When you've amassed a career in sports spanning 50 years, you're bound to have some great stories, and Bill Werndl has plenty.
From his humble upbringing in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, to becoming the first full-time sports producer in Philadelphia news, to his ascension as one of San Diego's most popular sports talk radio hosts, Bill shares some of his most memorable and previously untold stories from a remarkable journey that was half a century in the making in "No Curveballs: My Greatest Sports Stories Never Told."
Bill's very first book covers it all: From his summers spent in Akron, Ohio as a youngster, when he answered sports trivia questions for root beer, to his very first professional interview with NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, his time spent with the 1970s Philadelphia Flyers (aka the Broad Street Bullies), his work with Ourlad's Guide to the NFL Draft, an infamous encounter with broadcaster Howard Cosell, his impressions of a young M.C. Hammer, a run in with an angry Dan Dierdorf, his friendships with baseball greats Ted Williams, Tony Gwynn, Mike Piazza and Dick Allen, how he gave Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Phillies great Mike Schmidt his first break in television, as well as the day he got body slammed by Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik.
Bill also discusses his relationship with legendary Super Bowl-winning coach Dick Vermeil, his spotting career for the Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN and various other networks, including his "shortest day ever spent in Japan." Never one to shy away from giving an opinion, Bill also discusses the use of steroids in baseball, and his controversial take on baseball's handling of Pete Rose, the lack of passion in today's athletes, the night that ABC Monday Night Baseball missed an opportunity to break racial boundaries, and more! No Curveballs also features insights from the late, iconic Philadelphia Daily News sportswriter, Stan Hochman, Bill's fellow Loose Cannon radio co-host, Steve Hartman, and more!
Writer Joe Vallee (A Snowballs Chance: Philly Fires Back Against the National Media) was assigned the task of putting into words the no-holds-barred look at the life and times of one of the most diverse and accomplished personalities in the world of sports. Vallee, a former Philadelphia Phillies bat boy and one of the founders of the website Philly2Philly.com, is considered an authority on the history and inner workings of Philadelphia's often-maligned but beloved sports teams.
"No Curveballs: My Greatest Sports Stories Never Told" is a biographical, controversial, informative and always entertaining read. Bill wouldn't have it any other way.
About the Author: Bill Werndl is a man of many talents, as well as several nicknames.
If you know him from Philadelphia, you may know him as "The Loon." If you're from the West Coast, you know him as "Philly" Billy. No matter what name you know him by, it's safe to say that Bill's successful career in sports that spans almost 50 years is matched by very few.
Just months after starting in the mailroom at WFIL Radio in 1966, Bill was promoted to the newsreel. In 1974, he became the first full-time sports producer in the Philadelphia market. Along the way, Bill established friendships with the Philadelphia Flyers Broad Street Bullies, Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil, Pete Rose and countless others. During his 30-year stint in the City of Brotherly Love, Bill covered more than 3,000 stories, including the Philadelphia 76ers' NBA championship seasons of 1967 and 1983, and both Flyers' Stanley Cup parades in 1974 and 1975.
Bill has also spotted more than 800 football games (including the "shortest day ever spent in Japan") and has worked for every major network, covering some of the biggest college football games ever played while working with many notable broadcasters.
After years of working behind the scenes, Bill received the offer of a lifetime to work sports talk radio in San Diego, California. Immediately after arriving, Bill became an overnight sensation, and was given the nickname "Philly Billy" by his on-air partner, Steve Hartman. The two were known as the Loose Cannons, and their show became the number one-rated sports talk show in Southern California. During his time in San Diego, Bill covered the 1998 World Series featuring the San Diego Padres, San Diego State basketball and football, was a color analyst for the San Diego Chargers, covered golf tournaments (including the Bob Hope Classic and Torrey Pines) and was a color analyst for the San Diego Chargers. Bill also reunited with baseball great Ted Williams and forged relationships with Padres Hall of Fame legend Tony Gwynn, and many others. Since returning to Philadelphia in 2009, Bill has appeared as a panelist on numerous media outlets, including The NFL Network. You can currently catch up with Bill on WCHE 1520 AM in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and WBCB 1490 AM in Levittown, Pennsylvania.
Bill's list of accomplishments doesn't do his career justice. He's simply one of the most diverse and knowledgeable personalities in the world of sports.
