Ten years ago, Stan Ross was a ballplayer blessed with one of the sweetest swings--and one of the worst attitudes--in the league. A man with big talent, a bigger mouth and even bigger ego, he was clealy on his way to becoming a legend. The day he batted his 3,000th hit, assuring him an eventual place in the Hall of Fame, Ross instantly quit the fame, leaving his teammates in the lurch. Never looking back, Ross began his 'Mr. 3000' shopping empire, fueling his self-satisfaction solely with that one magical number. But now, just as Ross is about to be voted at last into the Hall of Fame, an error is discovered--the man who thought he was 'Mr. 3000' is actually 'Mr. 2997.' Three hits shy of the landmark number, Ross has only one choice--get up off the couch, pick up the back and rejoin the Milwaukee Brewers for the most unlikely comeback sports has ever seen. Literally going back to first base, Ross has no idea what he's in for. Out of shape, over the hill and in deep denial, he quickly becomes a joke to the press, the bane of his teammates and a juicy story to Mo Simmons, the tough-minded reporter who once had a memorable fling with Ross back inthe day. But just as Ross thinks it's all about the numbers, he finally begins to see what really counts. Soon the cocky, self-absorbed, ego machine is trying a different tactic: discovering the fun of teamwork, ethics and even falling in love--as he learns the difference between a successful life and a meaninful one.