By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

In "Got Your Number: The Greatest Sports Legends and the Numbers They Own," Mike Greenberg, accompanied by Paul "Hembo" Hembekides, embarks on an ambitious endeavor to assign ownership of numbers 1 through 100 to various sports legends. The concept is intriguing: linking iconic athletes to specific numbers, whether through jersey digits, significant years, or record counts. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.

Greenberg's selections often feel arbitrary and lack the depth of analysis one would expect from a seasoned sports commentator. For instance, the choice of John Elway over Mickey Mantle for the number 7 is perplexing, especially considering Mantle's profound impact on baseball. Such decisions seem to reflect personal biases rather than objective assessments. As noted in a review by Sports Chump, "There are a few jersey numbers doled out that make you scratch your head, like awarding the number 7 to John Elway over Mickey Mantle." ([sportschump.net](https://sportschump.net/2023/03/28/book-review-got-your-number-by-mike-greenberg/24280/?utm_source=openai))

The writing style is another significant drawback. Greenberg's prose is often hyperbolic and self-indulgent, detracting from the book's credibility. Kirkus Reviews aptly points out, "Greenberg’s hyperbole and smug certitude get tiresome, as they do on his radio show." ([kirkusreviews.com](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mike-greenberg/got-your-number/?utm_source=openai)) This overblown style makes it challenging to take the content seriously, as the narrative frequently veers into grandiosity without substantial backing.

Furthermore, the book's structure is inconsistent. While some numbers are associated with athletes' jersey numbers, others correspond to years or statistics, leading to a disjointed reading experience. This lack of coherence suggests a haphazard approach rather than a well-thought-out framework. As highlighted in a Goodreads review, "I think he did a good job with the low numbers, but not impressed with most of the assigned numbers between 70 and 98. Most of them were the last two digits of years in which some major sports record was achieved." ([goodreads.com](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61918736-got-your-number?utm_source=openai))

In conclusion, while "Got Your Number" presents an interesting premise, its execution is marred by subjective choices, overblown prose, and structural inconsistencies. For readers seeking a nuanced and objective exploration of sports legends and their associated numbers, this book is likely to disappoint.

Recommendation: Not recommended.

written on: 5/1/2025