National League's R.A. Dickey, left, of the New York Mets, talks to manager Tony La Russa during MLB All-Star baseball batting practice, July 9, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. It was Dickey's first appearance as an All-Star.

R.A. Dickey, the New York Mets' knuckleball specialist, pitches to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, June 29, 2012. The Tennessee athlete had limited success in the majors until he turned to the knuckleball.

The New York Mets starter R.A. Dickey pitches to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, June 29, 2012.

Dickey, married and the father of four, is the author of a 2012 memoir "I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball." In it, he recounted that he was the victim of child sexual abuse and struggled with suicidal thoughts as an adult.

R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets gets a shaving cream pie in the face after pitching a complete game one hitter against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on June 18, 2012, New York. R.A. Dickey pitched a second consecutive one hitter, striking out career-high 13 batters, as the Mets defeated the Orioles 4-0.

Pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) of the New York Mets tips his hat to the crowd after his one hit complete game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 13, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

R.A. Dickey (43) of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning on June 22, 2011 at Citi Field, New York.

From left, R.A. Dickey, Mark Teixeira, Diana Munson, Dikembe Mutombo, Yogi Berra, Chris Mullin and Daniel Murphy attend the 32nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards at the Grand Hyatt on Jan. 31, 2012, in New York.

R.A. Dickey (43) of the New York Mets pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 19, 2010 in Washington, DC.

Dickey signed with the Mets to a minor league contract, Jan. 5, 2010 with an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the season.

On May 19, 2010, the Mets purchased Dickey's contract from the Bisons, and he made his first appearance as a Met against the Nationals on the same day.

Starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (41) of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Boston Red Sox on July 22, 2008 at Safeco Field in Seattle.

Dickey went 5-8 in 2008 with a 5.61 ERA and tied the record for most wild pitches in an inning, with four.

R.A. Dickey (39) of the Minnesota Twins poses during photo day at the Twins spring training complex on Feb. 23, 2008 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Pitcher R.A. Dickey (45) of the Texas Rangers walks off the field during the game against the New York Yankees at Ameriquest Field in Arlington on May 23, 2004 in Arlington, Texas. The Yankees won 8-3.

R.A. Dickey of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during spring training at the Charlotte County Stadium in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Pitcher R.A. Dickey of Team USA throws a pitch during a game versus Korea in Durham, N.C.

Dickey, who played ball at the University of Tennessee and was on the bronze-medal winning Olympic team in 1996, was the Texas Rangers' first-round pick in the 1996 amateur draft.