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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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★★★★★ 5
Large, excellent toy with many squeakers!
Color: Blue, Color: Blue
This toy is excellent! I’m super happy with this purchase. My dog loves squeakers and there are so many in this toy, plus stuffing for her to rip out, and crinkle paper to take the sensory experience up another notch! It’s also more durable than many other plush-type dog toys, and is larger than expected which is a plus in my book.
For size reference, both dogs are around 40lbs.
I will be buying another as soon as this one is demolished!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Huge and fun. Good for two dogs to play with together.
Color: Yellow
This dog toy is great! And it's HUGE. Each tentacle crinkles, and the dogs love to play tug-of-war with it. It seems to be holding up well, too. It seemed a bit pricy for a dog toy, but it turns out it was worth it.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2026
★★★★★ 5
My dogs new favorite toy!
Color: Blue
His new favorite toy! My dog absolutely loves it!!! It’s much bigger than I thought it would be so my dog has to be careful when he’s running with it because he will trip on the legs of the octopus. The best part is there is a little squeaker in the bottom of each leg! Bonus!!! If your dog chews up stuffed animals, this will be no different. It is a stuffed animal. My baby just likes to carry it around and squeak it a 1000 times a day. Don’t mind my crazy voice in the video. That’s the voice I use when he’s excited about a toy. He greets me every day with his octopus.🥰
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Fun while they lasted
Color: Green
I ordered two. One for each pup. Both my puppies loved this toy. The first one lasted less than a day with my pup who loves to do the death shake on everything. The second lasted two days with the other as she chews in the same spot. They loved the crinkle noise. However, I'm taking one star away due to not lasting long. Everything else was fine and they enjoyed them while they lasted. Note that most toys do not last long with my pups.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Puppy Loves this toy
Color: Tie Dye Blue
My puppy is a 7wk old Great Pyrenees & Lab mix. He loves this toy! Fun for tug of war and for cuddles. Definitely worth the money. It is durable enough for razor puppy teeth.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026