THE
ARENA
by Calvin Schiraldi
THE TRUE STORY OF ONE MAN'S SEARCH FOR EXCELLENCE
AND THE PRICE HE PAID FOR DARING TO ACHIEVE IT
FEW PEOPLE KNOW THE TRUE STORY
of former Texas Longhorn and Boston Red Sox pitcher Calvin Schiraldi because up until now, the narrative was written by critics who reduced his very existence to a single pitch thrown in the 1986 World Series. The real version, however, is vastly different, more complex, and bravely defies two-dimensional portrayals.
After 35 years of remaining quietly on the sidelines, Schiraldi has finally decided to tell his remarkable story the only way it should be told - through the eyes of the man who lived it. Although a riveting account of what life can really be like for a professional athlete, Schiraldi's experiences transcend baseball, revealing a determined quest for excellence and the will of a man who first wanted to win, and then just wanted to live.
Compelling, frustrating, and inspiring, this is a refreshing and painfully honest account of how a singular moment can alter the course of one's life, and what it's like to enter the daunting and sometimes unforgiving place called The Arena.
In the arena of American baseball, pitcher Calvin Schiraldi's achievements placed him among the elite. Forged as a child by competing against his father, winning became his only goal, and he did so at every level of baseball. For any athlete, reaching the pinnacle of sport is rare, but Schiraldi's talent and determination brought a level of success accomplished by only a select few.
On a cold October evening in 1986, he found himself on the mound and one pitch away from winning the World Series. Adding a world championship to what Schiraldi had already accomplished would complete one of the rarest feats baseball had ever known. As thousands of spectators roared and 40 million more watched on television, he went into his wind up. The outcome of this single pitch would not only change the narrative of his career, it would change the course of his life.
Calvin Schiraldi was 24 years old.
About Calvin Schiraldi
Calvin Schiraldi is a husband, father, and former professional baseball player.
Raised in Austin Texas, he played baseball at Westlake High School and The University of Texas. Schiraldi pitched for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres. Following his professional career, he coached high school baseball for 22 years.
Now retired from baseball, Schiraldi speaks to audiences about his life's journey. He and his wife Debbie reside in Austin.
