbringing. Health struggles of his own and within his family are included, but the book never sounds weepy. The book is about a strong, talented baseball player. It's about his values and life-lessons, all influenced by a wonderful extended family.
July 11, 2008
I have to give this one 5 Stars... he's my baseball boyfriend. And yes, my husband knows it.
But, serioulsly, I found it interesting to have a peek in his life. I ehjoyed the pace and how it kind of bounces around the timeline of his life.
But, serioulsly, I found it interesting to have a peek in his life. I ehjoyed the pace and how it kind of bounces around the timeline of his life.
May 19, 2009
Mike Lowell's story is inspirational as well as humorous, but this telling of it is hard to follow, choppy, and light on photographs. I was hoping for a more ordered, chronological tale, and didn't get it from Lowell and Bradford. Too bad. :(
December 10, 2010
For an autobiography of a baseball player it was good. I learned a lot about him that I did not know previously from reading the Sports page and TV. After reading one realizes it is his character that his teammates respect him for, as well as his athletic skill.
December 26, 2010
LOVED this book. The book did jump from subject to subject in the chapters, but it was done in a neat way (that make sense?). Can't wait for Timmy Wake's to come out! If only Rob Bradford wrote that book too...
July 25, 2014
Mike Lowell is one of my favorite players and I really enjoyed reading this book. He seems so down to earth and a sincerely great guy. His dedication to his team mates and the game of baseball shined through the entire book.
June 7, 2016
I enjoyed getting the background story on a World Series MVP. I especially enjoyed his stories of his times with fellow Red Sox players. Mike Lowell gave a great message, work hard, stay clean, be honest with yourself and others and great things can happen.
January 29, 2009
I kike Mike Lowell and found this book to be an inspiring look at how he came into baseball as well as his struggle with cancer and the look at his life so far overall.
April 15, 2009
Excellent book - well worth reading - understanding that getting to MLB is a long journey and the drive and persistence required.
July 6, 2009
An interesting read if you already know a little about this guy. If it's all true, this is one athlete worth looking up to.
June 14, 2009
One of the Red Sox key players to the 2009 World Series!
August 9, 2009
Some interesting info about Mike Lowell, his family and career. Terrible writing with lots of repetition and chronologically difficult to follow.
Read
August 14, 2010Blah...too scattered, I gave up.
July 29, 2011
I have a lot more respect for Mike Lowell after reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews