Keith O’Brien
@keithob.bsky.social
NYT bestselling author of FLY GIRLS, PARADISE FALLS, and CHARLIE HUSTLE, the definitive story of Pete Rose’s rise and fall. II Bylines @NPR, @washingtonpost, and elsewhere. II Learn more at www.KeithOB.com
In the summer of 1978, two future Hall of Famers—Larry Bird and Joe Montana—squared off for a state title in slow-pitch softball. Can you guess who performed better that weekend on the dusty fields of Indiana? Make your choice in the comments. I’ll reveal the answer later this week. #heartland
November 24, 2025 at 6:46 PM
In the summer of 1978, two future Hall of Famers—Larry Bird and Joe Montana—squared off for a state title in slow-pitch softball. Can you guess who performed better that weekend on the dusty fields of Indiana? Make your choice in the comments. I’ll reveal the answer later this week. #heartland
Nothing made me feel older today than the death of the penny.
November 13, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Nothing made me feel older today than the death of the penny.
In an age of gambling scandals, this is just another. Prop bets are dangerous to all the sports you love.
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
In an age of gambling scandals, this is just another. Prop bets are dangerous to all the sports you love.
The switch to standard time means one thing: it already feels like winter in New Hampshire. This is a live view of the sky at 4:53 p.m.
November 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The switch to standard time means one thing: it already feels like winter in New Hampshire. This is a live view of the sky at 4:53 p.m.
Baseball. There’s nothing like it.
November 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Baseball. There’s nothing like it.
Devastating loss for Toronto. Amazing World Series for baseball fans around the world. Pitchers and catchers report in 101 days.
November 2, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Devastating loss for Toronto. Amazing World Series for baseball fans around the world. Pitchers and catchers report in 101 days.
Gotta hand it to Derek Jeter … He called this in the pregame. He said Bo Bichette would come up with runners on as the Dodgers tried to pitch around Vlad. Shohei intentionally walks Vlad to get the Bichette. And—boom—Canada explodes. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
November 2, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Gotta hand it to Derek Jeter … He called this in the pregame. He said Bo Bichette would come up with runners on as the Dodgers tried to pitch around Vlad. Shohei intentionally walks Vlad to get the Bichette. And—boom—Canada explodes. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
When did I get interested in writing about Larry Bird? I guess you can say 1987—when we visited Terre Haute and stopped at Bird’s restaurant. This is me with my brother and sister that day. I regret nothing—except for that Ohio State hoodie. Check out HEARTLAND, coming 3/3/26. Preorders are open!
October 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
When did I get interested in writing about Larry Bird? I guess you can say 1987—when we visited Terre Haute and stopped at Bird’s restaurant. This is me with my brother and sister that day. I regret nothing—except for that Ohio State hoodie. Check out HEARTLAND, coming 3/3/26. Preorders are open!
We should all channel the fortitude and determination of this tree, trapped in an abandoned suburban parking lot, but still releasing its glory into the great wide world.
🌳🍁💙
🌳🍁💙
October 28, 2025 at 2:17 PM
We should all channel the fortitude and determination of this tree, trapped in an abandoned suburban parking lot, but still releasing its glory into the great wide world.
🌳🍁💙
🌳🍁💙
If you pray, pray for Jamaica. There should not be a hurricane this strong in the Caribbean this late in the season. #ClimateCrisis #HurricaneMelissa
October 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
If you pray, pray for Jamaica. There should not be a hurricane this strong in the Caribbean this late in the season. #ClimateCrisis #HurricaneMelissa
Given the latest sports gambling scandals, I’m not sure this fan is the image that MLB wants behind home plate tonight. But I guess this is what you get in a world of legalized gambling.
October 26, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Given the latest sports gambling scandals, I’m not sure this fan is the image that MLB wants behind home plate tonight. But I guess this is what you get in a world of legalized gambling.
What a fun night at the Ohio Book Awards—with Gov. Mike DeWine, the First Lady Ohio, my date for the evening (my mother!), great writers like @timothysnyder.bsky.social, and people fighting to defend books.
October 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
What a fun night at the Ohio Book Awards—with Gov. Mike DeWine, the First Lady Ohio, my date for the evening (my mother!), great writers like @timothysnyder.bsky.social, and people fighting to defend books.
Already paying the price for staying up until the end of this one. But I don’t regret it. It was PEAK playoff baseball.
October 11, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Already paying the price for staying up until the end of this one. But I don’t regret it. It was PEAK playoff baseball.
In the powder blues with all that hair and moxie, Harrison Bader looks like he could have been on that @phillies.com team with Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra.
October 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
In the powder blues with all that hair and moxie, Harrison Bader looks like he could have been on that @phillies.com team with Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra.
Every writer needs a process, and also a good hat. This was the hat I wore as I wrote and edited HEARTLAND, as it came from Indiana, was a connection across space and time & seemed to fit the moment. Can’t wait to share this book with you. Until then, please preorder! @atriabooks.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Every writer needs a process, and also a good hat. This was the hat I wore as I wrote and edited HEARTLAND, as it came from Indiana, was a connection across space and time & seemed to fit the moment. Can’t wait to share this book with you. Until then, please preorder! @atriabooks.bsky.social
The Phillies are apparently wearing their powder-blue throwbacks on the road in LA tonight because that’s what Bryce Harper wanted. You know who else would approve? This guy. ⚾️❤️
October 8, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The Phillies are apparently wearing their powder-blue throwbacks on the road in LA tonight because that’s what Bryce Harper wanted. You know who else would approve? This guy. ⚾️❤️
The @nypost.com does not disappoint.
October 3, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The @nypost.com does not disappoint.
Lots of empty seats in Chavez Ravine tonight. I guess Dodgers fans don’t think this really counts as a playoff game.
October 1, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Lots of empty seats in Chavez Ravine tonight. I guess Dodgers fans don’t think this really counts as a playoff game.
The #23 payroll versus the #1 payroll tonight.
September 30, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The #23 payroll versus the #1 payroll tonight.
September 28, 2025 at 10:05 PM
🩵!!! COVER REVEAL !!! 🩵
Check out the cover for my forthcoming book, HEARTLAND, about the rise of Larry Bird in rural Indiana, the miracle of his 1979 Indiana State team, and the enduring power and meaning of that team some 50 years later.
Coming 3/3/26 from @atriabooks.bsky.social!
Check out the cover for my forthcoming book, HEARTLAND, about the rise of Larry Bird in rural Indiana, the miracle of his 1979 Indiana State team, and the enduring power and meaning of that team some 50 years later.
Coming 3/3/26 from @atriabooks.bsky.social!
September 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
🩵!!! COVER REVEAL !!! 🩵
Check out the cover for my forthcoming book, HEARTLAND, about the rise of Larry Bird in rural Indiana, the miracle of his 1979 Indiana State team, and the enduring power and meaning of that team some 50 years later.
Coming 3/3/26 from @atriabooks.bsky.social!
Check out the cover for my forthcoming book, HEARTLAND, about the rise of Larry Bird in rural Indiana, the miracle of his 1979 Indiana State team, and the enduring power and meaning of that team some 50 years later.
Coming 3/3/26 from @atriabooks.bsky.social!
Congrats to Marty Brennaman, the longtime voice of the Cincinnati Reds, who was immortalized in bronze outside Great American Ballpark this weekend. Marty had an incredible moment and the @reds.com won. What a night!
September 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Congrats to Marty Brennaman, the longtime voice of the Cincinnati Reds, who was immortalized in bronze outside Great American Ballpark this weekend. Marty had an incredible moment and the @reds.com won. What a night!
You have Pete Rose questions? We have answers! Looking forward to being part of this SABR all-star team tonight.
Link to register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Link to register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
May 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
You have Pete Rose questions? We have answers! Looking forward to being part of this SABR all-star team tonight.
Link to register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Link to register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Biggest basketball game in New York City in a quarter of a century—and the ticket price reflects the moment. #Knicks #NBA #knicksin6
May 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Biggest basketball game in New York City in a quarter of a century—and the ticket price reflects the moment. #Knicks #NBA #knicksin6