The Hitstreak Episode 228: From Broken to Brilliant: The Mindset Behind a Cy Young Season w/ R.A. Dickey
Episode 228 of The Hitstreak, a podcast where we talk about anything and everything!
This week we are joined by Former MLB Pitcher, Cy Young Award Winner, Author, and Speaker, R.A. Dickey!
Episode in a Glance:
In this episode of The Hitstreak, I sit down with R.A. Dickey, a former professional baseball player, discussing his journey from overcoming personal adversity to achieving success in sports. Our conversation delves into themes of faith, family, and the lessons learned through the highs and lows of an athletic career. Dickey shares insights on the importance of embracing one's past, the role of relationships in personal growth, and the unique challenges faced by professional athletes. The episode concludes with reflections on gratitude and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Key Points:
- Success stories often start from nothing.
- Embracing your past can lead to freedom.
- Faith is a skill that needs practice.
- Family plays a crucial role in personal growth.
- Professional sports teach valuable life lessons.
- Gratitude is essential for happiness.
- Proximity to positive influences matters.
- Overcoming adversity shapes character.
- Every setback can lead to a comeback.
About our guest:
R.A. Dickey is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, World Series champion, Olympian, and 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner, best known for resurrecting his career through mastery of the knuckleball. Drafted in the first round despite the early discovery that he was missing a ligament in his throwing arm, Dickey’s career became a story of perseverance, reinvention, and faith. After years of setbacks, injuries, and uncertainty, he reinvented himself in his mid-30s—an age when most pitchers are declining—and became one of the most dominant and durable pitchers in baseball, leading MLB innings from 2011–2015.
Beyond the field, Dickey is a bestselling author and sought-after speaker whose work centers on resilience, identity, accountability, and personal growth. His memoir Wherever I Wind Up chronicles his unconventional baseball journey and hard-earned success, while Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity, and the Perfect Knuckleball, plus Knuckleball Ned, reflects his passion for storytelling and mentorship. Dickey is widely respected for his vulnerability in addressing topics such as childhood trauma, leadership, and the cost—and reward—of doing the hard internal work required for lasting success.
Grounded in discipline, honesty, and a belief that growth often comes through discomfort, R.A. Dickey’s story resonates beyond sports, offering lessons on reinvention, endurance, and purpose.
Follow and contact:
Instagram: @RADickey43
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