Broadcast Rites and Sites: I Saw It on the Radio with the Boston Red Sox [Hardcover]

Castiglione, who has been the radio announcer for the Red Sox for two decades now, presents games in a vivid yet reserved manner that is a lost art. Sadly, his radio voice does not translate well to the page. In this memoir, Castiglione relies heavily on the short, to-the-point vignettes that he uses, with great success, between pitches during his broadcasts to strengthen his connection to his listener. But in writing, the stories, in most cases, feel truncated. They work in the "Quick Pitches" section, where Castiglione tells colorful tales and gives behind the scenes insight on his favorite players and baseball moments, but when he tries to relive entire seasons or careers, they fall short. Dedicating a chapter to various major league cities is an interesting idea, but aside from some good tips on places to eat, these travelogues are too cursory to give a sense for each place. Aside from his references to famous people and places, Castiglione is at his most interesting when discussing how he got into broadcasting and, after much bouncing around, ended up in Boston. It is easy to relate to his job hunt, and he gives readers an interesting glimpse into the first generation of Americans to seek satisfaction, not just sustenance, from their chosen field of employment. It is obvious Castiglione has a lot of stories to tell, but other than the diehard members of Red Sox Nation, most people would rather "hear them on the radio than see them on the page."
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The broadcaster's account of his early life traces a winding path to the fulfillment of his dreams of being a major league baseball broadcaster. (Robert Knox, Boston.Com )

This new book by long-time Red Sox play-by-play man Joe Castiglione (with an assist from Douglas Lyons) is a baseball fan's dream, rich in anecdote, full of humor and vivid memories. If you like baseball, you're going to love Broadcast Rites and Sites. Dip in anywhere and tell me I'm wrong. Better yet, just buy the sucker, tuck it under your arm with your program, and take it to the ballpark. (Stephen King )

Joe Castiglione has hit a home run here. You'll feel like you're on the airplane, on the bus, and at the hotel with the Red Sox. Enjoy the trip! (Shaughnessy, Dan )

A delightful tour with stops inside the broadcast booth and on the field. From the characters who play and manage the game to the great cities around the league, Joe Castiglione's book is a inside-the-park home run by one of the best in the business of baseball broadcasting. (Ernie Harwell )

From high atop the grandstand, this book gives a different viewpoint of the game of baseball—on and off the field. This is a baseball book of history, geography, perseverance, and a thousand facts of life. (Joe Morgan )

Broadcast Rites and Sites gives an honest, delightful, fascinating insight into the inner workings of baseball broadcasting from one of the most beloved, respected and talented of all baseball broadcasters. This is a must read for any baseball fan. (Jeffrey Lyons )

You don't have to be a diehard Red Sox fan to enjoy what Joe Castiglione has entertainingly written. My wife's a Yankee fan to the core, and I had to pry Joe's wide-ranging book away from her. Castiglione might not have been able to play ball as a kid—that's what he says in the book—but he's cleared the Green Monster with this one. (Bill Christine )

Shakespeare wrote of "Nature's nobleman." This book is by and about a baseball nobleman. Joe Castiglione is a truly fine big-league announcer—and an even better person. Broadcast Rites and Sites etches ballparks, colleagues, the Red Sox's bewitching lure, and the peripatetic life of a radio baseball man. A wonderful read—and life. (Curt Smith )

Broadcast Rites and Sites is a readily readable discourse by one of America's leading baseball broadcasters, Joe Castiglione, the voice of the Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Nation. For those with a passion for baseball, it is chock full of perceptive discussions of the past two decades of the game, the Red Sox, and Joe's observations about leading Bosox players. Baseball fans and those who are just plain interested in life itself will not be able to put down this page turner of a book. (Bill Gould )

Having arrived in Boston the same year as Joe, I have always been impressed by his preparation and attention to detail. The latter is just one of the things that stands out in this book, which clearly shows Joe hasn't wasted a lot of his time in the 21 years we've known each other. A great read! (Mike Shalin )

This book is for you if you have ever dreamed of being a sports broadcaster. From the parks to the players, from Spring Training to the postseason, Joe Castiglione tells his personal stories about what being a major league baseball announcer is really like. Don't "wait 'til next year" —read it now, and let Joe teach you about the baseball life in the same way that he taught and inspired me. (The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling )

Joe Castiglione is an integral part of the spirit of the Red Sox and Broadcast Rites and Sites reflects that spirit. Every fan will enjoy this thoughtful look into life in Red Sox Nation, both at Fenway park and around the American League. (Theo Epstein )

Castiglione presents games in a vivid yet reserved manner that is a lost art. Tells colorful tales and gives behind the scenes insight on his favorite players and baseball moments. He gives readers an interesting glimpse into the first generation of Americans to seek satisfaction, not just sustenance, from thier chosen field of employment. (Publishers Weekly )

Castiglione weighs in with the anecdote-rich Broadcast Rites and Sites. (Boston Globe )

Delving into the inner workings of broadcasting, the author reflects on his memories of Boston Red Sox, the team he started broadcasting for in 1983, and chronicles his career and travel through American towns from coast-to-coast. (Foreword This Week )

This is a niche memior—of particular interest to a certain segment of Red Sox fandom, those who are especially fond of Joe Castiglione, who has been broadcasting Red Sox games since '83. (Burlington Free Press )

Broadcast Rites and Sites is an interesting read for the Sox fan on your Father's Day list. (Providence Journal )

A must for diehard Sox fans. (Joe Amarante New Haven Register )

This book captures Castiglione's folksy style and has the same overriding quality he considers vital for longevity in broadcasting: wearability. (Bill Griffith Boston Globe )

In fact, his memory is so photographic that he provides a virtual condensed historical document of the Sox since the 1983 season. He gives us vignettes and observances that few could, especially not the athletes, who see the game one way and aren't around long enough to draw any valid conclusions. (Mike Fine Patriot Ledger )

Castiglione offers an intimate, entertaining, and insightful look at [more than] 30 years of baseball's people and places. (Colgate Scene )

Castigilone utilizes his vignettes and observances chronicled in the book to enetertain and inform its readers. (Marshfield Mariner )

Fans are treated to a plethora of unusual details from exceptional games. An entertaining read, with a fresh perspective on our national pastime and obsession. (Northeastern University Magazine )

Insightful and often hilarious. (Sports Collectors Digest )