Tomorrow I'll Be Perfect

by Dave Stieb

This autobiography of one of baseball's most outstanding and controversial personalities features uncensored views on salaries, agents, pitching, life on the road, and the pressures of winning and losing.

Genres: Baseball, Sports

167 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're reading this and you somehow haven't watched Captain Ahab by Jon Bois of Secret Base on YouTube please do yourself a favor. I've never been so moved about inconsequential things that occurred before I was even aware of baseball as I have been by those videos.

This is kind of a scattered jumble of two different things. Part of it is a recitation of stats and events. The other part is deeper thoughts and musings on what it all means. The first is pretty boring. The second is the stuff we're really here for. I'm surprised how much was dedicated to a play by play of events, but considering how early in his career he was when he decided to write this maybe it was necessary since there wasn't a full career to see the arc of to put smaller things in a larger context.

The more introspective stuff runs the gammot of basic stuff about why he was such a hot head on the mound in his early years to the gems about Hall of Famers giving it all up for one more afteroon at the yard. I also liked a line about what could I do with $50 million that he couldn't do for half as much. The love letter to Old Comiskey Park was unexpected. I don't remember a lot of reminiscing about that park compared to others of its generation. I was also surprised about the lack of any mention of Jack Morris. There is mention of the Tigers but nothing about the Morris. There is some about the Royals which makes sense considering they were coming off an ALCS match up at the time. And of course ending on his first 9th inning blown no-hitter is the only way it could end.

I wish it were a better read. But honestly it is more consistent with his character to have that imperfection. Otherwise he wouldn't be Captain Ahab.

[Jeremy Pao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jon Bois, producer of the four-part web documentary on Dave Stieb, cites that Stieb had written his autobiography many years too early; that he had only written it before he'd come to know the biggest trials and tribulations to happen in his career. Stieb published the book prior to the 1986 season, a season riddled with injuries which in turn became his worst statistical season in his profoundly remarkable run as "Best Pitcher of the 80's".

On the surface, Stieb's recounting and reflection of his career on and off the field are retrospective but nowhere near damning or spicy. He's calm and collective, and well processed through Kevin Boland's words. However, there are moments in hid autobiography that are almost prophetic, especially knowing the trajectory of his career.

With the background knowledge of his career reading the book adds an eerie level of enjoyment, reading the words of a younger Stieb and contrasting them to the Stieb that followed is a wild experience only he can produce.

[Mr. X · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching the “Captain Ahab” docuseries by Jon Bois and Alex Rubenstein (Secret Base on YouTube,) I found myself intrigued by the story of Dave Stieb. This book offers a fascinating insight into his career midway through his playing days, showing the struggles and triumphs a pitcher faces everytime he takes the mound. Stieb is very honest and forthcoming about his feelings and experiences on and off the field, making for a memorable commentary on a man who SHOULD be in the baseball hall of fame.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars is incredibly generous for the book but if you liked the Dave Steve documentary from secret base then it’s a quick read that adds to the myth of Captain Ahab.

[Joe Seliske · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the early days of the Blue Jays, Dave Stieb was one of their most successful pitchers. I'll always remember people talking about his attitude with comments like, "No one is as good as Dave Stieb thinks he is." This book goes into great detail of some of the games in his early career and how the actions of he and his fellow players influenced the outcome of the games. It outlines the years from 1978 until 1985, far from the end of his career in 1993 or if you include the one-shot return in 1998. I prefer to read books about people when their careers are complete.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful and surprisingly emotional tale of what it was like to be a pitcher. Despite writing it so young, Stieb's autobiography remains candid in its views of baseball's complexity and randomness.

[Edward Helldorfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goat on glizzy

[TheDenizen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and pedestrian biography, really only of interest to anyone who was a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays in the mid 80's.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally got my hands on this autobiography of my childhood hero. Love the competitive fire, balanced with perspective.