Book about "The Catch"

[Chief]

Was in the book store yesterday and noticed a book called "The Catch."

It's about those dreadful few seconds in Cowboys history (you know, ESPN's flagship NFL video)... written by Gary Myers, who was at the DMN back in 1982 when it happened.

Has anyone had the stomach to read this?

I skimmed through it in the store and it looked somewhat interesting, but I don't think I could handle it.

Here are a couple of quotes on the back of the book that almost made me puke:

"Gary Myers has always been uncompromising when it comes to getting things right. And in The Catch, he's once again spot-on in capturing the essence, flavor, and magnitude of one of the most compelling and dramatic games in NFL history. All in all, its perspective on how one game altered the paths of two storied franchises and the sport itself, so richly told, makes The Catch a terrific read."
—Al Michaels, NBC

"Standing on the sidelines when Joe Montana connected with Dwight Clark for The Catch, I knew right away this was a special game. What nobody could have guessed is that the 1981 NFC Championship game was about to turn the NFL sideways. What Gary Myers brings to life are the characters at Candlestick Park that day, so many of them still so familiar almost thirty years later. But many of their stories have been far from familiar . . . until now. A watershed game becomes even more momentous!"
—Chris Berman, ESPN

 

[Primetime42]

I have it. Haven't read too much of if though. Think I'll get on that and get back to you. Interesting tidbits are supposed to be in it as far as both franchises.


And before you ask, no I didn't buy it. It was a spare advance copy I was given at work.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I heard Myers on Galloway's show pimping it... Apparently he focuses on human interest type stories of people who were involved in the game... Such as how Charlie Waters went to a succession of funerals for young sons after how own son died.

But those two quotes from Michaels and Berman... I had to make sure you weren't making that up at first.

 

[CATCH17]

The CATCH.....17

 

[DandyDon1722]

A quote from Berman on a book about the catch is like Lucy quoting a book on Dezi. Both are married to each other.

 

[windward]

Read it a couple weeks ago. Myers kind of did a hit job on Danny White, blasting him for trying to resolve the 1982 NFLPA strike without the union's consent and saying that Danny lost the locker room after that occurred, which led to the whole White/Hogeboom fiasco.

I got the impression it was a pro-49ers book, as it often refers to the Cowboys as "arrogant, in denial, etc..." Particularly when White says that Dallas losing the NFC Title game was not the reason for subsequent playoff failures (not a totally unreasonable stance)

There is some interesting info in here though, if you can handle the 49ers love fest.

 

[Chief]

But those two quotes from Michaels and Berman... I had to make sure you weren't making that up at first.

Here's the made-up quote from Chris Berman.

"Gary Myers' "The Catch," shows how the 49ers destroyed the Cowboys for the next 10 years and vaulted the 49ers to the greatest team of all time. Dwight Clark wasn't the only thing rising when he made the greatest catch in sports history. The play made me climax, and from then on, my devotion to Bill Walsh and his 49ers was secure."

 

[Arch Stanton]

Here's the made-up quote from Chris Berman.

"Gary Myers' "The Catch," shows how the 49ers destroyed the Cowboys for the next 10 years and vaulted the 49ers to the greatest team of all time. Dwight Clark wasn't the only thing rising when he made the greatest catch in sports history. The play made me climax, and from then on, my devotion to Bill Walsh and his 49ers was secure."

:laugh2: You did go all the way.....

 

[Plankton]

I read the book. It was a little disjointed in how it was written, where the game was discussed, and the personal stories were interwoven during key times/plays of the game. Not a lot of new ground broken here other than the story about Waters going to funerals after his son passed and Drew Pearson being diagnosed with depression by the Cowboys team doctor over a decade after the car accident that killed his brother.

I wouldn't recommend spending $25 on it - the writing just isn't that good. The book does come off as an homage to the 49ers, and as a reflecting pool for the come-uppance of Dallas.

 

[Established1971]

Was in the book store yesterday and noticed a book called "The Catch."

It's about those dreadful few seconds in Cowboys history (you know, ESPN's flagship NFL video)... written by Gary Myers, who was at the DMN back in 1982 when it happened.

Has anyone had the stomach to read this?

I skimmed through it in the store and it looked somewhat interesting, but I don't think I could handle it.

Here are a couple of quotes on the back of the book that almost made me puke:

"Gary Myers has always been uncompromising when it comes to getting things right. And in The Catch, he's once again spot-on in capturing the essence, flavor, and magnitude of one of the most compelling and dramatic games in NFL history. All in all, its perspective on how one game altered the paths of two storied franchises and the sport itself, so richly told, makes The Catch a terrific read."
—Al Michaels, NBC

"Standing on the sidelines when Joe Montana connected with Dwight Clark for The Catch, I knew right away this was a special game. What nobody could have guessed is that the 1981 NFC Championship game was about to turn the NFL sideways. What Gary Myers brings to life are the characters at Candlestick Park that day, so many of them still so familiar almost thirty years later. But many of their stories have been far from familiar . . . until now. A watershed game becomes even more momentous!"
—Chris Berman, ESPN

read the book it?
I rejected an office christmas gift once because it was a calendar with a picture of the catch in it. I didnt even pretend I would use it.

 

[bbgun]

Read it a couple weeks ago. Myers kind of did a hit job on Danny White, blasting him for trying to resolve the 1982 NFLPA strike without the union's consent and saying that Danny lost the locker room after that occurred, which led to the whole White/Hogeboom fiasco.

I got the impression it was a pro-49ers book, as it often refers to the Cowboys as "arrogant, in denial, etc..." Particularly when White says that Dallas losing the NFC Title game was not the reason for subsequent playoff failures (not a totally unreasonable stance)

There is some interesting info in here though, if you can handle the 49ers love fest.

Hmmm. I remember him crossing the picket line during the '87 strike (with Dorsett and R White in tow), but I had no idea that he took an active role '82. Was he the elected team rep at the time?

 

[Plankton]

Hmmm. I remember him crossing the picket line during the '87 strike (with Dorsett and R White in tow), but I had no idea that he took an active role '82. Was he the elected team rep at the time?

No.

He was called in by Schramm, and quickly adopted Tex's stance after a conversation.

 

[windward]

Hmmm. I remember him crossing the picket line during the '87 strike (with Dorsett and R White in tow), but I had no idea that he took an active role '82. Was he the elected team rep at the time?

Robert Newhouse was the team rep in 82.

It was Doug Cosbie in 87.