Monday, May 4th 2009

"The Great Book of Los Angeles Sports Lists" by Matt "Money" Smith & Steve Hartman

Publicity Contact: Melissa Appleby
215-567-5374
melissa.appleby@perseusbooks.com

THE GREAT BOOK OF LOS ANGELES SPORTS LISTS

By Matt "Money" Smith & Steve Hartman

Sports talk may not seem "So Hollywood," but with multiple franchises in pro sports and solid collegiate competition, Los Angeles is a sports town worth talking about. Proof that sports fans are more dedicated than ever, sports talk has evolved from water cooler banter to an obsession fueled by 24/7 television and radio. Now, the locals are having their say about everything from the worst trades ever made to the top ten greatest Lakers. Matt "Money" Smith and Steve Hartman, look back through L.A. sports history in their entertaining compilation, THE GREAT BOOK OF LOS ANGELES SPORTS LISTS (Running Press; May 2009; 978-0-7624-3520-3; Paperback; $14.95),

This comprehensive book covers everything from the top ten best fans in Los Angeles (and #1 isn't the Lakers) to the reasons LA fans don't get the respect they deserve (traffic and jealousy make the list). These lists will give fans plenty to deliberate about beyond the endless Dodgers or Angels debate. Who were the most overrated athletes to wear a Los Angeles jersey? What was the greatest single play in local sports history? And lest there be any confusion, the book also dares to list the All-Time Top 100 Los Angeles Athletes.

For some of the most crazed sports fans in the country, rankings and analysis are serious business, but the book also stirs up some fun debate. With witty commentary and candid remarks, THE GREAT BOOK OF LOS ANGELES SPORTS LISTS includes:

• Why Shaq and Kobe Just Couldn't Work It Out
• The Top Ten Songs We’d Prefer to Never Hear Again at a Sporting Event
• 10 Reasons Why the David Beckham Experiment Failed (the one soccer list in the book!)

There is also plenty for fans to agree on such as the most heartbreaking losses in LA sports history and So-Cal teams' most hated rivals. Guest lists by Kobe Bryant, Jimmy Kimmel, and other famous local sports and entertainment celebrities complement the wealth of sports knowledge provided by Matt "Money" Smith and Steve Hartman - two of LA's leading authorities on local sports. THE GREAT BOOK OF LOS ANGELES SPORTS LISTS celebrates our favorite teams' greatest moments, chastises the not-so-great, and, as is typical in the world of sports, gives fans and rivals plenty to talk about.

About the Authors:
Matt "Money" Smith is co-host of "The Petros & Money Show," which is heard in afternoon drive on FOX Sports Radio/KLAC AM570. KLAC is LA's top sports-talk radio station. Money is part of the Lakers Radio Broadcast team, and is the back-up play-by-play announcer and color analyst. He occasionally appears on the popular national program Jim Rome is Burning, and does regular voice work on the NFL Network and for NFL Films. He lives in Los Angeles.

Steve Hartman is the co-host of "Loose Cannons" on FOX Sports Radio/KLAC AM570, the longest-running sports talk show in southern California. He has also been the weekend television sports anchor for KCBS/KCAL since 1998. The UCLA graduate was the media relations director for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1984-1988 before embarking on his 20-year broadcast career. He lives in Los Angeles.

About the Book:
Title: THE GREAT BOOK OF LOS ANGELES SPORS LISTS
Authors: Matt "Money" Smith and Steve Hartman
Publisher: Running Press
Format: Paperback
Price: $14.95
ISBN: 978-0-7624-3520-3
Publication Month: May 2009