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Summary
Summary
What do you do when you strike out big? Find out in this dramatic tale by All-Star shortstop Cal Ripkin.
Connor Sullivan is an All-Star shortstop on his Babe Ruth team, the Orioles. He can hit and field with the best of them, but he's got one big problem: his temper. When he strikes out or makes an error, he's a walking Mt. Vesuvius, slamming batting helmets and throwing gloves. His teammates are starting to avoid him, even his best friend Jordy. His coach is ready to kick him off the team. To make matters worse, things aren't much better at home. His dad is having trouble finding a new job after being laid off. Money is tight.
Connor's dream of attending the prestigious Brooks Robinson Baseball Camp this summer seems like just that now -- a dream. When the sports editor of the school paper threatens to do a big story on his tantrums -- complete with embarrassing photos -- Connor realizes he has to clean up his act. But can he do it in time to regain his teammates' trust and help the Orioles win the championship against the best team in the league?
Author Notes
Cal Ripken, Jr. was a shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles for his entire career (1981-2001). Nicknamed "The Iron Man" for his relentless work ethic and reliability on the field, Ripken is most remembered for playing a record 2,632 straight games over 17 seasons. He was a 19-time All Star and is considered to be one of the best shortstops professional baseball has ever seen. In 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Since his retirement Ripken has worked as President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc. to nuture the love of baseball in young children from a grassroots level. His Cal Ripkin Baseball Division is a division of the Babe Ruth League and welcomes players ages 4-12. Cal currently lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.
Kevin Cowherd has been a writer for the Baltimore Sun since 1987, is nationally syndicated by the Los Angeles Time - Washington Post news service, and is the author of Last Call at the 7-Eleven, a book of selected writings published by Bancroft Press. In 1990 he was honored by the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors for excellence in feature writing. He currently writes a sports column and blog for the Baltimore Sun . He is also a humorist, and an experienced Little League coach. He lives with his wife and three children near Baltimore.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Connor Sullivan seems to have it made: the seventh-grade all-star shortstop is well liked by his teammates and has a good shot at the invitation-only Brooks Robinson Camp. But he hasn't told anyone that his dad was laid off from his job as a car salesman, and that financial worries are creating tension at home. The stress starts to get the better of Connor on the field, and the previously even-tempered player starts having major meltdowns. At first, his outbursts are self-directed, but when his best friend misses a catch, Connor lashes out at him as well. After a couple of warnings, Connor is suspended for a game, and he knows that if he can't rein in his temper, Coach Hammond will oust him from the team. To make matters worse, the sports editor of the school paper got some footage of Connor losing his temper and is threatening a feature story. When Coach stops by to talk with Connor's dad, the job situation comes to light and Connor is able to vent some of his fears and frustrations. Not surprisingly, things begin to look up, and while he has a few minor setbacks along the way, he ultimately learns that he can control his reactions. Although fairly formulaic, this book has plenty to recommend it. Baseball history aficionados will enjoy Ripken's homage to fellow Oriole superstars, and the book has engaging characters and plenty of on-the-field action. Fans of Mike Lupica and Matt Christopher will be thrilled.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In a surprisingly bland story given the title, retired Baltimore Orioles star and first-time children's book author Ripken and coauthor Cowherd introduce seventh-grader Connor Sullivan, a baseball phenom with a killer swing but an ever-mounting temper. Connor's team is headed for the Babe Ruth League championship, until his game-time outbursts jeopardize the team's success. Suddenly Connor's life is on a downward spiral: his best friend balks at his poor behavior, his coach threatens to kick him off the team, financial pressures mount at home (his father has been out of work for months), and an annoying but cute classmate insists on documenting his demise for the school newspaper. A pep talk from his coach gets Connor back on track, and-no surprise-Connor rebounds to lead his team to victory. Ripken and Cowherd's characters are empathetic (the economic stresses weighing on Connor add to his relatability and to the book's timeliness), and baseball fans should find the action on the diamond enjoyable if not nail-biting. Still, the plot is a little too familiar, and Connor's "all is lost" moment is mild. Ages 8-12. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
With Kevin Cowherd. Like many other sports novels for middle graders, this one involves a good athlete with a bad problem: in this case, baseball player Connor's impulsiveness and volatile temper. Not surprisingly, he learns to get a grip by the end of the book. The story, "loosely based on a challenge Cal Ripkin, Jr. once faced," will entertain his fans. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Conor Sullivan's glove is "where base hits go to die," but his temper may be where his baseball dreams die. Lately, his family has been having problems; his father is out of work, there's never enough money to do the family things they used to do and he probably won't get to go to the prestigious Brooks Robinson Camp. Stress may be behind Conor's recent behaviors: smashing his batting helmet on the ground, waving a fist at the opposing pitcher, tossing his glove in rage, then kicking it past the pitcher's mound and yelling at his best friend. Conor has acquired the nickname Psycho Sully, the boy with the thermonuclear attitude. What takes this story beyond the usual sports fare is the cast of caring and well-drawn charactersteammates, family and friends, including a new girl friendthat make Conor want to shape up. Written with Ripken's obvious knowledge of the game, Conor's story rings true, with plenty of good baseball action. If Conor's not always in good spirits, the novel is, with likable characters, lively baseball action and the usual dreams of playing in the big leaguesin Conor's case, at Camden Yards. Ripken and Cowherd, like Conor and his Babe Ruth League Orioles, make a winning team. (Fiction. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Connor Sullivan is a talented player for his Babe Ruth League baseball team. His athletic prowess, though, is offset by his explosive temper, which earns him suspensions and the enmity of his teammates. He also finds himself the subject of critical articles by a student reporter, Melissa Morrow. At home, Connor's father is out of work, the bills are mounting, and his parents do not have a lot of patience for Connor's behavior. By the book's close, though, Connor learns to keep his cool, helps lead his team to victory, and even finds that he is attracted to Melissa. The cliches are abundant in this sports novel: Act like you own the batter's box. This is your office. Go to work. Yet Hall of Famer Ripken and veteran sports writer Cowherd manage to convey honest emotions, particularly Connor's frustrations when he is unable to maintain his self-control. Fans of standard sports novels will enjoy this.--Morning, Todd Copyright 2010 Booklist
