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Man pens memoir of life as sports agent, writer

Photo provided by Angelo Saverino

Angelo Saverino, a New York transplant who now lives in New Port Richey, relates his life as a a sports agent and journalist in a newly published memoir.

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BY MEGAN HUSSEY

TAMPA TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT

Published: August 26, 2009

Whether appearing on nationally televised TV shows or penning a book about America's favorite pastime, New Port Richey's Angelo Saverino is garnering widespread attention for his artistic endeavors.

As a kid, Saverino played stick ball and stoop ball with young neighbors in his native New York. Now a New Port Richey resident, he grew up to be a sports agent and journalist who lived the dream of many sports fans.

Saverino's experiences are chronicled in "The Heart of the Order," a 270-page memoir now available from the PublishAmerica company.

"Have you ever wondered how different your life might have been if you had taken advantage of a particular opportunity that was presented to you? Or how differently your life would have turned out had you had been daring and went against all the conventional rules?" reads a book description. "Angelo Saverino was about to find out the hard way when as a 30-something he suddenly found himself thrust into the world of professional sports.

"Saverino gives the reader a firsthand account of what happens in the clubhouse - the elation, the heartache, the antics, the petty jealousies, and the behind-the-scenes action. Saverino also reminisces about his childhood as a baseball fan and the impact his supportive Sicilian-American family had on his life."

The book, which has garnered four five-star reader review ratings on Amazon.Com, relates anecdotes about legendary sports figures such as Roy White, Mickey "Mick the Quick" Rivers, Billy Martin, Willie Randolph, Paul Blair, Gene "Stick" Michael and many other famous players.

"My background in sports always has been and continues to be that of a big fan, especially, of baseball. As described in 'The Heart of the Order,' my father took me to my first baseball game when I was very young, and from that day on I was hooked on the game," Saverino said. "Like all kids growing up on the streets of New York City, I played stick ball, stoop ball and when we were really lucky, we got to play baseball, on a real field, on one of the islands dotting New York's East River."

In "The Heart of the Order," Saverino combined his love of sports with another life's passion, writing.

"I have always written," he said. "I feel as though I have been writing forever. I can remember being in Catholic grammar school and looked forward to doing book reports and essays. I read a lot and have always admired how a person can take plain, ordinary words and create a painting out of words. When I write, I write for myself. Also, when I write, I find myself in a very private and personal place, The Zone, as I call it."

As an adult, Saverino integrated his passion for writing with his background and interests.

"I did things like a sports column for a local paper in New Jersey and some magazine work, primarily for an Italian-American organization. I also wrote all my own contracts, brochures, and promotional materials," he said.

Even so, Saverino found that writing a book presented unique challenges.

"I had no intention of writing a memoir of my years in sports, until a friend of mine who was a production assistant at ESPN convinced me that I had a great story to tell," he said. "So I began to write the story. It took me over two years of writing, re-writing, editing, throwing it away and starting over (many times), until I was finally satisfied with the finished product."

Saverino has built on this experience to write a second book, "The Seven Turns of the Key." Also available through PublishAmerica, this 214-page memoir draws from his family history and Italian-American background.

Aside from writing, Saverino also has an avid interest in acting. He has appeared on "The Sopranos," "One Life to Live," "Conviction," "Law & Order" and other TV shows. He also has appeared in some feature-length movies.

"The other great love of my life has been acting. I began acting when I was about 7or 8 years old," he said. "I did all kinds of plays for the Boys Clubs of New York, Roosevelt Recreation and other assorted organizations. In those early years I appeared at many of the bigger and well-known venues in New York. Places like the Henry Hudson Hotel, Manhattan Center and others."

Through the years Saverino has continued his thespian pursuits, here and in New York. He maintains a second home in New Jersey.

"I still act. Actually, I am currently acting in a dinner theater production of the 'The Godfather's Meshuggner Wedding,' " he said. "It is an interactive comedy. I play the role of the Godfather, Don Borleone. We have three venues which we regularly play in New Port Richey, Tampa and Clearwater. I have been doing the same show in New York for over six years. I also have my own one-man show, which I have been doing for a number of years. It is a show about my books, my life, my family. I do over 100 shows a year, in the New York metro area."

"I love being on the stage," he said. "I am most comfortable in front of an audience and interacting with them. To see their reactions and how the audience reacts in different situations."

In the future, Saverino hopes to continue his artistic pursuits in a variety of fields.

"(I'm always looking for) that next show, movie, TV spot. I have in the works another book, which I have been working on for about a year or two," he said.

"I also host a weekly Internet TV show in New Jersey, it's called 'Angelo's Shore Thing.' Each week I have celebrities from the world of sports, or I'll have a celebrity from the entertainment field. My plans include my hopes to expand the show. I had a call-in radio show for a number of years....I've always had a tremendous fascination with radio production and hope to, one day, have another radio show."

"As an actor you are always looking for that next gig," he said.

For more information about the work of Angelo Saverino, visit www.angelosaverino.com. His books are available through www.publishamerica.com, www.amazon.com and through other major retail Web sites.

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