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(More customer reviews)From the Introduction of Mr. Elston's new book:
--"Sports personalities are too often pictured as completely serious competitors, giving their all for the game. While sports naturally involves a very serious attitude, there is also a lighter side which fans are seldom aware.
This book has been compiled from a collection of those brief and pointed anecdotes as well as some of the outstanding short sports stories. Fortunately I had the foresight to begin and maintain a voluminous collection of sports humor over the years from which I have extracted what I feel are the best and most worthy of remembering.
I hope you will find this intriguing collection of sports humor and wit one of the most enjoyable, amusing and refreshing books it will ever be your pleasure to read."--
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After reading Mr. Elston's book, it is not only an "intriguing collection of sports humor and wit", it is also a very well researched history lesson packed with historical background information on each subject covered in the book. The book consists of 11 chapters and one epilogue which Gene appropriately titles "Extra Innings - Overtime".
Each chapter deals with a particular topic on sports, for instance, Chapter One is titled "(Jocks) In a World Their Own", Chapter Two titled, "(Coaches) The Sideline Entertainers", Chapter Three, "(Managers) Hired to be Fired", Chapter Four, "The Botton Line) The Big Spenders - Economics 101" and Chapter Five "(The Brass) Egotism At It's Best"....and so on. Of course, each chapter's topic focuses on funny stories and memorable humorous quotes on that particular topic but as I mentioned previously, each chapter also includes indepth historical background on each of the topics which brings to reason why this book is not only also very funny and enjoyable to read, but also very educational, thus anyone who also enjoys reading of the history of any sports topic will also thoroughly enjoy this book.
Here are some examples taken from Chapter One - "(Jocks) In a World of Their Own"
--- "To say the `flakes' or `screwballs' have disappeared from the playing fields and courts in this modern era of sports is not true. What IS true is that there are just fewer of them. But, still a laugher is MORE than a lopsided victory.
There still are many bona fide jocks with the natural wit that sets them apart from many individuals who would like to fit that talented mold, but only find themselves working at it. The NATURAL is determined by an inherent sense that is determined by nature.
Two examples: Pete Gray was a remarkable one-armed outfielder who played for the St.Louis Browns during World War II. One sweltering day, as Gray came off the field after a strenuous game in Chicago, he was stopped by an extremely talkative woman. Caught in a "sticky" situation, Pete tried to remain polite as the woman droned on and on about his handicap. After several uncomfortable moments, dripping with sympathy and sentimentality - to say nothing of the heat - the woman finally gushed, "You poor boy...just how did you lose your arm?" Pete saw his chance, and as he headed for the clubhouse he replied solemnly, "A woman in St.Louis talked it off!"
And, by Bo Belinsky: "Happiness is a first-class pad, good wheels, an understanding manager, and a little action."
Player quotes have a way of bringing the fan directly into the clubhouse or locker room and of helping to recognize the individual personalities of these athletes. Since direct contact is minimal there is no other way to look at these gladiators as every day human beings. It is, of course, not the final summation of their lives, but in most cases satisfies the people who watch daily and would like to get closer to them.
This story will illustrate the perception fans have of Yogi Berra. In his early big league days, pitchers could play on one batting weakness of Berra. It was a cinch to make the Yankees catcher bite on the first pitch, no matter its location.
Once, with Berra about to take his turn at bat, Yankees manager Bucky Harris drew him aside and cautioned: "Now look, Yogi, don't always take your cut at the first one. Wait for a good one and think before you swing. The idea is to think! Now get in there and do what I tell you."
Yogi picked up his bat, pulled down his cap, and took his place in the batter's box. He didn't bite at the first one. The umpire called it a strike. The second one split the plate. Yogi never moved. The third pitch, too, was a sweet one, but Berra watched it pass by.
Berra dragged his bat back to the dugout and dropped it on the pile. He walked over to Harris. "It's your own fault," Yogi said bitterly, "What do you expect? How can a guy think and hit at the same time?" ---
_________From "The Epilogue Extra Innings - Overtime" Gene included this funny story about former major league umpire Charlie Moran:
~"...Charlie Moran who became a major league ump following a successful career of coaching football at Centre College, whose team's nickname was the "Praying Colonels".
One time during an argument with Moran over a decison, Fresco Thompson sneered, 'With you as coach, Moran, no wonder your team prayed!'. Fresco recalls that Moran had the last word, however, when he turned to Thompson, smiled benignly and said,'Young man, since you've turned this conversation into religious channels, suppose you go to the clubhouse and baptize yourself with an early shower!'.
Moran, who was well known as "Uncle Charlie", later was nearing the end of his long and commendable umpiring career when he got into a rhubarb with the Chicago Cubs over a decision. Several Cubs players charged from the dugout toward Moran, seemingly bent on tearing him to pieces in their anger. Charlie Grimm, the Cubs manager, hastened out to break up the commotion. Yet it was Grimm who got the thumb from Moran. Taking a firm stand between the umpire and his players, Grimm warned, "I'll fine the first guy who dares lay a hand on this blind old man!"~
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Such, is the great stories and quotes to be found in the latest and third book authored by former major league broadcaster Gene Elston. "The Wild World of Sports" consists of 108 pages, relatively short, as many books go, but in those 108 pages, Mr. Elston packs each page with his humor, wit and wisdom along with his tremendous background of the history of organized sports.
In Chapter Eleven "(The Malaprops) Sometimes They Know Not What they Say", Gene includes many misquotes and mistated comments by broadcasters, players and others. As the king of the malaprops as Gene alludes, Elston dedicates a large portion of this chapter to former co-broadcast partner and friend, the legendary San Diego Padres play-by-play announcer Jerry Coleman. So, I'll end this review on a quote from Mr. Coleman from page 97 of Mr. Elston's book:
~"There's someone warming up in the bullpen but he's obscured by his number." ~
THE WILD WORLD OF SPORTS by Gene Elston
Reviewed By James Anderson
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