Spanning the World: The Crazy Universe of Big-Time Sports, All-Star Egos, and Hall of Fame Bloopers

Go "Spanning the World" with Len Berman in this wildly entertaining, insightful, and often hilarious book that takes sports fans behind the scenes and inside locker rooms.

One of the most popular television sports personalities—known for his "Spanning the World" segments on NBC's Today show—Len Berman delivers his unique view of the world of sports, from the bizarre to the historic, all with his characteristic wit.

Over the years sports and sports reporting have changed, but "Spanning the World" puts it all in perspective in this irreverent take on the heroes and iconic moments. Barry Bonds massages the media: "If you put that camera in my face, I'll slit your throat." Mickey Mantle reveals his most pleasurable Yankee Stadium experience (it didn't happen on the field). Bobby Orr loses his cool and chairs start flying from the upper decks. Bill Parcells finally spills his Super Bowl-winning formula: "Power wins " And much more ...

Berman guides us through the world he knows like no one else, from intimate recollections of his heroes to postgame celebrations, exhibiting the most hilarious and shocking moments from the whole cast of characters from the last decades in sports: John McEnroe, Muhammad Ali, Larry Bird, Derek Jeter, and many more. He also addresses the more serious issues facing sports today, including steroids, overpaid stars, athletes and violence, and the place of sports in society.

A must read for every sports fan, "Spanning the World" is an irresistible blend of humor, history, and contemporary commentary on the state of sports from the ultimate fan who has seen it all.

Len Berman is the weekday sports anchor at WNBC New York, and the host of the popular "Spanning the World" segments on NBC's "Today" show. He has won six local Emmy Awards and has been voted New York Sportscaster of the Year five times by his peers in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

One of the most popular television sports personalities--known for hosting the Spanning the World segments on NBC's Today show - Len Berman has covered sports for thirty years, getting to know the biggest stars and going behind the scenes at the most important events. Spanning The World is Berman's uniquely entertaining take on the world of sports--the funny and bizarre, the personal and intimate, the monumental and historic--all with his characteristic wit and eye for the absurd. Len Berman writes about the most memorable moments, the most embarrassing bloopers, and the most revealing behind-the-scenes comments of sports history. He has been a broadcast sports anchor for over three decades (the host of the popular "Spanning the World" segments), an experience which has brought him face-to-face with all the star athletes and to all the big sporting events. Over the years, sports and sports reporting has changed, but Spanning The World puts it all in perspective in this lighthearted and irreverent take on the idols and iconic moments. From Olympic diving bloopers to improbable home runs, outrageous fans, and pro athletes behaving badly, Berman kicks off each chapter with his favorite sports bloopers. Then he guides us through the world he knows like no one else, from intimate recollections of his hero Mickey Mantle to the inside story of sports' biggest moments, from the Super Bowls and Olympics to the World Series and basketball finals. Here is Berman in the locker rooms and post-game parties revealing the hilarious and shocking from the whole cast of characters from the last decades in sport: John McEnroe, Muhammad Ali, Larry Bird, and many more. Berman also gives histake on the more serious issues facing sport today--topics including steroids, overpaid stars, athletes and violence, and the place of sports in society.

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