Gil by Darin Gibby

No Spoiler Review of Gil

Gil is a book for anyone to read.  Whether you are a baseball fan or not, you should read Gil.   I do happen to love the game of baseball, but this story is so much more than a story about baseball.

Darin Gibby has written an exceptional story about a man named Gil.  Gil gave up  his dream of playing baseball professional when his girlfriend (now his wife) became pregnant.  Gil became a high school teacher and baseball coach.   He has two wonderful children and life seems to be going along great until a lawsuit occurs and causes Gil to rethink life.   During this time, Gil discovers that he has a superb ability to pitch the ball at astonishing speeds.   There is a strike occurring throughout baseball and the local team, the Colorado Rockies, happen to be looking for undiscovered talent ("misfits, wannabes, broken down old men").  It has "America has talent in baseball" vibe in a very fun way to read.   Gil does join the Rockies team but encounters disapproval, contention from his father,  hostility from other players and aversion to his own natural ability to pitch the baseball over 100 mph.    
 
This is where the story truly began for me.  It is a story about love, friendship, family, dreams, and the ability to overcome obstacles while holding your head high.   I totally enjoyed reading the entire book but I absolutely loved Darin Gibby's ability to write a story about baseball that could be applied to life in general.  When the going gets really tough, we let our personality shine and keep on going.   We do not turn away or choose to frown.  Gil always smiled and always seemed to find the good.   Gil's wife gives him good advice early on, "You should follow your dream just because it is your dream."  We should not let others determine what our dream is but follow our own heart and encourage others. 

I was hesitate when I first received this book from library thing to review but oh I am so thankful that I decided to go ahead and read it.   It is a quick read that reads really fast and will consume your heart.