"I remember my first major league game so well. I had dreamed of it for so long. I went back to my hotel room that night and I cried. I said: 'Is this all there is to it?' Here was my dream -- to get to the big leagues -- and now I'm in the big leagues and all I think of is that there must be something else. I said to the Lord: 'I see that you are the only thing that can fill the void in my life. It can't be the materialistic things in the world.' I can honestly say that I remember calling my wife, who was then my fiance, and I told her how unfulfilled I felt. Here I've finally reached my dream and it's so empty. So shallow. Not lasting. But I knew that a personal relationship with God is a lasting relationship. It will last for eternity. Nothing else much matters. I only wish I had learned that lesson earlier. I wouldn't have wasted so many of those years."
Told over and over again that he would never amount to anything, Brett Butler has pushed his way through barriers all his life. Today, Brett Butler is one of the most respected players in baseball, known for his courage, perseverance, and single-minded devotion -- devotion to the game, the fans, and to God. During this off-season, he's received 180,000 pieces of mail from fans who want to see him back on the field at Dodger Stadium. Set to play what may be his final season with the Dodgers, Brett Butler has plenty to say about his #1 passion, baseball; his #1 fan, his wife; and his #1 source of strength, God.
In FIELD OF HOPE, Butler covers all the bases, including his account of:
The autobiography he wrote in first grade, titled: "I Want to Be a Major League Baseball Player."
His less-than-outstanding high school baseball performance and his college career that culminated in being chosen as a two-time All American.
Getting started with the Braves after being chosen in the 23rd round of the 1979 draft.
A frightening eye injury that caused doctors to give him a 50-50 chance of regaining his sight.
His role in the 1994 player's strike.
Getting dumped by the Dodgers and signing with the Mets.
Losing his mother to brain cancer.
His own ongoing battle with cancer.
An exhilirating comeback to the Dodgers last fall -- only to be sidelined by a broken hand a few days later.
Thomas Nelson Publishers, $24.99
ISBN 0785271449
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Written with Jerry Jenkins, who has co-written biographies with many sports notables including Orel Hershiser, Nolan Ryan and Hank Aaron.
Copyright ©1997, ProMotion, inc.
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