I am glad that "Lefty" took the time to tell about his travels through this life and I am sure you will enjoy his book ...
This is not just a book on baseball, but one about handling the twists and turns of life itself. Have you found yourself far from the dreams you cherished as a child or young adult? Maybe your life didn't take you in the desired path that you thought it would but it doesn't have to mean you missed your purpose. Using the sport he loved so much, Dick shares his travels through life with it's twist and turns and gives you a great example of how God's purpose and direction may not follow your plans but it does show that His plans are always better than yours anyway. Another thing this book shows is that God's love knows no color, cultural, or geographical boundaries, and that He will show His love to others through you whether in your childhood neighborhood or half way across the world.In places that you are familiar with to places you have no clue about. I am glad that "Lefty" took the time to tell about his travels through this life and I am sure you will enjoy his book. It is an easy read and one that I had a hard time putting down after reading it. So whether you are looking for a story on sports, on baseball, on purpose, or just life's interesting twist and turns, this one won't let you down.
Lefty O'Neal was the only white man to play in two Negro Leagues and was may times the only white man on his team ...
I had this recommended to me from a friend as I've always dreamed of playing professional baseball. This is a great book. It is very short and reads easily. Lefty O'Neal was the only white man to play in two Negro Leagues and was may times the only white man on his team. He put his faith in God and always did the best he could and it took him places he'd never imagine. In this book, Lefty explains how the ultimate joys in life are the ones that God chooses for you. It serves as both a great story and a spiritual "pick me up". His story is truly inspirational and must be read. I suggest this book to anyone with a dream. Kids and adults should read this book.
This is a must read for the inspiring athlete, for the baseball prospect, or for those who are needing life's answer for success ...
When I first met Dick "Lefty" O'Neal I realized a dream would come true. I would experience the opportunity of a lifetime, namely, training from a former professional baseball pitcher. Something I always wanted when I was a kid but never got the opportunity. At the time I only heard from others about Dick's life having been an accomplished Collegiate and Major League pitcher in his own right. This is an easy read book one in which I could not wait to turn the page or get to the next chapter to find what life had in store for him. I in fact read the entire book in one night! His story, as I was reading it, I found so compelling, I too wondered what could have been for myself had I went further on the pitching mound. Lefty's book answered that question and I also found myself in his book. Always wondering what life in the majors would be like this book will answer those questions for you. You will find as I did, the dream now is complete. This is a book for those who may not know Lefty as I do, but who are in search of life's answers. Dreams can come true for those who get the opportunity to play on a baseball diamond. Though many of us may never actually have the opportunity to live the dream of playing in the majors, in this book you will come to know Our Lord's baseball diamond will forever make you a major league champion. When ethnicity was such a barrier in the days of the Bush League, Lefty's walk as a Christian shows us there are no barriers to anyone in life. This is a must read for the inspiring athlete, for the baseball prospect, or for those who are needing life's answer for success on their own mound.
Baseball not only permeated every aspect of his life, he also "could play" - a phrase reserved only for good players. And O'Neal was good - real good ...
Baseball was indeed the national pastime during the `50s and `60s. The Yanks ruled and every boy wanted to be Mickey Mantle. Uniforms, coaches, organized teams, or baseball fields weren't necessary to play THE game - it would be played spontaneously every day on neighborhood empty lots. Dick "Lefty" O'Neal typified youngsters of the time. Baseball not only permeated every aspect of his life, he also "could play" - a phrase reserved only for good players. And O'Neal was good - real good. He pitched good enough that MLB scouts took notice and it wasn't long before Lefty O'Neal had visions of greatness in big time baseball, right there along with Whitey Ford and Sandy Koufax. But it wasn't to be. Tryouts didn't go as well as expected and a signing didn't come, except for the St. Louis offer to be a batting practice pitcher - a devastating blow to the ego! From that point, Dick O'Neal's life journey might have been unremarkable if it weren't for his character, compassion, love of baseball, a strong Christian faith, and timely encounters with key Christian people. As a result, Dick's life has been an incredible journey. Bush league pitcher, coach, world traveler, humanitarian, college dropout, college teacher, MLB scout, military officer, husband, and father all related one way or another to baseball and Dick's walk as a Christian. And that journey is what sets this book apart from most other books on baseball. More than an interesting story, this book will make you laugh, cheer, and bring tears to your eyes. You will howl at O'Neal's description of life as a white boy in the Negro bush leagues and you will be humbled at his colorblindness, which was unacceptable in our society at the time. I highly recommend this book. I identified with O'Neal immediately and I couldn't put it down once I started reading. It's an easy, fun read. Most importantly, the thread running through the entire book, recapped in the chapter, "The Bottom Line", is a witness to what a Christian life is really about, regardless of one's lot in life - whether at the top or in the bush league.
This is not only a book about baseball ... it is about the life of a living legend ...
This is not only a book about baseball as I first expected but it is about the life of a living legend. This book has inspired me in many ways and I am only 12 years old. When I first met Dick O'Neal I thought he was just a great coach. Now I know he is a great person too. I had no idea about his career in the "bush leagues" or his time spent in the Air Force. This is a great book and its proved by the fact that it is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I bet anyone who has read it thinks it is excellent just like me.
If this story weren't true, it would be a great novel. The fact that it is true makes it even better ...
This book by Dick "Lefty" O'Neal is a lovely piece of Americana. It will take you on an ironic tour of race relations on the diamond, as Lefty becomes the mirror image of Jackie Robinson, playing as the only white guy on a negro league team. If this story weren't true, it would be a great novel. The fact that it is true makes it even better. If this book doesn't convince you that we are all one people, all God's people, nothing will.
Dick O'Neal's writings are those of an angel himself. He is a very humble and inspiring person, whom I have come to respect and love dearly ...
Dick O'Neal's writings are those of an angel himself. He is a very humble and inspiring person, whom I have come to respect and love dearly. He is truly a family man, a baseball man, and most of all he is a child of God. His writings are a pleasure and a joy to read.
His story is one of hope, and it encourages all of us to pursue our dreams regardless of the obstacles that stand in our path ...
Coach O'Neal has not only touched and inspired my life through baseball but he has equally filled a lot of puzzle pieces in my own spiritual path. His story is one of hope, and it encourages all of us to pursue our dreams regardless of the obstacles that stand in our path.
Dick's story of hope and doing what you love and how God used it is well worth the read ...
As a child I also loved the game with dreams of making it to my favorite baseball team. As we know, life does have a way of changing even the best-laid plans. Dick's story of hope and doing what you love and how God used it is well worth the read.
Lefty's book was an inspiration and definitely shows that you can get strength ...
Lefty's book was an inspiration and definitely shows that you can get strength from heavenly hormones rather than steroids. It is a must read!
I know Lefty was an asset to our football programs and asked nothing in return ...
Lefty O'Neal has a winner in this book that will stand the test of time. Reading the book brought back fond memories I had with him at two universities. One of my wife's favorite quotes is 'Bloom where you are planted.' Lefty's book definitely shows that when the Lord is in charge you will bloom where you are planted. I know Lefty was an asset to our football programs and asked nothing in return. This book is a must read for anyone who has a dream.
This book is about how one man with the right purpose, surrounded by the right people, can make a difference ...
Have you ever noticed that baseball is raceless? Ageless? Timeless? Priceless? Have you ever wondered why? Then this book is for you! You need not be a lover of baseball as Dick "Lefty" O'Neal is. You need not understand the strategy of the game. You need not even know any of the teams or players of yesteryear or today! This book is about how one man with the right purpose, surrounded by the right people, can make a difference!
Of all the sports stories I have heard ... he has captured their essence in this brief read of his outstanding career ...
My dear brother Dick O'Neal has implanted his vibrant spirit and love for athletics into a moving and insightful witness about his own sports journey and love for Christ. He shares his witness in wonderful common ways by taking the little things of competition and creating large lenses that reveal challenge, thrill, satisfaction, and joy of being in the game. Of all the sports stories I have heard throughout the years he has captured their essence in this brief read of his outstanding career. I found it refreshing and strengthening and confidently recommend it to others.
Besides having been blessed as an excellent athlete, Dick O'Neal is an outstanding person ...
As the Executive Director for the Center for Negro League Baseball Research, my initial contact with Dick O'Neal came from my desire to interview the only white ball player to have played in two different Negro Leagues (Gulf Coast and South Texas Negro Leagues). I soon found out his career in baseball was far more than having played in the Negro Leagues. His career in baseball has moved from being one of the best high school ball players in the South, to being scouted by the St.Louis Cardinals, to the college level, to professional baseball in the Negro Leagues, back to amateur baseball and culminating in a long career in coaching and scouting. Besides having been blessed as an excellent athlete, Dick O'Neal is an outstanding person. His story is a unique perspective of how a young player grows as a ball player and how a young man becomes a Christian to stand as an example for all of us.
The first several chapters could have as well been written about my life in the golf world ...
My good friend Dick O'Neal has written a very meaningful and clever book in 'Dreaming of the Majors - Living in the Bush'. The first several chapters could have as well been written about my life in the golf world. I particularly enjoyed his wife's reflection on their early days of marriage and baseball. God blessed Dick with a wonderful platform, baseball, with which to share his life and faith journey, and he does it in a very compassionate and interesting way throughout the book. Frankly, I was quite surprised to see how much life Dick has lived this side of heaven. I am inspired by Dick's book, and grateful for his labor for the kingdom.
You'll always be an inspiration to me and I'll always think of your book whenever I think I can't do something ...
This is Aaron Alfaro, we met when Mike Easler was in San Antonio. Well I read your book, and I have to say, out of all the books I read, your book is up on top with them. I like how you tell a life story about your baseball career, how your father helped you and how wise your father was. I like how you include your Christian beliefs because I try to be real close the Father. And your book made me relies that if your priorities aren't straight, you could lose a lot. Thank you for this wonderful book. You'll always be an inspiration to me and I'll always think of your book whenever I think I can't do something.
