HOT CORNER

A consumer’s guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise.

What: “The Mad Dog 100”

Authors: Christopher Russo, with Allen St. John

Publisher: Doubleday

Price: $22.95

Imagine listening to the same sports talk radio show for 100 consecutive hours. Even the biggest fan of sports jabber might have trouble with that.

Likewise is trying to read, in just one sitting, “The Mad Dog 100: The Greatest Sports Arguments of All Time.”

Despite compelling and insightful arguments from popular New York sports-talk radio personality Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo of WFAN’s “Mike and the Mad Dog,” this 284-page hardcover book wanes on storyline.

Fault can’t totally be placed on Russo, who authors the book with help from acclaimed writer Allen St. John of the “Village Voice.” The two pledge to only present “educational” sports arguments. Nonetheless, it would have been nice to have a few plotlines intertwined with Russo’s 100 rants.

In one chapter, Russo selects an NBA dream team of today and yesteryear then pits them against each other according to position. At center, Russo selects Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain, measuring them neck-and-neck in most talent areas. But the debate pretty much ends there, unresolved.

He missed a chance to analyze their strengths and weaknesses (i.e. Wilt’s free-throw shooting, feeble even when compared to Shaq’s) in game situations.

The book does have bright spots, such as when Russo passionately debates the greater feat: Ted Williams’ .406 batting average in 1941 or Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak of the same year.

-- Steve Rom