This collection investigates the evolution of American sports journalism through the firsthand accounts of the individuals who defined the profession during the twentieth century. Jerome Holtzman, a veteran sports writer himself, compiles a series of interviews with legendary reporters to document the shift from the era of the 'homer' writer to the rise of objective, critical sports reporting. The text serves as a primary historical record of the changing relationship between the press box, the athletes, and the public.

Experts and historians of sports media recognize this work as a foundational oral history that captures the authentic voice of a bygone era in journalism. Readers frequently note that the text provides a candid look at the professional standards and personal challenges faced by reporters during the mid-twentieth century.