Mike Gastineau

This book is a fun trip down memory lane that is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Seattle sports and the remarkable individuals that have some connection to the state of Washington. The authors cast a wide net, with lists that include athletes, commenters, reporters, administrators, fans, and others. The sports lists include Washington natives and noteworthy individuals raised elsewhere. Some are included based on notable accomplishments in Washington, but others distinguished themselves elsewhere. A third group enjoyed success in Washington, then rose to greater eminence after going elsewhere. There’s room for all and more in the 125 lists in this book.

Many of the lists include individuals associated with the University of Washington, Washington State University, and professional football, basketball, and baseball teams. There are also representatives from smaller schools like Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Puget Sound, and Olympic sports such as skiing, swimming, and rowing. Readers can anguish over the lists of noteworthy boners or screwups. The only significant oversight I spotted was the failure to include individuals associated with Gonzaga University.

This book was published in 2009—I can’t explain why I didn’t find it until now—so the many recent, marvelous accomplishments, screwups, and individuals that merit a place in these lists are not included. I doubt there is a significant market for an updated edition, but it would be fun to see how the noteworthy developments of the last 12-13 years rank among those of the previous century.… (altro)