{"product_id":"the-closer-paperback-3","title":"The Closer - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCal Jr. Ripken\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe final book in the out-of-the-park series by legendary short-stop and veteran sportswriter Cal Ripkin!\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Danny 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e To make matters worse his older brother, Joey, is 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, 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Lonely 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 flying baseball, he attempts to learn a new pitch--a pitch no one has ever seen before called \"The Terminator.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The clock is ticking as the championships approach. If Danny's audacious plan works he'll be the talk of the league--and more importantly the dependable closer the Orioles desperately need. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Perfect for! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e★ \u003c\/b\u003eLittle League players \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e★ \u003c\/b\u003eReluctant Readers \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e★ \u003c\/b\u003eBaseball card collectors \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e★ \u003c\/b\u003eBaltimore Orioles fans\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\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.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 208\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 7.4 x 5.2 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 07, 2017\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuiz Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Closer\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Middle Grades, 4-8\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.4\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7\u003c\/div\u003e\n                ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42733742751807,"sku":"9781484727881","price":14.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/7b4729cbf690427ad4580d9c45a4baaf.webp?v=1765137211","url":"https:\/\/dhlswag.com\/products\/the-closer-paperback-3","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}