Overview

Meet some of the most colorful characters in the history of Cleveland sports ... Dan Coughlin isn't crazy, but for 45 years he covered sports in Cleveland, which means he lived life under a full moon. In this book, the award-winning Plain Dealer and WJW-TV reporter reflects on the most unusual, eccentric and outlandish people and events he covered. ""I never met a wacko I didn't like,"" Coughlin says. Not only did he write about them, they became his lifelong friends, including: a degenerate gambler a sportswriter who ripped open beer cans with his teeth an Olympic champion who turned out to be a hermaphrodite a football player who was a compulsive practical joker and dozens of others. Every day was an adventure, but it wasn't all laughs; some of his boxers went to jail, his softball players got shot, his race car drivers were killed. Luckily, Coughlin kept notes! ""Fascinating and fun ... If you love Cleveland sports--in spite of the records--you will love this book."" -- The Morning Journal

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9781598510683

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Reviews

Too much fun to put down!--Jim Mcintyre WDOK FM Radio (10/11/2010)

A who's who of the weird, wacky world of Cleveland sports. -- Book Reviewer Record Publishing The title of the book doesn't lie. Save a few, each story and person is more outlandish than the other. The beauty of [the book] is the quick-hitting tales, plus Coughlin's easy-to-read style, charm and humor. Put it down for a few days, and come back later. Heck, jump around from chapter to chapter to a favorite topic or personality. It's all ther -- Book Reviewer News-Herald Readers will surely love Coughlin's book that features good characters with many a tale to be told. From the humorous stories revealing former Cleveland Browns tackle Doug Dieken to be an all-time first-rate prankster, to the not so fond memories of the severed friendship between former Browns coaches Paul Brown and Blanton Collier. The book is a t -- Book Reviewer Sun Newspapers Fascinating and fun . . . If you love Cleveland sports in spite of the records you will love this book. Here's your chance to relive the infamous Beer Night at Municipal Stadium, learn about the behind-the-booth silence and rivalry between legendary announcing partners Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal, and get the story behind the story of Art Modell -- Book Reviewer The Morning Journal Dan's writing style is clear and engaging. This is a great airplane and bathroom book. You can just open it anywhere and start reading. -- Book Reviewer The Plain Dealer The title of the book doesn't lie. Save a few, each story and person is more outlandish than the other. The beauty of [the book] is the quick-hitting tales, plus Coughlin's easy-to-read style, charm and humor. Put it down for a few days, and come back later. Heck, jump around from chapter to chapter to a favorite topic or personality. It's all there for the Cleveland sports fan.--Mark Podolski News-Herald (10/21/2010) Fascinating and fun . . . If you love Cleveland sports--in spite of the records--you will love this book. Here's your chance to relive the infamous Beer Night at Municipal Stadium, learn about the behind-the-booth silence and rivalry between legendary announcing partners Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal, and get the story behind the story of Art Modell and why he really absconded with the Browns.--Rich Osborne Morning Journal (11/14/2010) Dan Coughlin is one great storyteller. That's not exactly news to folks in the Cleveland area who have enjoyed his work in newspapers and on radio and television since 1964. Indians fans will enjoy re-reading some of Coughlin's stories about Bill Veeck, Rocky Colavito and Frank Lane, Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal, Joe Charboneau and how Coughlin got punched out by an unruly fan during the Beer Night riot at old Cleveland Stadium--Chuck Murr Indians Ink (10/21/2010) Dan's writing style is clear and engaging. This is a great airplane and bathroom book. You can just open it anywhere and start reading.--Terry Pluto The Plain Dealer (10/24/2010) Readers will surely love Coughlin's book that features good characters with many a tale to be told. From the humorous stories revealing former Cleveland Browns tackle Doug Dieken to be an all-time first-rate prankster, to the not so fond memories of the severed friendship between former Browns coaches Paul Brown and Blanton Collier. The book is a true 'walk down memory lane' for the longtime Cleveland sports enthusiast.--Mike Holzheimer Sun News (10/21/2010) A who's who of the weird, wacky world of Cleveland sports.--Tim Troglen Record Publishing (12/15/2010) Too much fun to put down!--Jim Mcintyre WDOK FM Radio (10/11/2010)

A who's who of the weird, wacky world of Cleveland sports. -- Book Reviewer Record Publishing

Author Information

Dan Coughlin has covered Cleveland sports for more than four decades, as a sportswriter for The Plain Dealer (1964-1982) and on WJW-TV 8 (since 1983). His columns also appeared in the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Medina Gazette, Lake County News-Herald, Painesville Telegraph and other newspapers. He was twice named Ohio sportswriter of the year and was honored with an Emmy award. He traveled with the Browns and Indians, and covered some of the biggest college football games of the 20th century, including five major bowl games. He was at ringside for several world championship fights as well as the Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier series. He covered 17 Indianapolis 500s and several auto races in Europe. He lives in Rocky River, Ohio.

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