Mental Toughness: A Champion's State of Mind - Hardcover

Kuehl Karl

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1566636175 ISBN 13: 9781566636179

Publisher: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher, 2005

Synopsis

Mental toughness is the art of turning promise into performance. It's about individuals taking control of their lives in order to gain the most from their abilities. In baseball, every at-bat or pitch is a test of mental toughness, particularly as players advance to higher levels. Here Karl Kuehl, John Kuehl, and Casey Tefertiller, working from a vast combined experience, have broken down the elements of mental toughness into an easily understood package. Not only baseball players but other athletes as well as managers, coaches, and parents can learn how such elements as attitude, confidence, and the ability to focus and make adjustments are built and how they can help players reach their maximum performance. In Mental Toughness, many leading professional players share their insights and offer a glimpse into the minds of major leaguers—how they think and why they act in the ways they do. Among the players and coaches who took part in the writing of the book are Sean Casey, Dave Stewart, Robin Yount, Scott Spiezio, Bud Black, Scott Brosius, and Mike Bordick. Readers will find that the same skills of mental toughness that lead to success on the playing field also translate into personal life and business. Individuals who develop efficient attitudes and learn concentration skills are far more likely to succeed. Mental Toughness is about forming a strategy for baseball—and for life—that is most likely to bring achievement and satisfaction. With 20 black-and-white illustrations.

About this title

About the Author:

Karl Kuehl is special adviser for baseball operations for the Cleveland Indians. Formerly manager of the Montreal Expos, he has also been a minor league manager; a coach for the Minnesota Twins; a scout for Houston, Seattle, and Milwaukee; and director of player development for the Oakland A's. He wrote The Mental Game of Baseball with Harvey Dorfman.
John Kuehl played in the minor league organizations of the Oakland A's and the San Diego Padres, and was named to three all-star teams before injuries abbreviated his baseball career. He has been a regional scout for the A's and has managed in the minor leagues for their organization.
Casey Tefertiller wrote on baseball for the San Francisco Examiner and is now a staff correspondent for Baseball America. His earlier book, Wyatt Earp: The Life Behind the Legend, was a New York Times Notable Book of 1997 and a History Book Club selection.

Review:

The term 'mental toughness’ seems to have meant many things to many people. Few have troubled themselves to define it thoughtfully and thoroughly. Here is a book whose authors have done just that. Their expansive and specific treatment of the subject will both satisfy and enlighten the reader. Baseball players at every level will surely be able to apply the book’s practical principles to their own performance. Non-players will take away a greater understanding of the subject—and have a very enjoyable reading experience that provides anecdote and insight. (H. A. Dorfman)

There are powerful tools in this book that will enable players to unlock their potential.... It is a very important book, and it should be required reading for all professional players.... This book will not only make its readers better players, but it will help them to become better people. (Keith Lieppman, Oakland A's director of player development)

This book is a rock solid compendium for baseball players, and softball players too, in understanding the mental side of the game and for engaging in sustained competitive performance. (Charlie Maher, Team Psychologist, Cleveland Indians)

...The thing that separates the great players from the good players is their mental stability and anyone that's serious about being successful would gain a lot by reading this book because there's a tremendous amount of information. That information is not only good for the athletes but good for anyone that wants to understand competition or understand life. (Mike Candrea, Head Coach, 2004 gold medal-winning USA Softball Olympic team)

The authors in Mental Toughness utilize their expertise and experiences in baseball to break down the definable aspects of the mental domain that make a player a champion. The lessons are easily read and applied—and although they pertain to baseball, will help to make anyone who reads this book more effective in their field whether it is the office or on the diamond. (Mark A. Shapiro, General Manager of the Cleveland Indians)

Reading a book about strength training won't make you strong, and reading this book won't make you a champion...but apply what you learn from this book and there's no end to what you can accomplish. (Rich Harden, starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics)

Getting to know my own mental skills and the minds of my opponents has always helped me be a tougher competitor. If that's something you aspire to, I can't imagine a better helper than Mental Toughness. It's a book that can show you how important the mental game is, and how to master it. (Orel Hershiser, Former Cy Young Award winner, World Series MVP, pitching coach for the Texas Rangers)

I wish I'd had Mental Toughness around when I was a kid trying to figure out how to get to the big leagues and the Hall of Fame. It's a great book. It helps players, coaches, parents, and people in every walk of life figure out how to turn losses into speed bumps rather than roadblocks. Every agent and every team ought to be required to give this book to the players they represent and sign. (Don Sutton, Hall of Fame Pitcher, 324 wins, never missed a turn in the rotation in his 23 year career)

This book is comprised of great stories, which I think could apply not only in sports but in the game of life. (Gary Carter, Hall of Fame Catcher, MVP in two World Series, 11 time All-Star)

Mental Toughness is so good that it is a must-read for future athletes and non-athletes alike. Reading this book will put everyone far ahead of the game. From all my experiences as an athlete, your mind controls everything. The sooner you learn how to match the mind with the physical ability, the sky is the limit. Good luck and good reading. (Mark McGwire)

About this edition

• Publisher: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1566636175
• ISBN 13: 9781566636179
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304