Suns fans have spent some of their more joyous and trying moments hanging onto the words of "The Voice of the Suns," and they have made him a family friend and local legend. Yet, they frequently have questions about his broadcasting career, including how he got his start, how he joined the Suns and how he came up with his catchphrases.

"Maybe this book will answer some questions," he said.

McCoy wrote the answers in "The Real McCoy," an autobiography expected to be sold at Fry's, Walgreens, Bashas' and the Suns' team shop at US Airways Center. Proceeds of the $24.95 book will go to Phoenix Suns Charities and the public library in Williams, Iowa, which is McCoy's hometown.

McCoy was a farm boy who got his start behind the microphone when he took one from a radio interviewer at the Iowa State Fair - when he was 8.

He chronicles his youth but spends three-fourths of the book mixing anecdotes and reflections on a Suns career in its 38th season, the longest tenure among NBA announcers.

McCoy wrote this first book ("and my last," he said) at age 76 after years of inquiries, which he said he never seriously considered. The last came when co-author Rich Wolfe interviewed McCoy for a chapter of a book about Iowa sports. While visiting a son in Phoenix, Wolfe attended a Suns game and saw the Al McCoy Media Center's walls blanketed with memoirs.

"You've got to do a book," he told McCoy. "You could do two books."

The book is written with first-person help from 19 major players in his life, including broadcast peers and Suns staff members.

"It got a little emotional to read some of the comments," McCoy said.

Several of his analysts were compelled to note how McCoy would point a finger when it was their turn to talk.

"The worst thing in broadcasting is stepping on each other's lines," McCoy said. "In basketball, particularly, it's not easy for the color guy. So I'd say, 'We'll make it real easy. When you're going to come in, I'll give you the point.' As a result, rarely do we step on others' lines."

McCoy tells stories with details as if they happened yesterday, not decades ago. In a story he said he had never told, McCoy remembers that a Des Moines, Iowa, radio-station executive once told him, "I just don't think you have what it's going to take to be real successful as an on-the-air personality."

McCoy came to Phoenix to chase a job with the Giants when they moved their spring training here. He called Arizona State sports, pro wrestling, local boxing, roller derby and the RoadRunners before the Suns.

"So many things transpired that could've gone one way and wound up going another way," McCoy said. "Fortunately, a lot of those went the right way for me. It was fun to think and relive those."