|
|
 |
Sports Publishing LLC
BOOK REVIEWS
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
 |
|
Links and text from reviews of Sports Publishing LLC titles are below. If you would like to offer our titles on your site, please sign up for our AFFILIATE PROGRAM. |
|
|
|
Click to see a title's reviews: Tito Santana's Tales from the Ring - Tito Santana with Tom Caiazzo, One Moment Changes Everything: The All-America Tragedy of Don Rogers - Sean D. Harvey, Game of My Life: Dodgers - Mark Langill, Game of My Life: San Francisco Giants - Matt Johanson, A Great Teammate: The Legend of Mickey Mantle - Randall Swearingen, Tales from the Seattle Mariners Dugout - Kirby Arnold, Cradle of Champions - New York Daily News, How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life - by Steve Williams with Tom Caiazzo
Tito Santana's Tales from the Ring - by Tito Santana with Tom Caiazzo
Online print interview with Tito Santana at Online World of Wrestling
One Moment Changes Everything - by Sean D. Harvey
Quotes and Praise on book & blog onemomentchangeseverything.blogspot.com read here
Review by Ace Davis in The Orange and Brown Report magazine
Twenty-one years have passed since Don Rogers died, enough
time for a whole new generation to come of age.
In that time, society’s declared enemies have changed, with
terrorism playing the lead bogeyman role once filled so amply
by drugs. Indeed, amid all the developments since 986, at such
dizzying rates of change, it becomes easy to forget the feel of
everyday life before the ubiquity of cell phones and the internet.
The passage of time -- these times in particular -- risks reducing
the complexities and enigmas of the past into a few fast facts and
iconic images, if they are recalled at all.
That’s why the time is right for the story to be told, as much as
it can be, of the Browns’ star safety whose life ended suddenly at
age 23 on the eve of his wedding day.
“One Moment Changes Everything: The All-America Tragedy
of Don Rogers” (Sports Publishing, 2007) is a careful and caring
chronicle of the Rogers family, told by former athlete and book
editor Sean Harvey, a contemporary of Don and his younger
brother, Reggie, in their hometown of Sacramento, CA.
SHOCKING AND IRONIC
To say that Rogers’ death was both shocking and ironic does
not begin to capture the magnitude of the loss or the depth of the
difference it made for his family, community, team and country.
Harvey’s book paints an excellent picture in all of these dimensions,
even if some scene-setting lays it on a bit thick in places.
In relating the story of a young, unmarried black mother
fleeing the racial prejudice of the South to struggle with poverty
in down-and-out North Sacramento and raise three scholarshipwinning
athletes, Harvey displays a deft touch in illuminating the
particular pressures that beset each of the young stars.
Don, the eldest, was the family’s missing father, the protector
for Reggie and their younger sister, Jackie, herself an elite
basketball prospect. When he signed his $2. million contract with
the Browns after a stellar college career at UCLA, Don became
the family’s provider as well. He was also a popular teammate,
community idol and charming role model for his athletic success
and civic leadership in an impoverished area whose only major
college or pro sports team at the time was the Kings of the NBA.
Of course, none of these pressures can sufficiently explain
or excuse what everyone agreed was the most uncharacteristic
decision of Rogers life, the ultimate one. On the morning between
his bachelor party and rehearsal dinner, he excused himself from
a gathering at the home he had bought for his mother, having just
finished a pleasant phone call with Paul Warfield, headed upstairs
for a shower, and took the cocaine that killed him.
Though the looming question of who supplied that lethal dose
remains officially unanswered, the book does offer up a villain, though
not in as many words: An agent’s runner who ingratiated himself with
the Rogers family, who later coaxed Reggie with $ ,000 to sign with an
agent prematurely; the runner is now an active NFL agent himself.
A TALE IN FULL
Browns fans will undoubtedly learn much about the Rogers
family’s victories and victims, but relatively scant attention is
paid to Don Rogers’ two-year career in Cleveland, and even that
is not without factual flaw. (Bernie Kosar was not “immediately”
implanted as the starting quarterback in 1985.)
In many ways, it is Reggie who emerges as the more complex,
conflicted personality, intriguing due to his own peculiarly
excruciating set of pressures -- the second star, then the surviving
son – and his mixed success, to put it mildly, in response to them.
“One Moment Changes Everything” offers a compelling
microcosm of some of the best and worst aspects of American life:
The recognition and rewards of applying natural talent; fidelity to
family however flawed; spectator sports both spotlighting human
achievement and seeking out weakness; the crucible of race,
poverty, fame, drugs and depression; and the perpetual hope for
redemption and renewal with each generation.
Yet it is, as advertised, a tragic story on many levels, capable of
leaving one empty and frustrated about what might have been. The
lack of an obvious tragic flaw, in the Shakespearean sense, makes
the real-world death of such a widely admired young man especially
incongruous and difficult to digest. But from this vivid exploration of that
loss, we might better understand and appreciate the fleeting and fragile
nature of gifts that come even in heavy-duty, extra-large forms.
Quotes and Praise for ONE MOMENT CHANGES EVERYTHING
The All-America Tragedy of Don Rogers
"On [cocaine’s] casualty list you'll find the poor, the middle class, the rich and famous—hundreds, even thousands, per year dead. Who has not felt the heartache of hearing the news of a friend or family member, someone who had so much to live for but is now gone forever? . . . Len Bias and Don Rogers, gifted athletes who had so much more to achieve, [were] only two of the most recent fatalities. . . . All those in the sports world should understand what a real force for good they could be."
RONALD REAGAN - 40th President of the United States
"If Don Rogers … could die a similar death as Len Bias’ just eight days later, you have to wonder how many people said, as Bias did, ‘Well, it won’t happen to me."
MICHAEL WILBON - The Washington Post
“Don Rogers was the most natural and instinctive player I’ve ever had in my 30 years of coaching; and his untimely death had a devastating impact on me. One Moment Changes Everything is an impressive and shocking chronicle of the life of Donnie Rogers.”
MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER - Three-time NFL Head Coach of the Year
“One Moment Changes Everything provides an honest peek into the lives of the Rogers family, an unmatched collection of ‘can’t-miss’ talent that seemed to create every possible edge to escape the inner-city traps that claimed their neighbors. Author Sean Harvey digs beyond the headlines and news clips and reveals exactly what went wrong.”
CHRIS DE LUCA - Chicago Sun-Times
“Displaying a rich knowledge of the California sports scene that launched Don Rogers and an astonishing eye for detail, Sean Harvey tells a story that was begging to be told for nearly two decades. Through every page, I was struck by his insight into how the cocaine ‘80s fueled the Rogers tragedy. When I learned years ago about his passing so soon after the death of Len Bias, I thought of him as foolish. Harvey explains how the arrogance of the time was epidemic among those with money and how the repercussions of Rogers’ death went far beyond anything I’d imagined.”
MIKE DECOURCY - The Sporting News
"Don Rogers was as good as it gets. He was physical, explosive, athletic, and could influence a game like few players I have ever seen. His tragic death was a tremendous loss for all of us who admired him for the kind of person and player he was. His death brought home how fragile all of us are as human beings. I miss him, and I think about him everyday."
TERRY DONAHUE - former UCLA football coach and NFL general manager, and current football analyst
"One Moment Changes Everything, an amazing debut for writer Sean D. Harvey, is a remarkable story that reassesses the 'American Dream' of superstardom and success. Documenting the complexities of one African-American family who produced three star athletes - but with tragic effects - this book reminds us how the forces of race and class are powerfully intertwined and inescapable in America"
DWIGHT A. MCBRIDE - Leon Forrest Professor and Chair of African-American Studies at Northwestern University
"One Moment Changes Everything is about more than one family’s tragedy. It is a snapshot of time and place during a turning point in American sports and culture. Sean Harvey does an excellent job of chronicling the sad events of the Rogers’ family, and an even better job of placing them in the proper social context."
TIM KEOWN - Senior Writer, ESPN The Magazine
Game of My Life: Dodgers - by Mark Langill
book review on www.insidesocal.com read here
Review by Tom Hoffarth
Lost and Found: Some Classic Dodger Memories
There are 19 contributions to the new book, “Game of My Life: Memorable Stories of Dodgers Baseball,” by team historian Mark Langill ($24.95, 256 pages, Sports Publishing LLC), but the two that strike deepest most may be from the media members, Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Jamie Jarrin. Scully’s choice would hardly be one anyone could have guessed: May 13, 1952 at Ebbets Field, when the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 14-8. Larry Miggins homered that day for the Cards. Miggins was Scully’s classmate back in the early 1940s at Fordham Prep school in New York, and the two of them shared a dream one day about both being in the big leagues one day – Scully as a broadcaster and Miggins as a player. And, as Scully said, “miracle upon miracles” happened that day as Miggins homered in one of the two innings that Scully was calling that day. Scully also has a tie-in to Jarrin’s story about the 1990 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field, which came only a few months after he had suffered a bad traffic accident in spring training and nearly lost his life because of internal injuries. He was still having trouble breathing because of the pain in his chest and wasn’t sure how he’d do climbing the stairs at Wrigley Field to do the Spanish-language broadcast. Scully was there also for the CBS Radio. And while Jarrin was only able to do three innings, he took a picture with Scully in the press box and “that picture tells me I was probably reborn on that day … that’s whey my life in baseball started again,” Jarrin said.
Game of My Life: San Francisco Giants - by Matt Johanson
book review on www.sfgate.com read here
Review by G. Allen Johnson
Giants memories, not just for dads
Father's Day is just a fortnight away, but fortunately there seems to be an inordinate number of baseball books that have been released since the start of the season, and here's the starting lineup, led off by a book close to the hearts of Giants fans.
Matt Johanson, a Castro Valley High social studies and journalism teacher, has written his second book about the local nine, "Game of My Life: San Francisco Giants." Subtitled "Memorable Stories of Giants Baseball," it is part of a series of books by Sports Publishing LLC which have former players talking about their most memorable games (books in the series include the Chicago Bears, University of Kentucky basketball and, gulp, the Los Angeles Dodgers).
Johanson, who also wrote the 2005 book "San Francisco Giants: Where Have You Gone?" which tracked down former players, has penned a lively read that should appeal to fans.
"I was mainly looking for games of personal significance," said Johanson, 36, in a phone interview Saturday. "For example, the Jason Schmidt game against the Cubs (April 30, 2003) was his first game after the death of his mother."
"Game of My Life" begins with Orlando Cepeda's most memorable game, which happens to be the first major-league baseball game on the West Coast, the classic Giants-Dodgers season-opener on April 15, 1958, at Seals Stadium. It was also Cepeda's first major-league game, and he homered in the Giants' 8-0 victory.
The book closes with the Brian Dallimore game on April 30, 2004. Remember? In helping spearhead a comeback from a seven-run deficit, Dallimore reached base five times, scored three runs and hit a grand slam against Dontrelle Willis in a 12-9 victory.
And that's part of the charm of this book -- Cepeda and Willie Mays on the same stage as Dallimore, a folk hero for a week whose cup of coffee lasted 27 games.
There's high-profile players such as Gary Matthews, Will Clark, Robby Thompson, Rod Beck and J.T. Snow. Bob Bolin, anybody?
Then there's Al Gallagher, a fan favorite who was the first native San Franciscan to play for the Giants after the team moved West and who spent three-plus of his four major-league seasons here.
Nicknamed "Dirty Al" because his uniform took the brunt of his aggressive play, Gallagher only had 11 career homers and a .263 average, but the kid from the Mission District was known for timely hitting (he had 11 game-winning RBIs in 1971) and wowing fans with back flips, handstands and somersaults during infield practice.
His homer in the bottom of the 10th inning at Candlestick on June 28, 1970, "was the first walk-off homer I ever had, and I never hit another."
These lesser-knowns share a bond with Johanson, who writes from the heart. "As a lifelong fan, it was fun to be a part of baseball for awhile," he said.
A Great Teammate: The Legend of Mickey Mantle - by Randall Swearingen
book review from The Mantle Family read here
book review on www.midwestbookreview.com read here
Review by Danny Mantle
Mantle family feels dad would love this book. , May 2, 2007
It was very important to our dad that he be remembered as a great teammate and this book does an excellent job of explaining why he was admired, not only by the fans but his teammates and opponents as well. Randall went to great lengths to research the relevant details of key events in dad's career in order to show the magnitude of dad's courage, competitiveness, loyalty, determination, athleticism and perseverance both on and off the field. Randall spent time with dad and his teammates at the Mickey Mantle fantasy camps and his knowledge and love of dad really shows in this book. Reading the book brought back many great memories and magically transported us back in time to our childhood.
The Mantle family gives this book a big "thumbs up" and wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to Randall for writing this inspiring and enjoyable book that beautifully echoes our deep love and respect for our dad. "A true teammate".
- Merlyn, David and Danny Mantle
Review from The Sports Shelf, www.midwestbookreview.com
A Great Teammate
The late Mickey Mantle (who passed away in 1995 after a lifetime of noted achievements) is one of the most respected, admired, and accomplished men to ever play the game of professional baseball. The story of his life and successes both on and off the field are the subject of Randall Swearingen's "A Great Teammate: The Legend of Mickey Mantle". Swearingen writes about Mickey Mantle with a special enthusiasm and expertise that arises from personally having met him a year before his death, becoming an avid collector of Mickey Mantle memorabilia, creating a website dedicated to Mickey Mantle (www.mickeymantle.com), and himself playing baseball from his youth down to the present day where, at the age of 53, Swearingen still plays in the Houston Men's Senior League. Enhanced with a comprehensive appendices providing Mickey Mantle's lifetime baseball statistics, "A Great Teammate" is a 'must read' for anyone who has ever thrilled to a game with Mantle playing, or who have themselves ever stood at the plate with bat in hand.
Tales from the Seattle Mariners Dugout - by Kirby Arnold
book review on www.thenewstribune.com - Mariners Insider read here
book review on www.heraldnet.com read here
Review by John Sleeper, Herald Columnist
Yarns from M's past fun even for this unbiased reader
To the delight of his Seattle Mariners teammates and absolute horror of then-manager Lou Piniella, Jay Buhner could vomit on cue.
In 1977, the Mariners were eager to start their initial spring training camp in Tempe, Ariz. - but not before manager Darrell Johnson and his coaching staff spent hour after sweaty hour raking and carrying rocks and boulders out of the infield and filling gopher holes in the outfield.
Had then-owner George Argyros had his way, the Mariners would have passed on drafting Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987, in favor of somebody named Mike Harkey - all because Argyros wanted a college guy.
These and other gems are covered in lovely detail in a book entitled "Tales from the Seattle Mariners Dugout" by Kirby Arnold.
Kirby Arnold. Hmmm. Where have you heard that name?
Yes, THAT Kirby Arnold. The same Kirby Arnold who covers the Mariners for The Herald. The Kirby Arnold who hired me to work for this newspaper 10 years ago.
Wait a sec, you say. Why's he reviewing a book by a co-worker, presumably a buddy, whose lack of foresight resulted in this guy's employment? What's in it for him? Or better yet, how much did Arnold pay him to expose the book to the masses?
For one thing, Arnold's no longer my boss. I could rip the thing to shreds and all he could do would be to call me foul names. Big deal, right?
I'm not going to rip it. The fact is that I liked it - a lot. I would have liked it had Kurt Vonnegut written it, and God rest his soul, but I never could get through six consecutive pages of Kurt Vonnegut.
The book is funny, at times uproariously so. It has its sad moments, especially when it goes over the 9/11 tragedy and the way it affected the team. It has items about the Mariners that I wasn't aware of, and I've followed the team closely since the origin.
"Tales" traces the Mariners from their beginning. It's a reader-friendly book that spares us the tedious politics of ownership changes and gets down to the business of names we're all familiar with - and their endearing, sometimes infuriating personality quirks.
It includes all the important characters, from Paul Abbott to Richie Zisk. Bill Caudill. Dave Niehaus. Ruppert Jones. Julio Cruz. Gaylord Perry. Funny Nose and Glasses Night. Buhner Buzz Cuts. Alvin Davis.
It covers the great years, from 1995 to 2001 and the lean years - every other season.
Remember Rey Quinones? A shortstop talented beyond belief, but he never made it clear that he even particularly liked the game. When he showed up late for spring training in 1987, he said it was because he had visa problems.
It was team president Chuck Armstrong who broke it to Quinones that, as a resident of Puerto Rico, he didn't need a visa.
One time, Griffey and then-manager Bill Plummer got into a tiff on the last day of the season. Griffey had it in his mind that he would play only a few innings. Instead, Plummer left him in for six innings and three at-bats. Griffey was so angry, he played with his shoelaces untied - and even made a running catch over his head that way.
The book has its touching moments as well. We see Piniella in a light rarely seen, a Piniella who once spent more than $300 on baby formula, groceries and diapers for a suddenly jobless, broke, single mother forced to beg on the streets. He even gave her $20 for cab fare home.
Then he wept when he wondered whether he did enough for her.
Arnold takes us through a post-9/11 playoff trip to New York, where the team visited Ground Zero and met families of lost firefighters and police officers. And after that, the Mariners were to play the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
The experience shook them, some say to the extent that baseball became unimportant, even a playoff to decide the American League representative to the World Series.
It's all here, written in Arnold's, descriptive, easygoing style - the style of someone who loves baseball and everything about it.
I just can't bring myself to condemn it.
Maybe next time.
Sports columnist John Sleeper: sleeper@heraldnet.com
Review by Larry LaRue at The News Tribune .com
At Last, A Baseball Book Worth Reading
For those of us who love baseball stories and are usually disappointed by baseball books, there’s a lovely surprise hitting bookstores this week – almost enough fun to make you forget about Jeff Weaver for a few days.
‘Tales from the Seattle Mariners Dugout,’ is an anecdotal history of a franchise that has won far more hearts than pennants, while producing both great players and great characters.
It’s the first book of baseball stories from Everett Herald beat writer Kirby Arnold. Let’s hope it’s not his last.
If you’ve been a fan since expansion or a recent addition to the club, there are stories here to make you smile – no matter what page you open to. You can skip around the book from one era to another, from one group of players to the one that preceded or followed.
No matter who your favorite player or manager is, he’s likely in here, and Arnold has reached out to hundreds of them to let them tell their stories. Some will touch you, some make you laugh and at least one of Jay Buhner’s will gross you out.
From Dave Niehause recalling the first day of the Mariners first spring training – when the manager and coaches had to rake the infield and tamp down gopher holes on the warning track – to the arrival of Felix Hernandez, this book keeps the stories moving.
What more you could ask for than a collection of stories about ‘The Kid’ and ‘Big Unit,’ Jose Cruz and Alvin Davis, Edgar Martinez and Lou Piniella, all told by a man who clearly knows and loves the game.
If you’re a Mariners fan – or know one – ‘Tales from the Seattle Mariners Dugout’ belongs on your nightstand or your gift list.
After reading it, you’re going to be an Arnold fan, so here’s a link to his blog: http://www.heraldnet.com/blog/blog.cfm?blogid=13
How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life - by Steve Williams with Tom Caiazzo
book review on www.wrestlingclothesline.com
book review on www.obsessedwithwrestling.com read here
book review on www.nodq.com read here
book review on www.wrestlingobserver.com read here
book review on www.KnoxNews.com read here
Review by Brad Dykens at Obsessed With Wrestling
Having grown up as one of Vince McMahon's children, I was not fortunate enough to be introduced to Steve "Dr. Death" Williams - except for what I read in magazines - until I discovered the miracle of video tape trading. Through magazine articles, and later the internet, I became familiar with the husky grappler and realized that he was truly a force within the wrestling business. The wrestlers I was being exposed to in the WWF were often portrayed as fluffy and cartoonish, but this Dr. Death character actually looked like he could kick some major butt for real. After viewing some of his matches on rented video tapes such as Starrcade 1987 and 1988, and Great American Bash 1989, I quickly developed a firm level of respect for the man named Dr. Death.
Of course a lot has happened since then; I've had the pleasure of viewing many of Steve Williams' matches from everywhere he's worked, such as Mid South, Bill Watts' UWF, NWA, WCW, Japan, Herb Abrams' UWF, MLW, and of course the WWF. I've remained a huge fan of Dr. Death the entire time, which is why I was extremely saddened by the news back in 2004 that he was suffering from throat cancer. Thank God that Steve Williams beat cancer's butt and survived to tell his story in his biography, appropriately named "How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life."
I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary copy of the book in my mailbox out of the blue several days ago. I was not expecting it, therefore I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the face of Steve "Dr. Death" Williams looking back at me when I opened the package. I simply could not wait to dive into this one; setting aside the book I was already reading, I made Dr. Death's book my number one priority. I read the entire book in three days, which is very uncharacteristic for me - but I just couldn't help myself. I was immediately sucked in from the first chapter, which revealed the details of Doc's courageous battle with throat cancer and the absolutely terrifying treatments he endured. I became emotionally attached to the person being profiled. I continued to read page after page chronicling Steve's personal life, playing football in college and in the pros, wrestling professionally all over the world, and later humbly giving his life to God.
He's literally done it all, and he's got something to say about every major wrestling organization in the world because he's worked for them all at some point in his career. Once you get past the football years, Doc writes about getting started in the business by the legendary Bill Watts, and learning the ropes in the Mid South territory. He eventually makes a huge name for himself in Jim Crockett's NWA (which became WCW), followed by lengthy stints working for both Antonio Inoki's New Japan, and Giant Baba's All Japan promotions. Dr. Death also talks about his experiences in Herb Abrams' UWF as well as MLW - and don't forget his short stint in the WWF, which includes the story of the infamous Brawl for All fiasco. All-in-all, the book is a fantastic tribute to a tremendous wrestler and a wonderful man who deserves to have his story told. He credits God (yes, there is some preaching near the end of the book) with his transformation from Dr. Death into Dr. Life. Doc's rebound from near death to being full of life is nothing short of inspirational.
The hardcover version of "How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life" will be available some time in March 2007 for $24.95 (US) at major chain and independent bookstores (Borders, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, etc) or by calling Sports Publishing toll-free 24-hours-a-day 1-877-424-BOOK (2665) in the continental U.S. (217-363-2072 outside of the continental U.S.) or online at www.SportsPublishingLLC.com.
Rating: 9 / 10 -- Great book about a great guy, you will learn a great deal!
Review by Julian Radbourne on NoDQ.com
“Dr. Death” Steve Williams is one of the toughest men to have ever graced the squared circle. An outstanding college football and amateur wrestling star, Williams went on to achieve a tremendous amount of success in the professional wrestling industry, especially in Japan, where he is considered one of the greatest foreign stars ever to have competed there.
“How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life”, written in conjunction with Tom Caiazzo, is William’s life story, and it begins with his battle against throat cancer. Although somewhat graphic at times, Williams tells of the ups-and-downs the illness had not just on him, but on his family and friends as well. Williams’ courage during this trying time is truly inspiring, and my respect for the man grew immensely during these first few pages.
Williams then goes into great details first about his college football and amateur wrestling careers, before moving on to his professional wrestling career. He speaks highly of “Cowboy” Bill Watts and fondly of his time in the UWF, a happy time that sadly came to an end when Jim Crockett purchased the company. Not being one for cliques, Williams found life somewhat hard in the company that would go on to become part of Ted Turner’s global empire. Williams also speaks fondly of his time in Japan, and of his respect for both Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, probably the two most powerful men in the history of Japanese professional wrestling.
The final part of the book sees Williams going into detail about his faith. I’m not a religious person, never have been, and probably never will be, but I found what Williams was saying somewhat inspiring, as he now devotes his life to his faith after his tortuous battle with cancer.
“How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life” is a tremendous read. Williams comes across as a man who is passionate about everything in his life, and his story is truly inspiring. A man who was known as a rough and tough SOB is in true life a kind and caring man, and if you’re a fan of old “Doc”, then you’ll enjoy reading this.
Review by Joe Babinsack at Wrestling Observer
There’s much about the Steve Williams autobiography that has been
done before, but in the end, it’s not about novelty, its about presentation, and
to that end, it’s a very strong book.
Much like the Bill Watts tome, it’s a story of a hard-nosed wrestler,
With almost inherent family difficulties due to the industry, who went through
hard times, found religion, and is back on track to being a productive and
worthwhile human being.
Much like most pro wrestling veterans, there is an overfocus on
“protecting” the sport, and a strangely warped reality in doing so.
Much like the many books on the subject before his, this Steve Williams
book can no longer shock or titillate with the stories that went on behind the
scenes.
Much like the many untold tales, and the already written ones, of the
past decade, there are far too many names that are no longer with us, far
too many references to those who have died in the excesses of the industry, and
far too many who were too young when it happened.
Steve Williams, like most others who have written their own stories, is
a survivor of a business that continues to eat its young with its wealth and
fame and dependencies and abuses.
Unlike most other books by professional wrestling veterans, Steve
Williams fought a dual battle. His wasn’t simply the story of overcoming an
industry of death, but also the overcoming one of the prime movers of death in
the world.
The one time “Dr. Death” Steve Williams fought and conquered
cancer.
So it is that story that tends to dominate the several themes of the
book. One thread is the wrestling industry and his own history in it. Another is
his life story, coming from Colorado through the University of Oklahoma, playing
football for Barry Switzer and wrestling (albeit part-time) for that same
school.
A more heartening tale is his coming to terms with the Lord, and his
overcoming the odds, to where he is now an agent of Life, not Death.
The wages of sin, as the Bible says, is Death. Thus the renouncing of the old
name and the claiming of the new.
But first, the old life is explored. Williams was a stud athlete and destined to
greatness. There were those, like his wrestling coach, Stan Abel, who felt he
could have been an Olympic wrestling champion if he focused on the sport
full-time. But still, he was highly recruited and championship material at the
college level in football, and won two championships at the Big Eight
conference in wrestling.
Professional football could have been his calling, but he was drafted
by the USFL, to the New Jersey Generals team owned by Donald Trump, and a
coaching staff better suited for the XFL. How else do you explain how they took
a highly prized offensive lineman and slotted him as a nose tackle—without
sufficient hands-on training—then dumped him from a guaranteed contract before
the season ended?
Williams had already been in the partying scene in high school, and jumped in
the wrestling world during his college years. With the mentoring of Bill Watts,
Steve Williams took the name “Dr. Death” from his amateur wrestling demeanor
to the professional stage. Contemplating his future in football, he was already
turned off by the decision making in that industry. He would once again run
into the idiocy of corporate politics in the world of WCW, but his stay in
Mid-South was one of better experiences, learning the ropes from the veterans
and being involved with one of the better run promotions of the wrestling
world.
It also provided many fascinating and interesting tales, and a wealth
of quotes from some of the industries storied names. From Jim Ross to the
Rock-n-Roll Express, from Bill Watts to Buddy Landell, the road trips, the bar
fights and the wrestling world comes alive through the words of Steve Williams.
About the only complaint I have with the book is the use of the term
“shoot” and its derivatives. Not that I’m going to argue with Dr. Death, but in
the year 2007, the exposure of the nature of pro wrestling just doesn’t need
that layer of veneer. But Steve Williams is as “Old School” as one can get,
being well versed in the culture of Japan, and well aware of the history, honor
and customs of the sport in that nation. Williams, despite the several
influential individuals in his pro wrestling career, admires Watts, yearns for
McMahon’s graces, but never strays from the vision of pro wrestling created by
the late, great Giant Baba.
The really interesting and juicy part of the book is the free association
chapter at the end, where names are named, and thoughts are presented.
If you want to know how Old School can sound like, take note of the thought
Processes of Steve Williams as it comes to who and why he can still slight
Certain individuals. Most of whom are well deserving and logical from his
story.
Strangely enough, the career of Steve “Dr. Death” Williams was well
established and heading for greatness in this country, until Bill Watts, and the
UWF, and its most deserving champion slid into obscurity with the merger into
WCW. Williams avoids the details on the background of the UWF, which is
somewhat odd, but once again, Williams is distinctly the type that isn’t going
to
say bad things about people he respects. That doesn’t account for a great
book, but for an honest one. And the details of his life, which is the essence
of the book, more than make up for that.
But within WCW, Williams ran into the kind of politics he had not
encountered, and the sort of decision making that he already had. The clique
that
was the upper echelon of WCW in the late 1980’s was something that Williams
neither cared for, nor about. He speaks of his opportunities to “play nice” and
be social with that group, but he never cared.
Which meant that threats and contract negotiations became hostile, as
well as his portrayal on TV eventually being downgraded. Obviously the
interaction between kingpin Dusty Rhodes and Williams was a problem, and the
potential of unification between UWF powerhouse Williams and WCW legendary
headliner Flair was destined to fizzle out.
Steve “Dr. Death” Williams didn’t exactly play nice when he wasn’t wanted.
The connection between Japan and Williams began a few years earlier, as
Williams and Antonio Inoki met at a WCCW big event, with the quite obvious
result. But respect was created, and Williams did tours for New Japan for a few
years, and went full time after the fiasco with WCW.
While the insight on the Japanese wrestling scene could have been more
in depth, the book does provide a look at the differences, and through the great
quotes from friends and acquaintances, and the ever present stories, there is
a picture painted of the professionalism, the differences in cultural
acceptance, and the magnitude of dealing with a career that suddenly is
thousands of miles away from home.
That Williams excelled, and not merely survived in Japan, is a testament to his
spirit.
The one fascinating “omission” is the transition from New Japan to All Japan.
Once again, “old school” rules take precedence. Whatever happened with Inoki
never gets a full explanation, and that Williams takes on Baba as a father
figure and a most trusted and respected industry leader cannot be seen
without its significance, knowing of the intense rivalry between Inoki and
Baba.
The value of Steve Williams to Baba’s promotion is vast, considering
the efforts and lengths taken to smooth over some of the demons that plagued
him, and the inevitable legal entanglements. Even with being barred from the
country for a year, Williams was brought back into the fold.
As I mentioned earlier, the terminology most readers of this site would
comprehend and use seem to blend a bit into Japanese industry mode from
the pen of Steve Williams, but one can also respect the efforts he takes to
protect the business. Also, with his status and celebrity in Japan, it doesn’t
take long to realize that a translation would ensue, and that culture
undoubtedly is a bit less forgiving of exposing the business as the fans are in
this
country.
Even so, Williams maintains that “old school” mentality. He makes
some strong statements about his work with the WWE and WCW in the late 1990’s,
and some of the nonsense with which he got sidetracked into. About the only
painful aspect of the book is that it does come across as an appeal for work in
the industry, especially as a trainer for future stars. As big as Dr. Death
was, as schooled as he became, it’s equally a shame that he’s not in such a
role as it is that he’s asking to be considered for it.
There are many, many personal stories, insights and touching moments,
many of which I could not justify to explain in a brief review.
The life journey of Steve Williams is a battle, and being a veteran of
The professional wrestling industry for more than two decades, reaching the
pinnacle of success on two continents, and claiming a legacy of being one of
the toughest guys in the business, it really comes as no surprise about the
outcome.
A transformation from “Dr. Death” to “Dr. Life” (of sorts)
comes about in a voice that is consistent, tough and believable, much like the
no-nonsense wrestler that Steve Williams always has been, and continues to be.
But like a great wrestler displaying his talent, Steve Williams makes the story
all the more interesting, and all the more satisfying in taking part in it.
Review by Alex Marvez on KnoxNews.com
As one of the industry's top performers during the 1980s and 1990s, Steve "Dr. Death" Williams has plenty to offer aspiring pro grapplers as a part-time trainer in World Wrestling Entertainment's developmental system.
But the best lesson Williams can teach isn't easily learned. That's because Williams is the living embodiment of the toughness needed to thrive - and, in his case, survive - while working in a rough-and-tumble business.
Williams wrestled a match in 1985 on the same day he received 108 stitches above his eye after receiving an errant elbow from Brad Armstrong during an earlier bout. Thirteen years later, Williams finished a fight in the "Brawl for All" - a series of legitimate boxing matches involving WWE performers - even after tearing his quadriceps en route to a loss against Bart Gunn. Williams also suffered plenty of other bumps and bruises while showcasing his hard-hitting style for every major promotion in the United States and Japan over the past two decades.
Such exploits, though, actually seem tame compared to the battle Williams later waged against his most dangerous opponent.
His fight against throat cancer is chronicled in his new autobiography, "How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life" ($24.95; Sports Publishing LLC). Standing at 6-feet-2 and weighing 290 pounds during his wrestling heyday, Williams dropped 85 pounds after being diagnosed in 2004 and undergoing subsequent surgeries to remove his vocal chords, larynx and a large tumor.
But Williams didn't let the disease defeat him. Williams is set to celebrate his third anniversary of being cancer-free in May and has even returned to the ring on a limited basis for independent promotions.
The biggest adjustment Williams had to make is growing accustomed to wrestling with a scarf around his neck to ensure that dirt doesn't fly into the stoma that allows him to breathe.
"In my first match back, my lungs were going so strong that I kept blowing the scarf into the hole," Williams said in a voice left raspy by his cancer surgeries. "I was blowing up (getting winded), which I would never do before. But I didn't get uptight or freak out about it and just finished the match. I realize that sometimes the scarf is going to go in there and I've just got to keep on rolling."
Williams said his positive attitude is shaped by becoming a born-again Christian during his health struggles. In his 226-page book, Williams admits to extensive drug and alcohol abuse dating back to his days as a standout amateur wrestler and football player at the University of Oklahoma. He also notes how the premature deaths of many close friends, including longtime tag-team partner Terry Gordy, stemmed from such issues.
"It wasn't hard to come to tell people what happened in my life with drugs, alcohol and women," Williams said. "I wouldn't call it all bad, but I did live life in the fast lane."
Those days are over, especially with Williams forced to sell his business investments and deplete his life savings to pay for more than $300,000 in medical expenses. Williams is drawing some income as a part-time WWE trainer, being flown to Louisville, Ky., for work with Ohio Valley Wrestling students.
"It's not big money, but it's money," said Williams, who expressed appreciation to WWE owner Vince McMahon and executive Johnny "Ace" Laurinaitis for the opportunity. "My health insurance doesn't cover everything, but I'm blessed."
Williams is about to begin a new chapter in his life by moving back from Shreveport, La., to his hometown of Lakewood, Colo. Williams wants to take care of his 85-year-old mother, Dottie, and be closer to his 14-year-old son, Wyndham.
Williams said he plans to continue preaching and "dreams" that his son will someday join him in ministry.
"The greatest part is that you've got the toughest, baddest guy in pro wrestling who is now preaching," Williams said. "Instead of taking my big hands to slap somebody, I'm telling people to put their hands together and pray."
Cradle of Champions - by New York Daily News
book review on www.cyberboxingzone.com read here
Review by Tracy Callis at CyberBoxingZone.com
Bill Farrell has published his book, Cradle of Champions : 80 Years of New York Daily News Golden Gloves, and it is a beautiful piece of work. The book focuses on the ever popular New York Golden Gloves boxing competition and many of the young boxers and thrilling moments witnessed by fans of the event. The reader is treated to a pictorial and descriptive tour across the years, from 1927, the "Days When Paul Gallico Creates a Classic," into the "New Millennium", 2000-2006.
Clearly, the work is well researched and touches on the major contests and fighters who came out of the competition to world fame. Followers of the sport as well as historians will find it interesting and informative since it provides some new factual details. Discussions of selected bouts are enhanced by a wonderful array of photographs.
Included among the photographs are scenes of huge crowds at Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium as well as images of the youngsters Bob Olin, Lou Salica, Petey Scalzo, Sal Bartolo, Phil Terranova, Melio Bettina, "Sugar" Ray Robinson, Joey Maxim, Jake LaMotta, Roland LaStarza, Johnny Saxton, Floyd Patterson, Ernie Terrell, Cassius Clay, Eddie Gregory, Emile Griffith, Vito Antuofermo, Vivian Harris and Riddick Bowe, to name a few. Also included are rare action shots of contests between Coley Wallace and Rocky Marciano, Tami Mauriello and Gus Lesnevich and others.
The book also includes an Appendix that lists (1) Daily News Golden Gloves Champions Who Became World Champions, (2) Daily News Golden Gloves Olympians and (3) World Champions From The Chicago Inter-City Team [Who] Boxed At Madison Square Garden.
For those of us who are avid boxing fans and care about boxing history, this book is a "must" read. It is well-written and its message is delivered with photos of celebrities, boxers, action shots and crowd scenes. It has a nice design and layout too - excellent work !
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
