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Of Mikes and Men: A Lifetime of Braves Baseball
The extraordinary life of an Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame broadcaster is shared in this firsthand account of the highs and lows of Major League Baseball. Pete Van Wieren’s legacy began in 1976, when he and a young Skip Caray were hired to call Atlanta Braves games. During the next three decades, "the Professor" and Caray became the voices of a team known nationwide as America's Team courtesy of Ted Turner's SuperStation TBS. In this heartfelt autobiography, Van Wieren shares his memories of thrilling moments in Braves history, such as the 1995 season when the Braves won the world championship; the pitching mastery of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz; the heartbreak of the 1996 World Series loss to the Yankees; and Atlanta's unprecedented run of 14 consecutive division titles.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 20, 2018
A must-read for anyone who grew up watching Braves baseball on TBS. This book is an opportunity to re-live the ups and downs of the franchise during the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s through the eyes of one of the Braves' legendary broadcasters.
December 3, 2021
I love reading books about the Braves history, but a lot of them share the same stories and become repetitive. This autobiography from a broadcasters perspective was refreshing and new. Pete goes further back to fill in a lot of Braves era I am less familiar with and shares a lot of insight into the evolution of the Turner broadcasting networks evolution in the 70s that went on through the early 2000's and the impact that had on the Braves franchise as a whole. Cool stuff and fun stories.
March 16, 2019
Arguably not the most polished book, but if you enjoy baseball and particularly the Braves of the 90s, this is a fun read.
January 2, 2020
Read in 2010. The story of Pete's life inside and outside of baseball.
March 24, 2020
Great insight into a fantastic broadcaster. A real stroll down memory lane if you are a Braves fan .
March 29, 2020
Fun journey down memory lane for a Braves fan that grew up watching the team on TBS.
February 24, 2025
such a great read for any braves fan. i can just hear the turner ads while reading.
July 10, 2013
The Atlanta Braves are my favorite team in all of sports, and Pete Van Wieren (aka "The Professor") was my favorite of their TV and radio announcers. During his career, he was always the one with the facts and figures, while his partners brought the humor (Skip Caray) or the former-player perspective (first Ernie Johnson, then Don Sutton and Joe Simpson). As such, his biography proceeds in a matter-of-fact manner. It is apparent through the pages that there are certain individuals that he did not particularly care for, and while he does not sugarcoat this, he manages to mostly stay away from the tell-all, mudslinging approach. Indeed, the most negative remarks are reserved for his father (read the book, and you'll understand why), and even those are fairly reserved compared to a lot of tell-all biographies.
I admit that being a diehard Braves fan gives me a certain bias here, and I'm not sure how this book would go over with those unfamiliar with the team. If you happen to be a Braves fan, however, this is worth reading.
I admit that being a diehard Braves fan gives me a certain bias here, and I'm not sure how this book would go over with those unfamiliar with the team. If you happen to be a Braves fan, however, this is worth reading.
August 8, 2013
Those looking for a complete retrospective of Atlanta Braves baseball from the late seventies to the 2008 season will be forced to look elsewhere. Instead, the title of the book proves to be perfectly accurate as the fan favorite Braves broadcaster leads the reader through a summarized 33 years of Braves baseball while taking the time to provide inside into the life of the man behind the microphone. As a lifelong Braves fan, in years that reach back long before the incredible championship run that started in 1991, the book is a trip down memory lane, told from behind the scenes by "The Professor" himself in a way that only Pete could tell it. As the pages turn, longtime Braves fans can hear Pete's signature voice and cadence in every sentence. The only disappointment comes from outside the book proper, in the form of the knowledge that we will never be treated to a similar volume from the beloved and incomparable Skip Caray, whose voice is likewise missed during every Braves broadcast.
July 6, 2010
What I liked most about this book was hearing Van Wieren's voice in my head as I was reading it. I hadn't realized how much I miss that voice until now, and its absence marks the end of an era in my life and Braves baseball. I had a couple of laugh out loud moments, and something of the back story about the rise of the Braves, hitched as they were with the ascendancy of the TBS star. I wouldn't say it was the greatest memoir I've ever read, but then I don't read many memoirs (maybe a dozen total). For friends and family of the team, it is doubtless a fabulous book; for me it was okay. Regardless, I miss ya Pete...
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January 26, 2016If you are a die-hard Braves fan, you are obligated to give this guy a quick read. It's a long-time Braves announcer's autobiography - how he got started, his career growing with Ted Turner and the Superstation, all those playoff losses.... Gives you a good sense of life on the road with the guys. Only real 'new' thing I learned was about the one way to make Bobby Cox mad to this day - a 'catchers balk'.
If you are just a baseball fan OR just a light Braves fan OR you want more than a breezy read.... pass on this guy (Hank Aaron book is much richer). But if you're a diehard (you'll know if you are), you won't be disappointed reading this one one weekend.
If you are just a baseball fan OR just a light Braves fan OR you want more than a breezy read.... pass on this guy (Hank Aaron book is much richer). But if you're a diehard (you'll know if you are), you won't be disappointed reading this one one weekend.
March 8, 2011
Great perspective of Braves history. Loved the book!
May 2, 2013
Fun read for Braves fans.
January 20, 2011
Really would just be of interest to Braves fans in the 1990's. Even so, mostly just tame anecdotes.
May 1, 2011
Like Chip said, imagining Pete reading this book makes it a fantastic read. And being able to sit down with Jack at Manuel's and talk baseball completes the circle. A must-read for any Braves fan.
January 6, 2012
Loved it. I also heard Pete's voice when I read it.
July 3, 2012
A great book for Braves fans.
May 12, 2012
Required reading for Braves fans, old and new.
August 23, 2015
Great book for any Braves fan!
January 2, 2013
A great read from Van Wieren.
Made me wish I was listening to baseball while he was still broadcasting.
Made me wish I was listening to baseball while he was still broadcasting.
June 2, 2013
loved the trip down memory lane from his perpective. fun memories of the Braves from 70's - now and a sneak peek at some of the business drama we did not know about.
June 21, 2015
As a lifelong Braves fan, Pete Van Wieren was one the voices of my youth. The antecdotes from Pete's career as a Braves broadcaster bring back some wonderful memories.
August 28, 2015
Great book for any baseball fan but especially a long time Braves fan.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews