Launching The Glory Years: The 1959 Packers - What They Didn't Tell Us, by Len Wagner, Jay Bengtson/Coach's Books, LLC Publisher.
Photos come from the private collection of Tom Pigeon, Packer Historian.
This book was published in 2001, and all the autographs were obtained by me personally at the Lombardi Reunion Bash, held on September 8th of that year. Yup, I stalked Packers that night!
The Reunion Bash was the first fund raising event for The Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends Inc.
Signatures:
Lew Carpenter
Bob Hyland
Gary Knafelc
Don Chandler
Tim Brown (only 1 game as a Packer!)
Boyd Dowler
Tim Pigeon (long time Packer historian)
The author, Len Wagner, is a former Green Bay Press-Gazette sports reporter, sports editor and sports columnist. He has covered the Packers through portions of six decades.
Wagner wrote this about the book back when it was first released: "You know I’m pretty straightforward in these columns. In all modesty, I believe I earned a reputation for being just that during many years as sports editor/columnist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. So you know I’m not lying when I tell you that the new book "Launching the Glory Years: The 1959 Packers - What They Didn’t Tell Us" is intriguing reading. Yup, I am listed as the author. But the real authors are the assistant coaches of that 1959 team who offered Coach Vince Lombardi written evaluations of every player on the team in the middle of that pivotal season that marked the beginning of the Pack’s climb to unprecedented NFL heights. There are many books available about the Lombardi Years but this is the first time these amazing evaluations have been made public."
Publisher Jay Bengtson (Coach Phil Bengtson's son) approached Wagner about writing a book about the Packers by showing Wagner a set of evaluations of the 1959 players made by the coaching staff-- The evaluations were so interesting, Wagner agreed...
"The Green Bay Packers' 59ers figured to be a beaten, bedraggled lot -- And then came Lombardi"
Ths book provides a look at the year 1959, and the role of Green Bay Packers in the NFL. While the Lombardi years are called the Glory Years, read how it all happened! Look at the rag-tag team, and look at what they became!
Features information on the assistant coaches: Phil Bentson, Norb Hecker, John "Red" Cochran and Bill Austin.
Read what the coaches had to say about the team players, such as this evaluation of Ray Nitschke by an assistant coach in mid-1959 "(he) will never be able to play for us. Trade him."
Get report cards on each of the players, which include those early evaluations, as well as the lessons of history.
'Report Cards' on: Joe Francis, Lamar McHan, Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, Lew Carpenter, Paul Hornimg, Bill Butler, Don McIlhenny, Max McGee, Steve Meilinger, Boyd Dowler, A.D. Williams, Ron Kramer, Gary Knafelc, Jim Ringo, Jerry Kramer, Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston, Andy Cvercko, John Dittrich, Forrest Gregg, Bob Skoronski, Norm Masters, Henry Jordan, Ken Beck, Dave Hanner, Nate Borden, Bill Quinlan, Jim Temp, Ray Nitschke, Dan Currie, Bill Forrester, Tom Bettis, Jess Whittenton, Bobby Dillon, Emlen, Tunnell, Bob Freeman, John Symank, Hank Gremminger.
Also included are stats, All-Time Teams, thoughts from "Red" Cochran, the Tim Brown "oops!" and thoughts on 1960. A real 'must have' for any Packer Fan.
The evaluations were discovered in the estate of the late Phil Bengtson, who along with Norb Hecker, Bill Austin and Red Cochran provided candid appraisals of each player's talent and potential. Jay Bengtson is Phil Bengtson's son.
One of best things for Packer fans is how wrong some of the evaluations proved:
"Will always be in trouble and causing trouble," one evaluator said about Ray Nitschke. "Seems like he will always be too erratic to play defense." Said another: "Has physical ability but cannot think. Will never be able to play for us. Trade him."
On receiver Max McGee: "I would like to see us replace him," one coach said. "We need someone dependable." Said another: "I don't think he tries all the time. No team player and bad for the team."
On running back Paul Hornung: "I don't see how he can help a good pro club," a coach said about Golden Boy. "We need better backs than this." Said another: "Not a team player. Has ability to do many things but is very lax. Not a good blocker. Does not make the big play when called upon to do so. Should be able to catch the ball better. I question his value as a top-flight football player."
And what about Bart Starr? This was written: "A number-two quarterback at best," one coach said. "I do not believe we can win with Starr," said another.
When Jay Bengtson passed away in May of 2002, this publication quickly went out of print. Go ahead and search for it!
Conditions: Excellent. All signatures, except for Dowler's, are on the contents page. (Dowler's is on his 'report card' page, as shown below.)
Softcover, measures 8 x 10 inches, 78 pages.
This publication is also referred to by collectors & Packer Fans as Inside 1959 - The Fractured Foundation of The Glory Years.
But whatever you call it, don't let this piece of history get away!
