Jock-Rock Star

There was a time when a town's sports geeks would line up only for the stars themselves. In the age of Internet stardom, though, it's the guy who tells jokes about the stars who attracts the Sharpie-wielding masses — like tonight, when Bill Simmons, ESPN's Sports Guy, stops by the Tattered Cover LoDo to sign copies of The Book of Basketball.

Simmons won't read from his literary goliath, which checks in at a Foster-Wallace-esque 700 pages and covers more or less everything NBA. But that doesn't mean the experience won't be interactive. Earlier stops on his tour have included guest appearances (including friend Jack-O, made famous in Simmons's popular podcast), the signing of slabs of meat, and, we can only assume, lengthy conversations about how performance-enhancing drugs might affect The Karate Kid were it remade today.

The event is first-come, first-served and starts at 5 p.m. at the TC, 1628 16th Street. You'll need a book to meet the Sports Guy; they should be available at the store, though they’ve sold out at previous signings. Call 303-322-7727 or visit www.tatteredcover.com for more info.
Fri., Nov. 20, 5 p.m., 2009