This Ain't Brain Surgery: How to Win the Pennant Without Losing Your Mind

by Larry Dierker

Book Overview

Plenty of people were surprised when Larry Dierker was named the manager of the Houston Astros at the end of the 1996 season, but perhaps no one was more surprised than Larry Dierker. Despite his status as a fourteen-year ace starter in the big leagues (t

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1501130382
• ISBN13: 9781501130380
• Release Date: July 2015
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent reading for an Astros fan

This is an excellent book that gives insight into the game that the ordinary fan would never get a chance to see. The book has sections dedicated to different aspects of the game including managing, umpires, the farm system, and more, and Larry has great stories for each one. As an Astros fan my favorite parts were the ones that talked about his dealings with some of the current and former Astros. It was interesting to read about the interactions he had with the players, and how he regarded some of the players in the clubhouse. As a player, broadcaster, and manager he witnessed enough to come up with an excellent book that makes great reading for any Astros fan, and that baseball fans in general can appreciate too.

An interesting and entertaining guided tour of baseball

I enjoyed this book greatly. Larry Dierker is a very bright guy who seems to have a gift for looking at situations and seeing them from angles that other sports figures would never find. An example of this is his telling Darryl Kyle to improve his pitching by playing a lot of serious golf in the off season. He also has the capacity to be self critical in ways that appear to be quite honest. He has real writing talent, which I always enjoyed when he wrote columns for the Houston paper when he was in the broadcast booth. He comes across as a guy you'd love to tip a few with.I like the way the book is organized, with chapters dedicated to individual baseball topics like spring training, scouts, etc. and relating Dierker's experience in the area. There's enough humor to generate plenty of smiles and enough serious stuff to let a reader get a feel for what baseball players, managers and broadcasters go through. In my opinion, if you have any interest in baseball you should enjoy this book.

Astros fans will love this book

If you are an Astros fan you will love this book. If you are a baseball fan you will appreciate many of Dierker's points but will have to wade through some old Astros baseball stories. Its an easy read and worth the price.

different look at baseball

Nice to have an insider tell us about baseball who is literate and funny too. This is the best baseball book I have read in a long time. Looking forward to his next!

entertaining and educational

This sports book was very easy to read and enjoy, because the author told stories the way we like to hear them. He told about the game and its traditions, and then some of the behind the scenes stuff we love to read.Can't wait for the next one from Larry.