What do you think?
Rate this book
The Conman: A Baseball Odyssey
Conor Nash has lived his life with a single purpose—to pitch in the Major Leagues. He’s been released from professional baseball contracts ten times over a sixteen-year career, but he’s overcome every obstacle to finally reach The Show when he’s a decade too old. As he faces the specter of injury-forced retirement, he becomes a man neither he nor his wife recognizes. During his career, Conor avoided the trap of alcohol and drugs because his drug was baseball. And what can an addict do when he realizes he will never get that high again? Conor climbs treacherous Camelback Mountain, drinks a bottle of Champagne, recalls people and events, and seeks an answer. Who is Conor Nash if he can’t pitch? The Conman is based on the Life of Keith Comstock. Keith pitched professionally for sixteen years, including Major League time with the Seattle Mariners, the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants and the Minnesota Twins. Following his retirement in 1992, Keith has held minor league coaching and managing positions with several organizations. For the past decade he has served as the rehabilitation instructor for the Texas Rangers.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2019
10 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Mike Murphey
11 books49 followersMike Murphey is a native of eastern New Mexico and spent almost thirty years as an award-winning newspaper journalist in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest.
Following his retirement from the newspaper business, he and his wife Nancy entered in a seventeen-year partnership with the late Dave Henderson, all-star centerfielder for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners. Their company produced the A’s and Mariners adult baseball Fantasy Camps. They also have a partnership with the Roy Hobbs adult baseball organization in Fort Myers, Florida.
At the age of 60, Mike stopped procrastinating and revived his life-long ambition to write a novel. His debut novel, a coming-of-age story called Section Roads—a coming of Age story set in the small town where he grew up—has been recognized by Indie Reader Discovery Awards, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards, The IAN Book of the Year Awards, the Somerset Contemporary Fiction Awards, and the Independent Publishers Book Awards. His novel, The Conman … A Baseball Odyssey, has been recognized by the International Book Awards, the eLit Awards and the Manhattan Book Awards. He has also published his humorous science fiction Physics, Lust and Greed series, which includes Taking Time … a Tale of Physics, Lust and Greed, Wasting Time and Killing Time. “We Never Knew Just What It Was… The Story of the Chad Mitchell Trio” is his first work of non-fiction. Mike loves fiction, cats, baseball and sailing. He splits his time between Spokane, Washington, and Phoenix, Arizona where he enjoys life as a writer and old-man baseball player.
Following his retirement from the newspaper business, he and his wife Nancy entered in a seventeen-year partnership with the late Dave Henderson, all-star centerfielder for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners. Their company produced the A’s and Mariners adult baseball Fantasy Camps. They also have a partnership with the Roy Hobbs adult baseball organization in Fort Myers, Florida.
At the age of 60, Mike stopped procrastinating and revived his life-long ambition to write a novel. His debut novel, a coming-of-age story called Section Roads—a coming of Age story set in the small town where he grew up—has been recognized by Indie Reader Discovery Awards, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards, The IAN Book of the Year Awards, the Somerset Contemporary Fiction Awards, and the Independent Publishers Book Awards. His novel, The Conman … A Baseball Odyssey, has been recognized by the International Book Awards, the eLit Awards and the Manhattan Book Awards. He has also published his humorous science fiction Physics, Lust and Greed series, which includes Taking Time … a Tale of Physics, Lust and Greed, Wasting Time and Killing Time. “We Never Knew Just What It Was… The Story of the Chad Mitchell Trio” is his first work of non-fiction. Mike loves fiction, cats, baseball and sailing. He splits his time between Spokane, Washington, and Phoenix, Arizona where he enjoys life as a writer and old-man baseball player.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 14, 2020
Every young boy who has played baseball has dreams of one day playing in the major leagues. For Conor Nash, that dream not only became a reality, it became an obsession and addiction to be able to pitch as long as possible. Conor's adventures into becoming a major league pitcher with MANY different teams in both the major and minor leagues is the story of this novel by Michael Murphey. The story is based upon the real-life career of Keith Comstock, who was listed as a contributor to the book.
The premise of the story is that as Conor's career is winding down and he is becoming more and more delirious, he is talking to his baseball angel Rita while downing a bottle of champagne. This is an interesting symbol (the champagne) since neither drugs nor alcohol can be considered the vice that has gripped Conor. He becomes a man that no one who has played with or managed him on the field recognizes. This version of Conor is also unfamiliar to his wife Kate who has stood by Conor in every promotion to the majors, demotion to the minors, training camp, aborted trips overseas and countless releases.
Nonetheless, the game has gripped Conor, a character that will grow on the reader, especially a reader who is a baseball fan. That reader will recognize many names from major league baseball in the 1980's. Conor pitched for the Oakland Athletics organization, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners in that time, just for starters. Of course, Kate is another character whom the reader will identify with as well as some of Conor's friends such as AJ Brad and Basil. Well, maybe not Basil, who was the funniest of the bunch as he always found a way to attract women when he drank his scotch and when something went awry, he always claimed it wasn't his fault.
The career of a baseball player, no matter how far he advances, is a complicated journey, from the beginning to the end. This book is much the same way, especially the ending, but it is an enjoyable and fun journey as the reader takes the mound with Conor Nash every step of the way.
I wish to thank Acorn Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
The premise of the story is that as Conor's career is winding down and he is becoming more and more delirious, he is talking to his baseball angel Rita while downing a bottle of champagne. This is an interesting symbol (the champagne) since neither drugs nor alcohol can be considered the vice that has gripped Conor. He becomes a man that no one who has played with or managed him on the field recognizes. This version of Conor is also unfamiliar to his wife Kate who has stood by Conor in every promotion to the majors, demotion to the minors, training camp, aborted trips overseas and countless releases.
Nonetheless, the game has gripped Conor, a character that will grow on the reader, especially a reader who is a baseball fan. That reader will recognize many names from major league baseball in the 1980's. Conor pitched for the Oakland Athletics organization, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners in that time, just for starters. Of course, Kate is another character whom the reader will identify with as well as some of Conor's friends such as AJ Brad and Basil. Well, maybe not Basil, who was the funniest of the bunch as he always found a way to attract women when he drank his scotch and when something went awry, he always claimed it wasn't his fault.
The career of a baseball player, no matter how far he advances, is a complicated journey, from the beginning to the end. This book is much the same way, especially the ending, but it is an enjoyable and fun journey as the reader takes the mound with Conor Nash every step of the way.
I wish to thank Acorn Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
December 27, 2023
You don’t need to be a baseball fan to enjoy “The Conman” by Mike Murphey. The story follows the true tale of Keith Comstock, a scrappy MLB player who fought tooth-and-nail to make it to the big leagues. It’s a reflection piece that focuses on the hardships, temptations, and challenges of becoming a pro ball player. The main character goes through life doing things he’s not always proud of in order to fulfill his dreams, and as he reflects, we learn that his obsession has left him empty as a result. What I expected was a lot of baseball culture in this book (which it has). What I didn’t expect was the lessons Mike’s life taught. One thing I definitely will not forget every time I watch the game is the great amount of sacrifice each player on the field makes just to get a number on the team, and the struggles it takes just to fulfill one’s dreams.
December 3, 2019
This is not just a baseball book but one about the journey taken in pursuit of a dream. Anyone that has played the game or baseball or has pursued any type of career goal will immediately identify with Conor Nash. You get a strong sense of the single minded purpose that goes into the struggle of not only achieving your goal but holding onto it once you get there.
You also see the strong support from family and friends that is needed by those daring enough to hold themselves out there in pursuit of a lifelong dream. Also, the impact that pursuit may have on close family members.
You also see the strong support from family and friends that is needed by those daring enough to hold themselves out there in pursuit of a lifelong dream. Also, the impact that pursuit may have on close family members.
January 7, 2020
Having walked a similar path in my career it was still interesting and informative to see it from a contemporaries eyes. Though I never punched a Hall of Farmer! Mike did a great job of bringing Keith’s career to life!
January 13, 2020
“‘When others don’t believe in you, you just have to believe in yourself that much more’~Jackie Robinson “
This fictional biography is based on a real person: Keith Comstock; a baseball player who pitched for 16 years with a number of different Clubs, and with a lot of players I remember in my lifetime. However, Conor Nash is both the focus AND the narrator, talking about how he, and three other friends grew up.
As the book opens,Conor, last of a tontine, has scrambled up Camelback Mountain to drink the bottle of champagne and tell his story to St.Rita, who he believes is the patron saint of baseball. Through a rambling, somewhat boost fueled monologue he talks about his growing up, how his family rallied for each other, how they celebrated when he first got signed to a baseball team, and how his father’s terminal illness and death effected him. We’re with him when he marries and has to take off season jobs to make ends meet, watch his own family with Kate expand, and how she has to hold things together as well as be his major cheerleader. We get glimpses of some of baseball’s greatest like Reggie Jackson and Goose Gosage. And we cheer/boo as his age and his injuries begin to catch up with him. What’s next? Is he ‘paying the piper”? Does he still believe in himself?
I have to tell you, this is a sports story, and I wasn’t sure if I would even finish it. It doesn’t get 5 stars because, although it is a good read, the ending makes me wonder about how much got edited out because in part the story of his friend “Fat Brad Grady” doesn’t track well. All in all, I did enjoy the book. 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
This fictional biography is based on a real person: Keith Comstock; a baseball player who pitched for 16 years with a number of different Clubs, and with a lot of players I remember in my lifetime. However, Conor Nash is both the focus AND the narrator, talking about how he, and three other friends grew up.
As the book opens,Conor, last of a tontine, has scrambled up Camelback Mountain to drink the bottle of champagne and tell his story to St.Rita, who he believes is the patron saint of baseball. Through a rambling, somewhat boost fueled monologue he talks about his growing up, how his family rallied for each other, how they celebrated when he first got signed to a baseball team, and how his father’s terminal illness and death effected him. We’re with him when he marries and has to take off season jobs to make ends meet, watch his own family with Kate expand, and how she has to hold things together as well as be his major cheerleader. We get glimpses of some of baseball’s greatest like Reggie Jackson and Goose Gosage. And we cheer/boo as his age and his injuries begin to catch up with him. What’s next? Is he ‘paying the piper”? Does he still believe in himself?
I have to tell you, this is a sports story, and I wasn’t sure if I would even finish it. It doesn’t get 5 stars because, although it is a good read, the ending makes me wonder about how much got edited out because in part the story of his friend “Fat Brad Grady” doesn’t track well. All in all, I did enjoy the book. 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
January 29, 2020
I've read a book by Mike Murphey before, it was much different than this one, but I found his writing style to be similar even though the books are so vastly different. I enjoy the way he puts together a story. For this one, its a novel that is based on a true story so there were a lot of facts Murphey had to make sure he got correct. I'm an avid Baseball fan, I love everything about that sport. It's my favorite sport! I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author gave us an authentic look into the baseball world. It's a road of ups and downs for the main character. True lows losing his dream, but ultimately finding his place in the sport and the world. I so enjoyed it!
December 28, 2019
Great storytelling
This was a very entertaining book. I've read Mike Murphey before and he's a wonderful storyteller, penning fantastically funny dialogue, standout characters, and well paced prose that makes you really want to see how it will all end. It's really cool that this is based on a true story. Kudos to Keith Comstock for sharing his baseball stories. Well written, full of fun stats and famous baseball names. Four stars.
This was a very entertaining book. I've read Mike Murphey before and he's a wonderful storyteller, penning fantastically funny dialogue, standout characters, and well paced prose that makes you really want to see how it will all end. It's really cool that this is based on a true story. Kudos to Keith Comstock for sharing his baseball stories. Well written, full of fun stats and famous baseball names. Four stars.
January 29, 2020
I’m a baseball fan and I think that this book does a great job of balancing a story about perserverance and moving forward when the life you had planned doesn’t work out. It also does a great job of highlighting so many elements in every day life that we can learn for. Reading true stories of others always seems to put things in perspective for me and I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Murphey’s words and Keith Comstock’s journey through Connor Nash.
March 29, 2020
That was as much fun as I've ever had reading a book, sports theme or otherwise, since "Ball Four" as a teenager when my older brother loaned me a copy of Bouton's controversial book. I think we can all relate to the Conman's dreams, trials, and tribulations of wanting to become a big league star.
I believe the reader will especially appreciate how all the subplots come together to produce a realistic, but great ending.
I believe the reader will especially appreciate how all the subplots come together to produce a realistic, but great ending.
November 18, 2024
Really quite good. In truth, it was a little confusing where truth intertwined with fiction, but once you got the flow of the book, it was a quick read written with great style.
Of course, in a book like this with real names and nearly real names, it makes a person wonder which of the stories in it are real and not.
Great read for a baseball fan, especially if they were actively watching in the 1980s and early 90s.
Of course, in a book like this with real names and nearly real names, it makes a person wonder which of the stories in it are real and not.
Great read for a baseball fan, especially if they were actively watching in the 1980s and early 90s.
January 29, 2020
This is just a wonderful piece of writing. I loved the fact that it was inspired by a true story. I felt like that just gave it something extra. Mike Murphey really has a way of connecting his reader with his character. I really felt for Conor through his struggles and rooted for him. He had some lows and I was frustrated with him at times, but he was a compelling main character.
July 2, 2020
An odyssey indeed
I've had the privilege of knowing a couple of guys who come close to living this story. I could listen to them talk baseball all day long. We as fans never get to see the true drama that goes with the life of a pro ballplayer, but The Conman brings us as close to living it as we'll get.
Well researched, written, and shows a true love for baseball. Thanks.
I've had the privilege of knowing a couple of guys who come close to living this story. I could listen to them talk baseball all day long. We as fans never get to see the true drama that goes with the life of a pro ballplayer, but The Conman brings us as close to living it as we'll get.
Well researched, written, and shows a true love for baseball. Thanks.
February 27, 2020
A Walk-Off Grand Slam
As a baseball fan and lover of good stories, I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Murphy's take on the life most professional athletes lead. Conor Nash ends up as Starman, but never a star. His is the story of the rest of us. Highly recommend.
As a baseball fan and lover of good stories, I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Murphy's take on the life most professional athletes lead. Conor Nash ends up as Starman, but never a star. His is the story of the rest of us. Highly recommend.
April 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I knew I would, after I read Mike Murphey's first book, "Section Roads." I didn't know what to expect with this book, but I fell in love with all the characters and couldn't wait to see how it all turned out. Mike's writing style is engaging and wonderful.
November 26, 2021
Well written,”Bouton-Raquel”account of a baseball vagabond,humorous,well developed characters..a must read for all baseball junkies
Read
December 2, 2019The Conman by Mike Murphey is an interesting read that pulls you in and leaves you wanting more. A story that is inspiring yet heartbreaking. The characters are intriguing and well-written. *I received a complimentary copy from RABT Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*
November 11, 2019
This is a well written book with strong characters and an interesting story line. The author brings a fast paced story and pulls you in with the detailed scenes. I was hooked from start to finish. I would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Read
November 11, 2019The Conman is a fast-paced sports fiction that is sure to take you right on the field. Full of inspiring and determined characters with a story that is sure to leave you wanting more. A captivating story that will leave you wanting more. *I received a complimentary copy from RABT Book Tours and the author in exchange or an honest and unbiased review.*
October 8, 2019
Personally, this one was not for me. I didn't like how his writing style and how he transitioned topics. Alot of times I would be confused on how he got to that point in the story, and I'd always have to go back and reread to figure it out.
Overall, it was a good story. But the writing itself wasn't great.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Overall, it was a good story. But the writing itself wasn't great.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews