You Can't Make This Up: Miracles, Memories, and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television

Al Michaels · L. Jon Wertheim

Nov 2014 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

In this highly entertaining and insightful memoir, one of television’s most respected broadcasters interweaves the story of his life and career with lively firsthand tales of some of the most thrilling events and fascinating figures in modern sports.

No sportscaster has covered more major sporting events than Al Michaels. Over the course of his forty-plus year career, he has logged more hours on live network television than any other broadcaster in history, and is the only play-by-play commentator to have covered all four major sports championships: the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final. He has also witnessed first-hand some of the most memorable events in modern sports, and in this highly personal and revealing account, brings them vividly to life.

Michaels shares never-before-told stories from his early years and his rise to the top, covering some of the greatest moments of the past half century—from the “Miracle on Ice”—the historic 1980 Olympic hockey finals—to the earthquake that rocked the 1989 World Series. Some of the greatest names on and off the field are here—Michael Jordan, Bill Walton, Pete Rose, Bill Walsh, Peyton and Eli Manning, Brett Favre, John Madden, Howard Cosell, Cris Collinsworth, and many, many more.

Forthright and down-to-earth, Michaels tells the truth as he sees it, giving readers unique insight into the high drama, the colorful players, and the heroes and occasional villains of an industry that has become a vital part of modern culture.

Ratings and reviews

Al Michael's encompasses the passion, excitement and drama of sports while inviting the readers in and guiding them on the journey! I'm looking forward to reading it again.

Good insight. Fun. Descriptive read. A bit too much baseball and names for me, but overall very good and great stories. Well done

Growing up in the 70's and 80's I could relate to a lot of the experiences that Al talks about. Great reading!

About the author

Al Michaels has logged more hours on network television than anyone in history, including twenty years as the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football. Michaels is currently the play-by-play voice of NBC's Sunday Night Football, TV's highest-rated show.

L. Jon Wertheim is the executive editor of Sports Illustrated. He is the author of seven highly praised books, including the New York Times bestseller Scorecasting. He is a regular contributor to CNN and National Public Radio and is a commentator for the Tennis Channel.