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Throwback: A Big-League Catcher Tells How the Game Is Really Played Hardcover – May 13, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Jason Kendall, a very good catcher over his 15-year Major League career, was known as a smart, tough leader and student of the game. He can’t possibly share all he knows about the game in a single volume, but he does provide fans with a wealth of insight into the little things that translate into more fun watching a game. For example, arguing balls and strikes will get a player or manager ejected, right? Kendall says there is an endless conversation going on between the plate umpire and the catcher; as long as everyone keeps looking straight ahead, things are cool. But if the catcher turns around to face the ump or takes off his mask, good-natured bickering has escalated into confrontation. Oh, and do you know why catchers work so hard to block errant pitches, even if no one is on base? To protect the ump; an ump who doesn’t get nicked by a fastball in the dirt may be your friend later. There’s also a wonderful chapter on why pitchers will usually back down on pitch selection when they disagree with the catcher. This is exactly the kind of color analysis fans long for while watching a game, but usually don’t get. Great information sprinkled with salty humor. --Wes Lukowsky
Review
"Jason Kendall is the toughest baseball player I have ever met, and one of the most insightful. He provides a revealing look inside the game in this fascinating book. It was written with the mangled fingers of an old school catcher, my favorite people in the game."—Tim Kurkjian, ESPN Commentator
"Give this book a read. I've known Lee Judge for over 20 years. He has passion for the game and an unquenchable thirst for "Why" questions. He doesn't just want the answer- He wants the understanding. I've spent time with him in Minor League and Major League cities and clubhouses and we are still friends! There is a sincere effort and old school way this book has been put together and it is deserving of your time. You WILL laugh.You WILL learn. You WILL leave with a greater understanding and appreciation for the game WE love."—Clint Hurdle, Manager for the Pitsburgh Pirates and NL Manager of the Year
"Jason Kendall is the ultimate competitor, a modern-day gladiator. If you had nine Jason Kendalls, you could never lose.”—John Gibbons, Manager, Toronto Blue Jays
"I've had the pleasure of knowing Lee Judge for over 20 years and have always admired his intellectual curiosity as it relates to the strategy and psychology of the game. I'm certain that his passion for the game and unique perspective will stand out to readers in the same way it's always stood out to me."—Jerry Dipoto, former pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and Colorado Rockies and current General Manager for the Los Angeles Angels
"Old-school and throwback player don't encompass Jason as a player. The game consumed him and he played it with an unparalleled passion. You can't emulate him. It would destroy many players.”—Mike MacFarlane, former catcher for the Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics
"Jason Kendall may be one of the toughest players I've ever been around. He's a straight shootin', no nonsense, old school guy who holds nothing back from how he really feels, and he's as solid as it comes when you're talking Major League."—Kevin Seitzer, former player for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By
David Beall
on May 19, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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Jason Kendall is definitely the real deal, a long time catcher and one of the most respected ball players of his generation. He provides good insight into how the game is really played at the major league level. High points include detailed description of what every player should be thinking about on each play and count; good info on how a catcher sees the game. However, the good baseball information is off set by the repetition, it's almost as if he didn't have enough material to fill out the book so he just repeated a few points. The writing was not nearly on the same level as a Dirk Hayhurst, and don't come looking for the same kind of stories, this is not that book. This book is more of an instructional manual on how to really watch and understand a ball game. I did not enjoy the fact that Mr. Kendall seems to think that because pitchers don't want to fight because someone bumps into them in public means they are not tough. Being "tough" plays a large role in his world, and I'm not really sure that his view is shared by many. On on the whole, it's a book worth purchasing and reading, but don't look for anything new or groundbreaking, despite what Mr. Lee writes in the intro- if you've played good high school or college ball you already know this stuff.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By
amy
on May 27, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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This book is such a great resource to better understand all the nuances of what's going on out in the field. While some people think baseball can be boring, it's a very complex game and this book explains all the "games within the game" that are going on. The book is not a biography about MLB All-Star veteran catcher Jason Kendall, rather, it's insight about the game of professional baseball through his eyes. Great book and as a suburban mom of two baseball-playing boys (and as a fan of my local MLB team) I read it along with my boys and loved it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By
pmorris27
on May 25, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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When I first heard Kendall was putting this out, I couldn't wait because I knew what type of player he was and I wanted to be, and for my sons to emulate. Finally a baseball book that stresses how everyone who plays the game of baseball is going to suffer some heartache/disappointment at times- yet that's ok and there's still tough baseball players around. This will be a multiple read and reference for me to give to my sons. Kendall is the exact kind of person I would to coach my sons. A real breath of fresh air!
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By
the overmouth
on May 16, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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This is hands down one of the most insightful books about baseball I have ever read. Jason Kendall really talks about what it's like to play the game and how the game should actually be played. He's entertaining and thoughtful and his gritty attitude towards baseball is so much fun to read about. Highly recommended!!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
Mark Stevens
VINE VOICE on August 20, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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According to Jason Kendall in “Throwback,” the sport of baseball is non-stop action.
There are always adjustments underway based on the pitcher, the count, the hitter, the time of day. Everything. “Throwback” is about the little things that make baseball fascinating. It’s about the minuscule moments of anticipation most of us don’t appreciate.
If you’re someone who yawns at the thought of baseball, “Throwback” isn’t going to change your mind.
If you watch even a half-dozen baseball games a year, you’ll get something out of Jason Kendall’s inside look at the infinite number of complexities that go into every moment of “action.”
The baseball may not be “in play,” but the game is being “played” by players, coaches and managers anticipating the next moment. Every pitch, every defensive position, every slide, every injustice meted out earlier in the game (or earlier in the season—or the season before that).
The writing is breezy. And easy. It is a bit repetitive in spots. A catcher, Kendall played with a blunt and hard-nosed style. His prose is a good match for his approach to the sport. He won’t be confused with John Updike or Roger Angell. However, he is self-effacing and very funny in a few spots.
He’s particularly dismissive of the players who show weakness (as a Colorado Rockies fan, I know what he’s talking about).
Writes Kendall: “A guy fouls a ball of his leg and collapses on the ground? Get up; don’t waste my time. If the leg’s broke? My bad—sorry I yelled at you. But you see guys hobble around for a while and then announce they’re okay. If a guy fouls a ball of his leg and makes a big production of it—if he let us know it hurt—guess what? We’re throwing the ball right back in the same spot. Oh, that one hurt?Read more ›
There are always adjustments underway based on the pitcher, the count, the hitter, the time of day. Everything. “Throwback” is about the little things that make baseball fascinating. It’s about the minuscule moments of anticipation most of us don’t appreciate.
If you’re someone who yawns at the thought of baseball, “Throwback” isn’t going to change your mind.
If you watch even a half-dozen baseball games a year, you’ll get something out of Jason Kendall’s inside look at the infinite number of complexities that go into every moment of “action.”
The baseball may not be “in play,” but the game is being “played” by players, coaches and managers anticipating the next moment. Every pitch, every defensive position, every slide, every injustice meted out earlier in the game (or earlier in the season—or the season before that).
The writing is breezy. And easy. It is a bit repetitive in spots. A catcher, Kendall played with a blunt and hard-nosed style. His prose is a good match for his approach to the sport. He won’t be confused with John Updike or Roger Angell. However, he is self-effacing and very funny in a few spots.
He’s particularly dismissive of the players who show weakness (as a Colorado Rockies fan, I know what he’s talking about).
Writes Kendall: “A guy fouls a ball of his leg and collapses on the ground? Get up; don’t waste my time. If the leg’s broke? My bad—sorry I yelled at you. But you see guys hobble around for a while and then announce they’re okay. If a guy fouls a ball of his leg and makes a big production of it—if he let us know it hurt—guess what? We’re throwing the ball right back in the same spot. Oh, that one hurt?Read more ›
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
Terry A. Hunter
on July 13, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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THROWBACK.....is the best baseball strategy book I've read since Tim McCarver's BASEBALL FOR BRAIN SURGEONS AND OTHER FANS. Kendall knows the game inside out. Even people who know a lot about the game will learn from this book.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By
Stephen Sauer
on August 19, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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Excellent book, very accurate. As a high school baseball coach and someone who played high level baseball for 20 years, much of the book was a review for me. However, Kendall is very precise and honest about the game. His writing style is the way he played the game, all out with a high level of respect for the greatest game.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Ken Martinez
on July 17, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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Interesting but the author repeats the same information over and over. I love baseball and I love to read but I put this book down half way through.
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