Sid!: The Sports Legends, the Inside Scoops, and the Close Personal Friends [Hardcover]

Sid Hartman (Author), Patrick Reusse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1997

The Midwest's #1 sports personality tells all in this autobiography. Sid Hartman has been at the center of Minnesota sports for more than five decades and has been threatening to write a book for years. He finally tells-all in this fascinating expos. From his relationship with Kid Cann Blumenfeld, a notorious gambler, to his controversial role as the Minneapolis Laker's de facto general manager to the fight for the Metrodome and the fight to save the Twins, sports fans will get the inside scoop on hundreds of events and legendary figures from Bud Grant to Kirby Puckett to Bobby Knight and even Frank Sinatra. This is the biggest sports book to come out of Minnesota in a long time.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Sid Hartman has been at the center of Minnesota sports for more than sixty years. From his relationship with notorious local gangster Kid Cann Blumenfeld to his controversial role as de facto general manager of the Minneapolis Lakers to the battles for a new Twins stadium, Sid gives the inside scoop on hundreds of events and legendary figures in this fascinating exposé.

 

Originally published in 1997, this updated edition of Sid Hartman’s personal memoir includes a new epilogue with his reflections on the past ten years in Minnesota sports, including the good (the resurgent Twins and championships for Gopher hockey), the bad (Kirby Puckett’s death), and the ugly (the Vikings’ loss in the 1998 NFC conference finals and the Gopher basketball scandal). Join Sid as he reveals behind-the-scenes insight into such legendary characters as Bud Grant and Bob Knight, George Mikan and Kirby Puckett, Billy Martin and Randy Moss, and many, many more. You’ll enjoy the outrageous stories, and learn some Minnesota sports history in the process.

 

Sid Hartman, the dean of Twin Cities sports journalists, is one of the most visible, most listened-to, and most read characters in the Upper Midwest. His first column appeared in the Minneapolis Daily Times in September 1945, and he has been a sports announcer at WCCO Radio since 1955. In that time, he has covered virtually every significant sports event and personality in Minnesota. He is the author of Sid Hartman’s Great Minnesota Sports Moments.

 

Patrick Reusse first began working with Sid forty years ago as Sid’s copy boy at the Minneapolis Tribune. After a twenty-year stint as Sid’s competitor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, he rejoined the Star Tribune sports department in 1988 as Sid’s colleague. He can be heard regularly on KSTP Radio, am1500.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Sid has been a sports announcer at WCCO Radio since 1955 and a sports writer at the Star Tribune and other local newspapers since 1944. The combination of being the No. 1 sports personality at Minnesota's largest newspaper and the No. 1 sports personality at its largest radio station has made Sid one of the most visible, most listened-to, and most read characters in the Upper Midwest.

Co-writer Patrick Reusse began working with Sid 30 years ago as Sid's copy boy. He was formerly Sid's competitor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is now his colleague in the Star Tribune sports department.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Pr; First Edition edition (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089658352X
• ISBN-13: 978-0896583528
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,148,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love him or not, this book is a must read for MN sports fans, June 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sid!: The Sports Legends, the Inside Scoops, and the Close Personal Friends (Hardcover)

Sid's book is a fantastic ride through Minnesota sports history. I picked up the book a true Sid Hartman sceptic. Come on, does he really know all these people? I won't give it all away, but Sid is the real-deal Minnesota sports fan. A true Minnesota legend. The many tales of Bud Grant, the Gophers, the Vikings, the Millers, his role in the Minneapolis Lakers, the Twins, and yes, Bob Knight keep you both entertained and laughing from start to finish. Read this book and you will know a true hometown fan. I only wish Sid liked hockey a little more. Love him or not, this book is a must read for any Minnesota sports fan, and makes a great gift to those no longer living in Minnesota, like me. Thanks Demps! Another must read for Twins fans is "Calvin: The Last Dinosaur," author unknown.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any fan of Minnesota sports, July 8, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sid!: The Sports Legends, the Inside Scoops, and the Close Personal Friends (Paperback)

SID! THE SPORTS LEGENDS, THE INSIDE SCOOPS, AND THE CLOSE PERSONAL FRIENDS surveys one who has seen many changes to Minnesota sports for over sixty years. His memoir originally appeared in 1997: this newly update edition includes a new epilogue about the past 10 years in Minnesota sports and presents new audiences with sports commentary and insights which are a 'must' for any fan of Minnesota sports history and any collection catering to sports enthusiasts.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars unbelievable, January 25, 2005

By 

gladiator "truth seeker" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sid!: The Sports Legends, the Inside Scoops, and the Close Personal Friends (Hardcover)

This book is mildly interesting as fiction but bears little or no resemblance to fact. One question: Why does someone who makes a living as a writer have to use a ghost writer for his "autobiography?" Don't waste your money on this.