Lucky Bastard

My Life, My Dad, and the Things I'm Not Allowed to Say on TV

By: Joe Buck

Narrated by: Joe Buck

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Sports fans see Joe Buck everywhere: broadcasting one of the biggest games in the NFL every week, calling the World Series every year, announcing the Super Bowl every three years. They know his father, Jack Buck, is a broadcasting legend and that he was beloved in his adopted hometown of St. Louis.

Yet they have no idea who Joe really is. Or how he got here. They don't know how he almost blew his career. They haven't read his funniest and most embarrassing stories or heard about his interactions with the biggest sports stars of this era.

They don't know how hard he can laugh at himself - or that he thinks some of his critics have a point. And they don't know what it was really like to grow up in his father's shadow. Joe and Jack were best friends, but it wasn't that simple. Jack, the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals for almost 50 years, helped Joe get his broadcasting start at 18. But Joe had to prove himself, first as a minor league radio announcer, and then on local TV, national TV with ESPN, and then finally on FOX. He now has a successful, Emmy-winning career, but only after a lot of dues-paying, learning, and pretty damn entertaining mistakes that are recounted in this book.

In Lucky Bastard, Joe takes the listener into the broadcast booth and into his childhood home. Hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking, this is a book that any sports fan will love.

©2016 Joe Buck (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[Buck] unleashes his inner stand-up comic, sprinkling the text with surprisingly funny and often self-deprecating wit." (Booklist)

"With a comic yet reverent approach to his life and broadcasting, Buck effectively captures the merging of his career and the popularity of American sports." (Publishers Weekly)

"Honest, poignant, and full of fun and heart, this is the kind of sports book any fan will love reading." (Bustle)

Very enjoyable read and a new found respect...

My interest in Joe's book started when I heard him being interviewed on The Howard Stern Show. At first I was a bit dismissive, because I figured it was a story about a spoiled lucky bastard who rode the coat tails of his dad, Jack. But after hearing in the interview, I was intrigued...for I was able to connect with a few stories he shared on the show...and I wanted to hear more. What I found most enjoyable, was his raw account of his life, the close loving relationship with his dad, his ability to create a joke and make fun of himself, the mature reflection of his first marriage to Ann (whom I know), and his ability to be like his dad...both professionally as a broadcaster and personally as a father. As a St. Louisan, diehard Cardinal Fan, and admirer of his father...at first I was skeptical, but now I'm a fan...That's a Winner Joe!

Joe! Your Dad was the greatest!

And through this book I've learned that you're a petty good dude too. Thanks for the honesty & humility. And I know you read this review because, well, you're Joe Buck.

Can't recommend highly enough...

Thoroughly enjoyed. I found a lot in common with Joe, both the same age, worked for successful fathers, have 2 daughters. This book is more than about a guy that calls ball games. Well worth the time.

Terrific book from one of the best!

I really enjoyed this book. Joe is open, funny, and interesting.Highly recommended. Thanks to the author.

Buck as in doesn't suck

I have never been a Joe Buck fan. In fact I don't really like him as a broadcaster but I saw him play himself on the show Brockmeier and heard him interviewed on the radio and found him to be funny and self-deprecating to the point that I wanted to hear his story. I was not disappointed. It is not a great book, but I found it very entertaining--in fact, laugh out loud funny in parts--and came away with a new respect for Buck. Would recommend to any sports fan.

A raw insight

I think Joe did a phenomenal job revealing why he’s the way he his and how baseball and his father shaped him. Through tears and laughter I felt I was right next to Joe as he recounted his life and all the positive and negative memories. As a fellow St. Louis an I walked away with a new found respect for Joe.

Great Read!. I actually like him now!

Great Read for both sports fans and non fans of Joe Buck. He shows humility, humor and doesn't mind telling you the internal trials and tribulations of being the son off a legendary sportscaster. I enjoyed his self deprecating humor and appreciate the humility of his talking about his life failures. Great tag line: "Buck rhymes with Suck "
Craig K, Seattle WA

Excellent, excellent, excellent

Decided to re-visit this book after the death of Tim McCarver because I remembered how highly Joe spoke of Tim in this book. Joe and Tim provided so many great memories to this baseball fan, and this book only amplified them.

Incredible

I've listened to over 200 books over the last 4 or 5 years, but this audiobook may be the most enjoyable I've ever heard. I've watched and listened to Joe for many years and have enjoyed his worth. But now I see him in an entirely different light. It's almost like he a friend I could go to lunch with. He seemed so much more down to earth than I had previously thought. His story. Is fantastic, but his narration was off the chart. His voice made this book like a guy just telling you stories. He's the very best narration of an audiobook I have EVER heard. Great joy Joe, I'll give the book a 10..ready for a second installment!!!

Thoroughly enjoyable!!

Joe is really just your Average Joe...Jack just happened to be his dad.

The inside stories are hilarious. I could not hit the pause button.

I only gave him 3 stars because I felt he was reading to us, not telling his story. Sorry Joe ... I am used to your perfect broadcasts.

Many thanks for taking the time to tell us your story.

Slainte.