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Myron Cope: Double Yoi
From the time Myron Cope first put his mouth to the mike, he has been a sometimes controversial—but always interesting—figure in Pittsburgh. Famed for his raspy, non-radio voice, Cope has transcended mere broadcasting to become part of the Pittsburgh Steelers mythos and legacy to the city.
Through the laugh-out-loud anecdotes and observations, Cope gives a very personal glimpse into the life of the man behind the microphone. He recounts the story of an editor who made him change his byline because it sounded "too Jewish." He shares the reason behind his charity work for mentally disabled children—his son Danny. And he dedicates a chapter to his late wife, who died after a long struggle with cancer.
A different kind of "sports book," this memoir doesn't detail Cope's favorite sports moments. You won't find stats, scores and rosters. Instead, Cope shares his remarkable observations as a people-watcher and shows why he has connected with Pittsburgh audiences for decades.
Through the laugh-out-loud anecdotes and observations, Cope gives a very personal glimpse into the life of the man behind the microphone. He recounts the story of an editor who made him change his byline because it sounded "too Jewish." He shares the reason behind his charity work for mentally disabled children—his son Danny. And he dedicates a chapter to his late wife, who died after a long struggle with cancer.
A different kind of "sports book," this memoir doesn't detail Cope's favorite sports moments. You won't find stats, scores and rosters. Instead, Cope shares his remarkable observations as a people-watcher and shows why he has connected with Pittsburgh audiences for decades.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2002
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25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 27, 2024
Dear Myron. Things I never knew about you, journalism, Football, etc. I was thoroughly entertained.
January 1, 2025
Very interesting!
February 15, 2016
Review Title: Myron Cope, on sports! And other things
Long time Pittsburgh and western PA residents (in the days before cable the WTAE TV signal reached rooftop antennas for over a 100 mile radius) will remember the crooked pucker-faced squint and the grating high pitched voice that always spoke with the speed and volume of an exclamation point. For those new to the area since Myron's retirement and passing, consider this short memoir a starting point to a journey that must include youtube captures of the man in action. He was a Pittsburgh institution as much a part of the Steelers dynasty and legacy as Chuck Noll and the Steel Curtain.
He was also a writer first, not a radio or TV guy, first as an ink-stained wretch, getting his start in Erie, PA reporting bowling league scores, then hitting the big time in Pittsburgh reporting Little League scores as well as city side news. His freelance magazine writing got him published and than recognized as one of the best feature writers for Sports Illustrated, then and still known as the best source for outside the lines sports reporting. His features on Howard Cosell and a young Cassius (not yet Ali) Clay are still read and cited.
So his radio work was a sideline, and with that voice you can hear why. He reports that his ignorance of the technology made it hard for him to accept that listeners in their cars could hear him over the background noise, so from his first 3 minute sports news and opinion broadcast he leaned into the microphone and shouted, an approach he never varied. And if ever a voice was not made for broadcasting, never was a face so little suited for TV! His short wizened body would lean into the camera spewing silliness and spittle at the camera in equal amounts as he gave his signature tagline that I used to title my review. As Cope (shortened from Kopelman during his newspaper days because the editors feared having too many "Jewish-sounding" names on staff) says here, he enjoyed working in sports when it was known as the "toy store", and writing in 2002 expresses regret for the lost fun of sports and dismay over shock jock sports radio. What would he think of today's aural and legal landscape?
And what fun there was to be had in those days! His accounts of tracking down Frank Sinatra to induct him into Franco's Italian Army (a purely unmercenary, unsponsored, spontaneous, fan-lead group based on RB Franco Harris's African-American/Italian heritage) and of Franco's Immaculate Reception (and how those two events almost conspired to get him fired) are read out loud and laugh out loud funny. Hum-ha, as Myron used to say. He turned the silly self-promoting Terrible Towel into probably the most ubiquitous and most recognizable fan accessory in American sports, and then turned it into a fund raiser for children's charity to honor his severely autistic institutionalized son. And in a chapter where he addresses his late wife directly as if she were in the room and he was having a conversation with her, you hear both the humor, the depth of his loss, and the power of his writing.
When Myron himself passed away in 2008, Pittsburgh and the Steelers lost a true native son (he grew up selling concessions at Forbes Field so he could watch or sneak into Pirates and Steelers games, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh) and a legend. Myron refers to himself in self-deprecating style as a big fish in a small pond. But his true talent and recognition exceeded any boundaries. Yoi! Double-yoi!
Long time Pittsburgh and western PA residents (in the days before cable the WTAE TV signal reached rooftop antennas for over a 100 mile radius) will remember the crooked pucker-faced squint and the grating high pitched voice that always spoke with the speed and volume of an exclamation point. For those new to the area since Myron's retirement and passing, consider this short memoir a starting point to a journey that must include youtube captures of the man in action. He was a Pittsburgh institution as much a part of the Steelers dynasty and legacy as Chuck Noll and the Steel Curtain.
He was also a writer first, not a radio or TV guy, first as an ink-stained wretch, getting his start in Erie, PA reporting bowling league scores, then hitting the big time in Pittsburgh reporting Little League scores as well as city side news. His freelance magazine writing got him published and than recognized as one of the best feature writers for Sports Illustrated, then and still known as the best source for outside the lines sports reporting. His features on Howard Cosell and a young Cassius (not yet Ali) Clay are still read and cited.
So his radio work was a sideline, and with that voice you can hear why. He reports that his ignorance of the technology made it hard for him to accept that listeners in their cars could hear him over the background noise, so from his first 3 minute sports news and opinion broadcast he leaned into the microphone and shouted, an approach he never varied. And if ever a voice was not made for broadcasting, never was a face so little suited for TV! His short wizened body would lean into the camera spewing silliness and spittle at the camera in equal amounts as he gave his signature tagline that I used to title my review. As Cope (shortened from Kopelman during his newspaper days because the editors feared having too many "Jewish-sounding" names on staff) says here, he enjoyed working in sports when it was known as the "toy store", and writing in 2002 expresses regret for the lost fun of sports and dismay over shock jock sports radio. What would he think of today's aural and legal landscape?
And what fun there was to be had in those days! His accounts of tracking down Frank Sinatra to induct him into Franco's Italian Army (a purely unmercenary, unsponsored, spontaneous, fan-lead group based on RB Franco Harris's African-American/Italian heritage) and of Franco's Immaculate Reception (and how those two events almost conspired to get him fired) are read out loud and laugh out loud funny. Hum-ha, as Myron used to say. He turned the silly self-promoting Terrible Towel into probably the most ubiquitous and most recognizable fan accessory in American sports, and then turned it into a fund raiser for children's charity to honor his severely autistic institutionalized son. And in a chapter where he addresses his late wife directly as if she were in the room and he was having a conversation with her, you hear both the humor, the depth of his loss, and the power of his writing.
When Myron himself passed away in 2008, Pittsburgh and the Steelers lost a true native son (he grew up selling concessions at Forbes Field so he could watch or sneak into Pirates and Steelers games, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh) and a legend. Myron refers to himself in self-deprecating style as a big fish in a small pond. But his true talent and recognition exceeded any boundaries. Yoi! Double-yoi!
April 6, 2008
A critical part of reading this book was hearing Myron's voice in my head as I read it. It's so full of unique Pittsburgh stuff, and reading it reminded me of what a great place I come from, and what a great man Myron was. I'm not sure that someone who didn't grow up in Pittsburgh would understand or appreciate this book, but it does so much to show that Pittsburgh is about more than just the Steelers, and the Myron was more than the guy who invented the Terrible Towel.
Myron was a great writer from a very different era of sports writing. To Pittsburghers of my generation, the radio show and color commentary was more familiar, but his craft was writing, and he was a star. His legacy is far greater than the towel.
Myron was a great writer from a very different era of sports writing. To Pittsburghers of my generation, the radio show and color commentary was more familiar, but his craft was writing, and he was a star. His legacy is far greater than the towel.
December 5, 2015
As interesting as Cope was to listen to during Steeler broadcasts, his book writing at times was too drawn out and sometimes downright boring. I'd prolly give this a 2.5 if I could. Some of the Pittsburgh media names and Steeler stories were interesting, but mainly due to being a local resident of Western PA. It was an okay read, but I expected it to be more captivating then it turned out to be.
January 6, 2008
i originally bought this for my dad, but ended up stealing and reading it. another man that led an interesting life. highlight: the story he tells of when he first met "The Chairman of the Board" during a stiller practice before playoffs or superbowl or something. yoiz!
September 9, 2015
Hmm-hah! Yoi! And Double Yoi! What a heartfelt glimpse into the man many only knew for his over the top public persona. Who would have thought he had so much love and devotion on his noodle. Myron Cope was and always will be a Pittsburgh treasure. You betcha!
February 27, 2008
very funny.
August 12, 2008
The Cope is the greatest of all time.
March 9, 2009
May he rest in peace. We miss and love ya, Myron!
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August 5, 2011mmmhhhmmm mmmhhhaaa
June 24, 2008
i wish i could give this book 10 stars.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews