Matt McCarthy

Devoured this book. My daughter interned at Cornell Weill, so the emotional angst of intern year was familiar to me, but it takes courage for a doctor to write honestly (and engagingly) about it.

The book slowed a bit in the Epilogue, where McCarthy wrapped everything up, a bit too neatly. But overall it was such a good and moving read I'm giving it 5 stars.

I won an uncorrected proof copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer. This has in no way affected my review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. As an RN who has worked in a teaching hospital, I can relate to many of the feelings Dr. McCarthy had during his intern year, albeit from a slightly different stance. July is a difficult month in medicine, a new crop of interns shows up and must be trained by residents, attendings as well as the nursing staff. The book describes the show more fears, feelings, emotions and joys of that first year in a poignant and relatable way. At some point, these interns finally feel like "a real doctor" for some it takes longer than others, but it rarely is a pin-pointable moment, it just happens. The author makes this fact abundantly clear. From the feelings of inadequacy on the very first day, right on to the assured calmness of mind on the last day, successes and failures are given equal time.
I found the book easily readable, anyone with very little medical knowledge will be able to follow along with little to no problem, as the author does a wonderful job of describing procedures and disease processes without using overwhelming medical terms.
A truly heartwarming, insightful look into the mind of the first year of practicing the art of medicine. Kudos to Matt McCarthy for a well written account of that defining year in his life. show less

Matt McCarthy's funny, revealing and moving memoir, ODD MAN OUT, is probably the best book about the lower levels of professional baseball since Pat Jordan's classic A FALSE SPRING (1975), which I read over 30 years ago.

McCarthy was indeed an oddity in professional ball, a Yale graduate who majored in molecular biophysics. Following him through his one and a half seasons as a left-handed pitcher with minor league farm teams (Provo and Rancho Cucamonga) of the Anaheim Angels is a real trip in show more more ways than one. You get a real sense of the grittiness of it all: near slave-wages, greasy fast food, sweaty bus journeys and crappy locker rooms that are all part of lowest levels of professional ball. McCarthy gets used to being treated with suspicion and distrust because of his education, but he makes a few friends along the way as he gradually begins to realize his "stuff" is probably never going to get him to the majors. A few of the odd players - and coaches - he meets made me also remember a great fictional account of such a bottom-feeder southern league team - Michael Bishop's BRITTLE INNINGS.

I liked Matt McCarthy's book a lot. He is a natural and skillful storyteller. Now a physician, McCarthy obviously has great memories of his days as a pro ball player, undistinguished as they may have been. I don't know know what kind of a doctor McCarthy is or will turn out to be, but he's a damn good writer. The last paragraph in the book's Epilogue actually gave me goose bumps. It was that moving. I mean shades of BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY, another favorite baseball book by Mark Harris. I will recommend ODD MAN OUT to anyone who loves baseball and good books. show less

“There were a dozen Dominicans on our team, hailing from Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, and, yes, the Dominican Republic.”

Yep, ignorant racism in the locker room, and it runs through this book quite a bit. Lots of stereotypes and derogatory comments, but I will say that the thing that Aybar and Callaspo did with the hot dog buns...

That aside, I really liked this book! It seems so genuine and real, and I felt like I was right along with McCarthy on his year in single A. The story show more is post 9/11, pre-“Moneyball”, and right as the big league club is on their way to the World Series! There are so many good parts! The conversation about whether or not to use steroids is so insightful! And I loved, loved, loved Kotchman! AND his Rally Penis!!! Dude should have his own book! And poor Matt, a born-again virgin! Really? Come on!!!
If you like baseball, this is a really good read! I'm going to recommend it... a lot! show less