What do you think?
Rate this book
Better Than Lifting Things: A former Pittsburgh and Atlanta sportswriter's entertaining reflections on a 44-year career in and out of newspapers.
BETTER THAN LIFTING THINGS is an entertaining trip through sportswriter Glenn Sheeley’s 44-year career in and out of newspapers, from covering the Pittsburgh Steelers at age 25, to being on the scene for 17 Super Bowls, to his special relationships with golf’s two finest players, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to changing his occupational course in his 50s to the golf industry.
Featuring a foreword by NFL Hall of Famer and TV personality Terry Bradshaw, Better Than Lifting Things is an insightful, inside look at other sports giants such as John Madden, Arnold Palmer, Joe Paterno, Mickey Mantle, Chuck Noll, and Al Davis.
A former Steelers beat writer for the Pittsburgh Press, Glenn describes life around this famous team in the mid-'70s, when it won four Super Bowls with players such as Bradshaw, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Fats Holmes, who somehow also won a bizarre cocaine trial in Amarillo, Tex.
Pittsburgh fans will love Glenn’s look at the city he fell in love with, the amazing Rooney family, and Pittsburgh’s wildly unique sportscaster, Myron Cope.
Better Than Lifting Things takes you behind the scenes for Glenn’s 26 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, when he assumed the golf beat in 1994 and covered 32 straight major championships, 10 of them won by Tiger Woods, and also reported on the Falcons, Hawks, and Braves.
Glenn takes you to Augusta National, where he covered 20 Masters tournaments, including Nicklaus’ victory in 1986 at age 46, and to the Open Championship, where he walked every step with Nicklaus during Jack’s last trip around St. Andrews in 2005.
The late Red Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist from The New York Times, called sportswriting “a lot better than lifting things,” and despite decades of missing holidays to make deadlines, Glenn Sheeley could not agree more.
Featuring a foreword by NFL Hall of Famer and TV personality Terry Bradshaw, Better Than Lifting Things is an insightful, inside look at other sports giants such as John Madden, Arnold Palmer, Joe Paterno, Mickey Mantle, Chuck Noll, and Al Davis.
A former Steelers beat writer for the Pittsburgh Press, Glenn describes life around this famous team in the mid-'70s, when it won four Super Bowls with players such as Bradshaw, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Fats Holmes, who somehow also won a bizarre cocaine trial in Amarillo, Tex.
Pittsburgh fans will love Glenn’s look at the city he fell in love with, the amazing Rooney family, and Pittsburgh’s wildly unique sportscaster, Myron Cope.
Better Than Lifting Things takes you behind the scenes for Glenn’s 26 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, when he assumed the golf beat in 1994 and covered 32 straight major championships, 10 of them won by Tiger Woods, and also reported on the Falcons, Hawks, and Braves.
Glenn takes you to Augusta National, where he covered 20 Masters tournaments, including Nicklaus’ victory in 1986 at age 46, and to the Open Championship, where he walked every step with Nicklaus during Jack’s last trip around St. Andrews in 2005.
The late Red Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist from The New York Times, called sportswriting “a lot better than lifting things,” and despite decades of missing holidays to make deadlines, Glenn Sheeley could not agree more.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2024
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 18, 2025
I have known Glenn Sheeley for many years. His family lived half a block from mine on South Grant Street in Palmyra, Pennsylvania for a few years. I was very pleased to read about his father in this book. Mark Sheeley was a fine man who died much too young. My best evidence of the high quality of Mr. Sheeley comes from the day he died. The finest man I ever knew was my grandfather, Leonard Smith. The next man on that list would be a man named Bob Imboden, who was the father of one of my best friends. For reasons long forgotten, I was the person who told Mr. Imboden of Mr. Sheeley’s death. I never saw Mr. Imboden so shook as in that moment, but it spoke volumes to me as to the kind of man Mr. Sheeley was. We see that in Glenn’s book.
I believe Glenn’s love of golf came from his parents. His mom and dad played often and well. What a difference parental influence can make. Two of my best friends were on the Palmyra High School (PHS) golf team; at least one of their parents played golf. My dad enjoyed watching golf on television but, to my knowledge, only tried to play once. I didn’t start playing until I was in senior high school and then not very well. Sixty years later, I’m still playing, a little better but nothing to brag about.
Glenn had two siblings. His brother Russ, three years his senior, dated one of my best female friends. His sister, Lori, two years younger than Glenn, cut my hair once, but did my dad’s hair regularly. In addition to a quality trim, she also served wine and cheese.
This book gives us very little information about Glenn’s years through high school. I didn’t know him well, but we did talk sports from time to time. He had a fondness for Skip Carey, sports voice of Turner Broadcasting in its early years. I was more familiar with Skip’s dad, Harry, voice of the St. Louis Cardinals in those days. Glenn wrote about his impersonations; perhaps they started with his imitation of Skip, which he did often.
The best chapter in the book is Chapter 27 – SHELBY STROTHER. I had never heard of him, as was the case with most of the writers he mentioned. Strother died in 1991 of liver cancer at the age of 44. This is just one untimely death of colleagues Glenn writes about. Sadly, Glenn was not unacquainted with such tragedy. He wrote of his father’s death at age 52. Both siblings died at what we would call middle age. Some might say Glenn’s life revolved around “fun and games,” but he certainly knew the tough moments.
Glenn’s book gives us a peek at life as a sportswriter. Lots of pressure to make deadlines, to please editors, to not ruffle too many feathers but to report and comment fairly and objectively. Glenn’s relationships with colleagues and athletes seem to indicate that he was successful in his work. Apparently much of the life of a sportswriter, and, dare I say, sportscasters, involves spending time in restaurants and bars, enjoying beer or liquor with other writers while exchanging ideas. As one who dreamed of working as a sportscaster, I’m not sure I could have such a lifestyle. John Steadman, longtime sportswriter for Baltimore newspapers, was a contributor to a profile of Raymond Berry, Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts, for NFL FILMS. He spoke of Berry’s conduct beyond reproach, his speech sans profanity, his life as a model for others to follow. I would hope to emulate Berry instead of the press characterized in this book.
The last time I saw Glenn was about fifty years ago. We ran into each other and had lunch together at one of the iconic hangouts in Palmyra at that time: TWIN KISS. When I asked him about his work, his first sentence was, “Evonne is mad at me.” There is only one Evonne that I know of in sports and she was my favorite tennis player: Evonne Goolagong. She was arguably the most graceful player ever to grace the grass of Wimbledon, a two-time singles champion. Glenn covered World Team Tennis in his early days; Goolagong was a member of the Pittsburgh Triangles. I am greatly disappointed that he did not mention her in his book.
That, however, pales in comparison to my reaction to what Glenn wrote in chapter 40 – MOM AND GARY PLAYER. Player has always been one of my favorite golfers. My first golf memory was of him winning (Arnold Palmer losing) the 1961 Masters on the 18th green. In 1974 Player won two major tournaments, a year when he was constantly confronted by vocal protests against his country’s (South Africa) apartheid policies. I believe he should have been named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.
The focus of this chapter, at least initially, was to show what a classy person Player was and Glenn succeeded. Unfortunately, the worm turned when Glenn, in a very thoughtful and loving gesture, arranged for Player to talk to another fan on the telephone; that fan was Glenn’s mother. However, his mother, hearing a foreign accent leaning toward British, thought the caller was Greg Norman. Player handled the situation beautifully; Glenn was mortified. Here are his comments in reflection (my BOLD):
I’VE GOT TO ADMIT, NEVER ONCE DID I EVEN PONDER THAT GARY PLAYER’S VOICE WOULD BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN UNMISTAKEABLE, EVEN TO MY MOTHER IN HER LIMITED PENNSYLVANIA SMALL-TOWN WORLD, WHERE APPARENTLY ANY FOREIGN VOICE SOUNDS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME, WHETHER IT’S FROM AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, OR EDINBURGH.
Not only did Glenn embarrass his mother but also his and my hometown. Back in the 1960’s, when Glenn and I were growing up, many of our peers expressed the desire, after graduating from PHS, to leave Palmyra and move to “greener pastures.” Indeed, Palmyra was not perfect, far from it, and compared to life in the big city it lacks amenities that we might find attractive. But it was a great place to raise a family, and many of those who sought those “pastures” either came back to Palmyra or never left.
What Glenn meant to do was honor his late mother and for that he deserves credit. But sometimes it is not the thought that counts. This is one of those times. I am surprised that his publisher did not have that chapter deleted or at least rewritten. It put a damper on what was not a great book but at least somewhat entertaining.
Three stars waning
I believe Glenn’s love of golf came from his parents. His mom and dad played often and well. What a difference parental influence can make. Two of my best friends were on the Palmyra High School (PHS) golf team; at least one of their parents played golf. My dad enjoyed watching golf on television but, to my knowledge, only tried to play once. I didn’t start playing until I was in senior high school and then not very well. Sixty years later, I’m still playing, a little better but nothing to brag about.
Glenn had two siblings. His brother Russ, three years his senior, dated one of my best female friends. His sister, Lori, two years younger than Glenn, cut my hair once, but did my dad’s hair regularly. In addition to a quality trim, she also served wine and cheese.
This book gives us very little information about Glenn’s years through high school. I didn’t know him well, but we did talk sports from time to time. He had a fondness for Skip Carey, sports voice of Turner Broadcasting in its early years. I was more familiar with Skip’s dad, Harry, voice of the St. Louis Cardinals in those days. Glenn wrote about his impersonations; perhaps they started with his imitation of Skip, which he did often.
The best chapter in the book is Chapter 27 – SHELBY STROTHER. I had never heard of him, as was the case with most of the writers he mentioned. Strother died in 1991 of liver cancer at the age of 44. This is just one untimely death of colleagues Glenn writes about. Sadly, Glenn was not unacquainted with such tragedy. He wrote of his father’s death at age 52. Both siblings died at what we would call middle age. Some might say Glenn’s life revolved around “fun and games,” but he certainly knew the tough moments.
Glenn’s book gives us a peek at life as a sportswriter. Lots of pressure to make deadlines, to please editors, to not ruffle too many feathers but to report and comment fairly and objectively. Glenn’s relationships with colleagues and athletes seem to indicate that he was successful in his work. Apparently much of the life of a sportswriter, and, dare I say, sportscasters, involves spending time in restaurants and bars, enjoying beer or liquor with other writers while exchanging ideas. As one who dreamed of working as a sportscaster, I’m not sure I could have such a lifestyle. John Steadman, longtime sportswriter for Baltimore newspapers, was a contributor to a profile of Raymond Berry, Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts, for NFL FILMS. He spoke of Berry’s conduct beyond reproach, his speech sans profanity, his life as a model for others to follow. I would hope to emulate Berry instead of the press characterized in this book.
The last time I saw Glenn was about fifty years ago. We ran into each other and had lunch together at one of the iconic hangouts in Palmyra at that time: TWIN KISS. When I asked him about his work, his first sentence was, “Evonne is mad at me.” There is only one Evonne that I know of in sports and she was my favorite tennis player: Evonne Goolagong. She was arguably the most graceful player ever to grace the grass of Wimbledon, a two-time singles champion. Glenn covered World Team Tennis in his early days; Goolagong was a member of the Pittsburgh Triangles. I am greatly disappointed that he did not mention her in his book.
That, however, pales in comparison to my reaction to what Glenn wrote in chapter 40 – MOM AND GARY PLAYER. Player has always been one of my favorite golfers. My first golf memory was of him winning (Arnold Palmer losing) the 1961 Masters on the 18th green. In 1974 Player won two major tournaments, a year when he was constantly confronted by vocal protests against his country’s (South Africa) apartheid policies. I believe he should have been named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.
The focus of this chapter, at least initially, was to show what a classy person Player was and Glenn succeeded. Unfortunately, the worm turned when Glenn, in a very thoughtful and loving gesture, arranged for Player to talk to another fan on the telephone; that fan was Glenn’s mother. However, his mother, hearing a foreign accent leaning toward British, thought the caller was Greg Norman. Player handled the situation beautifully; Glenn was mortified. Here are his comments in reflection (my BOLD):
I’VE GOT TO ADMIT, NEVER ONCE DID I EVEN PONDER THAT GARY PLAYER’S VOICE WOULD BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN UNMISTAKEABLE, EVEN TO MY MOTHER IN HER LIMITED PENNSYLVANIA SMALL-TOWN WORLD, WHERE APPARENTLY ANY FOREIGN VOICE SOUNDS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME, WHETHER IT’S FROM AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, OR EDINBURGH.
Not only did Glenn embarrass his mother but also his and my hometown. Back in the 1960’s, when Glenn and I were growing up, many of our peers expressed the desire, after graduating from PHS, to leave Palmyra and move to “greener pastures.” Indeed, Palmyra was not perfect, far from it, and compared to life in the big city it lacks amenities that we might find attractive. But it was a great place to raise a family, and many of those who sought those “pastures” either came back to Palmyra or never left.
What Glenn meant to do was honor his late mother and for that he deserves credit. But sometimes it is not the thought that counts. This is one of those times. I am surprised that his publisher did not have that chapter deleted or at least rewritten. It put a damper on what was not a great book but at least somewhat entertaining.
Three stars waning
April 1, 2024
Glenn Sheeley has been a dear friend for many years, and I have missed his writing since he walked away from newspapering and ended his career at a couple of Atlanta golf clubs. That style - wit, rhythm, one knee-slapping anecdote after another, and some poignant moments that have you wiping moisture off your cheek - all of that and more can be found in this wonderful memoir of a career in and out of sportswriting.
I'm honored to be mentioned in one of the funnier stories here which includes Kenny Rogers and others. Thankfully, Glenn was kind enough to keep some of our escapades to himself.
If you miss great writing and want to revisit some classic moments and characters from sports gone by, this book is for you.
I'm honored to be mentioned in one of the funnier stories here which includes Kenny Rogers and others. Thankfully, Glenn was kind enough to keep some of our escapades to himself.
If you miss great writing and want to revisit some classic moments and characters from sports gone by, this book is for you.
November 5, 2024
Great read, focusing on newspaper sports writing in the last decades of the 20th Century and into this one. Lots of behind-the-scenes. Lots of memories. Lots of laughs — actual belly laughs, too. As a sports writer at Penn State, then in Pittsburgh and later in Atlanta, Sheeley lived a life that wasn’t always easy — certainly the hours were difficult and occasionally his famous subjects were jerks — but was usually rewarding. Besides, as legendary sports writer Red Smith once said, it’s “a lot better than lifting things.” You’ll find yourself sharing Sheeley's stories on Joe Paterno, Myron Cope, Terry Bradshaw, John Madden, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, and countless others. Even at 243 pages, the book ends too soon.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews