Monthly Archives: April 2013

Sunday books: Who’s Who’s in Baseball is a rite of spring

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I was in Walgreen’s the other day and saw the book on the magazine rack. I had to buy it.

I figure I probably purchased my first Who’s Who in Baseball in 1970 or 1971. Now it is an annual rite of spring for me.

Much like it was during 70s, and much earlier than that, Who’s Who hasn’t changed. I am thankful for that.

While I enjoy the advances in new statistics, there’s something refreshing, if not comforting, about the simplicity of Who’s Who.

You won’t find stats like WAR or even in on-base percentage in Who’s Who. Rather, it’s still the basics: Batting average, HRs, RBIs, and the other staples that have been around forever.

Each player has a thumbnail picture and personal information like date of birth, height and weight. There isn’t a bio about the player. Instead, the stats tell the story and the arc of a player’s career.

When I get the issue, I’ll look for my favorites and the big names. The collection of Albert Pujols’ numbers are awesome, especially with the myriad of asterisks that denote league leader.

You can see how all the 200-hit seasons added up to 3,304 hits for Derek Jeter. You look at Paul Konerko’s body of work–422 homers coming into the season–and you realize he might be the most underrated player in baseball.

When Roy Halladay was good, he was very good, earning two Cy Young awards. Andy Pettitte’s line in postseason (19-11) is truly impressive.

However, most of the time, I will open the book to a random page. Wow, LaTroy Hawkins has 18 seasons in the big league. Page 132, and there’s Juan Pierre, who had 2,141 going into the season. Page 216, and you can see that Chris Carpenter, who may be done, had an impressive career.

In essence, these are mini baseball cards. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy the book so much.

It takes me back to a time when baseball, not to mention my life, was a simpler endeavor. A time when I loved baseball for the pure joy of the game. Perhaps Who’s Who reminds of that 12-year-old who used to count down the days to the White Sox season opener.

This is the 98th season for Who’s Who, a remarkable record in its right. I looked forward to buying the 100th edition and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Random baseball card: Jackie Robinson

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Steve Wulf recently wrote a wonderful piece about TOPPS and baseball cards in ESPN Magazine.

He captured the essence of what the cards mean to one-time collectors like myself.

Long before fantasy baseball, cards were fantasy baseball. Radio was the only regular medium for the game in the ’50s, so the “cardboard gods” provided the visuals. Bill Szczepanek, who maintains the Golden Age of Baseball Cards website, says: “The fronts of cards allowed us to see who these guys really were, and the backs gave us their bios and statistics. I grew up a Cubs fan, so one of my favorites is the 1956 Ernie Banks. Those were the horizontal cards with two photos, a close-up with an action shot in the background. I can still see Ernie crossing the plate. Just beautiful.”

That 1956 Topps set is almost universally considered the best ever, but there’s a real battle for second: Topps ’53, Donruss ’84, Topps ’87, Upper Deck ’89 … To each his own, and it often depends on the height of passion. (Which is why this writer and former Phillies fan is still partial to the 1964 set, a fairly plain year for Topps.) And it’s not just collectors who have their favorites. Brian Cronin, who writes about cards and works at Squiggy’s Dugout in New Rochelle, N.Y., says, “Andre Dawson liked his 1993 Topps Finest card so much that he offered people $5 if they would send it to him.”

I love the look of the old cards. So in tribute to a bygone era, and to reconnect with my childhood obsession with baseball cards, I’m going to post random baseball cards on weekends.

Can’t think of a better first entry.

 

Lovie Smith, TV analyst, not much different than Lovie Smith, coach: Dull

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The Chicago Tribune David Haugh wasn’t impressed with Lovie Smith’s debut as analyst yesterday on ESPN:

Haugh:

Nobody needs to throw a red challenge flag to review video from Smith’s first media appearance since the Bears fired him. Smith provided indisputable evidence on “SportsCenter” and “NFL Live” that he belongs back on the sideline, not in the studio.

Tony Dungy, he isn’t. Smith came off as genuine but stiff, more like a folksier Eric Mangini. He offered nothing terribly memorable or insightful and said more with what he didn’t say, especially about Jay Cutler.

Coaching on Sundays isn’t as easy as we often made it sound during Smith’s tenure in Chicago and surely now he realizes the same is true about broadcasting. The slight nerves detected in Smith’s voice took Bears fans with good memories back to the day Smith was hired in 2004 before antipathy replaced anxiety during his stints at the microphone.

 

Posted in NFL

NFL schedule: Thanks to Peyton, NBC is loaded on Sunday night; ESPN’s Mondays have potential clunkers

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The announcement of the 2013 NFL schedule is much like getting a sneak preview of the presents you will be receiving on Christmas. It allows you to start fantasizing about those days and nights on the couch in the fall.

Let’s assess how the NFL split up the bounty, looking at gems and potential clunkers.

NBC

Gems: As usual, the NFL took care of the Sunday night package. NBC’s schedule is loaded.

The network gets three of Peyton Manning’s best games: The Thursday night season opener on Sept. 5 with Baltimore visiting Denver; and Manning vs. Tom Brady with Denver at New England on Nov. 24. Then imagine the scene on Sunday night, Oct. 20 when Manning makes his return to Indianapolis.

Yes, the NFL has been very good to NBC. Now the network needs Manning to stay healthy.

And there’s much more: New England at Atlanta (Sept. 29); Houston at San Francisco (Oct. 6); Pittsburgh at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night; Atlanta at Green Bay (Dec. 8); New England at Baltimore (Dec. 22). And several of the other games aren’t bad either.

Potential clunkers: Any game with the Washington Redskins has potential to be a dud if RGIII doesn’t bounce back. NBC has two: Washington at Dallas (Oct. 13); and Giants at Washington (Dec. 1), although the network can flex off of that game.

ESPN

Gems: If I’m ESPN, I’m not sure I am happy with this schedule, especially when you compare it to what NBC got. ESPN didn’t get any of the big Peyton Manning games. Instead, it did two games with the Dolphins and Ryan Tannehill. Not exactly the same thing.

As for top games, the ESPN gets one shot at Manning: Denver at Oakland (Sept. 23). It will showcase his younger brother and Vikings RB Adrian Peterson with Minnesota at Giants on Oct. 21. Bears-Packers at Lambeau (Nov. 4) always works regardless of records.

ESPN’s December also looks promising: Dallas at Bears at chilly Soldier Field (Dec. 9); Baltimore at Detroit (Dec. 16); Atlanta at San Francisco (Dec. 23) in the last regular-season game at Candlestick.

Potential clunkers: The first game, Eagles at Redskins, has potential peril given RGIII’s status. If he isn’t ready to play, the game has much less intrigue. As I mentioned, the two Dolphins games (at New Orleans, Sept. 30) and at Tampa Bay (Nov. 11) don’t do much for me. Jets at Atlanta (Oct. 4) could be ugly if Mark Sanchez continues to be bad.

Fox

Gems: Fox starts off strong with Green Bay at San Francisco on Sept. 8. Naturally, it will showcase the two games it has with Denver and Manning in the national doubleheader slot: Philadelphia at Broncos (Sept. 29) and Washington at Broncos (Oct. 27).

Thanksgiving Day should be strong for Fox with Green Bay at Detroit, especially if the Lions return to 2011 form. On Dec. 8, Seattle is at Green Bay.

Potential clunkers: The networks love to load up on Dallas. If the Cowboys underachieve, always a possibility, Fox might switch off these doubleheader games: Dallas at Giants (Nov. 24) and Packers at Dallas (Dec. 15). Then again, maybe not since it is the Cowboys.

CBS

Gems: Like everyone else, CBS will ride the Peyton train. It has a big winner with the battle of the Manning brothers (Denver at Giants, Sept. 15). It also will showcase Peyton’s trip to Dallas on Oct. 6.

Other strong games: Pittsburgh at New England (Nov. 3); New England at Houston (Dec. 1); and Pittsburgh at Green Bay (Dec. 22).

Potential clunkers: CBS’ Thanksgiving Day game, Oakland at Dallas, could be ugly if both teams fail to measure up. Given that CBS is the AFC network, it will be rooting hard for Peyton Manning to stay healthy and for the Broncos to have another big year.

NFL Network

Gems: The NFL gave its network some goodies for Thursday nights. It has Andy Reid’s return to Philadelphia (Kansas City-Eagles, Sept. 26); Giants at Chicago (Oct. 17); Saints at Falcons (Dec. 5).

Potential clunkers: Each team has to play a Thursday night. That means we will be subjected to Jacksonville (Dec. 12) and Buffalo at Cleveland (Oct. 10).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Baaannnerrrmaannn!!! Blackhawks to honor 30 years of Pat Foley

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Fans in Chicago know they have been blessed when it comes to play-by-play men in hockey. I grow up listening to the great Lloyd Pettit, a magnificent announcer who might have been the best ever. At least he was in the minds of those of us who held a radio to our ears to hear him call games at the old Chicago Stadium.

Pat Foley was one of those kids. But unlike the rest of us, he got to live out his dream.

The Blackhawks will honor Foley’s 30 years with the team during a pregame ceremony Friday; Comcast SportsNet Chicago will have complete coverage at 7 p.m. Central. He did his first game in 1980 and quickly became the voice of the Hawks for a new generation or two of fans. More than 25 years after Murray Bannerman played his last game, Foley still is asked to reprise his signature call for the Hawks goalie.

On the Chicago Blackhawks site, there’s a montage of the best of Foley, including a classic “Baaaannnerrmaaannnn!!!”

Also on the site, Bob Verdi wrote about his good friend. It included this passage:

Pat Foley, marking his 30th year as voice of the Blackhawks, will be honored before Friday night’s game at the United Center against the Nashville Predators. He is not left speechless about his remarkable journey, only reflective.

“It’s not supposed to go so smoothly in this business,” says Foley. “For a hometown guy to broadcast for the hometown team for so long, to talk about the greatest sport there is to all these terrific Chicago fans…I’m the luckiest guy in the room.”

Foley has worked the room through thick and thin, blessed with a booming voice as well as a style that entertains. It is difficult for a hockey announcer to convey personality. The sport is fast, stoppages in play are accounted for, and intermissions belong to studio hosts and analysts.

Baseball is ripe for spinning anecdotes between pitches, the football is alive for only about 12 of 60 minutes, and basketball’s clock stops repeatedly for whistles. But to connect with hockey audiences, a play-by-play broadcaster has to follow the puck while also providing a storyline and ample air time for a sidekick.

Foley excels on all counts, adding a dash of humor and candor to the mix. “You can’t fool fans,” he assures.

Dan McNeil paid tribute to Foley in the Chicago Tribune.

It’s most appropriate. Even during the lean years of the last decade — when Foley arguably was the best “player” on the team — the lifelong Chicagoan delivered his descriptions of the action to Hawks fans with passion and precision.

No sportscaster in town is more synonymous with the team for which he broadcasts than Foley. He is as entrenched in Hawks culture almost as much as the crossing tomahawks over the gold “C” on the shoulders of the team jersey.

Nina Falcone on CSNChicago.com talks to Foley on how he landed his dream job:

Foley did his research. He spent his youth watching game after game, meticulously noting each broadcaster’s style and presence. He wound up landing a job as the play-by-play announcer for the Grand Rapids Owls Junior A hockey club before making his big leap to the Windy City.

“The Blackhawks were looking for a broadcaster, they were changing radio stations,” Foley said. “I’m sitting there in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I know the job is open, I knew they needed a radio station, so I wanted to let them know that I was around.”

Which is where his father comes into play. That day at Foley Buick, a cassette was placed in Wirtz’s car. He took one listen to the young Foley’s broadcasts in Michigan, and the rest is history.

“[Wirtz] knew more about the Grand Rapids Owls than he ever wanted to know,” Foley laughed. “But my dad asked him, ‘Would you mind listening to this?’ And really that’s what got the ball rolling. Mr. Wirtz liked it [and] told his brother about me. The fact that I was a local kid was kind of new in the business, but [I] aspired to be here. I think it was attractive to them.

“It was something that happened to me early and I was very lucky. I was 26 years old and I was the youngest guy in the league for 10 years. It doesn’t happen that way, I got very fortunate.”

Congratulations, Pat. Here’s looking forward to another 30 years of Blackhawks games and always fairways and greens.

 

 

 

Posted in NHL

Notre Dame, NBC renew deal through 2025; select games can air on NBC Sports Network

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By 2025, it will be 35 years of the Irish on NBC. Think about that.

The new twist in the deal is that select Notre Dame games (i.e. the non-marquee games) can air on NBC Sports Network, beginning in 2016.

*******

Here are the details from NBC:

The University of Notre Dame and the NBC Sports Group have renewed their historic football partnership for 10 years, through the 2025 season. The renewal extends the landmark partnership, which began in 1991, to 35 years.

Per the extension, which begins with the 2016 season, the NBC Sports Group retains global media rights on all platforms to a minimum of seven Notre Dame home football games per year, with the vast majority airing on NBC. It also allows for games to air on NBC Sports Network. As it has since 2009, NBC Sports Digital will continue to live stream Fighting Irish home games.

“While our relationship with NBC Sports is longstanding, the more recent merger between NBC and Comcast has opened up additional avenues to expand the breadth of Notre Dame-related sports programming on NBC platforms,” said Notre Dame vice president and athletics director Jack Swarbrick. “Specifically, the evolution of the NBC Sports Network has provided opportunities for special programming featuring inside looks at our football team and several other Notre Dame sports programs and in-depth profiles on the unsung heroes of Notre Dame athletics. These are examples of the growth of our partnership, and we look forward to collaborating on additional projects and distribution strategies in seasons to come.”

“Coming off one of Notre Dame’s best and most dramatic seasons in decades, we could not be more proud to extend this historic partnership, which continues to be one of the most innovative in sports-media history,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “We are particularly excited that this extension offers enhanced rights that allow us to bring Notre Dame Football to fans on more platforms than ever before.”

In 2012, Notre Dame finished the regular season undefeated — with a 12-0 record that included numerous dramatic finishes — and ultimately earned their first-ever berth in the BCS Championship Game. The Fighting Irish averaged 4.4 million viewers and a 2.8 household rating for its seven games on NBC in 2012, up 69% and 67%, respectively, versus 2011. It was the best performance on NBC in seven years (2005, 5.2 million), while the 2.8 rating was the best since 2006 (3.0).

Revenues from the NBC partnership have played a key role in Notre Dame’s financial aid endowment since the start of the relationship in 1991 when University officers allocated a portion of the football television contract revenue for undergraduate scholarship endowment (not athletic scholarships). To date, some 6,300 Notre Dame undergraduate students have received nearly $80 million in aid from revenue generated through the NBC contract.

The University also has committed NBC revenues to endow doctoral fellowships in its Graduate School and MBA scholarships in its Mendoza College of Business.

NBC has been televising Irish home games since 1991. This marks the first 10-year extension of the partnership, following five five-year agreements. By the conclusion of this extension, NBC will have televised Notre Dame Football home games for 35 consecutive seasons.

84TH ANNUAL BLUE-GOLD GAME

The 84th annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game airs on NBC Sports Network this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, marking just the third time that the Fighting Irish’s traditional spring scrimmage game will be televised nationally.

In his first official assignment as the newest member of NBC Sports’ Notre Dame Football on-air team, Dan Hicks will call play-by-play, and be joined by analyst and 2013 Sports Emmy Award nominee Mike Mayock, and sideline reporter Alex Flanagan.

 

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL ON NBC

The 2013 Notre Dame Football season on NBC begins Saturday, August 31, at 3:30 p.m. ET, when the Fighting Irish host Temple. The 2013 schedule also includes games against Michigan State on Saturday, September 21; Oklahoma on Saturday, September 28; Arizona State from Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Tex., on Saturday, October 5; USC on Saturday, October 19; Navy on Saturday, November 2; and BYU on Saturday, November 23.

 

The following is the NBC Sports Group 2013 Notre Dame Football schedule (all times ET)

Date Opponent Network
Saturday, April 20 Blue-Gold Game NBC Sports Network
Saturday, Aug. 31 Temple NBC
Saturday, Sept. 21 Michigan State NBC
Saturday, Sept. 28 Oklahoma NBC
Saturday, Oct. 5 Arizona State* NBC
Saturday, Oct. 19 USC NBC
Saturday, Nov 2 Navy NBC
Saturday, Nov 23 BYU NBC

 

 

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ESPN writes about its attribution policies: ‘Building trust with viewers’

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Hmm, this is interesting.

Late Wednesday afternoon, David Scott of ESPN’s PR staff did a post on ESPN Front Row, its PR-driven site, outlining the network’s attribution policies.

Why the need for such a post? ESPN has been criticized for being lax in not giving proper attribution to stories from other outlets. Fair or not, ESPN is extremely sensitive to any negative perception about its standards.

In an email, Scott explains:

“One of Front Row’s  purposes is to share pertinent  information with our users in a transparent manner. This post is part of an ongoing dialogue and was not prompted by one thing in particular. We are always keeping an eye on our processes, particularly with news gathering’s rapid evolution in regards to Twitter and social media.”

In the post, Scott opens:

ESPN has always strived to properly acknowledge where and from whom news stories originate. The company constantly reviews procedures and processes to keep up with the ever-changing media landscape and the revisions that follow are a reflection of that steadfast commitment.

“Attribution has been and remains vital to our users,” said ESPN Senior Vice President and Director of News, Vince Doria. “The context of where information comes from helps further establish the trust we have built in 33-plus years. These guidelines are part of our ongoing commitment to being as clear as we can in providing fans with the latest and most accurate information.”

Among the areas we have addressed with our most recent review is how we present, specifically in graphics, those stories that have been independently reported by our staff in addition to outside entities.

Scott then lays out the various scenarios. An example:

News from outside entities: “Media Report” or “Media Reports”
• We will use the name of the entity where we obtained the information in scripts, on BottomLine, and, where possible, in graphics. We will only use “Report” in graphics if the name of the entity is too long.

For example, BottomLine and anchor readers would say: “The Ravens will meet with former Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil, the Baltimore Sun reports.” The Topic Bar Header would be “Media Report,” while the body of the bar would read, “Baltimore Sun: Ravens to meet with former Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil.”

Scott then concludes:

In the current environment of blogs and Twitter, it is often difficult to know definitively who was first to report a story, but it is still important to acknowledge how we initially became aware of that news. So, with a few exceptions, scripts and BottomLine entries will state the news was “earlier reported by” or “previously reported by,” rather than “first reported by,” that ESPN reporter or outside entity. It will be at the discretion of the news desk to determine when and for how long a story warrants this treatment on television.

I will have more on this issue next week.