Customer Reviews

How About That! The Life of Mel Allen

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is a real treat for those of us who grew up listening to Mel Allen call Yankee games on the radio. For those less fortunate youngsters who never heard Mel, it is a meticulously researched history of sports broadcasting and a three-dimensional view of the greatest radio voice. Mel's game imagery remains unmatched. Steve Borelli's book is filled with details gleaned from people and sources that are fast vanishing. Steve's book illustrates what many of us already knew: Mel loved and respected his listening audience--feelings that I find scarce by today's standards. We will hear from Steve again.

Whether your memories of Mel Allen revolve around This Week in Baseball, his Yankee broadcasts or numerous other sporting events over his long career; this book will shed light on the man behind the microphone, his drive for perfection and his complete devotion to the game he loved so very much.
A must read for every Yankee fan.

Mel Allen was the voice of the New York Yankees from 1939 through 1964 when he was abruptly dismissed for reasons unknown to him or anyone else. The author states that writer Maury Allen was watching Mel tell stories to a group of writers which really was a one-way conversation with Mel doing all the talking. Ralph Houk couldn't take it any more and stormed out of the room. Between Houk and owner Dan Topping, who also was aware of Allen's gabbiness, it was decided a change would be made. Supposedly Allen's propensity to talk also had something or another to do with sponsor Ballantine beer's drop in sales. Allen had feelings of insecurity regarding his broadcasting abilities despite his national reputation. Irving Berlin shared these same feelings regarding whether he would have the ability to write another hit song. Broadcasting sporting events, the Yankees in particular, was Allen's life, and he was at a loss when his job was taken away. Thankfully, another generation of fans would come to know Mel Allen through his weekly narration of This Week in Baseball. Curt Gowdy asked Allen how he could have himself doing baseball bloopers after once announcing the Yankees and doing the Rose Bowl games. Allen advised Gowdy never to get out of baseball. He'd give anything to get back in it. We often don't fully appreciate something until it is taken away. One of the most memorable moments of Allen's Yankees' career came when he encountered the stricken Lou Gehrig in the dugout prior to a game. Gehrig thanked Mel for doing the broadcasts because Gehrig said hearing the games on the radio kept him going. Allen, understandably touched, excused himself saying he had to get up to the booth and wept as he left. Both Allen and Red Barber had a grudging respect for one another, but there was a definite coolness between the two. There have been several biographies of other baseball announcers, and it is high time this one came out on Mel Allen. It has been worth the wait.

a resonant,affectionate detailed chronology of the voice of the bronx bombers. especially enjoyed the segments discussing his relationship with his peers- both within as well as remote to- the Yankee broadcast booth. evokes fond memories of my baptism as a fan,Jersey summer nights, and transistor radios under the pillow.

I completely enjoyed this book. Especially since he was from Alabama I was familiar with the places he lived as a boy. The World Series has never been the same since he stopped doing it.

Mel Allen truly made Baseball must see TV just for His Signature voice alone. I grew up watching this week in baseball which was always a Saturday must no matter what was going on.this Book also explores the hardship&various things that Mel Allen went through in his early Journey. He truly is one of the Spirits of Baseball as we know it.a Very Detailed Book that pays tribute to One of the Greatest voices in Sports History.

great read for anyone who loves baseball. Filled with stories that will bring back lots of memories.

I judge biographies on whether or not I feel I really know this person by the end of the book. Mr. Borelli's comprehensive tome makes me feel like I spent time with Mel Allen as well as his family members, friends, peers and others from his era. I almost feel like I was there as the author describes Melvin Israel's rise from Alabama to "Gotham" and a Hall of Fame career as the voice of the Yankees. I think it was important to include the people, culture and events which were part of his surroundings and help paint a picture for those too young to remember.
The author's extensive list of sources, the numerous interviews and materials cited, give credibility to a somewhat daunting task. How do you sum up a person's life, especially after he is gone? Mr. Borelli has succeeded in this goal, which appears to have the secondary accomplishment of giving a lifetime Yankee fan the opportunity to delve into one of his hero's lives and meet, share with and learn from those who were close to Mel Allen.
I was not a Yankee fan before reading this book. That has not changed. I am a baseball fan, and I love reading great books about baseball and other sports. I am also a fan of those who work hard to achieve greatness in their field. I am now a fan of Mel Allen.

THE AUTHOR DOES A GREAT JOB TELLING US ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SPORTS COMMENTATORS OF ALL TIME. MEL ALLEN, HAD A GREAT VOICE AND TECHNIQUE WHICH HELPED HIM BECOME THE BEST BASEBALL ANNOUNCER OF MY TIME. (MY OPINION) I LISTENED TO HIM QUITE A BIT WHEN HE DID CLEVELAND INDIANS GAMES FOR A SEASON AND I WAS QUITE IMPRESSED AND IMMEDIATELY SAW THE GAME IN MY MIND THROUGH HIS GREAT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WAS TRANSPIRING ON THE FIELD. MEL LATER HAD A RESURRECTION OF HIS CAREER AS THE VOICE FOR THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL, HIS VOICE AND COMMENTARY WAS REASON ENOUGH TO WATCH IT. THIS BOOK ABOUT MEL IS VERY INTERESTING ESPECIALLY CONCERNING HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH RED BARBER, PHIL RIZZUTO, AND EVEN HIS PARENTS. I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS FOR ALL BASEBALL AND ESPECIALLY YANKEE FANS AS A MUST READ.

Borelli's account of Mel Allen's life is a great read. If you are a Yankee fan, Allen is one of those mythical names associated with the franchise. Borelli has a flair for keeping the reader on the edge of the seat waiting for more and he delivers each time. Allen's life reminded me of a true Greek drama; he started meekly, earned success and then went through a period of soul searching and redemption. A true journey that Borelli captures with passion and zeal. Bravo!