{"product_id":"the-closer-9781484727881","title":"The Closer","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe final book in the out-of-the-park series by legendary short-stop and a veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDanny Connolly is a back-up pitcher with the Dulaney Orioles. He knows what that means: not good enough to start. When he does get into games, he hasn't exactly been the shut-down reliever the team needs. To make matters worse, he's playing in the shadow of his older brother, Joey, a lights-out high school lefty with a 90-mph fastball who's attracting lots of attention from college recruiters and major league scouts. It's bad enough that Danny's parents seem to fawn over Joey and barely talk about what Danny does in his games. But now, as his big brother's mound exploits draw more and more attention, Danny's starting to get the \u003ci\u003ewhy-aren't-you-as-good-as-Joey \u003c\/i\u003ecomments from the Orioles, too. The pressure to live up to Joey's success is stifling. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLonely and frustrated, Danny embarks on a secret project designed to make his family and teammates sit up and take notice. Aided by a mysterious stranger with an uncanny knowledge of the aerodynamics of a thrown baseball, he attempts to learn a new pitch. A pitch no one has ever seen before. The clock is ticking on Danny as the O's try to repeat as league champions. But if his audacious plan works and he can master the magical fluttering pitch known as \"The Terminator,\" he'll soon be the talk of the league -- and the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Cal Jr. Ripkin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Lbyr Plus\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/07\/2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 208\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.30lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.40h x 5.20w x 0.60d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781484727881\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 5.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 7\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Middle Grade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e180045 \/ Closer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCal Ripken, Jr.\u003c\/b\u003e 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 nurture 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKevin Cowherd\u003c\/b\u003e has been a writer for the \u003ci\u003eBaltimore Sun\u003c\/i\u003e since 1987, is nationally syndicated by the \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times - Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e news service, and is the author of \u003ci\u003eLast Call at the 7-Eleven, \u003c\/i\u003ea 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 \u003ci\u003eBaltimore Sun\u003c\/i\u003e. He is also a humorist, and an experienced Little League coach. He lives with his wife and three children near Baltimore.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lbyr Plus","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45322344824947,"sku":"9781484727881","price":12.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/files\/img_b4647be0-08ac-4946-9a63-a66fe24f5873.jpg?v=1786019519","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/en-de\/products\/the-closer-9781484727881","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}