A Talk In The Park: Nine Decades of Baseball Tales from the Broadcast Booth - Hardcover

Smith, Curt

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1597976709 ISBN 13: 9781597976701

Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc., 2011

Synopsis

This title features the largest collection - more than a hundred - of radio and TV announcers, or Voices, telling their favourite baseball stories. It showcases the Voices of the American League, National League, and the networks in their own words. It celebrates broadcasters, such as Bob Costas, Jon Miller, Bob Uecker, Ken Harrelson, and Jerry Coleman, who are sometimes more famous than the teams they announce. In the largest collection of Voices in any sports book, "A Talk in the Park" features the favourite stories of baseball's most famous and beloved announcers in their own words. This riveting collection includes reminiscences from radio and TV; Voices from each major-league team and the baseball networks of ESPN, Fox, TBS, and the new MLB; and, from retired but still popular play-by-play men and analysts. Here are nine decades of baseball history in one anecdotal book, with a special focus on the last twenty years. Subjects include players, managers, ballparks, characters, interleague play, Hispanic broadcasting, fellow Voices, how to improve the game, and a tribute to the beloved Ernie Harwell, who died in 2010 and to whom the book is dedicated. Endorsed by the National Radio Hall of Fame, this book stars the very announcers who have reached millions on a daily or weekly basis, including: Bob Costas, Jon Miller, Bob Uecker, Jerry Coleman, Ken Harrelson, Milo Hamilton, Gary Cohen, Michael Kay, Dave Niehaus, Felo Ramirez, Dick Stockton, Charley Steiner, and Bob Wolff.

About this title

Review:

"Another tour de force from baseball's Boswell. Curt Smith has produced a compelling anecdotal history of the national pastime through the lens of its announcers. This is storytelling at its most masterful--an anecdotist's dream."--Tom DeFrank, New York Daily News--Tom DeFrank "New York Daily News "

"Baseball broadcasting's top chronicler knows a good story when he hears one. A Talk in the Park shares great tales from the booth. Who knew that Fenway Park's rough-and-ready fans would serenade Oklahoma-born Joe Simpson with the title song from the Broadway musical that bears his home state's name? Curt Smith did, and now you will, too."--Phil Mushnick, New York Post--Phil Mushnick "New York Post "

"Curt Smith has authored classic books like Voices of the Game, forged ESPN TV and Smithsonian Institution programs, and written more speeches than anyone for President George H. W. Bush. His latest work includes more Voices than in any sports book, ever. Amazing."--Bruce DuMont, president, National Radio Hall of Fame--Bruce DuMont

"We've listened to announcers as they've brought baseball to life on the air. Now we get to revel in the stories we've often never heard them tell--until now. Curt Smith has knocked it out of the park again."--Christine Brennan, USA Today--Christine Brennan "USA Today "

"Baseball is a game of stories. This book includes hundreds of baseball tales from dozens of well-known broadcasters. Your favorite players are all in here. This book will delight all those who cherish our game. You will laugh, smile, grimace, and even groan. But you will be sad only when it ends."--Fay Vincent, former Major League Baseball commissioner--Fay Vincent

"Curt Smith has gone deep again--over the wall into the game's broadcasting essence--telling stories. With a ball in play as little as eight minutes in a three-hour game, filling dead spots with anecdotes is essential. With our nomadic lifestyle, these terrific stories involve happenings on and off the field."--Joe Castiglione, Boston Red Sox radio announcer--Joe Castiglione

About the Author:

USA Today calls CURT SMITH the "Voice of authority on baseball broadcasting." He is the author of thirteen books, including the acclaimed Pull Up a Chair: The Vin Scully Story (Potomac Books, Inc., 2009). He is a Gate House Media columnist, National Public Radio affiliate host, senior English lecturer at the University of Rochester, and former speechwriter for President George H. W. Bush. He has written about baseball for Newsweek, the New York Times, and Sports Illustrated and hosted panel discussions at the Smithsonian Institution and Baseball Hall of Fame. He lives in upstate New York.

About this edition

• Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc.
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1597976709
• ISBN 13: 9781597976701
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320