If you enjoyed ESPN's recent doc, The New York Sack Exchange, which focuses on the ups and downs of the Jets' fierce defensive line in the '80s, you must read Greg Prato's book, Sack Exchange, which is a 400-plus page oral history of the '80s Jets. In addition to the Sack Exchangers, Greg interviews their teammates, the coaches, their opponents, and one hilarious, Jets fanatic. It's compelling, especially for Jets fans.
The book is available here.
You can find Greg on Twitter @GregPratoWriter.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
We must ask. The Jets just hired a new coach, Aaron Glenn. Thoughts? Will the playoff drought continue?
GREG PRATO:
I would have preferred a head coach with not only prior head coach experience, but also success in the postseason and at least 1 Super Bowl appearance. Hopefully, Mr. Glenn works out, but judging from the Jets' awful track record regarding head coach hiring post-Rex Ryan, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high. I hope I'm wrong though.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
You were primarily a music writer and then you tackled the '80s Jets. What inspired you to take this massive project on?
GREG PRATO:
The early '80s was when I first started following sports, and since I've lived on Long Island my whole life, the Jets, Islanders, and Mets were all either amid success - Islanders and Jets - or at least taking steps towards it - Mets. But unlike the Isles and Mets, the Jets didn't go the distance in the '80s. But that said, I had fond memories of those teams and never saw a book solely about that era, so, why not do a book?
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Sack Exchange is a 400-plus page behemoth. How long did it take you to get this thing done?
GREG PRATO:
To be honest it's been quite some time since it came out - heck, Rex Ryan was still their head coach at the time - and I've put out so many other books that I can't recall exactly. But if I had to guess I'd say about a year to do the interviews, assemble it, then a year for ECW Press to design it and put it out.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Who was your toughest interview to nail down?
GREG PRATO:
None were difficult to nail down from what I remember. I just wish I was able to interview Freeman McNeil, but my efforts proved unsuccessful. Someone else I tried to get an interview for the book was Sam J. Jones, who played Flash Gordon in the 1980 film and whose character was also the QB for the Jets. A few good questions would have been good to include in the book such as: "If you weren't busy saving the universe, could you have guided the Jets to victory in the 1982-83 AFC Championship Game?" Unfortunately, my efforts wound up being intercepted by AJ Duhe.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
You interview one Jets superfan for the book. Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is quite the character, to put it mildly. How'd you find Bubba?
GREG PRATO:
Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is a relative of my wife. He is probably the biggest Jets fan I've ever met and is an unforgettable personality. I just knew I had to include him in the book. Luckily, he accepted and his quotes, and memories remain among my favorite of the entire book, as he attended many Jets games at old Shea back in the day.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Are your memories of Shea Stadium good ones? Or did you think the Jets needed to escape to Jersey?
GREG PRATO:
I unfortunately never saw a Jets game at Shea, although I did see many Mets games there. I did not like - and still don't like - that the Jets play in Jersey. What will it take for the team to come back to Queens? Maybe a move back to Queens would get rid of the awful stench of the Jets' history ever since they fled for Jersey in '84.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Since you're a music guy, did you see any concerts at Shea?
GREG PRATO:
I did not, although I've seen tons of concerts at nearby Nassau Coliseum back in the day.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
It would've been fitting if you were in ESPN's documentary. Did they interview you?
GREG PRATO:
They did not. For some reason, Greg Prato turns into a ghost-like character when it comes to being interviewed for documentaries, as evidenced by docs such as the ESPN Sack Exchange one and a recent yacht rock doc, even though I penned a popular book entitled The Yacht Rock Book a few years back. I plead with future documentary-makers: Greg Prato is not a ghost. Greg Prato is a real man. And Greg Prato has feelings, just like everyone else.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
If you were to write a book on the '90s Jets, what's the title? And by the way, are you considering doing that?
GREG PRATO:
I am not considering it, but it's not a bad idea. A title? How about A Tale of Tuna, Testaverde, and a Torn Tendon? Also, I must admit that in addition to penning the Sack Exchange book, I also issued another book a few years back that deals with the '90s and all eras of the Jets, entitled Butt Fumbles, Fake Spikes, Mud Bowls & Heidi Games: The Top 100 Debacles of the New York Jets, which is also available via Amazon.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Should the Jets return to Queens? Do you think there's a chance that it could happen?
GREG PRATO:
They should move back to Queens. But Woody Johnson is not a good owner and is obviously content making big bucks whether the Jets win or lose, so why put in any extra effort?
Jon Hart is @manversusball
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