From Peanuts to the Pressbox: Insider Sports Stories from a Life Behind the Mic

by Eli Gold

In this behind-the-scenes look at sports broadcasting Eli Gold tells how a kid from Brooklyn, New York, went from selling peanuts at Madison Square Garden to being one of the most recognizable voices in all of radio sports broadcasting.

"From ""Peanuts to the Pressbox" is an intimate walk down memory lane, reliving some of the greatest moments in Alabama sports (basketball and football) and NASCAR. Gold also shares stories from his early days with Yankees broadcaster Mel Allen and Red Barber and other broadcasting greats, such as Bob Costas, Tom Hammond, Verne Lundquist, Kevin Harlan, Ron Franklin, and Mike Tirico.

Genres: Sports

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

You may wonder why an avowed Tennessee fan would read a book written by the radio voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

I have to admit I wondered that a few times myself, especially as I got into the chapters in which Eli Gold talks about working for the Crimson Tide.

But beyond the loyalty and love of one school over the other, there's something more to "From Peanuts to the Pressbox." The book is the journey of Gold from a young boy who loved sports and always wanted to get into the broadcasting side of the sport game as he worked hard, followed his dreams and learned the ropes.

And while there may be time the prose suffers a bit (Gold relies too much on exclamation points in the book), the enthusiasm and love for what he does always shines through. In many ways, this book is the embodiment of the old adage "If you do something you love, you'll never work a day in your life." Gold clearly has that love as the voice for just about every sport in the world and it comes through in his stories, recollections and memories.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved to listen to Eli on the radio! He has a true treasure trove of stories and can tell each one in a way that makes it seem I was there standing beside him!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve got to say this, I am a huge Bama fan. Married a Birmingham girl & I drank the Kool-aid. Haha. I actually ushered games at Legion Field for 3 seasons. But going into the book, I wasn’t expecting much for some reason. (Knew that it was co-authored with M. B. Roberts.) Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised.
I have no interest in hockey, Arena Football or NASCAR. But, I loved hearing Eli’s stories. Felt as if we sat down for a long dinner & he just told me all of these wonderful experiences he had in his life. Even the crummy bus rides, he seemed to enjoy due to the fact that he was doing something he loved, broadcasting.
Having lived in B’ham, the story surrounding Allison’s death was very interesting. Never knew that Eli flew with him the day before.
Wish he had given more info on certain portions of his life. Amazing childhood start, but wanted more about inside of Bama broadcasting. Loved the details of setting up, making things work when life happens, & all the folk he met was great. Thanks for the ride.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

"From Peanuts to the Pressbox," is a true story of Gold's ambition to become a Sports Reporter. Not only does he strive to become a Sports Reporter/Commentator, but he goes beyond by working his way to the top. First his ambitions take him on his journey as a young man, listening to sports broadcasts on the radio, as he attempts to bring about his own style of reporting while listening to the games via radio. Eli Gold tells the story of his rise from an inspired young man who knows what he wants to do with his life to a top-notch commentator. This story is interwoven with stories of Gold's trials to get what he wants through the dedication to his chosen profession. He will do anything involving sports including, quite literally, selling Peanuts at sporting events in Madison Square Garden. Along the way Gold allows the reader into his life and journey, from being an audio engineer, in a small radio station, eventually doing work with the likes of Howard Cosell and he even talks about coming up through the ranks with Bob Costas, just to name two well known Sports reporting/commentating figures. Gold himself made quite a name for himself, but you couldn't tell from the way he has written his story here. He is a very down to earth person. You will find yourself caught up in the world of both radio and television sports right along side Gold. He tells his story, sometimes in all seriousness, but you will also find many sections of the book filled with humorous anecdotes. You may ask what can be learned from a book like Eli Gold's? Gold shows that through a overwhelming desire, long and hard work, and a willingness to give up a lot to reach his goal, you can make it. I may not agree with the way he did this, but I do admire his ambition and steadfast work ethic. Eli Gold knew what he wanted, and through hard work, he attained his goal. Along the way he gained knowledge and acceptance, and in the world of sports, he has proven himself to be one of the top in the field.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book but it definitely could have been better. I never knew that Eli Gold has started so young and worked his way up from the very bottom. I loved his stories about his teenage years and when he was just breaking in the business. However there were so many stories that as a reader you want more information on. I thought that Mr. Gold could have taken more time to describe his fascinating life and really reached a lot of fans on so many levels. He has broadcasted hockey, basketball, football and racing. He name drops a lot of different people from those sports that the book just leaves you wanting to know more about. I can't imagine being involved in NASCAR that long and not having a book full of stories about his time in the sport. What about Kenny Stabler? Eli Gold has broadcasted so many games with him...are you really telling me that things haven't happened or that you couldn't have wrote more about your friendship and professional relationship with him. This book is wrote like Eli Gold speaks so it's very easy to read and a quick read. I wouldn't pay hardback price on it. I would wait until it's a bargain book or in paperback. If you need to read it now, then I would go to the library.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read from one of the true nice guys in American sports broadcasting

I've listened to Eli Gold for years as one of the radio (and from time to time TV) voices of NASCAR. He's always come across as a nice guy and a straight shooter who is not out to grind any axes.

From Peanuts to the Pressbox: Insider Sports Stories from a Life Behind the Mic is Eli Gold's story of how he went from being a peanut vendor at Madison Square Garden to being a nationally known sports announcer. Eli tells it in an entertaining, light-hearted style and keeps it classy by not airing anyone's dirty laundry.

He does include lots of funny and interesting stories, including his tale of the day that he went to the airport with David Pearson, Bobby Allison's distinctive ritual when he flew his plane home after a win and the strangest thing Richard Petty ever signed (a duck!). The revelation that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a big NASCAR fan who attends in his own RV was a bit surprising.

A good gift for the NASCAR (or Alabama or hockey) fan that has everything.

See all of my racing related reviews at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...

[Emily Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually bought this book for my Dad for fathers day, but he enjoyed it so much he told me I should read it... and man, am I glad I did. Gold has a gift for storytelling, and this felt less like a book and more like you were sitting around his dinner table just talking to him. However, you could tell this is not a book by a writer but rather a book by someone wanting to tell their story. At times he included details that didn't really change the story at all, but that's solely because writing is not his calling.

[Clint Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good one from the "voice of the Crimson Tide". This one is mostly autobiographical and all Bama fans and fans of Eli Gold will enjoy.