How about That!: The Life of Mel Allen

Whether your memories of Mel Allen revolve around This Week in Baseball, his Yankee broadcasts or numerous other sporting events over his long career; this book will shed light on the man behind the microphone, his drive for perfection and his complete devotion to the game he loved so very much. A must read for every Yankee fan.

This book is a real treat for those of us who grew up listening to Mel Allen call Yankee games on the radio. For those less fortunate youngsters who never heard Mel, it is a meticulously researched history of sports broadcasting and a three-dimensional view of the greatest radio voice. Mel's game imagery remains unmatched. Steve Borelli's book is filled with details gleaned from people and sources that are fast vanishing. Steve's book illustrates what many of us already knew: Mel loved and respected his listening audience--feelings that I find scarce by today's standards. We will hear from Steve again.

Mel Allen was the voice of the New York Yankees from 1939 through 1964 when he was abruptly dismissed for reasons unknown to him or anyone else. The author states that writer Maury Allen was watching Mel tell stories to a group of writers which really was a one-way conversation with Mel doing all the talking. Ralph Houk couldn't take it any more and stormed out of the room. Between Houk and owner Dan Topping, who also was aware of Allen's gabbiness, it was decided a change would be made. Supposedly Allen's propensity to talk also had something or another to do with sponsor Ballantine beer's drop in sales. Allen had feelings of insecurity regarding his broadcasting abilities despite his national reputation. Irving Berlin shared these same feelings regarding whether he would have the ability to write another hit song. Broadcasting sporting events, the Yankees in particular, was Allen's life, and he was at a loss when his job was taken away. Thankfully, another generation of fans would come to know Mel Allen through his weekly narration of This Week in Baseball. Curt Gowdy asked Allen how he could have himself doing baseball bloopers after once announcing the Yankees and doing the Rose Bowl games. Allen advised Gowdy never to get out of baseball. He'd give anything to get back in it. We often don't fully appreciate something until it is taken away. One of the most memorable moments of Allen's Yankees' career came when he encountered the stricken Lou Gehrig in the dugout prior to a game. Gehrig thanked Mel for doing the broadcasts because Gehrig said hearing the games on the radio kept him going. Allen, understandably touched, excused himself saying he had to get up to the booth and wept as he left. Both Allen and Red Barber had a grudging respect for one another, but there was a definite coolness between the two. There have been several biographies of other baseball announcers, and it is high time this one came out on Mel Allen. It has been worth the wait.

a resonant,affectionate detailed chronology of the voice of the bronx bombers. especially enjoyed the segments discussing his relationship with his peers- both within as well as remote to- the Yankee broadcast booth. evokes fond memories of my baptism as a fan,Jersey summer nights, and transistor radios under the pillow.

Mel Allen truly made Baseball must see TV just for His Signature voice alone. I grew up watching this week in baseball which was always a Saturday must no matter what was going on.this Book also explores the hardship & various things that Mel Allen went through in his early Journey. He truly is one of the Spirits of Baseball as we know it.a Very Detailed Book that pays tribute to One of the Greatest voices in Sports History.