One Tough Dominican

On this date 35 years ago, pitcher Joaquin Andujar made his major league debut with Houston. The Astros traded him to St. Louis a few years later. In the second half of the 1982 season, Andujar emerged as the Cardinals ace, finishing the season at 15-10 with a 2.47 ERA. He played a vital role in St. Louis's title run that October by winning Game 3 of the NLCS and two games (including Game 7) in the World Series. In 1984 and 1985, Andujar posted back-to-back 20-win seasons. He was to the Cardinals then, what Chris Carpenter is to the Cardinals now. Hopefully in 2011 Carpenter will match Andujar's achievement by notching his second 20-win season as a Cardinal.

You never know.

kentkrause.com

With my second novel soon to be released, I've changed the design of my Web site. Check it out at http://kentkrause.com/

America's Game

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the rules and realities of the game -- and do it by watching first some high school or small-town teams."

Jacques Barzun

The All-American King character guide

All of the major characters and many of the minor characters in The All-American King represent individuals included in the Biblical account of King David's life. These representations are listed below. Characters in the novel are listed in red; the Biblical figures they represent are listed in blue.

Dave King - King David
Ozzie King - Ozem, brother of David
Obadiah King - Obed, grandfather of David
Sal Kishman - King Saul
Jesse King - Jesse, father of David
Anthony Krieger - Abishai, nephew of David
Joe Krieger - Joab, nephew of David
Asa Krieger - Asahel, nephew of David
Zoe Krieger - Zeruiah, sister of David
Abby King - Abigail, sister of David
Eli King - Eliab, brother of David
Adam King - Abinadab, brother of David
Shane King - Shimea, brother of David
Reverend Samuels - Samuel the prophet
John Kishman - Jonathan, son of Saul
Phil Galbraith - Goliath
Coach Acheson - King Achish
Doug Edmonds - Doeg the Edomite
Neil Heimlich - Ahimelech the priest
Michelle Kishman - Michal, daughter of Saul
Boz Kishman - Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul
Abner Kishman - Abner, cousin of Saul
Thor Heimlich - Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech
Coach Keeler - citizens of Keilah
Calvin Ziph - the Ziphites
Perry Arbuckle - Paarai the Arbite
Amy Martin - Ahinoam, wife of David
Caleb Nagel - Nabal the Calebite
Gail Taylor - Abigail, wife of David
Tank Garber - Gareb the Ithrite
Paul Lasch - Paltiel, husband of Michal
Kyle King - Kileab, son of David
Nathan Rodriguez - Nathan the prophet
Jason Hackman - Jashobeam the Hacmonite
Archie King - Absalom, son of David
Michael Lewis - Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan
Tammy King - Tamar, daughter of David
Jerry Irving - Jether, brother-in-law of David
Donnie King - Adonijah, son of David
Beth Schaeffer - Bathsheba
Ryan Schaeffer - Uriah, husband of Bathsheba
Jon King - Jonadab, nephew of David
Tom Nelson - Amnon, son of David
Levi Zadok - Zadok the priest
Andy Irving - Amasa, nephew of David
Sol Schaeffer - Solomon, son of David
Ben Shea - Sheba the Benjamite
Tony Huscher - Hushai the Arkite
Ben Jeffries - Benaiah, son of Jehoiada

Book Promotional Tour - 5th Interview

"Our guest is sure excited to be here. And everybody in our studio audience will be excited too when they look under their seats and find an autographed copy of The All-American King. Yes, you're getting a free book. And you're getting a free book. And you're getting a free book. And you're getting a free book . . ."

Book Promotional Tour - 4th Interview

A fowl encounter with Martha Stewart.

"The All-American King: It's a good thing."

Book Promotional Tour - 3rd Interview

"The rumor going around town is that a big name director has signed on for the movie version of The All-American King. So, what I want to know is who's going to play Dave King? Is it Affleck? Damon? Bradley Cooper? Come on Kent, tell us what you know."