The Great Philadelphia Fan Book (Paperback)

~ Glen MacNow (Author), Anthony L. Gargano (Author) "This story begins with the end..." (more)
Key Phrases: Super Bowl, New York, Wing Bowl (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

About the Author

Glen Macnow is a former reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. He brings his vast knowledge of sports to listeners on SportsRadio 610 WIP. Glen lives in Havertown, Pennsylvania.

Anthony Gargano is a former writer for the New York Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer, writing in-depth athlete profiles. He hosts a midday program on SportsRadio 610 WIP. Anthony lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Forward by Pat Croce.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Middle Atlantic Press (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970580444
• ISBN-13: 978-0970580443
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,966 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philly Sports Stories you'll read over and over!, July 5, 2004

By	L.A. Scene (Indian Trail, NC USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I live in the Philadelphia area, but am not a native to Philadelphia. I grew up in New York and when I moved south, I adopted Philadelphia as my "home metropolitian area". I have really come to appreciate and love Philadelphia as a city. There are two things I love about Philadelphia: 1) No city in America is as entrenched deep in its traditions as Philadelphia; 2) When you love the City, it will love you back twofold. When it comes to Sports, the tradition and love of the city is there among the fans. When I saw this book, I said to myself - here is the first book that explains tradition and love of the city and explains it well.

The book is written by two of the most knowledgable Sports journalists in the Philadelphia region - Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano. For several years these authors were co-hosts of a lunchtime radio show on the local sports radio station. Macnow and Gargano come from completely opposite backgrounds, but they have an incredible chemistry together. Glen Macnow is from Buffalo, NY and is a transplant to the Philadelphia region. He lives in the suburbs and sometimes has the nickname "The Professor" for his studius approach to Sports. Anthony Gargano is a native Philadelphian. He was born in South Philadelphia, moved out of town to cover Sports in Chicago and New York, then came back to Center City. Gargano is nicknamed "The Cuz" and is Philadelphia through and through. He has a less studius approach to sports and is much more from the fan perspective. The styles and backgrounds of Macnow and Gargano meshed beautifully on the radio and in this book the mesh just as well.

So this book attempts to explain a lot of those traditions that exist in Philadelphia as well as chronicle the Philadelphia fans' highs and lows. What is nice about this book is it is broken down into chapters that each read like a feature article. Therefore you can pick up this book and read it at your leisure. Each chapter is devoted to a topic related to Philadelphia sports. You don't have to read the chapters in order. It also is the kind of book where you might find a topic you like and wouldn't mind reading the chapter over again. It also can even serve as a quasi-reference book for Philadelphia sports.

There should be a topic for everyone in this book. Here are some of the highlights of what is covered:
-Origin of the Philadelphia "Boobirds"
-The real story behind Santa Claus getting pelted with snowballs
-The Broad Street Bullies - The Philadelphia Flyers
-Kate Smith - the celebrated vocalist who sang "God Bless America" at Flyers Games
-The rivalry of Philadelphia and the Dallas Cowboys
-A chapter of lists of such as "Tough Guys", "Classy Guys", "Ugly Guys", Famous Brothers who played here, etc
-The Love/Hate Relationship of Buddy Ryan
-The Origins behind "Wing Bowl" - a Philadelphia tradition
-Julius Erving
-Players who Philadelphia fans loved to hate

-Mike Schmidt
-An interesting chapter on the Eric Lindros, Charles Barkley, and Randall Cunningham era
-1993 Phillies
-Embarrassing Moments in Philadelphia Sports (includes a bit on Rich Kotite's laminated playsheet getting wet)
-Veterans Stadium
-The Great Announcers of Philadelphia
-Ed Rendell (Former Mayor of Philadelphia and Current Governor of Pennsylvania) - huge sports fan
-Several Chapters on Great Philadelphia Sports Moments

There is lots more in this book, but I would use up my limit for this review. Many of the stories of the folklore of Philadelphia sports are also embedded in these chapters and can easily be found in the index.

I would have liked to have seen whole chapters dedicated to things such as the USPRO Cycling Championships (a huge Philadelphia tradition that is omitted), something on the Philadelphia phantoms (minor league hockey), and the love to hate relationship with Howard Eskin (not even mentioned). I would have liked to see chapters on Wilt Chamberlain and Joe Frazier, but these were before the author's time. In general Boxing isn't really covered much in the book, and I would have liked to see something on the 'Rocky' films. Despite these missing items, it doesn't hurt the book.

This book is a winner. Whether you are a native Philadelphian, transplanted Philadelphian, adopted Philadelphian, or non Philadelphian - this book will offer something for everybody. I enjoy having it on my shelf and never get tired of reading it.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the Philly fans, January 1, 2004

By A Customer

What a great book to read. Tries to explain the psyche of the Phialdelphia fan (good luck). The sections on the real Santa incidient, Buddy Ryan, and Norman Braman are outstanding. Even the acknowledgemets had me laughing. A must have for a Philly sports fan.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cuz & Mac deliver!, December 17, 2003

By	Janet M Greener (Aldan, Pa United States) - See all my reviews

I am a diehard Philadelphia fan currently attending Drexel. If your a Philadelphia sports fan this is a must have. It captures all of the greatest and not so greatest sports moments, including my highschool Bonner in one section. Gargano, the cuz, is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and Macnow knows as much about the city as anyone. I did not put the book down untill I read it from cover to cover. If your a sports fan, BUY THIS BOOK!!!