Les Grobstein book co-author seeking stories from fans, listeners about late Chicago sports-radio icon
The late Les Grobstein will be the subject of a book that fans of the longtime local sportscaster can contribute stories to, co-author Steven Leventhal told the Sun-Times.
Leventhal, the founder of SRN Broadcasting, worked alongside Grobstein for more than 20 years. His inspiration for the project came from the book “I Remember Jim Valvano,” which is a compilation of anecdotes about the late North Carolina State basketball coach.
“It got me to thinking, with all the things that I saw on social media that had been posted about Les – he was such an interesting person, one of those that we call memorable characters – we really should do that,” said Leventhal, who’s working with Grobstein’s sister, Holli Grobstein Levine. “And since I was friends with Holli, I pitched the idea. Once Les’ son [Scott] signed off, I put it into play.
“I’m going to base this on what I saw [in the Valvano book], which was just a whole bunch of anecdotes and recollections. A lot of those were famous people, but in Les’ case, he touched so many fans, I’m more than happy to get everyday listeners’ reactions. In some ways, those are even more significant.”
Fans can contribute stories at internetfm.com/the-les-grobstein-book/. The book, which will be printed by Eckhartz Press, will be supported partly by crowdfunding. The anticipated cost is $20, plus $5 for shipping and handling. Grobstein’s former WLS-AM colleague Tommy Edwards wrote the forward.
Grobstein, who died Jan. 16, 2022, at 69, was in sports media for almost 50 years. The original owner of the recording of then-Cubs manager Lee Elia’s infamous rant in 1983, Grobstein hosted overnight shows on WLUP-AM and The Score. Before then, he worked with Leventhal on the “Pro Football Showdown” and co-hosted the short-lived “Weekend Sports Report” on WKRS-AM in Waukegan.
Remote patrol
In other publishing news, longtime sports-radio host Dan McNeil recently released a timely book, “I Bear Witness,” which brings to light new information on old stories about the Bears’ many failures hiring coaches since the 1985 Super Bowl champs. Also from Eckhartz Press, the book covers the team’s missteps with coaches such as Dave McGinnis, Nick Saban, Bruce Arians and Dan Quinn.
The Sun-Times’ Mark Potash and Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes were named the Illinois sportswriter and sportscaster of the year, respectively, by the National Sports Media Association. Potash won for the first time and Hughes for the 10th. He also won the award in Wisconsin three times.
Prime Video announced that Illinois alum Taylor Rooks will host its NBA studio show with former players Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki when the streamer debuts its NBA coverage in October.