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They Call Me Gump
This is an interesting memoir from one of sports most colorful characters. Gump was always very quick witted, and it was a surprise to read of the psychological torment that he faced, and all goalies face to an extent.
- GenresHockeySportsNonfiction
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 11, 2024
Really enjoyed the book! It’s really interesting to read about hockey from the perspective of a goalie from a much older era. The way Gump speaks about the travel and the hockey player’s lifestyle are really funny when you compare them to today’s hockey leagues. I also really like learning how goalies think.
April 17, 2023
All ratings being relative... For a sports autobiography written in the mid-70's, it was a quick, pleasant read. Worsley was one of the underrated goalies of his era, probably more remembered for his quips as well as being one of the last NHL goalies not to wear a mask than for his playing. Sort of the Yogi Berra of hockey. But he was one of the game's best goalies.
But it's also a good glimpse into the NHL from the late 50's to the mid 70's and how rough it could be. And, sort of surprisingly, it goes into a fair amount about mental illness, or at least for a book written in the mid-70's. I found his candor refreshing.
On thing I found interesting, he devotes one sentence to game six of the 1967 Stanley Cup finals. Perhaps not surprisingly as he was on the losing team. And nearly sixties years later, Bruce McDougall wrote a whole book about the game, "The Last Hockey Game," which is one of the best books about hockey. Interesting how history gives perspective.
But it's also a good glimpse into the NHL from the late 50's to the mid 70's and how rough it could be. And, sort of surprisingly, it goes into a fair amount about mental illness, or at least for a book written in the mid-70's. I found his candor refreshing.
On thing I found interesting, he devotes one sentence to game six of the 1967 Stanley Cup finals. Perhaps not surprisingly as he was on the losing team. And nearly sixties years later, Bruce McDougall wrote a whole book about the game, "The Last Hockey Game," which is one of the best books about hockey. Interesting how history gives perspective.
December 19, 2020
"Hey Gump, tell us your life story." "See, it all started..." It's mostly your standard athlete semiautobiography. It's a difficult book to find (it's been out-of-print for years), but it's terribly pedestrian.
Worsley does give some interesting tips for goaltending (in that era), but that is washed out by a lot - and I mean a lot - of old-man-yells-at-kids observations. He doesn't hesitate to give his opinions about things that really grind his gears.
Worsley does give some interesting tips for goaltending (in that era), but that is washed out by a lot - and I mean a lot - of old-man-yells-at-kids observations. He doesn't hesitate to give his opinions about things that really grind his gears.
November 25, 2025
A hell of a book about a hell of a goalie! Such a treat to get an autobiography from one of the all time greats! Rest in peace Gump!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews