People often ask me how I got into this business of sports handicapping and sports betting. Many different threads contributed to this messy life tapestry, so I've never had much of a definitive answer until two years ago.
A couple of friends who had co-written and edited books together approached me about contributing a chapter to their new project about the seminal effects of cars during their youth. The book was about young men and cars that had unique impacts on them. Long-term memories and vehicular rites of passage.
At first I said that all of the cars of my youth were semi-junkers. Practical, beaten up, and more forgettable than memorable. But then one friend mentioned that he had seen a photo of me when I was 17 or so, standing with a group of youths in front of a black Lincoln parked in a cemetery. I responded, "Oh yeah. You know, that wasn't my car, but I guess I do have a car story for you."
My deadline for the piece was a couple of days, so I churned out what I realized was a kind of origin story. Maybe not quite as polished as I'd like, but not too shabby. I'm going to officially recommend the book, Driving Southern, edited by Ralph Bland and Michael Braswell. Published in 2022, it's available on Amazon and in most Barnes and Nobles. My story, "The Car Makes the Man," comes about halfway into the collection.
If you wondered about my wayward origins, check it out. The other stories, by the way, are better written than mine. If you enjoy driving, classic cars, and revisiting the perceptions of youth, you'll love this book. Enjoy.
Bob Dietz
June 5, 2023
