The Great Philadelphia Fan Book

by Glen MacNow, Anthony L. Gargano

Philadelphia sports fans have a reputation as the roughest, toughest, most vocal and unruly fans in sports. Philly fans booed Santa, cheered, as Michael Irvin lay motionless on the Vet’s hard Astroturf. Sports radio personalities Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano tell the story from the Philadelphia fan’s perspective. In part a Philadelphia sports memoir, The Great Philadelphia Fan Book is also a historical and anecdotal account of the nation’s passionate sports fans centering around Philadelphia’s four major league teams. The authors mount a sturdy apologia that will be sure to delight Philadelphia sports fans and remind them of their unique and unabashed dedication to their hometown teams.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Baseball

252 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Brendan]

I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, it's a good book for fans of the four major Philadelphia sports teams. Plenty of insight, anecdotes, and tailor-made reading. On the other hand, some of the articles are just plain disappointing.

Favorite Chapters:
The Beloved Bullies - on the Flyers' Stanley Cup winners in the 1970's
@$!# Cowboys
Just Plain Buddy - on Buddy Ryan
That Guy in France - on Norman Braman

They were clock-punchers who epitomized the sum of all parts, and played until they literally dropped.
- "My Favorite Season: The 2000-2001 Sixers"

"You know, I've got nephews here in Philadelphia who became Cowboys fans. That's ridiculous. I try not to invite them to my house."
- Harold Carmichael, American hero
- "@$!& Cowboys"

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recently doing house cleaning and organizing when I stumbled upon this book that was at the bottom of a box in a storage closet. I must have purchased this book new in 2003 when it was released, but never read it. Thinking about that time, I was at a relatively new job and new house, and things were hectic.

So, I took the delayed opportunity to read it. The book is truly a tribute to Philadelphia fans and our loyalty. Bringing back memories of Buddy, Doc, and our hatred of all things Dallas Cowboys.

Though somewhat dated (Philadelphia has had championships since the book lamented our lack of championships), the point was valid at the time.

[Steve D · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I love Philadelphia sports, this book represents a lot of what is wrong with the mentality of the local fan base. Then again, maybe that was the idea, to write a book that would cater to the underdog, blue-collar, tough-guy type of fan that’s willing to boo a superstar out of town if he doesn’t fit into the persona of the typical Philadelphian. A quote on Page 109 might sum things up best: “The audience for Wing Bowl is a fair cross section of Philadelphia sports fans.” Maybe that’s the problem.

We’re supposed to hate the Cowboys because they beat the hell out of us for years. Then, we’re supposed to love Buddy Ryan because he put a $200 bounty on Luis Zendejas (who Buddy had just cut a few weeks prior to that). Think about how silly it is that we, Phillies fans, didn’t like one of the best third basemen in baseball history (Mike Schmidt) just because he had a dull personality and didn’t show a lot of emotion. These are problems, not endearing characteristics of the fan base.

The book also discusses small Philadelphia victories (or even moral victories) as if they are amazing sports moments frozen in time. One example is a chapter dedicated to Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals when the Sixers beat the Lakers. That’s right, Game 1. Forget the fact that the Sixers got smoked in the next four games. Game 1 was ours! It’s actually a sobering reminder of how generally pathetic the four major franchises are in this city. Then again, I guess you have to write about something.

Also, there are many stories that are repeated several times in the book, sometimes in back-to-back chapters. Didn’t anybody give this thing a once over before it went to the printer?

On a more positive note, I enjoyed the chapters about the Vet, the ’93 Phillies, and Donovan McNabb.

[Rich Sanidad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a great rundown of all the angst that Philadelphia sports fans have had to endure in the past half-century. It probably doesn't have the same "oomph" as when it was written since I read it after the Phillies won the 2008 World Series, but it's still a great read for the die-hard Philly sports fan.

[Biobi B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glen & Anthony are my favorite WIP hosts. This book is great, brings back many fond & not so fond memories. The piece on the Vet that Anthony wrote is incredible, it makes you laugh out loud at times and other times almost bring a tear to your eye. Awesome read for any Philadelphia sports fan.

[Mark Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about sports in Philadelphia and the fans. Dispells some myths about the fans (eg pelting Santa with snowballs) and confirms some others. Worth reading by anyone living in Philly or anyone who's watched one of their teams.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Philadelphia sports fan, you will absolutely love this book. Full of great stories and anecdotes for the Philly fan.

[Deborah Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was supposed to be acknowleged in this one, but they left the acknowlegements page out!

[Eric Blake]

Got this book as a Christmas gift and could not put it down as the stories i read brought back great memories.
Hilarious and well written.