Monthly Archives: January 2013

New CBS Sports Radio network: Strong lineup, but will you be able to hear station in your town?

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Second of two part on new CBS Sports Radio network:

Officials for the new CBS Sports Radio network felt good about its opening day lineup when the network went to air on Jan. 2:

6:00-9:00AM: Tiki Barber, Brandon Tierney and Dana Jacobson

9:00AM-12:00Noon: John Feinstein

12:00Noon-3:00PM: Jim Rome

3:00-6:00PM: Doug Gottlieb

6:00-10:00PM: Chris Moore and Brian Jones

10:00PM-2:00AM: Scott Ferrall

2:00-6:00AM: Damon Amendolara

Rome’s track record speaks for itself; Gottlieb established a following at ESPN; Feinstein, the bestselling sports book author of all time, has yet to shy away from an argument; and the morning team is an interesting mix. Here’s the Q/A I did with Jacobson.

I’d like to listen to CBS Sports Radio in my car, but there’s one problem. It’s not available on any AM/FM outlets in Chicago and it also isn’t on Sirius/XM.

The new venture can be heard in 250 markets. However, some of those markets only carry the morning show or Rome’s program. In some cases, such as CBS-owned WSCR-AM in Chicago, it’s just a periodic sports minute featuring a commentary from a CBS sports personality.

Clearly, in order for CBS Sports Radio to be successful, it needs to be available to the masses. Yes, you can access the network’s shows online. But if you’re like me, you do virtually all your radio listening in the car.

I spoke to Chris Oliviero, senior vice-president for programming, about the distribution and goals for the new network.

I can’t hear your station in Chicago. Where are you at regarding distribution?

We just started. The hard part of my job right now is convincing people that we’re so far ahead of the game for being a start-up. If you look back at the history of ESPN radio, they were on weekend only for a few years.

I’m excited that people compare us to ESPN and their footprint. However, we want to make sure people judge us through the prism of being only a few days old. When you look at it through that prism, we’re way ahead of the other networks.

That may be the case, but the distribution levels are so much greater today than when ESPN started. So are the expectation levels.

We’re actively pursuing an affiliate in Chicago. Our goal is to clear every major market. Until we get to that point, people can experience the network (via online).

Having said, we’re a radio company. We want to be heard on radio. We’re going to try to get into as many markets as quickly as possible.

What is your plan to place the station on Sirius/XM?

We have no business plan based on being on satellite. I would say, the people who have satellite, it would be great to be able to give them our product. It’s not essential. With the way technology is going these days, I can get to those people without satellite. If somebody is listening on satellite radio, what is the likelihood that the person has access to the Internet and mobile? I’d say, it’s pretty high.

How do you feel about the lineup you assembled?

We had a pretty short window to pull together a 24/7 station. I think we put together a respectable, credible, engaging, high-quality lineup.

Having (Rome and Gottlieb) gave us instant credibility. Both left good positions to join us. They were betting on what we’re planning to do here.

What was your thinking with the morning show?

That was the last one we announced. We wanted to take our time. We knew it would be immediately compared to Mike & Mike on ESPN. That’s the standard bearer for a national syndicated sports show.

We wanted to offer something different in morning drive. We have three strong personalities. We have the former athlete in Tiki, and we’ll get the female perspective from Dana, which is something that’s missing in the market place. The three of them are a good combination. They provide a different sound to sports talk.

There’s a lot of sports talk radio out there. How does CBS Sports Radio differentiate itself from the rest?

You do it with content and you do it with distribution. This is a marriage between two very large radio operations: Cumulus Media and CBS.. So right off the bat, we have access to radio stations, which is critical. From a distribution standpoint, we have a great starting point.

Then it does go back to the content. Is our flavor of sports talk better than ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports? We think with the talent we’ve hired and the lineup we’ve launched with, we’re in a good position. We’ve got a great staff. To use a sports analogy, we have great coaches and great players. When you put those two together, that’s going to be our opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program alert: New Costas show spotlights memorable baseball movies

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They are keeping Bob Costas busy at MLB Network. I like this vehicle, which debuts tonight.

From MLB Network:

Hollywood stars Tommy Lee Jones (Cobb), Tatum O’Neal (Bad News Bears) and Geena Davis (A League Of Their Own) and directors John Sayles (Eight Men Out), Penny Marshall (A League of Their Own) Ron Shelton (Cobb) and Barry Levinson (The Natural), will discuss the beloved baseball movies they helped deliver to the big screen in MLB Network’s new series Costas at the Movies, hosted by Bob Costas, premiering Monday, January 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Following each 30-minute Costas at the Movies episode, MLB Network will air the night’s featured film.

Each Costas at the Movies episode will take an in-depth look at a baseball film, including Cobb (January 14), Bad News Bears (January 21), A League of Their Own (January 28), Eight Men Out (February 4) and The Natural (February 11), featuring interviews with the actors, actresses and directors who helped make these films special. A new Costas at the Movies episode and the night’s featured film will air every Monday from January 14 through February 11 beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. MLB Network’s Costas at the Movies schedule is available below.

The first installment of Costas at the Movies on January 14 features an interview with Cobb star Tommy Lee Jones and director Ron Shelton discussing the 1994 biopic about Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer Ty Cobb. The following week on January 21, Costas at the Movies will feature an interview with actress Tatum O’Neal discussing her role as the team’s star pitcher, Amanda Whurlizer, in Bad News Bears. Costas at the Movies continues on January 28 with Costas looking back at A League of Their Own with its director Penny Marshall and Geena Davis, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of fictional catcher Dottie Hinson.

The series’ fourth episode on February 4 will feature an interview with Eight Men Out director John Sayles discussing the 1988 motion picture about the 1919 Chicago White Sox and the eight members of the team who were banned from baseball after allegedly throwing the World Series. Costas at the Movies concludes on February 11 with director Barry Levinson joining Costas to discuss the mythical tale of Roy Hobbs in his film, The Natural.

 

Costas at the Movies Schedule:

*All episodes begin at 8:00 p.m. ET followed by the night’s featured film*

 

Monday, January 14 – Cobb

Interviews: Actor Tommy Lee Jones (Ty Cobb) and Director Ron Shelton

 

Monday, January 21 – Bad News Bears

Interview: Actress Tatum O’Neal (Amanda Whurlizer)

 

Monday, January 28 – A League of Their Own

Interviews: Actress Geena Davis (Dottie Hinson) and Director Penny Marshall

 

Monday, February 4 – Eight Men Out

Interviews: Director John Sayles

 

Monday, February 11 – The Natural

Interview: Director Barry Levinson

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ESPN’s Skipper: Says Parker comments were ‘inappropriate’; Steps put in place to prevent offensive commentary

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Say what you will about ESPN, but there’s little denying that John Skipper is an upfront guy.

I caught up with this piece over the weekend. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald had a write-up during a media session with the ESPN president last week in Miami.

Skipper, candid as always, addressed the controversy and fallout from Rob Parker’s comments about Robert Griffin III on First Take.

“I like Rob, (but) what he said was clearly inappropriate,” Skipper said. “The fact nobody caught it and (ESPN) re-aired it showed a significant lack of judgment. I met personally with the producers and told them how disappointed I was and we were going to suspend some of them, and I expect them to be more careful in the future.”

Despite the flap, Skipper remains a fan of the First Take.

“It’s a debate show, and we get a lot of criticism for it,” Skipper said. “You just have to figure out where you walk the line (between) being provocative and stepping over it and saying something stupid. We’ve done that once or twice on this show.”

But Skipper said the segment “shouldn’t be built on people saying outrageous things. It should be built on vigorous discussion and debate. We’ve got a very successful show, Pardon The Interruption, which is a debate show, but it works because of the judgment and the brains of Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon and (producer) Eric Rydholm.”

Skipper added that “Stephen, Skip and (producer) Jamie Horowitz are bright guys. They ought to be able to figure it out. The show has worked. The ratings have gone up.”

On other subjects of interest, Skipper expects Jon Gruden to return to the booth in 2013. He also thinks Jeff Van Gundy will continue to work as an analyst.

As for Van Gundy’s brother, Stan, Skipper talked about why ESPN didn’t hire him.

Skipper explained he didn’t hire outspoken Stan Van Gundy because “Stan walks a line. That’s part of what made him attractive. It ultimately scared us off.”

Skipper heard Van Gundy criticize NBA commissioner David Stern in a September podcast with Jeff Van Gundy and Dan Le Batard and that “was a factor” in his decision to pass on Stan. “I decided not to do it,” Skipper said. “Stan has a little bit of a legitimate beef. I think he rightly believed he was going to get offered a job.”

 

 

 

Sunday Times places Armstrong ad in Chicago Tribune: Takes easy way out by going with Oprah

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A big start of the year for athletes on PEDs. Last week, the focus was on the Baseball Hall of Fame. This week, cheater Lance Armstrong takes the stage.

Today, Armstrong sits down with Oprah Winfrey to do an interview that will air Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on OWN. Expect to see plenty of sneak peaks prior to the actual program.

Apparently, The Sunday Times doesn’t have much faith that Oprah will ask the hard-hitting questions. The London-based paper took out a 2/3s page ad Sunday in the Chicago Tribune. The headline read: “An Open Letter to Oprah Winfrey.”

The letter was from David Walsh, who has spent 13 years investigating Armstrong. The ad has 10 questions that Walsh would like Oprah to ask Armstrong. Among the questions:

After returning from cancer, how did you justify putting banned drugs in your body?

Did you have any sympathy for those rivals determined to race clean?

Do you admit that your friend Dr. Michele Ferrari fully supported your team’s doping?

Was the failure to understand Floyd Landis the key to your downfall?

Did you sue The Sunday Times to shut us up?

Ah yes, the ad includes this PS: “The Sunday Times is seeking to recover about $1.5 m it claims he got by fraud. He used Britain’s draconian libel laws against us.”

Clearly, Walsh and The Times want their money back, and even more, an apology from Armstrong. As for the ad appearing in the Chicago Tribune, well, Oprah and her crew are based in Chicago. Perhaps they viewed it as the quickest way to get her attention.

I don’t think Walsh and The Times have great confidence Oprah will do a strong interview. Neither does the Tribune’s Phil Hersh. The ad ran below his column on Armstrong.

Hersh wrote:

When sprinter Marion Jones did her Winfrey confessional about doping, the longtime talk show host acted as credulous as a star-struck fan. Winfrey took at face value Jones’ statements about thinking she was only using flaxseed oil and insisting she had doped only for a short period around the 2000 Sydney Olympics, even after the federal judge who had sentenced Jones to prison said he had doubts about the extent of her revelations.

Indeed, Armstrong is looking for a soft landing couch here. It would have been much different if he was interviewed by someone like Scott Pelley on 60 Minutes.

Maybe Oprah will surprise us. If nothing else, all she has to do is use the Times’ questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q/A with Dana Jacobson: On leaving ESPN; joining CBS Sports Radio; and being one of few women in sports talk radio

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First of two parts on new CBS Sports Radio network.

Sometimes, you have to go with your heart more than common sense.

At least that’s the way Dana Jacobson (@danajacobson) felt when she decided to walk away from a new contract proposal from ESPN last spring with no other job offers on the table. She said while she loved her 10-plus years at ESPN, the passion for the job wasn’t there anymore.

Also inspired by the desire to live where she actually wanted to live for once (no offense, Bristol), Jacobson, 41, sold her house and car and moved to New York. Opportunity then knocked when the new CBS Sports Radio network offered her a spot on the morning show.

On Jan. 2, she joined Tiki Barber and Brandon Tierney to kick off CBS’ big sports talk radio initiative.

In a Q/A, Jacobson talks about why she left ESPN and how it feels to be one of the few women in sports talk radio.

Why did you decide to leave ESPN?

I knew how it felt to be passionate about doing something. I wasn’t feeling it as much there. I was trying to figure out my place there (after she left First Take). When I first started doing SportsCenter, it was such an amazing thing do. When I started doing it again (in 2012), it was like, ‘Wow, do I want to keep doing this?’

Last January or February, I didn’t feel like there was something drawing me to stay there other than it’s ESPN. It’s a great place, and there are great people. But I needed to do something else.

Were people surprised when you told them you leaving ESPN?

The people who knew me got it. Most people thought I was crazy. ‘Why are you leaving an ESPN offer on the table when you don’t have a job?’ I get it. There were days when I said, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’

But I knew it was right. I knew what I was looking for. I couldn’t describe it, but I’d know when I saw it. If I ever was going to take a chance–I’m not married and have no obligations–this is the time to do it. I didn’t know how it would end up, but I just knew it would work out.

How is radio different than television?

Radio is more free form. You can’t fake it. When I first talked (to CBS), I said, ‘The thing that I love about radio is the thing that scared me to death when the program director at Sacramento first asked me to do it. What if I don’t know something? I don’t know everything.’ TV is much more structured. In radio, it goes wherever it’s going to go. You can’t hide.

It’s a chance to be myself. Yeah, I’ll say something silly sometimes. Hopefully, I’ll also say something intelligent.

There aren’t many women doing sports talk radio. How does a woman fit in on what is considered a guy-talk medium?

The story I tell is that when I first started at ESPN, my dad would say, ‘You’re really good at it, but I’d rather be watching sports with a guy doing it.’ Then at one point, he called, ‘I know you’re my daughter, and I know you’re a woman, but I stopped thinking about whether I was watching a man or a woman.’ I find that as my biggest compliment when someone said something like to me.

I don’t shy away from being a woman and talk about things the way a woman would. Women also listen (to sports talk radio). I hope to fit in by providing a different take on things, a different chemistry. I can say the things nobody else is saying.

It is amazing to me in 2013, that if you look on a national scale, there’s barely any women doing (sports talk radio). I don’t know why. I’m thrilled I have the chance to do it. I hope some young girls will listen and say, ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’

Chemistry is to important on sports talk radio. How do you it is going to work with you, Barber and Tierney?

Sports talk radio is like sitting in the bar with your friends talking about sports. From the first show, I thought there was a good blend. We’re going to be similar on some things, and on some things we’re going to be forever different. When RGIII got hurt, Tiki talked about how he should have pulled himself, because he was hurting the team. I threw it back at him. I said, ‘No way. You never wanted to come out of the game when you were playing. Now you’re saying he should have pulled himself?’ I love those type of discussions.

Where do you hope this all goes?

The TV stuff, we’re playing by ear. I had the opportunity to fill in for Jim (on Jim Rome’s CBS Sports Network show), and that was great. I’ll do some college basketball as we get closer to the tournament.

(When she left ESPN), I never saw the radio thing coming. I hadn’t even thought about radio. It’s very exciting.

I’m not starting over, but it feels like when I first got to ESPN and looked at all the opportunities. It feels the same way here. It’s all very energizing.

Tuesday: The new CBS Sports Radio network has put together a formidable lineup, but will you be able to hear it in your town?

 

Sunday books: Bulls Author Q/A on covering Jordan era; Examining history of entire franchise

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Few people around are more qualified to write about the history of the Bulls than Kent McDill.

McDill was the only beat writer to cover all six of the Bulls NBA titles, handling the duties for the Daily Herald from 1988-99. He had backstage access to one of the greatest and wildest shows in sports history.

McDill writes about Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Jackson and more in a new book 100 Things Bulls Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (published by Triumph).

Here’s my Q/A.

Was it tempting just to do this book on 100 things about Michael Jordan?

I wanted to avoid writing a Michael Jordan book. I wanted to promote the idea that the Chicago Bulls existed before Jordan, and have existed after Jordan. That being said, I also wanted to make sure Jordan and the championship seasons were presented in a new, complete way without repeating too many stories we all know. The Bulls actually have a rich history and I think the book presents all of it.

When people ask you what it was like to cover the Bulls during the championship years, what do you tell them?

The common response is that it was like covering the Beatles, but when you are in the middle of it all, the day-to-day requirements made it a grind. That being said, it was a pleasure covering a story daily that you knew would be read by thousands. As a reporter, knowing you have an active audience waiting breathlessly for your story makes it easy to get up in the morning. There was an element of celebrity involved in being one of the reporters on the inside of a story that big.

What was Jordan like to deal with on a daily basis? How much access did you get?

Michael Jordan was the nicest, most accessible incredibly wealthy and famous person you could imagine, at least through the 1993 season. Once he went through the gambling controversy and his father died, he became more guarded with his time. But originally he was having a good time and letting most of the people on the inside enjoy the ride with him. My relationship with him was extremely pleasant, in part because I demanded very little of him. Unlike many other reporters who hounded him, or those who were looking for dirt, I covered him (as much as possible) as just another member of the team. I went out of my way to stay out of his way, and when I did need him for something, he was willing to participate because I was not hanging on hiim all the time. Access changed after his first retirement; things got tight, not just with the Bulls but with the entire league. I think someone could probably mark the day when professional sports teams became  ultra-protective and guarded with everything involving their teams.

One other aspect of my access to Jordan was that when I started traveling with the team in 1988, the team was still traveling commercially. They stayed in the town they visited overnight, as reporters had to, and so we often traveled on the same planes. Many of my favorite memories with Jordan were time we spent together at airports or hotels.

What about Jackson, Pippen, Rodman?

I got to know Jackson a bit when he was an assistant, and looked forward to him becoming head coach. Initially, he was jovial and certainly different than any other coach I ever covered. He changed over time, and covering him became more difficult. But he enjoyed any attempt I made to engage him in philosophical conversations.

My relationship with Scottie Pippen was unique among reporters. I think he recognized the fact that I tried to cover him in the same way I covered Jordan, and we developed a good working relationship. When he decided to throw his famous “I’m not going to play for the Bulls any more” fit, he came to me. He knew I would present his side of the story fairly. I remember when he and I talked about how he suffered as Robin to Jordan’s Batman. He told me “When Michael taps the ball away and I grab it, he gets credit for the steal. When I tap the ball away and he grabs it, he gets credit for the steal.”

Rodman was so unique. I hated the idea of covering him, but when I got to know him I was amazed at how intelligent, conversational and engaging he was. That was in one-to-one conversations; in a crowd he turned into the Worm. I am always surprised at how much I enjoyed spending time with Dennis.

What is your favorite memory from those years?

My favorite moments were almost all away from the floor. I had special access to the greatest sports story in history and was always amazed by how famous they were. I enjoyed a lot of  moments in the locker room when we were on the road. Jordan, for one person, was entirely different on the road than he was at home.

I have three memories that stick out.

When the Bulls won their first title, we were in Los Angeles, and the team was celebrating the title in the locker room. Bill Cartwright and I were close in age and had several things in common and had developed a pleasant relationship. But in that locker room, playing on a team where he really did not have any close friends, I saw him standing by himself whle everyone else was celebrating. I went up to him to get his reaction to winning his first NBA title and he grabbed me and gave me the biggest huge possible. I think he just needed to hug something, and I was there.

In 1993, when John Paxson was hitting the game winning shot against Phoenix, I had some weird premonition that he would play a big role in that game. If you ever see a replay of the final play of the game, after John hit the shot, when Horace Grant blocks Kevin Johnson’s final shot, you can see me in the background on press row witih my hands folded against my chest because I knew the game was over and John was the hero.

In 1996, my twins (one boy, one girl) were born during the finals. I had to fly home from Seattle while the Bulls were playing Game Three to attend to the birth, then flew back. One of the twins, the girl, had to remain in the hospital because she was born small. The players all asked about her daily, and Ron Harper was especially interested, because he was a twin. When the Bulls won the championship game, we were back in Chicago, and I was in the locker room to get reaction. Again, it was Ron’s first title after a very long NBA career, and I really wanted to get his reaction. And the very first thing he said to me, at this ultimate moment of professional success, was “how’s your daughter?”

Besides the Jordan years, what else stood out for you while doing research for the book?

Those of us who were around for the Van Lier-Sloan-Boerwinkle Bulls know there was a time before Jordan, but I was excited to write about just how good those teams were. They mattered in the NBA, even though they did not win anything. Those years were important, and Bulls fans need to know why Sloan’s jersey is hanging up in the United Center, why Bob Love loves the Bulls as much as the Bulls love him, and why everyone has something to say about Norm Van Lier.

How would define/categorize the Bulls as a franchise?

I really  believe they are the third most important franchise in the NBA behind the Lakers and the Celtics. They won’t move ahead of those two. But I think they were popular in part because they weren’t the Lakers or the Celtics. I also believe the franchise will change dramatically (and this is probably true of the Bears as well) if and when they win another title. That will allow us to move past the 1990s and we can find a way to relate the new champions to the old champions.

Hockey! Hockey! Hockey! Joyful NBC announces slate of games

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Here you go NHL-starved fans. NBC and NBC Sports Network have a massive helping of games. Here’s the rundown from the network:

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NBC Sports Group will air 70 NHL regular-season games across NBC and NBC Sports Network this season. The schedule includes 14 exclusive windows (15 games) on NBC, the most regular-season windows ever for the network, as well as 24 exclusive windows and 26 exclusive games on NBC Sports Network.

Coverage begins the weekend of Jan. 19-20 with the NBC Sports Group presenting four games over two days, three on NBC and one on NBC Sports Network. Additional scheduling highlights include the Los Angeles Kings’ Stanley Cup championship banner raising, a Hockey Day in America tripleheader, and the start of rivalry nights on Wednesday night on NBC Sports Network. According to the National Hockey League, which released the schedule today, all games will be intra-conference with an emphasis on divisional play.

OPENING WEEK: NBC drops the puck on its coverage at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 19 with NHL Live, featuring the Stanley Cup champion L.A. Kings’ banner raising. Following the ceremony, NBC offers regional coverage of the Kings hosting the Chicago Blackhawks (puck drop at 3:25 p.m. ET) and the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins (3:35 p.m. ET).

On Sun., Jan. 20 at 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC returns with the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Flyers. NBC Sports Network begins its season Sunday night by televising the Phoenix Coyotes at the Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m. ET. It continues coverage with a game on three consecutive nights from Monday through Wednesday.

Following is the Opening Week schedule (all times ET):

 

Date Away Home Time Network
Sat., January 19 NHL Live Banner Raising 3:00 p.m. NBC
Sat., January 19 Chicago Los Angeles 3:25 p.m. NBC
Sat., January 19 Pittsburgh Philadelphia 3:35 p.m. NBC
Sun., January 20 Philadelphia Buffalo 12:30 p.m. NBC
Sun., January 20 Chicago Phoenix 10 p.m. NBCSN
Mon., January 21 Detroit Columbus 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Tues., January 22 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Wed., January 23 Boston N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT IS RIVALRY NIGHT: NBC Sports Network’s exclusive Wednesday night coverage will now feature some of the biggest rivalries in the NHL, including Bruins-Canadiens and Flyers-Penguins. The network will air exclusive coverage Wednesday nights giving NHL fans four straight nights of hockey action, Sunday-Wednesday, during most weeks. Rivalry Nights begin Wednesday, January 23 with the Bruins and Rangers facing off in another Boston-New York contest. Following are NBC Sports Network’s 2013 Rivalry Nights:

 

Date Away Home Time
January 23 Boston N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
January 30 Chicago Minnesota 8 p.m.
February 6 Boston Montreal 7:30 p.m.
February 13 St. Louis Detroit 7:30 p.m.
February 20 Philadelphia Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
February 20 St. Louis Colorado 10 p.m.
February 27 Washington Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
March 6 Colorado Chicago 8 p.m.
March 13 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
March 20 Minnesota Detroit 7:30 p.m.
March 27 Montreal Boston 7:30 p.m.
April 3 Pittsburgh N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
April 10 Boston New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
April 17 Buffalo Boston 7:30 p.m.
April 24 Los Angeles Detroit 7:30 p.m.

 

HOCKEY DAY IN AMERICA: In its third year, Hockey Day in America will celebrate America’s passion for hockey on Sunday, February 17, featuring more than nine hours of coverage, including three games and six teams from some of the most avid U.S. hockey markets across both NBC and NBC Sports Network. In addition, coverage will include compelling features that tell the story of America’s passion for hockey.

Coverage begins at Noon ET on NBC with NHL Live. The first two broadcasts on NBC are Pittsburgh at Buffalo at 12:30 p.m. ET and Los Angeles at Chicago at 3:30 p.m. ET. The final game of the celebration is between Washington at the New York Rangers at 6 p.m. ET and airs on NBC Sports Network. (All times ET and subject to change)

 

Time Away Home Network
Noon NHL Live NBC
12:30 Pittsburgh Buffalo NBC
3:30 Los Angeles Chicago NBC
6:00 Washington N.Y. Rangers NBC Sports Network

 

NBC SPORTS GROUP OPENS STATE-OF-THE ART STUDIOS: NHL studio programming throughout the 2013 season will originate from the NBC Sports Group’s new, state-of-the-art International Broadcast Center located in Stamford, Conn. The first studio programming will air on NBC on Saturday, Jan. 19, prior to the two regional games.

NHL Live is NBC Sports Network’s live pre- and post-show with highlights and analysis of NHL matchups before and after every game. It traditionally airs a half-hour prior to live-event coverage. NHL Overtime airs Monday-Wednesday nights after NHL telecasts. It examines all NHL games played that night with news, highlights, and analysis.

FLEX SCHEDULING ON NBC: For the sixth consecutive season, the NHL and NBC Sports Group will utilize flex scheduling, which provides the ability to select from up to four games on Sunday afternoons. At least 13 days prior to the scheduled games, the NHL and NBC will announce which game will air. Following are the current games scheduled for NBC:

NBC 2012-13 NHL regular-season schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

 

Date Away Home Time
Saturday, January 19 Chicago Los Angeles 3:25 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 Pittsburgh Philadelphia 3:35 p.m.
Sunday, January 20 Philadelphia Buffalo 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 3 Pittsburgh Washington 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 10 Los Angeles Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17 Pittsburgh Buffalo 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17 Los Angeles Chicago 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 Chicago Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 N.Y. Rangers Washington 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 Boston Pittsburgh 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31 Chicago Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7 St. Louis Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 Chicago St. Louis 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21 New Jersey N.Y. Rangers 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 New Jersey N.Y. Rangers 3 p.m.

 

NBC Sports Network 2012-13 NHL regular-season schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

 

Date Away Home Time
Sunday, January 20 Chicago Phoenix 10 p.m.
Monday, January 21 Detroit Columbus 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 23 Boston N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 27 Minnesota St. Louis 8 p.m.
Tuesday, January 29 N.Y. Islanders Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 30 Chicago Minnesota 8 p.m.
Monday, February 4 Dallas Colorado 9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 5 Tampa Bay Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 6 Boston Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 10 New Jersey Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 11 Los Angeles St. Louis 9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12 N.Y. Rangers Boston 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 13 St. Louis Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17 Washington N.Y. Rangers 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19 San Jose St. Louis 8 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20 Philadelphia Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20 St. Louis Colorado 10 p.m.
Sunday, February 24 Tampa Bay Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 25 Dallas Nashville 8 p.m.
Tuesday, February 26 Boston N.Y. Islanders 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 27 Washington Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 Montreal Boston 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 4 Tampa Bay Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5 Philadelphia N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6 Colorado Chicago 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 Buffalo Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 12 Philadelphia Boston 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 Buffalo Washington 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 18 Philadelphia Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 Washington Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20 Minnesota Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 24 Washington N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 25 Los Angeles Chicago 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26 Philadelphia N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27 Montreal Boston 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31 Washington Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 1 Colorado Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2 Buffalo Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3 Pittsburgh N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7 New Jersey Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9 Chicago Minnesota 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10 Boston New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11 Pittsburgh Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 Detroit Nashville 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 15 Dallas Chicago 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 NY Rangers Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17 Buffalo Boston 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18 New Jersey Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21 St. Louis Colorado 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 22 Montreal Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23 Boston Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24 Los Angeles Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 25 Pittsburgh New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 TBD TBD 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 TBD TBD 10 p.m.

New York Times’ Araton: Now would be a good time for writers to get out of voting business

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Given that nobody got elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame this year, the New York Times’ Harvey Araton believes this would be a good time for the writers to bow out of voting for Cooperstown.

Araton writes:

The standard trade maxim that journalists should never be part of the story has been a longtime red flag in the process, especially in baseball, but never has it carried the weight it does now, in the age of players tainted by performance enhancement. If the exclusion of Pete Rose has more or less been a matter for the commissioner’s office to legislate, why leave it to reporters to determine what to do with the likes of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds?

It’s baseball’s club, and reporters shouldn’t be part of the clubbiness. Let the Hall get together with Major League Baseball to figure out what to do about the mess the sport created with its willful ignorance when steroid use was rampant and not even tested for, indisputably altering statistical measures for enshrinement. Speaking of shrines, that’s another thing the news media should not be engaged in, elevating the general perception of Cooperstown to something more mystical than it really is.

Posted in MLB

Saturday flashback: Richard Ben Cramer’s legendary piece on Ted Williams

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The industry suffered a great loss this week with the passing of Richard Ben Cramer. Cramer had a long and storied Pulitzer Prize winning career as a bestselling writer and author on many topics. Thankfully, he veered into the sports realm every once in a while.

Cramer wrote the definitive biography of Joe DiMaggio, and was a contributor to Sports Illustrated, among others.

In a tribute, Joe Posnanski wrote:

After I read that piece about Cal Ripken — which includes the magical word “fotobooger” and ends with a seemingly simple story of Ripken signing autographs that gets to the heart of why he mattered so much to people — I had to read everything Richard had ever written. It was only then that I read the Esquire Ted Williams story, which I had heard about and copied but had never really read. Of course, the story was more than great. It was life altering.

Esquire posted Cramer’s piece on Williams this week. It is more than worth a few minutes of your time. Written for the June, 1986 issue, Cramer takes us along for a memorable ride as he tries to get a look deep inside the baseball legend, who was 62 at the time.

Some excerpts:

Ted Williams can hush a room just by entering. There is a force that boils up  from him and commands attention. This he has come to accept as his destiny and  his due, just as he came to accept the maddening, if respectful, way his  opponents pitched around him (he always seemed to be leading the league in bases  on balls), or the way every fan in the ball park seemed always to watch (and  comment upon) T. Williams’s every move. It was often said Ted would rather play  ball in a lab, where fans couldn’t see. But he never blamed fans for watching  him. His hate was for those who couldn’t or wouldn’t feel with him, his  effort, his exultation, pride, rage, or sorrow. If they wouldn’t share those,  then there was his scorn, and he’s make them feel that, by God. These days,  there are no crowds, but Ted is watched, and why not? What other match could  draw a kibitzer’s eye when Ted, on the near court, pounds toward the net,  slashing the air with his big racket, laughing in triumphant derision as he  scores with his killer drop shot, or smacking the ball twenty feet long and  roaring, “SYPHILITIC SON OF A BITCH!” as he hurls his racket to the clay at his  feet?

And there was this exchange:

“Ted, I think you were more serious about living life on your own terms….”

“Well, I wanted to be alone at times. It was the hustle and the bustle of the  crowd for seven months a year. So sure, I wanted a little more privacy, a little  more quiet, a little more tranquility. This is the fucking left we wanted.”

“Yeah, but it’s not just privacy, Ted. I’m not trying to make it seem  unnatural. But what you toss off as a little more privacy led you off the  continent, so far off in a corner that — ”

“Well, lemme tell you about Koufax. He got through playin’ baseball, he went  to a fuckin’ little shitty remote town in Maine, and that’s where he was for  five years. Everybody thought he was a recluse, he wasn’t very popular just  ’cause he wanted to be alone and he finally moved out. Lemme tell you about  Sterling Hayward, Hayden. HELL of an actor. And still he wanted to be ALONE, he  wanted to TRAVEL, he wanted to be on his BOAT GOIN’ TO THE SOUTH SEAS. So, see,  that’s not way outa line!….I guess I’ll take a right, that oughta do it. Eight  seventy-four, do you see 874 anyplace? Go down here till I get to Gilliam Road,  or some goddamn thing….Fuck, 874’s where I wanted to go, but looked like it  was puttin’ me back on this fuckin’ turnpike, shit. So, you know, seeking  privacy and, uh, seeking that kind of thing…what road is this?”

“We’re on Killian….So privacy, you don’t think that’s what?”

“Unusual, for Christ’s sake. Shit.”

“I don’t think it’s unusual either.”

“WELL, YOU’RE MAKIN’ A PROJECT OUT OF IT!”

And…

There are no statistics on fans, how they felt, what they took from the game.  How many of their days did Ted turn around? How many days did he turn to  occasions? And not just with hits: there was a special sound from a crowd when  Ted got his pitch, turned on the ball, whipped his bat in that perfect arc —  and missed. It was a murmurous rustle, as thousands at once let breath escape,  gathered themselves, and leaned forward again. To see Ted suffer a third  strike was an event four times more rare, and more remarkable, than seeing him  get a hit. When Ted retired, some owners feared for attendance in the league. In Boston, where millions came through the years to cheer, to  boo, to care what he did, there was an accretion of memory so bright,  bittersweet, and strong that when he left, the light was gone. And Fenway was  left with a lesser game.

And what was Ted left with? Well, there was pride. He’d done, he felt, the  hardest thing in sport: by God, he hit the ball.

Terrific stuff. Do yourself and spend some time with Richard Ben Cramer and Ted Williams, two legends of their games.

 

 

 
 

 

Mike Emrick on the call for 12-year-old girls hockey

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It’s a good thing the NHL season is starting. Otherwise, Mike Emrick might be reduced to doing play-by-play for Mahjong matches.

Anyway, this piece aired on NBC’s Rock Center Thursday. Give “Doc” credit: He doesn’t short-change the young girls.

Here are the details:

NBC News’ Brian Williams is a fan of NBC Sports hockey play-by-play voice Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick.

Because Doc hasn’t been heard as often these past few months, Brian asked if Doc would call a game to air on his show Rock Center with Brian Williams. Doc agreed and called a Girls 12U league game near his home in Troy, Michigan.

The St. Clair Shores Saints (away, red) took on the Troy Lady Sting (home, white and yellow) on Wednesday, December 12, 2012.  Doc provided the call from the Troy Sports Center in Troy, Michigan. Both teams play in the Girls 12U league. The Lady Sting won the game, 5-2.

Posted in NHL