Joey Zanaboni: Hotter than Fresh Tomato Soup at a Drywall Bonfire

March 31
51 mins

Episode Description

Get ready for a whirlwind of stories and laughs as we sit down with Joey Zanaboni to discuss his latest venture, "St. Louis Sports for Kids Forever Lore." Joey’s infectious personality shines through as he shares his journey from being a kid with dreams of calling sports to becoming a vibrant voice in the world of sports commentary. We explore how his experiences in independent baseball and soccer have shaped his dynamic announcing style, which is as colorful as it is engaging.

The conversation reveals the significance of sports history, particularly in St. Louis, and how Joey’s book aims to rekindle a love for reading among kids by connecting them with the thrilling moments of local sports. Joey's tales of the sports world are not just entertaining but also serve a greater purpose of fostering community and literacy. Whether you’re tuning in for the sports stories or the laughs, this episode is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever cheered for their favorite team.

[00:00] Show Teaser and Welcome

[00:40] Crayola Day Banter

[01:20] Sponsor and Thought

[01:52] Meet Joey Zanaboni

[02:50] Ambush and Soccer Roots

[03:51] From Indie Baseball to Broadcasting

[05:22] Finding His Voice

[08:44] Wild Phrases and Yogi Influence

[10:40] Why This Kids Book

[11:20] Literacy Crisis and Reading Together

[14:43] First Book Sale Story

[16:54] Biggest Surprises in Research

[19:00] Writing Process and Organizing Sports

[22:21] Photos Interviews and Hidden Sports

[25:01] Book Praise And Purpose

[25:55] Dirt Track Racing Spotlight

[26:24] Hardcover Nostalgia For All Ages

[27:41] Mortgage Sponsor Break

[28:28] Dred Scott Stamp Petition

[29:43] Zana-isms

[30:26] Calling Baseball In Dubai

[32:16] Dog Track Announcer Stories

[34:08] Radio Play By Play Debate

[38:12] Book & Where To Buy

[40:08] Women In NFL Broadcasting

[41:33] Odd Holidays And Prom Photos

[43:15] Six13 Passover Parody "A Michael Jackson Passover"

[48:38] Humor And Final Sign Off

Takeaways:

  • Joey Zanaboni shares his journey from aspiring sports announcer to play-by-play voice for St. Louis teams, highlighting his passion for storytelling.
  • The podcast discusses the importance of literacy, emphasizing that reading should be cool and accessible for kids and parents alike.
  • Throughout the episode, Zanaboni reflects on his unique broadcasting style, filled with humor and creativity, like comparing excitement to 'hotter than fresh tomato soup.'
  • Listeners learn about the diverse sports culture in St. Louis through Zanaboni's new book, which covers everything from chess to dirt track racing.
  • Zanaboni reveals how he incorporates personal experiences and family stories into his broadcasting, making sports commentary relatable and engaging.
  • The importance of community and history in sports is highlighted, showing how local legends shape the identity of St. Louis sports culture through generations.


This is Season 9! For more episodes, go to stlintune.com

#joeyzanaboni #stlouiscitysc #stlouisambush #broadcasting #sportsbroadcaster #dogracing #stlouissports #playbyplayannouncing

See all episodes