
The Dad Coach
How to Lead Kids to Succeed on and off the Baseball Field
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Narrated by:
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Mike Matheny
About this listen
The New York Times bestselling author of The Matheny Manifesto offers the definitive guide to coaching youth baseball and instilling positive values on and off the field.
Long before he became manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, Mike Matheny grasped the core values of what really mattered when it came to playing baseball. It wasn't attention from fans or the trophy at the end of a season that guided his morals, but the hard-won discipline, labor, and humility that he incorporated into every game he played. Now, in The Dad Coach, Matheny puts his philosophy into action and provides a step-by-step template for coaches and parents to develop solid fundamentals and a strong sense of character in their players, including:
• Age-specific drills and exercises to develop skills, along with practice plans to help young ballplayers improve
• Game preparation and evaluation techniques to help coaches stay on track and keep kids engaged
• Advice on making coaching a meaningful experience and investment of time
• More than seventy QR codes leading to instructional videos featuring Matheny and other Dad Coach advocates
Drawing on Matheny’s playing and coaching expertise at every level of the game, The Dad Coach is an engaging and essential resource for anyone, regardless of experience, who wants to coach their players to success in baseball and life.
* This audiobook edition including a downloadable PDF of links to instructional videos, tips and resources to help you be the best coach you can be!
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2024 Mike Matheny and Jerry B. Jenkins (P)2024 Random House AudioCritic reviews
“I wish every coach, at every level of the game, would read The Dad Coach. Mike Matheny sees life and the game pretty much the same way, and applying this book will definitely improve you and your players on and off the field. It has helped me solidify my coaching style.”—Willie McGee, four-time Major League Baseball All-Star, World Series champion, assistant coach, St. Louis Cardinals
“There are few men who care more about the game of baseball and how it’s played than Mike Matheny. The Dad Coach is a valuable resource for players, parents, and coaches, and it’s packed with great advice from some of the game’s most respected names. A page-turner for anyone who strives to play the game the right way—with passion and respect.”—Jim Thome, five-time Major League Baseball All-Star
“I would endorse anything Mike Matheny writes because he’s been such an incredible mentor. He’s not only a great man but also a brilliant teacher of baseball with the mindset to go along with the skill. My time with Mike benefited both my faith and my baseball career. I’d like to invite you into a similar experience.”—Matt Holliday, seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star, World Series Champion
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- Narrated by: Mark Deakins
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
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-
Overall
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Performance
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Story
Mike Matheny was just 41, without professional managerial experience and looking for a next step after a successful career as a Major League catcher, when he succeeded the legendary Tony La Russa as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. While Matheny has enjoyed immediate success, leading the Cards to the postseason three times in his first three years, people have noticed something else about his life, something not measured in day-to-day results.
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-
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- By Brady on 12-11-15
By: Mike Matheny, and others
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Baseball IQ for Kids and Teens
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- By: Joe Collis, Dan Blank
- Narrated by: Don Bratschie
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Baseball iQ is the first book written directly to young baseball players who want to level up their game. With sections on baserunning, hitting, infield, outfield, pitching and catching, Baseball iQ is a fun and comprehensive guide to playing smarter baseball for kids and teenagers.
-
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By: Joe Collis, and others
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
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- By: Troy Horne, Moses Horne
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Overall
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- Narrated by: Moses Horne
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
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-
-
Great for the young elite athlete
- By Rhonda Connally on 04-22-21
By: Troy Horne, and others
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- How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented, and Reinvented Baseball
- By: John W. Miller
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Long before the Moneyball Era, the Earl of Baltimore reigned over baseball. History’s feistiest and most colorful manager, Earl Weaver transformed the sport by collecting and analyzing data in visionary ways, ultimately winning more games than anybody else during his time running the Orioles from 1968 to 1982. When Weaver was hired by the Orioles, managers were still seen as coaches and inspirational leaders, more teachers of the game than strategists. Weaver invented new ways of building baseball teams, prioritizing on-base average, elite defense, and strike throwing.
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THE EARL OF BALTIMORE... ALWAYS A TREAT!
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What listeners say about The Dad Coach
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- Kayla
- 04-12-25
The title says it
Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for putting together such a complete guide to coaching. Creating better coaches will create better baseball players and then men. Well done.
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- Anthony Darin
- 03-31-25
Best coaching book I’ve found
I got roped in to help coaching my daughter’s 10u softball team this spring. I’ve read everything and watched about 1000 YouTube videos trying to learn how to be a good coach. This is the best resource I’ve found. Great info on drills, the mental approach, how to set up practice, how to deal with parents, how to read your kids, how to talk to the kids, how to set up your team lineup, and how to keep your cool. Tons of videos showing you how to actually do it. This book put a lot of stuff in perspective about what’s actually important when coaching kids from 6-12 years old.
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- Joe Crismon
- 03-28-25
The Ultimate Playbook for Parents: Leadership, Character, and Coaching with Mike Matheny
After reading both The Matheny Manifesto and The Dad Coach, I had incredibly high expectations for this audiobook—and Mike Matheny absolutely exceeded them. His insights on leadership, parenthood, and coaching are more than just advice; they’re a blueprint for shaping young athletes into strong, resilient, and principled individuals.
Hearing Matheny’s words in the audiobook format made the experience even more impactful. His passion, integrity, and wisdom come through in a way that feels personal and inspiring. He doesn’t just focus on winning games—he emphasizes building character, instilling values, and leading with purpose.
What sets The Dad Coach apart is how it challenges and motivates you, whether you’re a parent, a coach, or a mentor. Matheny’s no-nonsense yet deeply compassionate approach is exactly what youth sports—and today’s young athletes—need. This audiobook reinforced and expanded on everything I loved about his first book, and I found myself taking notes and reflecting on how I can apply his principles in my own life.
If you want to be a better parent, coach, or leader, this audiobook is an absolute must-listen. Mike Matheny has once again delivered a powerful, transformative message. Highly, highly recommended!
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