The Real McKay: My Wide World of Sports

by Jim McKay

The veteran sportscaster known as the anchorman of ABC-TV's Wide World of Sports and eleven Olympics recounts with warmth and humor the greatest sporting events of his career and his own achievements. Reprint.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid, one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up was a sportscaster. So as much as i enjoyed sports and had athletes who I admired, there were also those who described the action who I followed and admired as well. Jim McKay was one of those. Beginning in the earliest days of television, Mckay became the go to guy for ABC when it came to hosting big sporting events like the Olympics, the Masters, and the Indy 500. He also became a household name hosting ABC's Wide World of Sports for almost four decades ("The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat!")

McKay is perhaps best known in the wider population for being the anchor of ABC's coverage of the Munich Olympics in 1972 when Palestinian terrorists kidnapped and killed almost a dozen Israeli athletes. McKay recounts these events in the very first chapter of the book, a very compelling beginning. From there the book is a fairly basic chronological biography for half the book. The weakest part are the chapters where he focuses on horse racing, golf and auto racing and shares his lists of favorite athletes. The book ends strong as he talks about his work on Wide World of Sports. Probably not a book for the average sports fan, but a very interesting read for those interested in sports media and it's beginnings.

[Jamie Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me back!!!! Jim McKay was one of the voices/personalities that I grew up with!!! One of my earliest TV memories was the 1972 Israeli massacre and Jim McKay talking us through it. I didn't really understand what was happening, but I remember his steady voice and concern. And he was the host of almost all the Olympics while I was growing up. It was also fascinating how he and Roone Arledge came up with "The Wide World of Sports", another mainstay of my childhood. Great read if you are a sports fan or just love Jim McKay!

[Tom Sparrenberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I was disappointed but this documentary. Maybe the focus of the sports were not what I was expecting but the book didn't resonate with me. Jim McKay was an all-time great in the sports broadcasting industry. His firsthand account/recollection of the 1972 Olympics "they're all gone" was the most powerful portion of the book.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent; life and sports with the host of ABC's Wide World of Sports and Olympics commentator, Jim McKay.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like sports, you will enjoy these accounts of thrilling events told by a renowned sportscaster.