Odd Man Out: A Year on the Mound with a Minor League Misfit

A Season on the Mound with Minor League Baseball's Most Unlikely Pitcher Matt McCarthy never expected to get drafted by a Major League Baseball team. A molecular biophysics major at Yale, he was a decent left-handed starter for a dismal college team. But good southpaws are hard to find, and when the Anaheim Angels selected him in the twenty-first round of the 2002 draft, McCarthy jumped at the chance to live every boy's dream. In "Odd Man Out," McCarthy tells the captivating and hilarious story of his year with the Provo Angels, Anaheim's Class A minor league affiliate in the heart of Mormon country. He quickly discovers the dirty truths of the minors: the Americans and Dominicans don't speak to each other, the allure of steroids is ever present, and everyone puts his own stats ahead of the team's success. With a brilliant eye for baseball's character, McCarthy takes readers through the ups and downs of an antic, grueling season filled with cross-country road trips, bizarre rivalries, and players competing with cutthroat intensity for the ultimate prize-a call up to the majors. In the spirit of "Ball Four," McCarthy recounts inside-the-locker-room tales of teammates who would go on to stardom, including Bobby Jenks, Joe Saunders, and Ervin Santana. "Odd Man Out" is one of the great books about baseball life, capturing with rare perfection the gritty essence of our national pastime as it is played outside the spotlight.

Review :
"Twenty years after the release of "Bull Durham," the ultimate movie about the minor leagues, we now have Matt McCarthy's "Odd Man Out," the ultimate minor league memoir. If you want insight, irreverence, honesty and even a healthy dose of political incorrectness-not to mention an invaluable look at the state of the national pastime-McCarthy delivers. As a pitcher, he might have been a minor leaguer; as a memoirist, McCarthy's an all-star. "Odd Man Out" is the best baseball book since "Moneyball."" -Jeremy Schaap, author of "Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History" "So this is what it's "really" like to live every boy's dream of getting drafted by a big-league team! I don't know a single baseball fan who will be able to resist Matt McCarthy's portrait of his hilariously grim-and yet somehow enviable-tour in the minor leagues. Part "Bull Durham," part "Ball Four, Odd Man Out" is simply the best baseball book I've read in years."p aTwenty years after the release of "Bull Durham," the ultimate movie about the minor leagues, we now have Matt McCarthyas "Odd Man Out," the ultimate minor league memoir. If you want insight, irreverence, honesty and even a healthy dose of political incorrectnessanot to mention an invaluable look at the state of the national pastimeaMcCarthy delivers. As a pitcher, he might have been a minor leaguer; as a memoirist, McCarthyas an all-star. "Odd Man Out" is the best baseball book since "Moneyball,"a aJeremy Schaap, author of "Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History" aSo this is what itas "really" like to live every boyas dream of getting drafted by a big-league team! I donat know a single baseball fan who will be able to resist Matt McCarthyas portrait of his hilariously grimaand yet somehow enviableatour in the minor leagues. Part "Bull Durham," part "Ball Four, Odd Man Out" is simply the best baseball book Iave read in years.a aJonathan Mahler, author of "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning" aFor an odd man out, Matt McCarthy is also the consummate insider. This honest account of life in the minors is equal parts rollicking travelogue, cultural criticism, and coming- of-age story. If McCarthyas pitching abilities were as accurate and strong as his storytelling talent, head be in The Show.a aL. Jon Wertheim, senior writer, "Sports Illustrated," and author of "Blood in the Cage" aMatt McCarthy has written something here that will make you laugh a lot and, even more, bring you closer to the game. It's a terrific book, and a lot of fun.a aJoe Posnanski, author of "The Soul of Baseball: A Trip Through BuckOaNeillas America" aMatt McCarthy has pitched a gem: a decidedly non-dreamy-eyed look at young ballplayers in the low minors who dream of making it to the major league. Full of characters and curveballs, "Odd Man Out" should find a place on the shelf next to Pat Jordanas "A False Spring"aboth tell it like it is.a aJim Collins, author of "The Last Best League"