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Dream Makers: Surround Yourself with the Best to Be Your Best
Discover the tenacity, ambition, and captivating talent of the pitcher who inspired the hit Disney film The Rookie.
Jim Morris is no stranger to big dreams. Since he was five years old, he passionately yearned to play baseball in the major leagues. However, despite all his hard work and determination, a series of unfortunate events and injuries scuttled his career before he was twenty-five. Doctors told him he would never play again.
Then at age thirty-five—after a string of highly implausible events and at an age when most players are retiring—Morris found himself on the mound as a relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His return to the game was so incredible that Disney made his story into a heartwarming film—The Rookie—with a stellar performance by Dennis Quaid. It was released to popular acclaim and was a huge box office success. It won the ESPY for Best Sports Movie in 2002 and the CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment.
Dream Makers picks up where The Rookie left off. This compelling memoir explores the untapped territory of Morris’s life, including his contentious relationship with his father, his incessant and grueling struggle with pain and addiction, the mentorship with his wise and loving grandfather who kept him grounded, and the resolve and faith that drove him to overcome every tribulation. Dream Makers explores the transformative power of surrounding yourself with the best, most accomplished people possible—inspiring you to overcome life’s obstacles and achieve your dreams.
Life can come at you fast, but with God, all things are possible. “It’s not about me. It’s what God can do through me.”
Jim Morris is no stranger to big dreams. Since he was five years old, he passionately yearned to play baseball in the major leagues. However, despite all his hard work and determination, a series of unfortunate events and injuries scuttled his career before he was twenty-five. Doctors told him he would never play again.
Then at age thirty-five—after a string of highly implausible events and at an age when most players are retiring—Morris found himself on the mound as a relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His return to the game was so incredible that Disney made his story into a heartwarming film—The Rookie—with a stellar performance by Dennis Quaid. It was released to popular acclaim and was a huge box office success. It won the ESPY for Best Sports Movie in 2002 and the CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment.
Dream Makers picks up where The Rookie left off. This compelling memoir explores the untapped territory of Morris’s life, including his contentious relationship with his father, his incessant and grueling struggle with pain and addiction, the mentorship with his wise and loving grandfather who kept him grounded, and the resolve and faith that drove him to overcome every tribulation. Dream Makers explores the transformative power of surrounding yourself with the best, most accomplished people possible—inspiring you to overcome life’s obstacles and achieve your dreams.
Life can come at you fast, but with God, all things are possible. “It’s not about me. It’s what God can do through me.”
240 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 28, 2021
Not at all what I expected. Way better! The message to surround yourself with those who want to see you succeed resonated with me on a personal and professional level. Jim Morris, the record-breaking fastball pitcher who was the inspiration for the movie The Rookie (played by Dennis Quaid), vulnerably shares his rise to Major League Baseball at the ripe old age of 35. He attributes the drive to even try out for the league to the spirited youth he coached back in Big Lake, Texas. Highly recommend this sometimes tragic, but highly triumphant story of overcoming multiple odds to reach your dreams.
November 21, 2021
Unedited: i recieved this book as a gift after attending his speech.
“You told us that if we ever had our dream in front of us that we should chase it no matter what. You don’t look around. You go.”
Jim Morris spoke at my church. Much of what he said was in the book but he spoke it better. He spoke about how men are fathers to many more than just blood and he didn’t know that two men not seated with me and my daughter under the white tent that evening on the lawn-had been more of a father by their example than her own who is an addict.
He spoke of his father. His stories could have come out of my mouth. Except my dad was gone when I thought I was going to die of asthma and later had the epinephrine shots to inflate my right lung. It was my mother who had her smoking bridge club over and neglected to take me to doctors after days of begging her and telling her I was dying. And. I wasn’t allowed the German Shepard that may have prevented the abuse in my bedroom from my dad.
But. The quote above answers my questions. When I think of my dream; to finish editing my book (fiction drama) I think of Mona Lisa-which was not created in a tornado. That’s how I feel sometimes. Fighting to pay bills, even legal fees from a dad who won’t pay court ordered child support/insurance/and other court ordered support.
I’m three years in to my novel. I can not tell you MANY times I’ve been tempted to shelve it. I went from teaching to working part time as a librarian so that I can write more (I’m on 7th draft) and sometimes the guilt of my 17 year old getting a job and doing w/out drives me to tears and anguish. But God, in my stillness with Him, tells me to WRITE. I obey. Most of the time. Sometimes the tornado “winds” become too strong and I’ve been months without writing. Other days I can’t survive if I don’t edit my novel.
I love the fact that like Jim I grew up with dream killers and abuse. Sometimes the “nasty voice” in my head becomes too strong but it’s then that I rely on God and His power.
I’m divorced. I carry shame. But Jim was honest that his life wasn’t the story Disney depicted in many ways-complete with a perfect family. He too is divorced. His honestly made him human. Beautiful. And the fact that it resonates so much with my own makes his book Dream Makers-inspiring.
And this I know; God gave me a story and I can’t bear to think of living my whole life and not writing a story-come hell, high water or poverty.
Continued;
It’s been 11 years since my husband and I separated due to his opioid turned heroin addiction and I’m still angry. I’m angry my “dream” family didn’t happen but most of all I’m angry at struggling financially. What the lawyers didn’t get I had to pay in therap[y. My daughter has a job. I can’t pay for her a class ring. Her dad pays no child support because he lost his “legit” job after our divorce and now has jobs that require no drug check and no child support payments (he’s been arrested fo repossession/ theft of Rx pad/intent to distribute. His parents hired a big time lawyer to get him out of jail and into rehab. No college money for our daughter who’s a senior.
I’m still angry at my mom. For not taking me to the doctors when asthma was so bad. For staying and excusing my dad who hit my and strangled me and not feeding us. My mom thought it was funny that we had no food. But my dad also had nighttime binge disorder.
Addiction. Now here’s the ironic part. I too am an addict; chocolate is my drug. It’s not funny. I wake up thinking of food/it’s all I want. I “manage’ my addiction by eating in secret. I weight 117-the most I’ve ever weighted and I am 5’3”.
Now im selfish;
How much time have I wasted being angry? At mom? At my X? I could have spent it with friends or writing but instead I seethe. I didn’t realize this —just how angry I stil am until I read this.
I too “stay inside and color in the lines”. I don’t want to go out. What’s the point? But I do. I want to connect. I wonder if one day I could have a romantic relationship. I’m 46. But no. Who’d want a bitter person who prefers to read alone (I’m a librarian via teacher).
I didn’t know how sick I still was until I read this. The issue is my “drug” is legal. But I can’t stop. Can’t find motivation to “go out into the world”.
I attended support groups and they helped tremendously. Even led some. Adult Child helped the most. But I still can’t un-do the addiction of wanting to be alone. I am tired of “taking up my cross daily”. It has not worked.
I see a therapist. It doesn’t help. I still want to stay inside and “color in the lines”. I use my daughter as an excuse. “She graduates next year-she needs me.” Which is true. We have a wonderful relationship. But now I cry a lot because what will I do when she’s out of the house?
Enough worrying..Jim would say;
“W/out a new dream to chase, without new. Stories to create and ew adventures to live, it’s tempting to just coast through life.” Create a new normal.
God has work for you NOW.
Note to self;
Don’t retreat into coloring (my books/writing) like Jim/join a group with like interests. Share.
Jim’s words of wisdom;
Live for others (not yourself)
Try to be the best Heather you can possibly be (not Karin Slaughter)
Accept imperfections to live out HIS willl.
Diligently tend to details no matter how menial they might be (his weeds in the playing field)
Opportunities for giving and expressing gratitude are ENDLESS
LIFE is hard “and if you’re making mistakes, that means you’re trying to accomplish something. If you’re not goofing up, you’ve given up.
Don’t loose your humble.
“God speak through me.”
Wen something difficult comes into your life, don’t escape; change. Don’t give up on yourself.
When you coast; you’ve stopped growing. Don’t rest on past successes instead OF LOOKING AHEAD TO A new ADVENTURE!!! Don’t get too comfortable!.
Possibility to contribute to others and to something greater, things change profoundly.
God is writing a GREAT STORY for each of us. Learn to be the best you can be in this great story. And don’t loose your humble.
If you do it, own it tell the truth.
Know who you are (Heather..know whose daughter (God’s) you are. Stand for your family, community, state. Lauren is watching. Troy is watching.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
“You told us that if we ever had our dream in front of us that we should chase it no matter what. You don’t look around. You go.”
Jim Morris spoke at my church. Much of what he said was in the book but he spoke it better. He spoke about how men are fathers to many more than just blood and he didn’t know that two men not seated with me and my daughter under the white tent that evening on the lawn-had been more of a father by their example than her own who is an addict.
He spoke of his father. His stories could have come out of my mouth. Except my dad was gone when I thought I was going to die of asthma and later had the epinephrine shots to inflate my right lung. It was my mother who had her smoking bridge club over and neglected to take me to doctors after days of begging her and telling her I was dying. And. I wasn’t allowed the German Shepard that may have prevented the abuse in my bedroom from my dad.
But. The quote above answers my questions. When I think of my dream; to finish editing my book (fiction drama) I think of Mona Lisa-which was not created in a tornado. That’s how I feel sometimes. Fighting to pay bills, even legal fees from a dad who won’t pay court ordered child support/insurance/and other court ordered support.
I’m three years in to my novel. I can not tell you MANY times I’ve been tempted to shelve it. I went from teaching to working part time as a librarian so that I can write more (I’m on 7th draft) and sometimes the guilt of my 17 year old getting a job and doing w/out drives me to tears and anguish. But God, in my stillness with Him, tells me to WRITE. I obey. Most of the time. Sometimes the tornado “winds” become too strong and I’ve been months without writing. Other days I can’t survive if I don’t edit my novel.
I love the fact that like Jim I grew up with dream killers and abuse. Sometimes the “nasty voice” in my head becomes too strong but it’s then that I rely on God and His power.
I’m divorced. I carry shame. But Jim was honest that his life wasn’t the story Disney depicted in many ways-complete with a perfect family. He too is divorced. His honestly made him human. Beautiful. And the fact that it resonates so much with my own makes his book Dream Makers-inspiring.
And this I know; God gave me a story and I can’t bear to think of living my whole life and not writing a story-come hell, high water or poverty.
Continued;
It’s been 11 years since my husband and I separated due to his opioid turned heroin addiction and I’m still angry. I’m angry my “dream” family didn’t happen but most of all I’m angry at struggling financially. What the lawyers didn’t get I had to pay in therap[y. My daughter has a job. I can’t pay for her a class ring. Her dad pays no child support because he lost his “legit” job after our divorce and now has jobs that require no drug check and no child support payments (he’s been arrested fo repossession/ theft of Rx pad/intent to distribute. His parents hired a big time lawyer to get him out of jail and into rehab. No college money for our daughter who’s a senior.
I’m still angry at my mom. For not taking me to the doctors when asthma was so bad. For staying and excusing my dad who hit my and strangled me and not feeding us. My mom thought it was funny that we had no food. But my dad also had nighttime binge disorder.
Addiction. Now here’s the ironic part. I too am an addict; chocolate is my drug. It’s not funny. I wake up thinking of food/it’s all I want. I “manage’ my addiction by eating in secret. I weight 117-the most I’ve ever weighted and I am 5’3”.
Now im selfish;
How much time have I wasted being angry? At mom? At my X? I could have spent it with friends or writing but instead I seethe. I didn’t realize this —just how angry I stil am until I read this.
I too “stay inside and color in the lines”. I don’t want to go out. What’s the point? But I do. I want to connect. I wonder if one day I could have a romantic relationship. I’m 46. But no. Who’d want a bitter person who prefers to read alone (I’m a librarian via teacher).
I didn’t know how sick I still was until I read this. The issue is my “drug” is legal. But I can’t stop. Can’t find motivation to “go out into the world”.
I attended support groups and they helped tremendously. Even led some. Adult Child helped the most. But I still can’t un-do the addiction of wanting to be alone. I am tired of “taking up my cross daily”. It has not worked.
I see a therapist. It doesn’t help. I still want to stay inside and “color in the lines”. I use my daughter as an excuse. “She graduates next year-she needs me.” Which is true. We have a wonderful relationship. But now I cry a lot because what will I do when she’s out of the house?
Enough worrying..Jim would say;
“W/out a new dream to chase, without new. Stories to create and ew adventures to live, it’s tempting to just coast through life.” Create a new normal.
God has work for you NOW.
Note to self;
Don’t retreat into coloring (my books/writing) like Jim/join a group with like interests. Share.
Jim’s words of wisdom;
Live for others (not yourself)
Try to be the best Heather you can possibly be (not Karin Slaughter)
Accept imperfections to live out HIS willl.
Diligently tend to details no matter how menial they might be (his weeds in the playing field)
Opportunities for giving and expressing gratitude are ENDLESS
LIFE is hard “and if you’re making mistakes, that means you’re trying to accomplish something. If you’re not goofing up, you’ve given up.
Don’t loose your humble.
“God speak through me.”
Wen something difficult comes into your life, don’t escape; change. Don’t give up on yourself.
When you coast; you’ve stopped growing. Don’t rest on past successes instead OF LOOKING AHEAD TO A new ADVENTURE!!! Don’t get too comfortable!.
Possibility to contribute to others and to something greater, things change profoundly.
God is writing a GREAT STORY for each of us. Learn to be the best you can be in this great story. And don’t loose your humble.
If you do it, own it tell the truth.
Know who you are (Heather..know whose daughter (God’s) you are. Stand for your family, community, state. Lauren is watching. Troy is watching.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
July 19, 2021
Great read, watch the movie and read this book. This guy went through the odds and become who he is today amazing!
October 23, 2024
I enjoyed reading the book based on the autobiographical story about Jim Morris and his dream career of becoming a baseball player. I got it from my dad since I thought I enjoyed watching baseball games on television and at baseball stadiums with my family. I haven't seen the Disney movie The Rookie, but I would love to watch it when baseball season comes around. I highly recommend this book because it is an interesting story of his life.
March 30, 2021
This was a really inspiring book. His struggles are just so real. The layout of the book was sometimes choppy where I felt like we were going backwards and forwards in time, but even with all that said, it is still a great book. It is also so much more than a story about baseball.
August 12, 2020
A must-read for anyone chasing a dream or trying to find their purpose in life.
February 16, 2021
Very inspirational book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews