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You Can't Make This Up: Miracles, Memories, and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television
You Can't Make This Up by Al Michaels has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.
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First published November 18, 2014
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November 21, 2021
This is a short little book by Al Michaels, one of the best sports announcers on television. It is not exactly an autobiography but rather a look at how sports has become the most watched event on tv and his journey to the top of the heap.
He calls it like he sees it and we get an insiders look at some of the names that are familiar to sports fans.......players, owners, managers, and announcers.......the likeable and the real bastards. Michaels reveals some of the infighting among television networks and behind the scenes is not always a pretty picture. But his writes with humor and that makes the book even more interesting.
His famous "Do you believe in miracles" at the 1980 Winter Olympic when the US hockey teams, against all odds, beat the Russians, is one of the most familiar and most quoted sports call in history.
Read on, sports fans, read on!
He calls it like he sees it and we get an insiders look at some of the names that are familiar to sports fans.......players, owners, managers, and announcers.......the likeable and the real bastards. Michaels reveals some of the infighting among television networks and behind the scenes is not always a pretty picture. But his writes with humor and that makes the book even more interesting.
His famous "Do you believe in miracles" at the 1980 Winter Olympic when the US hockey teams, against all odds, beat the Russians, is one of the most familiar and most quoted sports call in history.
Read on, sports fans, read on!
December 10, 2014
More a recitation of dates and names than a deep-digging memoir. The Miracle on Ice chapter is outstanding, and it's funny how much resentment he still carries over his work on Baseketball. The lack of anything approaching self-criticism, however, makes it less compelling than his typical broadcast.
February 11, 2015
Great stories, well told!
What a class act!!!
Thanks Al... Aloha!
What a class act!!!
Thanks Al... Aloha!
October 14, 2024
I really can't call myself a sports fan. I began watching college football as a teenager, drawn in by the magnetic fan base of the Oklahoma Sooners. I lived less than 10 miles from Sooner Stadium. That led to watching NFL games as a fan of America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys. I was a dad with two preteen boys when I added major league baseball to my sporting interests, with frequent trips to Arlington Stadium to watch the Texas Rangers play. As for Al Michaels, I know him mostly as the voice of MNF. Yet, the moment I stumbled across this book, I decided to read it. I am glad I did. I found it fascinating. It is unfair to describe the book as an autobiography, because Michaels focuses on only one aspect of his life; his broadcasting career. It isn't a titillating memoir full of revelations about the people he has known. It is a retelling of an incredible career of one of the most recognized voices in the sporting world. Along the way, he draws in stories of the people he has worked with, and of players, owners, coaches and a host of other people brought across his path by his career.
I have lived through a lot of that career, and the events that shaped it. The Cold War, the first ripples of terrorism, the San Francisco earthquake, and others. I found it fascinating to be reminded of how these moments of history affected the world of sports. Michaels' retelling of the 1980 Olympic Hockey game in which a group of "college kids" beat the undisputed greatest team in the world, in a timely meeting of international, political rivals, the USA and the USSR, propelled me to the Disney Channel to watch Miracle, engrossed for the 30 minutes or more of watching that famous match replayed, and listening to Al Michaels call the game. I have no interest in hockey as a sport, but Al Michaels had me pumping my fist in the air when Team USA tied the game and when they scored the go-ahead point. When the clock ran out with a Team USA victory, my hands were in the air as Michael's asked, "Do you believe in miracles?"
These factors play heavily into my 5* star rating. You Can't Make This Up isn't just about Al Michael's career. It's also about the world I have lived in, history I lived through, and people I have cheered for and admired in the sporting world. Take that away, and this would be a 4* read at best, a solid 3.5 for sure. Based on a lot of the reviews of this work, I think it fair to say that the less the reader is connected to these factors of history and personalities, the less the book will appeal to them. But don't take that as a given. You might be surprised at how much you like the book if you read it for what it is, a good story of an exceptional career as a broadcaster in the wide, wide world of sports.
I have lived through a lot of that career, and the events that shaped it. The Cold War, the first ripples of terrorism, the San Francisco earthquake, and others. I found it fascinating to be reminded of how these moments of history affected the world of sports. Michaels' retelling of the 1980 Olympic Hockey game in which a group of "college kids" beat the undisputed greatest team in the world, in a timely meeting of international, political rivals, the USA and the USSR, propelled me to the Disney Channel to watch Miracle, engrossed for the 30 minutes or more of watching that famous match replayed, and listening to Al Michaels call the game. I have no interest in hockey as a sport, but Al Michaels had me pumping my fist in the air when Team USA tied the game and when they scored the go-ahead point. When the clock ran out with a Team USA victory, my hands were in the air as Michael's asked, "Do you believe in miracles?"
These factors play heavily into my 5* star rating. You Can't Make This Up isn't just about Al Michael's career. It's also about the world I have lived in, history I lived through, and people I have cheered for and admired in the sporting world. Take that away, and this would be a 4* read at best, a solid 3.5 for sure. Based on a lot of the reviews of this work, I think it fair to say that the less the reader is connected to these factors of history and personalities, the less the book will appeal to them. But don't take that as a given. You might be surprised at how much you like the book if you read it for what it is, a good story of an exceptional career as a broadcaster in the wide, wide world of sports.
April 4, 2015
If, like me, you remember exactly where you were when the 1980 U.S. Mens Olympic Hockey team defeated the mighty Russians in Lake Placid to advance to the gold medal round, you likely remember it was Al Michaels of ABC Sports who narrated that incredible event. As fate would have it, Michaels would play a key role in so many other indelible sports moments over the next four decades, including the earthquake-marred World Series of 1989 between San Francisco and Oakland, for which Michaels� work was later nominated for an Emmy. Even the O.J. Simpson drama of 1994 put Michaels in the spotlight, since they were longtime friends and tennis partners, but as with the earthquake series, hearsay quickly took on a life of its own, offering Michaels the chance to show us a higher journalistic road and separate rumors from reality. No wonder he’s survived all the various incarnations of Monday Night Football over the years, whether with Dennis Miller as the booth sidekick or the incomparable John Madden, to land squarely on his feet in prime time, on NBC’s Sunday Night Football and broadcasting our latest Super Bowl with the highest ratings ever.
Incidentally, for you Cincinnati fans out there, Michaels offers nothing but flattering comments about our fair city during his time broadcasting here from 1972-74 (although he remembers Columbia Parkway as “the most dangerous highway in America�). He has fond memories of the Big Red Machine and knew he was missing something special to leave them just as they were peaking, to take a job in San Francisco with the Giants, but they offered to triple his salary, and many TV opportunities awaited him in the Bay area. Michaels offers kind words of insight into the troubling character of Peter Edward Rose, with whom he went out gambling all day the first time they met in spring training. Unfortunately, Boomer Esiason does not come off so well later in the book, but Michaels showers Cris Collinsworth with praise for being a terrific guy and a great analyst who can break down complex football concepts and make them easy for any fan to understand.
Incidentally, for you Cincinnati fans out there, Michaels offers nothing but flattering comments about our fair city during his time broadcasting here from 1972-74 (although he remembers Columbia Parkway as “the most dangerous highway in America�). He has fond memories of the Big Red Machine and knew he was missing something special to leave them just as they were peaking, to take a job in San Francisco with the Giants, but they offered to triple his salary, and many TV opportunities awaited him in the Bay area. Michaels offers kind words of insight into the troubling character of Peter Edward Rose, with whom he went out gambling all day the first time they met in spring training. Unfortunately, Boomer Esiason does not come off so well later in the book, but Michaels showers Cris Collinsworth with praise for being a terrific guy and a great analyst who can break down complex football concepts and make them easy for any fan to understand.
September 23, 2015
I recently saw a clip of Al Michaels on Jimmy Kimmel's show which found him regaling the audience with a story about Howard Cosell that was so meandering and pace-less, nobody seemed to know when it was over, even Kimmel. That's kind of how Michaels' book is throughout, but it's still an enjoyable read if you're a fan of sports and sports history. Reading his stories of rising through the broadcast ranks, from calling baseball games on student radio at the University of Arizona to announcing the Super Bowl the last several years running, is the book equivalent of listening to your uncle's tales at the family reunion -- you're having fun listening to them, but not nearly as much fun as he is telling them.
Still, Michaels is probably the most famous sports broadcaster alive next to Bob Costas, and that means he's lead an interesting life. He's called World Series, boxing matches, Monday Night Football, and the Olympics. His call of the "Miracle on Ice" game at the 1980 Olympics remains one of the great moments in sports and sports announcing, and is probably the moment Michaels became a star. I revisited the broadcast on YouTube after reading the book, and the drama and power of those closing moments still makes my spine tingle.
Michaels' and his cowriter L. Jon Wertheim's framing device, spelled out in the title, is unnecessary and enhances the old guy yammering to whoever'll listen quality of the book (really, Uncle Michaels? you worked with Howard Cosell while he was acting like an asshole? you're right -- you really "CAN'T make this up!") But it's interesting revisiting some great sports moments from the perspective of the broadcast booth, and for people like myself who are interested in the career of broadcasting in general, Michaels is surprisingly forthcoming about how he built a career for himself and what it took to rise through the ranks (hint: you have to be really, really committed.)
Still, Michaels is probably the most famous sports broadcaster alive next to Bob Costas, and that means he's lead an interesting life. He's called World Series, boxing matches, Monday Night Football, and the Olympics. His call of the "Miracle on Ice" game at the 1980 Olympics remains one of the great moments in sports and sports announcing, and is probably the moment Michaels became a star. I revisited the broadcast on YouTube after reading the book, and the drama and power of those closing moments still makes my spine tingle.
Michaels' and his cowriter L. Jon Wertheim's framing device, spelled out in the title, is unnecessary and enhances the old guy yammering to whoever'll listen quality of the book (really, Uncle Michaels? you worked with Howard Cosell while he was acting like an asshole? you're right -- you really "CAN'T make this up!") But it's interesting revisiting some great sports moments from the perspective of the broadcast booth, and for people like myself who are interested in the career of broadcasting in general, Michaels is surprisingly forthcoming about how he built a career for himself and what it took to rise through the ranks (hint: you have to be really, really committed.)
January 11, 2015
Great look at the history of American sports and sports broadcasting from about the 1950s on from one of the top broadcasters ever. Having grown up listening to sports and following it on tv (though there was less on then), I loved all the name dropping--players in all kinds of sports, Olympians, baseball players, football players and more--and the trip down memory lane. He is, of course, the man who ad-libbed one of the most famous lines in sports broadcasting: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" at the 1980 Winter Olympics after the young US team beat the favored Russian team. Lots of great moments remembered. Also interesting because he covers the history of sports broadcasting from the 60s on, the impact of tv and then cable. And drops names there from John Madden to Howard Cosell who, he says, was a pain in the ass at the end of his career. A genial raconteur and a smart, informative memoir/history.
December 2, 2014
Just about any sports fan will want to read this book. The work is solid and recounts the many highlights (and a few low-lights) of a remarkable career. The athletes and coaches Mr. Michaels crossed paths with is a virtual Who's Who of modern sports. I highly recommend this book.
June 6, 2024
A rare man with a love of sports announcing that included baseball, football, the Olympics, basketball, hockey and other events at the highest level for over 40 years. Thanks for the stories. And it brought back memories of Major League Baseball in the 70s and 80s when I was really into baseball, and the NFL and the Olympics which I have always enjoyed. To me, he compares to Jim Nance and Bob Costas because on his ability to cover multiple sports.
January 20, 2015
This is an excellent read for a sentimental sports fan like myself who not only respects Al Michaels but has intersected with him many times through the silver screen. I am a huge sports fan and he was front and center at countless events that meant a lot to me. Few if any have his perspective and perhaps nobody can put it into words like him. He says that his mentor, the legendary announcer Curt Gowdy, advised him early to never get jaded. Well, his enthusiasm and passion for sports comes through in this book like no other. I zoomed through this book in a weekend. World Series, Super Bowls, Olympics, basketball, hockey, boxing, you name it, it is in there as well as his insights on personalities like Howard Cosell, Pete Rose, and O.J. Simpson.
May 10, 2016
I learned a lot about the people and connections within sports. I never knew Howard Cosell was a lawyer. Easy read.
June 21, 2019
Never become jaded.
January 7, 2021
I didn't really have any expectations for this book going in, and boy was I surprised! I really enjoyed all of the stories and behind the scenes information from Al. I love football and listen to Al during regular sportscasts. I didn't know that he called the Miracle on Ice hockey game, and hearing him describe it is very exciting! (That is of course if you get the audiobook!) He also gets into his relationship with O.J. Simpson, covers many Olympic games, and much more! As a Packer fan I enjoyed hearing about Brett Favre and his shocking game the day after his father passes away. All in all, this is a great and insightful read!
Find it on Hoopla today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library
Find it on Hoopla today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library
May 10, 2022
A Good Book
For a sports fanatic like me, this was a great read.
Because Al Michaels has been involved in almost every major sports event since the mid-1990s, this book is really a short history of sports with inside stories from the man who was there for almost everything.
For a sports fanatic like me, this was a great read.
Because Al Michaels has been involved in almost every major sports event since the mid-1990s, this book is really a short history of sports with inside stories from the man who was there for almost everything.
March 2, 2022
I really enjoyed getting a behind the scenes look in the broadcasting booth and hearing about all the interesting people Al has met and worked with along the way.
February 24, 2016
I was honestly close to giving this five stars. It really is a fantastic read. It flies by, and is a great example of what I would call "breezy" writing. Super easy to read.
I can't very well plunk down five stars though for a sports memoir, with a co-writer nonetheless! Or can I... No!! Close, but not quite.
So I picked this one up while looking for a free e-book from the library, and I recommend anyone else do the same if given the chance. If you have even a cursory interest in sports, this will serve you quite well. I always thought Bob Costas was notorious for being at every major sports event that ever took place, but Al Michaels may take the crown after all.
To top it off, he comes across as a guy who is as genuine and down-to-earth as you could ever ask for. Just a matter-of-fact, decent guy who remains quite well centered after building one of the most impressive broadcasting resumes ever.
It is deceiving almost the trail he blazes in the book. You could read it quickly and think that anyone with a passing interest in broadcasting could simply start at point A and a few years later wind up at Point Z atop the heap, with all points in between just painless baby-steps. He makes it sound so easy, but you know behind it all must have been a huge amount of hard work. And most of it pre-internet too! Stats and trivia are cornerstones of the internet, but a few years back they were an awful lot harder to come by without Google.
I particularly liked the 1980 Olympics section, as I'm sure a lot of folks did. The "OJ" section was great, though I thought it ended a bit abruptly. I wouldn't mind hearing a bit more from Al on his thoughts today about it all. I also had no idea how close he actually was to OJ and the circles that OJ was in (thought I do recall Al being on the air during the chase!)
The Monday Night Football section was great. Fascinating to see how all of that stuff unfolded.
In summary, a very enjoyable read. By the end of it, you wish you could be best friends with Al Michaels. A professional of the highest order.
I can't very well plunk down five stars though for a sports memoir, with a co-writer nonetheless! Or can I... No!! Close, but not quite.
So I picked this one up while looking for a free e-book from the library, and I recommend anyone else do the same if given the chance. If you have even a cursory interest in sports, this will serve you quite well. I always thought Bob Costas was notorious for being at every major sports event that ever took place, but Al Michaels may take the crown after all.
To top it off, he comes across as a guy who is as genuine and down-to-earth as you could ever ask for. Just a matter-of-fact, decent guy who remains quite well centered after building one of the most impressive broadcasting resumes ever.
It is deceiving almost the trail he blazes in the book. You could read it quickly and think that anyone with a passing interest in broadcasting could simply start at point A and a few years later wind up at Point Z atop the heap, with all points in between just painless baby-steps. He makes it sound so easy, but you know behind it all must have been a huge amount of hard work. And most of it pre-internet too! Stats and trivia are cornerstones of the internet, but a few years back they were an awful lot harder to come by without Google.
I particularly liked the 1980 Olympics section, as I'm sure a lot of folks did. The "OJ" section was great, though I thought it ended a bit abruptly. I wouldn't mind hearing a bit more from Al on his thoughts today about it all. I also had no idea how close he actually was to OJ and the circles that OJ was in (thought I do recall Al being on the air during the chase!)
The Monday Night Football section was great. Fascinating to see how all of that stuff unfolded.
In summary, a very enjoyable read. By the end of it, you wish you could be best friends with Al Michaels. A professional of the highest order.
June 8, 2015
Curt Gowdy once warned Al Michaels, "Don't get jaded." This memoir is proof that Michaels took the advice to heart. He clearly has joy in his work. Sure there is a lot of name-dropping and humble-bragging, but how can you tell the story of such a great life without doing such things?
The strengths of the work are descriptions of men Michaels has worked with, and great stories he has covered/experienced. He describes his ascension as the best play-by-play man in America (ESWP's own words) well, with stops in Hawaii, Cincinnati, San Fran, ABC, and now NBC. He has warm, laudatory things to say about Madden and Collinsworth, especially (and rightfully so!). I won't mention who comes in for some criticism, but Michaels does not rub it in or linger on those less than stellar booth partners.
I only wish he had taken us into the nuts and bolts of calling a game. He mentions some of the prep, very briefly, but I feel like the best game-caller in America could have taken us inside his mind, inside the booth, inside the game a lot more. Perhaps that would have been a totally different book, but it's a book I would have enjoyed as much as this one.
The strengths of the work are descriptions of men Michaels has worked with, and great stories he has covered/experienced. He describes his ascension as the best play-by-play man in America (ESWP's own words) well, with stops in Hawaii, Cincinnati, San Fran, ABC, and now NBC. He has warm, laudatory things to say about Madden and Collinsworth, especially (and rightfully so!). I won't mention who comes in for some criticism, but Michaels does not rub it in or linger on those less than stellar booth partners.
I only wish he had taken us into the nuts and bolts of calling a game. He mentions some of the prep, very briefly, but I feel like the best game-caller in America could have taken us inside his mind, inside the booth, inside the game a lot more. Perhaps that would have been a totally different book, but it's a book I would have enjoyed as much as this one.
May 20, 2015
It’s perhaps silly but for sure amazing; Al Michaels has lived my dream life. In the past 45 years he has been up-close and personal to so many defining and history making sporting events. As the anecdotes came one by one I was instantly flushed with vivid recollections and remember my amazement and disbelief. It is very gratifying to have Al Michaels provide the inside scoop and the behind scenes.
At times you think the author is egocentric with so much namedropping and personal lambasting going on, but when you research his history, his resume you do not find many people calling him out. Quite the contrary it would seem like he was a true gentleman and scholar of the broadcast booth.
For the true sports and overall athletic fan this is definitely a joy to read.
At times you think the author is egocentric with so much namedropping and personal lambasting going on, but when you research his history, his resume you do not find many people calling him out. Quite the contrary it would seem like he was a true gentleman and scholar of the broadcast booth.
For the true sports and overall athletic fan this is definitely a joy to read.
November 15, 2015
As I enjoy autobiographies of various sports figures, I also love reading the stories of the voices behind the microphone and how they got to be the well-known figures today.
Al Michaels is one such announcer...you may tune into NFL Sunday Night Football and have heard him or you may have heard him in the recent telecasts of the Olympics...like a trusted friend you have come to rely on for years.
This is his story...of his rise from local sports in California to ABC and now NBC sports. You read of many of his many partners over the years including one John Madden or Dan Deirdorf or....Howard Cosell.....each with their own magical personality.
This is a very good book for those looking for a history of televised sports from one of the best.
Al Michaels is one such announcer...you may tune into NFL Sunday Night Football and have heard him or you may have heard him in the recent telecasts of the Olympics...like a trusted friend you have come to rely on for years.
This is his story...of his rise from local sports in California to ABC and now NBC sports. You read of many of his many partners over the years including one John Madden or Dan Deirdorf or....Howard Cosell.....each with their own magical personality.
This is a very good book for those looking for a history of televised sports from one of the best.
November 26, 2014
Great book. I've always thought of Al Michaels as "just there", which might not sound too good, but to a professional like Michaels, that's actually high praise because it was about the sport and not him. The names! What a career... football, basketball, boxing, hockey, baseball, the Olympics...And what stories! I watched the movies Apollo 13, Secretariat, The Right Stuff and even though I knew what the outcomes were, I (and this is rare for me) got wrapped into them enough to hold my breath at the crucial points. Michaels (and Wertham) was able to reel me in with his chapter on the 1980 Winter Olympics and the US win over the USSR pros. That alone gets five stars.
December 17, 2014
I am admittedly a little bias as Michaels is one of my favorite announcers. Enjoyable read of the twists and turns in his career and the many building blocks required for Michaels to ascend to the top of the profession. As he has been present at and broadcast many high profile national and international events (most notably, the 1980 Olympics), Michaels has a rich trove of anecdotes to share about a vast cast of characters. As he is an avid golfer, he has hit the links with the likes of Donald Trump and George W. Bush. Also provides an insider's view of the network operations and the devious characters associated with the sports broadcasting industry. Very easy, fast-paced read.
September 24, 2015
I love sports and have always admired Al Michaels throughout his career especially when he did Wide World of Sports. We all listened to his book on our weekend road trip, really well done and loved his imitations of Howard Cosell. I recommend it.
October 5, 2015
Really good story about the life of a broadcaster and the history that he witnessed in sports. A lot of these events from the book I remember them happening, so it was enjoyable to look back on things from say 5-10-20 years ago.
March 3, 2016
Well told stories and an easy read. You have to be a sports fan to read this one.
March 19, 2021
I really wanted to love this book! I did enjoy it, and Michaels has some fascinating stories to tell by means of a life lived among sports figures for more decades than I’ve been alive (he was really good friends with O.J. Simpson, Pete Rose, and Johnny Bench to name a few), but I admit I was bored at times. All in all, an interesting book, and I enjoyed insights into a man I’ve been watching on TV since infancy.
September 1, 2023
If you’re a sports fan then you’ll remember or relate to many of Al Michaels’s stories. As a third generation Sun Devil it was fun to hear about his early days and standing in the registration line behind Sal Bando - they would see each other 10 years later in the World Series.
This is mainly a recap of his career, how he got started, the evolution of iconic institutions like Monday Night Football and ESPN, and names & stories of too many famous athletes to count. I expected more critique, but unlike Howard Cosell, he didn’t derail the later part of his career by publishing a book. Recommended for sports fans and sports history enthusiasts.
This is mainly a recap of his career, how he got started, the evolution of iconic institutions like Monday Night Football and ESPN, and names & stories of too many famous athletes to count. I expected more critique, but unlike Howard Cosell, he didn’t derail the later part of his career by publishing a book. Recommended for sports fans and sports history enthusiasts.
August 25, 2019
Al is much more humble than I anticipated. Good story teller with some interesting facts about some of the sporting events he has covered.
Currently reading
June 19, 2015This is a life history of Al Michaels told through anecdotes nicely woven together. Michaels is a true sports fan and is indicative of the small group of people who are successful in sports as a result of taking some natural talent and working their asses off to create a success in the business. Michaels gives us a peek into the effort it takes to be successful, some of the risks that have to be taken to put oneself at the right place at the right time and some of the mishaps and out-of-the-blue opportunities that happen when one is working towards a goal.
In his career, Michaels was often associated with particular teams. Calling games either as an employee of the team or semi-dedicated to the team, but working for someone else. In the book, he refers to himself in a manner that clearly puts him in the same class as the athletes in his broadcasts. I know nothing about the business and, perhaps, this is how it's generally done, but still, it seems strange to me. Would the athletes consider broadcasters as one of them? Michaels doesn't make a big deal of it, but it comes up frequently and it caught my attention every time. Again, what do I know?
As a sports fan, I've heard and seen Al Michaels for most of my life, it seems. He's always been one of those guys that is knowledgeable, well-spoken and easy to listen to. He was at the beginning of broadcasting the Olympics and has been a mainstay in baseball and football for a long time. It's funny to learn that his passion is actually hockey. While few have heard him do hockey often, most people heard him do the broadcast for the US victory over the Russians in the 1980 "Miracle on Ice." In fact, he coined the term.
He excoriates Howard Cosell. Michaels says he was self-centered, ignorant, full of himself and an overall asshole. He was often drunk on camera and radio (especially later in his career). Cosell wrote a book late in his career where he blasted everyone he worked with including Roone Arledge, the creator and king of ABC Sports.
Michael's discusses the integrity of broadcasting often. He clearly dislikes broadcasters who report stories before they have confirmed them, standing behind "we have heard that . . . " or "others have reported . . . " He strongly believes that only facts should be reported and it is the responsibility of the reporter to make sure the discuss only known information.
One thing very cool in the book is Michaels discussing the great athletes, coaches, managers, and owners he worked with over the years. It truly is a who's who of the greats in the last couple of generations.
In his career, Michaels was often associated with particular teams. Calling games either as an employee of the team or semi-dedicated to the team, but working for someone else. In the book, he refers to himself in a manner that clearly puts him in the same class as the athletes in his broadcasts. I know nothing about the business and, perhaps, this is how it's generally done, but still, it seems strange to me. Would the athletes consider broadcasters as one of them? Michaels doesn't make a big deal of it, but it comes up frequently and it caught my attention every time. Again, what do I know?
As a sports fan, I've heard and seen Al Michaels for most of my life, it seems. He's always been one of those guys that is knowledgeable, well-spoken and easy to listen to. He was at the beginning of broadcasting the Olympics and has been a mainstay in baseball and football for a long time. It's funny to learn that his passion is actually hockey. While few have heard him do hockey often, most people heard him do the broadcast for the US victory over the Russians in the 1980 "Miracle on Ice." In fact, he coined the term.
He excoriates Howard Cosell. Michaels says he was self-centered, ignorant, full of himself and an overall asshole. He was often drunk on camera and radio (especially later in his career). Cosell wrote a book late in his career where he blasted everyone he worked with including Roone Arledge, the creator and king of ABC Sports.
Michael's discusses the integrity of broadcasting often. He clearly dislikes broadcasters who report stories before they have confirmed them, standing behind "we have heard that . . . " or "others have reported . . . " He strongly believes that only facts should be reported and it is the responsibility of the reporter to make sure the discuss only known information.
One thing very cool in the book is Michaels discussing the great athletes, coaches, managers, and owners he worked with over the years. It truly is a who's who of the greats in the last couple of generations.
April 8, 2015
At the end of the U.S.-Soviet hockey game in the Lake Placid Olympics, Al Michaels spoke for us all when, voice shaking, he shouted, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!� If you love sports, or any sport, you and Al Michaels are on the same page. And that is something, given that he is probably the best announcer we’ve had. The real human drama, the fact that you don’t know what will happen or who will win, animates him and you.
Think about it. Would pro football be what it is without what the announce team of Al Michaels and John Madden did in calling it? Without much effort you can probably remember one of Michaels� calls in any number of arenas. Take the Giants-Athletics World Series earthquake in �89, “Well folks, that’s the greatest open in the history of television. We’re still here...�
In this book he tells stories about those moments we all remember and much more. When he was a just a kid he wrote and sold a horse racing tout sheet. As O. J. Simpson’s tennis partner and neighbor he knew things that gave him insight into what was going on in the investigation. He worked with, was mentored by, or mentored just about every sportscaster ever, Vin Scully, Curt Gowdy, Keith Jackson, Frank Gifford, Cosell, Costas, Collinsworth, and Dennis Miller. Michaels gives us nuggets of good stuff about nearly all of them, along with coaches, players, and TV personalities.
You can’t help but enjoy this.
Think about it. Would pro football be what it is without what the announce team of Al Michaels and John Madden did in calling it? Without much effort you can probably remember one of Michaels� calls in any number of arenas. Take the Giants-Athletics World Series earthquake in �89, “Well folks, that’s the greatest open in the history of television. We’re still here...�
In this book he tells stories about those moments we all remember and much more. When he was a just a kid he wrote and sold a horse racing tout sheet. As O. J. Simpson’s tennis partner and neighbor he knew things that gave him insight into what was going on in the investigation. He worked with, was mentored by, or mentored just about every sportscaster ever, Vin Scully, Curt Gowdy, Keith Jackson, Frank Gifford, Cosell, Costas, Collinsworth, and Dennis Miller. Michaels gives us nuggets of good stuff about nearly all of them, along with coaches, players, and TV personalities.
You can’t help but enjoy this.
March 25, 2016
While most kids dreamt about playing in the World Series, young Al Michaels wanted to announce it. He followed his dream to being the voice of a minor league baseball team in Hawaii in the 60s. Then the major league came calling but required him to move his family from Hawaii to Ohio - oh, the horror!
He moved up from there to a place announcing all types of sports including football, horse racing, and motorcycle racing on ice.
He covered hockey at the Olympics including the dramatic 'Miracle on Ice' game between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.
I thought his most interesting stories were the ones that didn't directly involve sports.
He had just opened the broadcast of the World Series when the Northridge earthquake hit. The game was cancelled and he broadcast from the street until the next morning for ABC's live coverage.
One of his best broadcasting partners, tennis partner, and neighbor was O.J. Simpson. He had been to the house many times and was even able to secretly tell ABC not to broadcast the news that O.J. was trapped in his house because he knew that there were other ways out.
This was a great overview of the world of U.S. sports in the last 40 years from Wide World of Sports to Sunday Night Football.
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