You're Out and You're Ugly, Too!: Confessions of an Umpire with an Attitude

I loved this book, its full of the history of the game. It has everything from growing up in Texas, to umpiring games in Puerto Rico, to umpiring in the Majors. This book is so fun, I've owned it for 4 years and I read it completly once but I've kept picking it up and rereading parts, that I must have read each page about 15 times. Some of the information is slightly outdated but he did make the prediction that if Mark McGuire ever had an injury free year he would break Roger Maris's 61 home run record! He is a very smart man.

Durwood's Book is without a doubt probably the one of the best books I've read in a long time. His insight on the game of Baseball and the perspective that he gives is truly unique. Being graduate of the same Umpire School that Durwood went to, and Umpiring at the High School and College Level, I know what all Umpires face while trying to do their best. His stories about situations with players and managers made me laugh. He has drawn a lot of heat for what he has written, about the players, managers, and owners, "The Baseball Lords." Why you might ask? Because someone needs to tell the "Real Fans" of baseball what happens behind the scenes. He has such a way to tell his story that is unreal, he fires right back at all umpire attackers that truly don't know their head from a donkey's butt(like Tim MacCarver), and in one moment he'll make you laugh (like his story about his grandson and Nolan Ryan), and the next he'll make you cry (when he talk! s about the death of fellow Umps, Lou DiMuro, Nick Bremigan, & John McSherry, or the untimely loss of truly one of the Greatest Umpires of Baseball Steve Pallermo, or even his work with his home town at Christmas time). You feel for him and everyone around him when he tells the story, you feel the emotion as he prepares to the plate for tonights game. I think it would be a total shame if you don't read this book because you will miss out on the story of one of Baseball's Greatest Ambassadors.

This is the funniest sports/life books I have ever read. Durwood Merrill is extremely funny and Jim Dent crafts this work so well that you feel like your sitting at the ballpark and you grandpa is telling you stories. A MUST read for ALL sports fans. I got my book signed and got the opportunity to meet both men and I can say that they are two of the nicest out there. If you get the chance to get your book signed, do it. I can't wait for Mr. Dent's next book.

I loved this book. As a 31 year old high school baseball umpire and a Christian, Durwood sets a great role model for me. I hope I can teach my kids the values he brings to everything he does. The world needs a few more Durwoods. The only sad part of the book was the sections on Steve Palmerio. Steve was a great umpire who has tragically had his career cut short. Durwood's love shines through every word he writes, and in the era of mega salaries, and mega egos, it reminds me what I love about the game: its the friends you make and the lessons you learn. Thanks Durwood!

This book made me laugh and also made me cry. I have a better understanding what Umpires go thru and Merrill is a great role model. His Christian Service to the kids is a God sen.