* A powerful memoir from a Cy-Young Award-winning pitcher! Chronicling his final year in a major league uniform, former Atlanta Braves player Smoltz recounts his victory over "career-ending" injuries, his roller-coaster journey from closer to starter, the upheavals in his personal life, and the strength and focus he found in his faith. 304 pages, softcover from Morrow Avon.

As a seven-year-old kid pitching a ball against a brick wall, John Smoltz decided to be a professional baseball player when he grew up. And from that simple decision until his last season on the mound in the major leagues, it was his faith, work ethic, and love for the game that propelled him through challenges that would have ruined other athletes.

Starting and Closing chronicles the final season in a legendary career that included fourteen years in one of the most dominant rotations in baseball, a Cy Young Award, and a World Series title—all while battling and overcoming "career-ending" injuries. Recounting a season that tested his perseverance and deepened his faith, Smoltz flashes back to watershed moments in the skeptic-defying journey from being one of the best starting pitchers of all time, to closer, to starter again. What emerges is an inspirational story from a man who believed not just in himself but in God's plan for him—and one more year.

John Smoltz is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and active sportscaster. He is best known for his prolific career of more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, during which he garnered eight All-Star selections and received the Cy Young Award in 1996. He is currently the chairman of King's Ridge Christian School in Atlanta and is a scratch golfer. (Tiger Woods has said that Smoltz is the best golfer outside of the PGA tour.) He lives in Atlanta with his family.

DON YAEGER’s career spans more than two decades. As an author, his books have sold more than 2 million copies and have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list seven times. Yaeger has been engaged as a media trainer to countless high-profile athletes, business leaders and elected officials.

Visit him online at donyaeger.com
Follow him on twitter: @DonYaeger

“When Smoltz talks about baseball, the book comes alive . . . it all has the ring of authenticity and wisdom.”

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