Merrill Reese: It's Gooooood!

It's Gooooood! tells us the story of Eagles broadcaster Merrill Reese, from his days as a very reluctant child actor through the 1997 Philadelphia Eagles season. We learn about his upbringing, his college days at Temple, and his humble beginnings in the broadcasting industry. At one point he was told his voice wasn't "big-time" enough to be hired at a radio station in suburban Coatesville, PA. Later, he was hired to broadcast a high school football game because the only other alternative was dead air. Through it all, he persevered, and eventually became "The Voice of the Eagles." Of course, it happened in the worst way possible, as he was hired as a temporary replacement for Charlie Swift, who committed suicide late in the 1977 season. Reese was not guaranteed the job for the 1978 season, and other candidates, including legendary Philly sportscaster Al Meltzer, were considered. Reese would be re-hired, and he has not missed a single game since. It's Gooooood! is very fast paced and extremely enjoyable. The chapters on Buddy Ryan and his colorful Eagles teams from 1986-90 are often hilarious. The chapter on Randall Cunningham (entitled "Starship 12," a nickname given to Cunningham by Stan Walters, Reese's longtime partner in the booth) is quite fascinating. While Reese has often been accused of being a homer, he makes his dislike for Rich Kotite and Ricky Watters known in no uncertain terms. Also memorable are his Top Ten (and Bottom Ten) Eagles plays and calls from 1977-97. Keep in mind, this book was written in 1998. Some parts have become a little dated. There's an entire chapter ("My Guy, My Pick") dedicated to Bobby Hoying being the Eagles' "Quarterback of the Future," and Reese tells us how he talked Hoying up to the team's management while the quarterback was at Ohio State. While Reese stops short of taking credit for the Eagles drafting Hoying, he suggests he may have been somewhat influential in the pick. This was the only really weak part of the book for me. Even though I also believed Hoying was going to develop into a star quarterback, the chapter comes across as self-congratulatory. A minor annoyance is that the book did not seem to be proofread very well, as it contains its share of grammatical mistakes. During the Eagles' 2004 run to Super Bowl XXXIX, there had been rumors of Reese releasing a second edition of the book, but so far they remain just rumors. For diehard Eagles fans or fans of Merrill Reese, It's Gooooood! is absolutely worth a look .

Merrill Reese is an icon in Philadelphia. He has always come across as a passionate fan and a dedicated, prepared sports broadcaster. His masterful radio broadcasts of Eagle games help his listeners watch the game in their minds. With this book, Reese goes far beyong the games, allowing the reader to view his team and sports broadcasting through his eyes, and what a view! Everyone loves to get the skinny on things, and Reese doesn't disappoint. The book is a very quick read for not only Philadelphia Eagle fans, but for those looking to get into sports broadcasting as well. In my opinion, it should be required reading for all those former athletes turned broadcasters, yet have little knowledge of how to communicate. Maybe they would come to understand Reese's passion, professionalism, and command of the English language, and why Philadelphia Eagle fans turn down the volume on the television and turn up Merril Reese on the radio.

I may be biased, since I've admired Merrill for a long time and since I am a huge Eagles fan as well as a fellow radio broadcaster, but I found this book to be very entertaining and interesting. Merrill gives us a look at what was going on behind some of those Eagles teams from the late 70's until now. His insight is unsurpassed when it comes to the Birds. On top of that, he gives us a look into his life and his experiences behind the microphone as well as his climb up the ladder of broadcasting. If you're looking to get into the broadcasting field, this book just might give you the pointers and inspiration you need. If you're a diehard Eagles fan, then this is a must have. Highly enjoyable.