Wherever I Wind Up: My quest for truth, authenticity and the perfect knuckleball
By: R.A. Dickey with Wayne Coffey
R.A. Dickey is a knuckleball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays. R.A. Dickey’s book Wherever I Wind Up is a memoir about life’s obstacles, and the place perseverance and faith play in moving forward. As you follow R.A.’s story you catch yourself frequently asking, “Does this guy ever get a break?”
R.A. is challenged early by his mother’s alcoholism, his father’s absence, and his own experiences with childhood sexual abuse. Against all odds, R.A. becomes a number one draft choice for the Texas Rangers. Unfortunately, multiple issues bog down R.A.’s career until he is pushed to reinvent himself as a knuckleballer.
R.A.’s story is a very personal journey opened up for readers. After years of struggling, R.A. eventually recognized that sexual abuse as a child severely derailed him and all the hiding and dodging had ruined his marriage and his career. The conflict associated with needing help but not wanting to talk about the abuse clearly identified the issues most adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse struggle with.
As a baseball fan you will find this book is a stunning look at minor and major league baseball. There is, in fact, a lot of baseball talk and little about the abuse (but a lot about the consequences associated with abuse). Those of us who aren’t baseball fans get the opportunity to learn a little something about baseball while enjoying the story of a man who approaches life with uncommon passion and drive. All readers, regardless of baseball experience, will recognize the role of faith, friends, and family in R.A.’s struggle to reclaim his dream.
Wherever I Wind Up is available through the Pinawa Public Library in the in SADI Resource section.
Book review by Holly