SKU: 26246129443

The Bullpen Gospels: Major League Dreams of a Minor League Veteran

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Description

The Bullpen Gospels: Major League Dreams of a Minor League VeteranFrom the humble heights of a Class A pitcher's mound to the deflating lows of sleeping on his gun toting grandmother's air mattress, veteran reliever Dirk Hayhurst steps out of the bullpen to deliver the best pitch of his career a raw, unflinching and surprisingly moving account of his life in the minors. I enjoyed the visualizations, maybe a little too much, and would stop only when I felt I'd centered myself. . . or after one of my teammates hit me

From the humble heights of a Class-A pitcher's mound to the deflating lows of sleeping on his gun-toting grandmother's air mattress, veteran reliever Dirk Hayhurst steps out of the bullpen to deliver the best pitch of his career--a raw, unflinching and surprisingly moving account of his life in the minors.

I enjoyed the visualizations, maybe a little too much, and would stop only when I felt I'd centered myself. . .or after one of my teammates hit me in the nuts with the rosin bag while my eyes were closed.

Hilariously self-effacing and brutally honest, Hayhurst captures the absurdities, the grim realities, and the occasional nuggets of hard-won wisdom culled from four seasons in the minors. Whether training tarantulas to protect his room from thieving employees in a backwater hotel, watching the raging battles fought between his partially paralyzed father and his alcoholic brother, or absorbing the gentle mockery of some not-quite-starstruck schoolchildren, Dirk reveals a side of baseball, and life, rarely seen on ESPN.

My career has crash-landed on the floor of my grandma's old sewing room. If this is a dream come true, then dreams smell a lot like mothballs and Bengay.

Somewhere between Bull Durham and The Rookie, The Bullpen Gospels takes an unforgettable trot around the inglorious base paths of minor league baseball, where an inch separates a ball from a strike, and a razor-thin margin can be the difference between The Show or a long trip home.

"It's not often that someone comes along who is a good pitcher and a good writer." --King Kaufman, Salon

"After many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years spent in the bullpen, I can verify that this is a true picture of baseball."
--Tim McCarver


"There are great truths within, of the kind usually unspoken. And as he expresses them, Dirk Hayhurst describes himself as 'a real person who moonlights as a baseball player.' In much the same manner, while The Bullpen Gospels chronicles how all of us face the impact when we learn reality is both far meaner and far richer than our dreams--it also moonlights as one of the best baseball books ever written."
--Keith Olbermann


"A bit of Jim Bouton, a bit of Jim Brosnan, a bit of Pat Jordan, a bit of crash Davis, and a whole lot of Dirk Hayhurst. Often hilarious, sometimes poignant. This is a really enjoyable baseball read."
--Bob Costas


"Fascinating. . .a perspective that fans rarely see."
--Trevor Hoffman, pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers


"The Bullpen Gospels is a rollicking good bus ride of a book. Hayhurst illuminates a baseball life not only with wit and humor, but also with thought-provoking introspection."
--Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated


"Dirk Hayhurst has written a fascinating, funny and honest account on life in the minor leagues. I loved it. Writers can't play baseball, but in this case, a player sure can write."
--Tim Kurkjian, Senior Writer, ESPN The Magazine, analyst/reporter ESPN television


"Bull Durham meets Ball Four in Dirk Hayhurst's hilarious and moving account of life in baseball's glamour-free bush leagues."
--Rob Neyer, ESPN.com


"If Holden Caulfield could dial up his fastball to 90 mph, he might have written this funny, touching memoir about a ballplayer at a career--and life--crossroads. He might have called it 'Pitcher in the Rye.' Instead, he left it to Dirk Hayhurst, the only writer in the business who can make you laugh, make you cry and strike out Ryan Howard."
--King Kaufman, Salon


"The Bullpen Gospels is a funny bone-tickling, tear duct-stimulating, feel-good story that will leave die-hard baseball fans--and die-hard human beings, for that matter--well, feeling good."
--Bob Mitchell, author of Once Upon a Fastball

Dirk Hayhurst is a part time professional baseball player who enjoys comic books, video games, and a good sugar high. Dirk is a former member of the San Diego Padres, and currently a member of the Toronto Blue Jays where he is temporarily on the disabled list. He makes his home in Twinsburg, Ohio, with his wife Bonnie and their pet garfoose.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Citadel Press
Published: 04/01/2010
ISBN: 9780806531434
Pages: 340
Weight: 0.67lbs
Size: 8.26h x 5.62w x 0.94d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 06/06/2010 pg. 28
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SKU: 26246129443

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Nurse Jesica
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
My Heels Were in Bad Shape. Like… Really Bad
Color: Gray
These moisturizing heel socks with the gel cushions were honestly a small miracle for me. After recovering from cancer treatments, my skin became extremely dry everywhere, but my heels were the worst. They cracked so deeply they looked like fissures and were even bleeding. I tried lotions and bandages repeatedly with very little progress. A friend suggested I treat my heel like it might have a fungal component, so I applied Lotrimin cream, put these heel socks on, and hoped for the best. Within three days, my heels were fully healed. I completed a 7-day routine, and my feet have never been softer. The silicone gel cushion is comfortable, soothing, and stays in place. I loved it so much that I still treat myself about once a week, even though I really don’t need to anymore. They are also washable. I hand-washed mine in the sink and let them air dry, and they came out looking brand new. If your heels are cracked, painful, or need serious care, I highly recommend these.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2026
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Becky
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Work well on hubby's heals
Color: Gray
Dr recommended these for hubby's dry cracked heals
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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2026
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Misha
Boise, US
★★★★★ 3
Ehh. Not for me.
Color: Gray
Foot slides when walking in them. The fit was tighter than lead to believe. It did hold the moisture in but the silicone patch is small
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Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2026
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Bonnie
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Is this the CURE!
Size: Regular, Color: Cream
I have a skin disease called Ichthyosis Vulgaris. Yes, SCALEY FISH! Thanks MOM! This unfortunate crud leaves my heels an embarrassing mess! They are cracked and dry and literally like concrete. I have had this disease all my life and there is NO cure. It's hideous! Anyway, I have tried so many different experiments to help improve my situation. So much time and money I will never get back. So when I saw these, I had to give them a try too because I am a forever optimist and love being disappointed. Here's how it went. First I put my dermatologist recommended AmLactin on my crusty heels. Then, I put the socks on. By the way, with no problem at all, and went to bed. I was not too hot, which is usually what happens when I sleep with socks on. I never even realized that I had them on. When I woke up, I took them off and immediately used a "Heel File" over a towel removing all the yuck!. Then, I sand papered them to smooth the skin out. Then, I doused them with Shea and Aloe foot lotion I found at the bottom of my experiment drawer in my bathroom. Oh, they felt like someone else's feet. I am very hopeful at this moment! Is this the cure to my embarrassing situation? I sure hope so. Spring is here and I would really like to wear my cute flip-flops when I go to the Waffle House and set at the bar. Wasn't that a picture on Facebook of someone nasty heels? It made me gag. Then, I had to make sure that picture wasn't me! I am going to do this for a week and come back for another review. Wish me luck ya'll! UPDATE! So it’s been about two weeks. I wish that I had taken a before and after picture. I guess I figure that this too will be a waste of money. NO! These little socks are a God send for me. I did buy AmLactin foot repair cream and that I highly recommend. It’s the best so far. They also offer an option with heel socks. They are soft and work very well also but one negative. They leave fuzzies on you feet and tools. Guys this is it for me. My search is over! I went to my mani/pedi queen yesterday and she was shocked when she saw my feet. She is spreading the word!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
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Crowder
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Great reusable moisturizing
Size: Regular, Color: Cream
Love these! Use them often to help moisturize my heels with my favorite moisturizer. Comfortable and easy to use
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026

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