Mike Matheny was just forty-one when he succeeded the legendary Tony La Russa as manger of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. He enjoyed immediate success as a manager, leading the Cards to the postseason three times in his first three years. But he is perhaps as well known for his tough-love philosophy, famously expressed in a frankly worded letter he wrote to the parents of a Little League team he coached. That letter contained his throwback beliefs that authority should be respected, discipline and hard work rewarded, spiritual faith cultivated, family made a priority, and humility considered a virtue. In The Matheny Manifesto, he builds on his original letter by first diagnosing the problem at the heart of youth sports and then offering a hopeful path forward.

The letter that went viral -- The problem -- Whatever happened to the love of the game? -- The problem with New-School parents -- Coaches with complexes, or you're not Billy Martin -- A better way -- Our grand experiment -- Parents just trying to get it right -- What a great coach looks like -- The keys to success -- The coach is always right-even when he isn't/Key #1: Leadership -- Let your catcher call the game/Key #2: Confidence -- Don't think less of yourself, think of yourself less/Key #3: Teamwork -- Be candid about your beliefs/Key #4: Faith -- Respect the Ump; even if he's visually challenged/Key #5: Class -- Stay in your lane/Key #6: Character -- Nothing worth doing right is easy/Key #7: Toughness -- Seek help when you need it, express thanks when you get it/Key #8: Humility -- The Manifesto impact.