- These are special times having the release of my first book called ‘TOUCHING GREATNESS’ (which is now scheduled to be released in more than one volume). It’s a memoir compilation of the many events and people I’ve experienced in my professional and personal life over the past several decades while hopefully entertaining and informing the readers of an era gone by. From covering the Magic Johnson HIV retirement announcement to the process of breaking impactful news stories. And I’ll be describing life in Southern California through my eyes and how it evolved from the 60’s when watching the classic pitching tandem of Koufax and Drysdale and finding NBA/Lakers great Elgin Baylor as a teen and getting to know and work with my boyhood idols.
Inside stories of covering Kobe & Shaq, John Wooden, Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky, Arnold Palmer’s last Masters, the first Stanley Cups in SoCal history while working in L.A., the most storied radio market anywhere. Personal Super Bowl memories with Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning and his unlikely hero/teammate David Tyree, and my all-time favorite player SBI & II MVP Bart Starr. I’ve seen it all from the tennis rivalries of Sampras/Agassi to Federer/Nadal and horse racing’s Triple Crown greats Secretariat and American Pharoah.
I will take you back to the 60’s in L.A. with a Triple Crown menu featuring pop-culture, screen gems, and memorable cuisine that will get your taste buds craving for an edible time capsule. Ever enjoy a fresh donut from Helms Bakery or taste an amazing scoop of Wil Wright’s ice cream that even Marilyn Monroe couldn’t pass up? It’s all there for your deja vu dining pleasures.
So many stories from the Laurel Canyon music days (while breaking a few stories on the origin of a few Eagles songs) to calling games with the ’80 U.S. Olympic hockey team prepping for their Miracle on Ice…interacting with over 750 sports Hall of Famers and having aired more than 40,000 sports updates on radio. From my decades around L.A.’s Mount Rushmore of sportscasters to the inside scoop of my father being elected President of the old Friar’s Club card room soon after its scandal when a federal investigation landed mobsters in prison (Dad also sold peanuts and popcorn at Yankee Stadium during the Ruth/Gehrig era). From Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio to Lebron James and hundreds of other greats in between should keep your reading eyes captivated.
I’ll also have a special future chapter on how my late uncle Carl Foreman the Academy Award winning screenwriter (Bridge on the River Kwai) was a big inspiration in my life along with many comments from those still around who worked with and for him. And this will include some special words from then 101 year old Kirk Douglas and the late great statesman Sir Winston Churchill (set for volume three of Touching Greatness).
Thank you as always for your support and I’m excited to share this with you all.
‘TOUCHING GREATNESS’ is proudly only endorsed by HOFers:
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Wayne Gretzky
- Elgin Baylor
- Gary Player
- Ron Turcotte
- Amy Alcott
- Jim Tunney
- Bob Miller
- Jiggs McDonald
- Bart Starr
- Jack Whitaker







For those looking to purchase Touching Greatness in Canada or the U.K., you can also do so at http://www.coacheschoice.com and you will get FREE SHIPPING at the end of your order. Thank you.
TOUCHING GREATNESS IN THE MEDIA
Please check out my new You Tube channel “Touching Greatness” with interviews from my TV, Radio, and Podcasts available there as it grows… https://youtu.be/S2CDLa7h4Ww
TV interview with KCBS/KCAL Los Angeles sports reporter Lisa Hillary (aired 8/2/21):
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/5855066-ted-sobel-is-touching-greatness/
On Dr. Robert Klapper’s Weekend Warrior Show/Podcast KSPN radio L.A. (aired 5/29/21)
On Ben Maller’s ‘The Fifth Hour’ podcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1-the-ben-maller-show-24700826/episode/the-fifth-hour-ted-sobel-85114761/?embed=true
On the Aron Bender Podcast {audio only} with Elgin Baylor first interview: (recorded 6/4/21)
https://aronbender.fireside.fm/aron-bender-podcast-ted-sobel
Aron Bender Podcast (video version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e5QqaDlpvM
On the Jeff Waters Podcast talking mostly golf–including the Tiger Woods chapter in Touching Greatness
Touching Greatness book review in July 27, 2021 edition of Music Connection magazine
On the Arash Markazi Show/Podcast 8/17/21 (21 minutes in)
On Fox Sports Radio/Podcast with Dan Beyer and Ryan Hollins 7/4/21 (1:51 in)
Article in the Culver City Observer by Steve Finley 8/19/21
On Outside the Studio Podcast 8/20/21 (10 mins. in)
On KCRW NPR Radio Santa Monica morning show with Chery Glaser 8/25/21
On Roggin and Rodney KLAC/IHeart radio show 8/25/21 (38 mins. in)
On Angels Recap show with Trent Rush on KLAA (7/29/21)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/angels-recap-episode-82/id1417561991?i=1000530350588
On K.P. Wee podcast from Vancouver 9/13/21:
On Ira Sternberg ‘Everything Bagel’ podcast from Las Vegas:
https://iraseverythingbagel.com/noshing-with-ted-sobel-november-4-2021/
Touching Greatness interview with news anchor and friend Leyla Gulen on Fox24-TV Charleston, SC.
Touching Greatness with NHL Now host E.J. Hradek on NHL Network 4-11-22