Sports Guy's Book

[Logan]

I know there are plenty of fans of ESPN's Sports Guy on here. Anybody already, or plan to, pick up his book?

I got mine in the mail from Amazon today and can't wait to read it on the bus into work tomorrow. I just read a "sidenote" on a random page and started cracking up.

And please, I know there are some people on here who either don't like him, or used to like him but think he sucks now. None of those comments are necessary...would just like to know if anyone is reading the book.

[ThunderingHERD]

I am generally entertained by him but often he annoys me. I knew he was working on a book, but didn't even realize it was out yet--will probably pick it up eventually.

[Maple Leafs]

Is it all new material or a compilation of Red Sox columns?

[Ragone]

I wonder if you have to be a insider to get to the funny parts of the book :P

Just kidding, i might pick it up.. not sure

[ThunderingHERD]

Actually, after just clicking and realizing that it was all about the Sox, I'll probably pass.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Is it all new material or a compilation of Red Sox columns?

Mixture of both. The essence of the book is his columns. But he has basically updated them with sidenotes, since when he wrote them, they were (by his own admission) pretty unpolished.

[Draft Dodger]

how many times does he drop Jimmy Kimmell's name?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

how many times does he drop Jimmy Kimmell's name?

It's on the back cover : "I love Bill Simmons' writing, but more importantly, I've always dreamed of being quoted on a book."

Personally, I'd rather a guy have his friends comment on his book than have the publisher pay somebody off.

[Maple Leafs]

Does he know Jimmy Kimmel? Wow... you think he'd mention that from time to time.

What about Adam Corolla, don't tell me he knows him too!

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Does he know Jimmy Kimmel? Wow... you think he'd mention that from time to time.

What about Adam Corolla, don't tell me he knows him too!

Honestly, is that fair? Its not like he just talks about those guys as his only friends. He tells stories about his unknown friends much more often than those guys.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Logan

Honestly, is that fair? Its not like he just talks about those guys as his only friends. He tells stories about his unknown friends much more often than those guys.

To me, it's more a dichotomy of what is wrong with Simmons. He tends to rely on a lot of the same schtick (I will now stab myself with a cocktail fork) and after a while it gets really repetitive. Having Kimmel answer a letter once was clever. But he keeps going back to that well and, again, to me that just accentuates how light on substance his writing has become.

[Anthony]

yeah, i used to like his stuff, now it's just repetitive. now he's all about name dropping and trying to show hwo much of a pop culture dork he is by inserting plot lines from random tv shows and every sports movie ever made.

[MrBigglesworth]

I used to like him but I think he sucks now.

[korme]

i love billy simmons

[Maple Leafs]

My issue with Sports Guy as it relates to Kimmel (and I still love his writing, by the way), is that it just doesn't fit. A big part of the appeal of the Sports Guy was that he sounded like any of your sports buddies. The idea that some sports addict started his own web site and was able to turn that into a national sportswriting dream job was a great story. Everyone had that sort of dream, and you were happy that this guy got it because he sounded like someone who would be genuinely fun to have a beer and some wings with.

Some of that has gone away since the move to LA. The celebrity name-dropping is part of it. To me the real killer was his Super Bowl columns. When they first sent him, he had this "wow, I can't believe I'm being paid to do this" vibe that was exactly what most of us would think. Recently, though, he just complains about everything -- it takes too long to get a cab, he can't find a Starbucks, the lineup at the free after-party was too long, etc. What "sports guy" gives a crap about the after-party lineup? That's something that self-important wannabe LA celebrities worry about.

He's still a great writer (I don't even find him all that repetitive), he just doesn't come across like a real sports guy any more.