Throwing Bullets: A Tale of Two Pitchers Chasing the Dream

By Roy Rowan

Book Overview

The minor leagues never looked so major. In this compelling story of competition and sportmanship, long-time journalist and baseball enthusiast Roy Rowan takes the reader inside the hearts and locker rooms of two of minor league baseball's hottest pitching prospects pitching for the same team and against each other. On one mount is Justin Olson. A product of Big Ten baseball and an academic star, Olson is an accomplished student whose fastball tops out at 94 miles an hour. On the other mount is Francisco Liriano. Taken from the sandlot ball fields of the Dominican Republic, he possesses one of the most threatening arms in the minors. Widely considered to be the best pitcher outside of the big leagues, Liriano's arsenal of pitches humbles and awes the hitters that he faces. On one hand, they are teammates, pitching to get the New Britain Rock Cats to the postseason. But on the other, they are adversaries, pitching for their futures and locked in a head-to-head competition for the same opportunity--a chance to be one of the starting five for the Minnesota Twins. Throwing Bullets takes the reader through the trials and tribulations of these two young pitchers both on and off the field. A vivid story of competition, frustration, failure, and success, this book is an inside look at two minor league lives where every pitch is major.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589793676
• ISBN13: 9781589793675
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Minor League Success

A hardcore fan looking for stats and game stories will not rate this book a five but if your are looking for a real life baseball story mixed in with some small town Americana this is the book for you. The author follows Francisco Liriano and Justin Olson throught the 2005 minor league season. But this book is alot more than that it also is the travel from one small town to another and the life around minor league baseball. The author interviews the small teams PR people, owners, GM's, coaches and just the team guys that have been around for years. This book gives you the Minor League flavor from Buffalo to New Britain and every stop in between. All baseball fans know who Liriano is and you will get some insight into him but not much. It's a quick read and enjoyable from my perspective.