That Hammond reached star status as a national broadcaster and as one of NBC's main voices at more than a dozen Olympic Games is a sign that nice guys can also finish first. A feel-good story that readers will love.
~Lenny Shulman, Emmy Award–winning writer and author of Justify: 111 Days to Triple Crown Glory
Absolutely fascinating. This book is a winner.
~Joe Cox, author of Almost Perfect: The Heartbreaking Pursuit of Pitching's Holy Grail
Tom never ceases to amaze me with the stories; so many sports, countries, people, and experiences...and he remembers every detail. He sets the scene and paints the picture like a master at work.
~Donna Brothers, NBC Sports
Looking back on almost thirty years of my career, my professional and personal relationship with Tom Hammond is by far the most significant and meaningful to me—from our first World Outdoor Track and Field Championships together in Seville, Spain, in 1999, to our first Summer Olympic Games, where I sat right next to Tom as a sprint analyst in the track and field booth in Sydney, Australia, in 2000. At those Games he taught me, by example, the critical skills of storytelling, writing, and when to simply shut up, like in the iconic women's 400 meter final when Australia's Cathy Freeman won gold, a moment that rocked 112,000 at Stadium Australia, her own Aboriginal people, and indeed the entire continent. Those are lessons I still employ today, across all sports broadcasts.
~Lewis Johnson, NBC Sports
Tom Hammond is the most talented, professional, humble sportscaster to ever sit behind a microphone. His story will certainly entertain you.
~Dan Issel, former NBA and University of Kentucky basketball star
Tom Hammond is the best sports announcer I have ever known.
~Larry Conley, former SEC basketball television analyst and University of Kentucky basketball standout
I've had the honor of working with one of the great broadcasters for two decades and a cherished friend for forty years. Enjoy a special journey as Tom shares his remarkable life and extraordinary career.
~Kenny Rice, NBC Sports
This is the story behind one of the most iconic voices in sports, and a chance to go behind the scenes of a legendary sports broadcasting career.
~Alex Flanagan, sports agent and former network sports broadcaster
Tom Hammond has had a storied broadcasting career, covering virtually every great event, bringing his audience a fron- row seat. His insightful storytelling is a real joy to behold.
~Pat Haden, former USC, Los Angeles Rams quarterback and former NBC Sports football analyst
Every show with Tom Hammond was a treat. "Big Daddy" always kept the train on the tracks.
~Gary Stevens, Hall of Fame jockey, former NBC Sports horse racing analyst
While sharing the booth with Tom for over twenty years, I witnessed firsthand his flawless timing and understated genius as he so perfectly framed some of the greatest moments of Olympic figure skating.
~Sandra Bezic, former Olympic figure skater and former NBC Sports figure skating analyst
I never understood why artists would describe each other as 'generous' until I met Tom Hammond. I was very fortunate to be able to learn from the best. Tom's had an amazing career, and his personal and professional memories are told in this book as eloquently as he has called any Olympic endeavor. I'm proud to call him a mentor and a friend.
~Ato Boldon, NBC Sports track and field analyst and former Olympic sprinter
Tom Hammond has covered numerous major sporting events both in the US and abroad for over three decades. Everyone has a story and Tom Hammond is the best story teller I have ever met. Enjoy.
~Mike Battaglia, ex-NBC Sports horse racing analyst
Tom Hammond's Races, Games and Olympic Dreams is a better than perfect capstone to his incredible life and spectacular career. This yet again masterpiece from this intergalactic treasure will take you on the trip of your life, and transport you to places, and teach you things that you have no idea even exist. Tom is my hero, mentor, shining star, friend, and the reason I believe that tomorrow can be better. As Tom's potted plant and prop, I've lived a vicarious and blessed life on the bright side of the road, through his knowledge, curiosity, class, dignity, and professionalism. Tom is a brilliant, radiant, creative, and spiritual force of nature, like few, if any other—ever. His passion, skill, experience, intelligence, talent, patience, discipline, and fabulous sense of humanity, truth and justice combine to create a powerfully magnetic life that attracts goodness, and the best that the world has to offer. Tom is a unique, visionary, and unparalleled narrator and storyteller; as well as a magnificent stage performer. He has seen and done it all. I'm the luckiest guy in the world in that Tom has allowed me to cling on to his space ship, and to try to grow, like a barnacle, in the hope that one day, somehow, some way, I can absorb enough to become a tiny fraction of the human being that Tom Hammond has proven to be throughout his life. Thank you Tom, for my life, this book, and the chance to be a small part of your glorious universe.
~Bill Walton, ESPN college basketball analyst and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member
Tom is truly one of the finest human beings I have ever known. But I'm a little afraid to read this book because nobody can bust my chops like Tom Hammond.
~Cris Collinsworth, NBC Sports
