Where They Were Then

Sportscasters

By: Scott Reiss

Narrated by: Scott Reiss, Kenny Mayne, Scott Van Pelt, Heidi Watney, Stan Verrett, Neil Everett, Dari Nowkhah

Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

An uninspired mortgage broker gets an entry-level job at a cable start-up, lands the interview of a lifetime, and ultimately becomes one of the most famous sportscasters in America.

A broadcaster spent his early career making meals for minor-league players and washing jock straps. Now, he is an MLB play-by-play man with three World Series rings.

A longtime DJ finally gets his chance to do TV sports, and his New Year's Eve debut was such a disaster he thought his career was over before it began. Now, he's one of ESPN's longest-tenured anchors.

Those are just three of the amazing backstories highlighting these 15 famous sportscasters: Scott Van Pelt, Kenny Mayne, Trey Wingo, Heidi Watney, Stan Verrett, Neil Everett, John Buccigross, Andy Katz, Kevin Corke, Jaymee Sire, Scott Reiss, Dari Nowkhah, Steve Bunin, Bill Pidto, and Dave Flemming. There has never been an audiobook with so much TV sportscasting talent inside it. But even better than the people in the audiobook... are the stories they share.

Where They Were Then: Sportscasters brings you 15 unique, hilarious, and inspiring stories of how TV's top sportscasters went from nowhere to the national spotlight. Be shocked and amazed by what your favorite sportscasters had to endure early in their careers. Be inspired by the doubts, fears, and hurdles they overcame en route to the top. Above all, be entertained by anecdotes delivered in the unique styles of some of the nation's most talented broadcasters. Some were fired. Most considered other jobs or careers. But all put in the hard work and pushed forward.

Where They Were Then: Sportscasters highlights the determination, the struggle, and the one or two pivotal decisions each broadcaster made that helped him or her become the best in the business.

©2021 Son & Reign Publishers, LLC (P)2021 Son & Reign Publishers, LLC

Expected more uniqueness?

I really liked the concept of the book, but after awhile it felt like the same story (except for SVP). Work for Free/below poverty line in small market…send 100s of tapes out for Middle/large market job they get after a couple years…then hire agent to eventually land at ESPN interview…mention the small market job experience and tough road was a learning experience they cherish.

I did like that most of the chapters are voiced by the individual as it added to the performance of their story to hear it in their words (Ex. Mayne).

Maybe my expectations were too high for this book. Definitely valuable to anyone in High School or College thinking of a career in sports or new broadcasting to gain a deeper understanding of the tough road ahead with no promises of success.

Enjoyed the ESPN Backstories

Often when we see someone else's success, we just assume it was a smooth ride to the top. After listening to these stories, I've learned it's actually a bumpy ride, especially in sports TV.

It was awesome to hear these stories told/voiced by the people who wrote them: Scott Van Pelt, Stan Verrett, Andy Katz, etc. You could hear their emotion as they described the rough parts of their journey.

Would recommend to sports fans & anyone considering a career in media. An entertaining 'reality check'.

Enjoyable listen

It was great hearing the first hand accounts of so many recognizable sports anchors as they started their careers. It was even better to hear them told by the anchors themselves. Trey Wingo was missed but his story is also really good!