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Hard Stuff
A devastating tragedy. A shattered rookie pitcher. Do you believe in miracles?
Best friends Pete O'Brien and Danny Grace dream of playing professional baseball. The make a pact to help each other reach "The Show" and one day play for a championship. When tragedy strikes on a wine country road, Danny's world turns into a nightmare of suffocating grief and shattered faith.
Despite being drafted by an expansion team, Danny continues to reel from the crushing loss until an incredible opportunity thrusts the rookie pitcher into the Major League spotlight During the season, an aging catcher, an eccentric center fielder, a wise old manager, and a beautiful woman emerge to help him heal emotionally and spiritually. Determined to fulfill the vow to his dead friend, Danny's poignant journey climaxes when he comes face-to-face with the universe's ultimate plan for humankind.
Best friends Pete O'Brien and Danny Grace dream of playing professional baseball. The make a pact to help each other reach "The Show" and one day play for a championship. When tragedy strikes on a wine country road, Danny's world turns into a nightmare of suffocating grief and shattered faith.
Despite being drafted by an expansion team, Danny continues to reel from the crushing loss until an incredible opportunity thrusts the rookie pitcher into the Major League spotlight During the season, an aging catcher, an eccentric center fielder, a wise old manager, and a beautiful woman emerge to help him heal emotionally and spiritually. Determined to fulfill the vow to his dead friend, Danny's poignant journey climaxes when he comes face-to-face with the universe's ultimate plan for humankind.
270 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Michael John Sheehan
2 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 22, 2020
Fun fictional peek into the life of a major league baseball player and finding balance in life.
November 7, 2009
I read this book and have a couple different things to say about this book. First, I met Michael Sheehan at a conference this Fall and was impressed with the man. He was very genuine and charismatic and I got to talk with him about the story behind the story. The two friends that he wrote the story to memorialize. It gave a whole new depth to the book for me and I really enjoyed meeting him.
Secondly, I do have to put a warning label on this book. I was a little surprised to find a couple swear words in this books, not that they weren't maybe realistic in the scenarios they pop up in, but the story would have been just fine without them being there. And also there is a part in the story where the main character and his girlfriend succumb to their passion for each other. They are not Christians at the time, but that doesn't change the fact that I never approve of pre-marital sex.
Those issues aside, I actually enjoyed the story and was really drawn in by the characters. The storyline is definitely baseball, baseball, baseball - but I really enjoyed the details and the feel of the game. Michael does a great job putting you right in the middle of the diamond and making you follow the hits, strikes and runs. But where he excels is in introducing us to the character, Danny Grace and his journey.
I would love to strongly recommend this book, but due to the warnings I previously listed, I can't, but I can say that if those don't bother you - then this is a really good book.
Secondly, I do have to put a warning label on this book. I was a little surprised to find a couple swear words in this books, not that they weren't maybe realistic in the scenarios they pop up in, but the story would have been just fine without them being there. And also there is a part in the story where the main character and his girlfriend succumb to their passion for each other. They are not Christians at the time, but that doesn't change the fact that I never approve of pre-marital sex.
Those issues aside, I actually enjoyed the story and was really drawn in by the characters. The storyline is definitely baseball, baseball, baseball - but I really enjoyed the details and the feel of the game. Michael does a great job putting you right in the middle of the diamond and making you follow the hits, strikes and runs. But where he excels is in introducing us to the character, Danny Grace and his journey.
I would love to strongly recommend this book, but due to the warnings I previously listed, I can't, but I can say that if those don't bother you - then this is a really good book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews