Hi, Anybody! Why I Love Baseball and What I'd Do to Fix It

by Denny Matthews, Matt Fulks, Lee Stuart (Editor)

“ Hi, everybody, and welcome ….” Those signature sign-on words from Hall of Fame broadcaster Denny Matthews have signaled the start of summer for Kansas City Royals baseball fans for six decades. Since the first day of the club’s inception in 1969, Matthews has been there – on the call for Royals history. For anyone who has grown up with the Royals, Matthews has been the one constant, painting vivid portraits of the game he loves with the sights and sounds of the ballpark as his canvas. Matthews offers and inside look at what he has witnessed and learned during his more than six decades in broadcasting – from the Royals pennant-winning teams of the 1970s and 80s through the team’s World Series title in 1985 up to the challenges of surviving as a small market team. With the hep of former Royals players, managers, coaches, executives and broadcasters, Matthews shares stories on and off the field about everything from the humorous games and moments as a broadcaster to an insider’s look at the business of baseball to the current state of the game. Hi, Anybody! is not about stats. It’s not about sliders, steals, safe signs or strikeouts. It’s about ideas, opinions, philosophies, and perspectives on the bigger issues of baseball. From high fastballs on the topic of performance-enhancing drugs to curves and change-ups on hilarious happenings through the years. Hi, Anybody! is a fascinating look into major league baseball from Denny’s unique vantage point.

200 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2009

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

For having been around baseball for over 40 years, Denny is not that good a story-teller. The best part of the book is his idea for baseball realignment. Makes a whole lot of sense. Which is why baseball won't do it.