REVIEWS | EXCERPT | CONTENTS | AUTHOR BIO | SUBJECT CATEGORIES
Three decades of reporting by renowned Philadelphia Hall of Fame sportswriter Phil Jasner
Phil Jasner “On the Case”
His Best Writing on the Sixers, the Dream Team, and Beyond
Search the full text of this book
Edited by Andy Jasner
"While the rain of information poured on the mob of reporters, Phil would also work between the rain drops, remaining long after everyone in the locker room was gone. There were the phone calls after midnight, asking questions… always asking questions. And when it came time to dispense the information, there was the angle—that unique angle that made each and every story special. His style was reminiscent of one of his role models, the late Philadelphia columnist Stan Hochman—observing the grit and grind of city sports from street level, getting the humanity of it all. Phil Jasner ‘On the Case’ is the best… of Phil's best."
—Marc Zumoff, Philadelphia 76ers TV voice, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
Allen Iverson loved Philadelphia Daily News 76ers beat reporter Phil Jasner, calling him “the best” in the world of sports journalism. From 1981 until his death in 2010, Jasner was always “on the case,” going to great lengths to track athletes down for a quote or a story. He was most known for his fair coverage of the team's famous players, including World B. Free and Bobby Jones, Julius Erving and Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, and, of course, Iverson. His tremendous output was beloved by players and fans alike, earning him many honors, including inductions into six Halls of Fame.
Phil Jasner “On the Case” collects the best of Jasner's writing throughout his illustrious career. Jasner wrote about baseball, the Eagles, and the Philadelphia Atoms' soccer with the same insight and aplomb he showed in his coverage of Philadelphia's Big 5 College Basketball, the 76ers' championship season in 1983, and the Dream Team. Lovingly assembled—each chapter is introduced by some of the most prominent figures Jasner covered, from Vince Papale, Doug Collins, and Billy Cunningham to Iverson and Barkley—this collection recounts a distinguished sportswriter's remarkable career.
Excerpt
Read an excerpt from Chapter 1 (pdf).
Reviews
"The joy of Phil's work across five decades of newspapering comes alive again in Phil Jasner ‘On the Case.’ As I read or re-read the stories my colleague and friend crafted so passionately, I could hear his enthusiasm for the people and games he covered. I could see the work and the legwork, making that extra call, asking one more question. And I could smile at the way Phil always balanced the demands of his editors and duty to his readers with the relationships he built with players and coaches that earned him his unrivaled access. Andy, in this tribute to his dad, shows clearly why we all considered Phil to be the ‘beat writer's beat writer.’ And how he never forgot to have fun."
—Steve Aschburner, Senior writer, NBA.com
Contents
Foreword by Andy Jasner
CHAPTER 1 • THE EARLY YEARS
Introduction by Merrill Reese
Accent on Youth
Pergine Gains South Bend Grid Praise
Roger Grimes: Every Game Is World Series
Olaf Von Schilling —Villanova Frosh Swimmer Who's Going Places
Umps Help Tar Phils
The Explorers Go Westhead
Jack Has Something in Reserve (Cunningham)
Players Anti-Merger
CHAPTER 2 • THE EAGLES YEARS
Introduction by Vince Papale
The Hawk Is Very Much Alive . . . and Training with Eagles
Roman Can't Tell How Close He Is to Comeback
Joachim and Grossman : They're Crossing Paths Again
Eagles' Rookie Toran Has Fill of Bad Trips
No Dogs, but the Eagles Have Bow-Wow
Echo for Birds: Maybe Next Year
CHAPTER 3 • THE BIG 5 YEARS
Introduction by Paul Westhead
Westhead: Big 5 Pulls for McKinney
Don't the Owls Deserve Top 20 Consideration?
Penn Will Test Temple's Ranking
St. Joe's Win a Hall of Famer
Big 5 Teams, Turnstiles Look Good
CHAPTER 4 • THE SOCCER YEARS
Introduction by Al Miller
Building Solid Foundation Put Kick in Atoms
Bob Rigby to Fury in Nick of Time
Long Distance Trip to Atoms No Minor Problem
Can Atoms Now Become More Rowdy
Will the Atoms and Wings Be Crowded Out? Fans Cool to Soccer . . .
Al Miller Finally Wins a Big Award
CHAPTER 5 • THE SIXERS BEFORE 1983
Introduction by Doug Collins
Owner Fitz Dixon Gets Caught Up in Sixers' Fever and the Excitement of Julius Erving
A Free and Easy Win for the Sixers
There IS a Tomorrow for Sixers
Dr. J Meets Oscar
Doug Collins Is a Voice of Reasons
Mother's Day Massacre
Sixer Bid Wilts Away
CHAPTER 6 • THE ’83 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
Introduction by Billy Cunningham
Clean Sweep for 76ers
Some Things Never Change
Bulls Can't Keep Sixers Down
76ers Toast of the East
Lakers Play Pat Hand to Secure Life of Riley
Mind Games
Toney's Jumper Isn't Shot
The Promised Land
CHAPTER 7 • THE SIXERS BETWEEN FINALS RUNS:
OCTOBER 1983–2000
Introduction by Earl Cureton
Sixers Ring in Season
76ers Record Own Thriller
Zinkoff Dead at 75, Had a Name for Everything
The First Skywalker
Moses Carves the Beef
The Promised Land
Big Guy's One for the Ages
CHAPTER 8 • THE DREAM TEAM
Introduction by Charles Barkley
Practice for Dream Team?
Will Barkley Listen, or Play Ugly American Role?
Bird Steals Show
Barkley Almost at Peak of Perfection
They Refuse to Just Do It
Lithuania Gets What It Expected
CHAPTER 9 • IVERSON AND THE 2001 FINALS RUN
Introduction by Allen Iverson
Sweep This!
YOTOMBO!
54! Iverson Explodes, Series Tied
Their Answer
Oh Deer! With Iverson Hurting, Bucks Even Series
Sixers Start to Regroup, before It's Too Late
Say Cheese! Sixers Toast Bucks in Opener
7th Wonder—Sixers Pass the Bucks; Here They Come, LA
Believe It! Iverson, McKie Eliminate Toronto
That's 3! Sixers Poised to Wrap It Up
CODA • PROFILING GIANTS
Star Light Star Bright
MJ on MJ
To Sir, with Love
Index
A photo gallery follows page 126
About the Author(s)
Andy Jasner is a freelance sportswriter whose work has appeared in the Associated Press, the New York Times, the Boston Globe and Hoop magazine among others. The son of Phil Jasner, he is also the author of the book, Baltimore Ravens.
Subject Categories
Sports
Mass Media and Communications
Philadelphia Region