During eight seasons of major league baseball, pitcher Dave Dravecky learned more than the importance of getting ahead in the count or wasting a pitch when he had the batter in the hole with an 0-2 count. Baseball taught him lessons he could apply to his life and his relationship with God. That's what Called Up is about. In this fast-moving and compelling book, Dravecky retells classic baseball stories and introduces readers to some of baseball's greatest players--and characters. Taking you inside the game, his insights will prompt you to think. You'll actually feel the tension, for instance, as you relive the final three outs in Sandy Koufax's electrifying no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs in 1965. And as you consider the huge odds Koufax faced, you'll be encouraged about your own performance in this pressure-cooker world. In life, unlike baseball, no one pitches a no-hitter--and thanks to God's grace, you don't have to. Filled with well-researched stories and spiritual insights, along with hilarious quotes from the players, Called Up also tells you about: * Branch Rickey's secret ambition to integrate Major League baseball * how Jackie Robinson's faith sustained him in 1947, the year he broke the color barrier * why freezing Ted Williams' body so he can one day be resurrected doesn't make sense * the wit, wisdom, and spiritual truths behind Yogi Berra's sayings * Dravecky's all-time, all-century, best-ever All-Star team * the challenges Dravecky faced living out his Christian faith in front of his teammates God doesn't waste any pitches when it comes to teaching you about life from the game of baseball. You'll love the breezy stories, the quick applications, the timeless thoughts and funny quotes in Called Up. Are you ready for the first pitch? Good--because the umpire is yelling, "Play ball!"

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS Introduction 9 1. Leading Off 13 2. A Sad Show 16 3. Step on a Line, and You're Doing Fine 19 4. The Underground Tapes 24 5. You Can't Fake It 28 6. Twenty-Seven Outs 31 7. He's Your Best Friend 35 8. Like Father, Like Son 39 9. What Scouts Can't Measure 42 10. Baseball's Scufflaws 44 11. What's in a Name? 51 12. Go Warm Up, Seamhead 55 13. We're All Winners 61 14. The Gods of the Game 64 15. Freezer Burn 70 16. My Big Fat Greek Miracle 74 17. Take Me Out to the Bank Before You Take Me Out to the Ball Game 80 18. Big Brother Is Watching 85 19. A Look at the Babe 87 20. The Curse on the Angels 95 21. Baseball Age 98 22. May I Take Your Order? 103 23. Chasing My Dreams 106 24. Throwing Slang a Curve 111 25. The Wit and Wisdom of Yogi Berra 113 26. Out for a Walk 118 27. Take Your Base, Son 122 28. Breaking Down Walls 125 29. Sign Me Up 127 30. Greener Pastures 133 31. Take Me Out to the Balf Game ... 135 32. The Solomon-Like Decision 140 33. Don't Look Back 145 34. The Feared Closer 151 35. Closing the Deal 154 36. The Hollywood Darling 158 37. Family Feud 161 38. Baseball and Poetic License 170 39. Playing on the "God Squad" 174 40. The Bible of Baseball 179 41. An Angel on the Mound 183 42. Pete Gray: The One-Armed Wonder 189 43. Wartime Baseball 195 44. Say It Ain't So, Pete 204 45. The Natural 211 46. The Day the Earth Shook in a World Serious Way 216 47. Branch Rickey's Secret Ambition 224 48. The Jackie Robinson Story 235 49. Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio? 241 Subject Index 247 Name Index 251