Monthly Archives: June 2013

Is Bill Simmons trying to prove he’s bigger than ESPN? Yet another eruption

Posted on by

Fairly sure we are seeing a great experiment here when it comes to Bill Simmons and ESPN.

Simmons is trying to test the 10,000-pound gorilla theory by seeing if there are any limits as to the extent of aggravating his bosses in Bristol.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing writes about the latest eruption from the franchise that is Simmons:

With his comments in the early morning hours after Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Bill Simmons may be on his way to a trifecta of suspensions (or at least a stern talking to from the HR department)  Simmons objected to SportsCenter editing out a joke of his about Dwyane Wade and managed to take another dig at one of the network’s more controversial personalities.  He also sent a cryptic tweet that makes you think it’s going to be difficult for him to return to ESPN’s NBA studio next year:

@billsimmons: Wow, SportsCenter edited my joke out about Wade going to Germany before Game 4 – I should have just ripped people to shreds like SAS did.

@billsimmons: The rigidity of studio TV is really discouraging. Let’s just say that A LOT makes sense after these past 8 months.

Later Yoder writes:

Even though he may once again get a slap on the wrist, Bill Simmons is taking full advantage of a privilege that nobody else at ESPN has.  He can afford to criticize his employer publicly because he’s too valuable to Bristol to do anything drastic.  He has a platform and a following that allows him this leeway.

Not so sure about that. Simmons should be careful. He shouldn’t risk having to see if his act works at Fox.

 

 

Flashback: Sports Illustrated 1971 cover story on Esposito brothers; ‘I’m not Tony’

Posted on by

From the Sports Illustrated vault, I found this classic on the Esposito brothers from March 29, 1971. With Chicago and Boston in the Stanley Cup Final, it seems fitting to recall the days when Phil tried to beat Tony, and visa versa.

The story, written by Jack Olsen, features this opener:

In the arena seats an attractive dark-haired lady pummeled her husband’s arm in a frenzy of partisan excitement. “Come on, Phil! Come on! Come on!” On the ice below her a bulky hockey player in the uniform of the Boston Bruins executed a rink-long rush with the inexorability of a high-speed freight train. Seconds later he shot. The puck went into the net, the light flashed on over the Chicago goal and the lady’s expression changed completely. “Why, that dirty rat,” she said. “He scored on his brother!”

The anguished lady was Mrs. Pat Esposito of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The player who made the goal was her No. 1 son, Phil Esposito (see cover), the highest-scoring player in NHL history. The sprawled and (momentarily) defeated goalie was her No. 2 son, Tony, one of hockey’s finest goaltenders and the holder of a few records of his own.

For Mrs. Esposito, hockey games between the Bruins and the Black Hawks have become exercises in agony. The last time her heavyset steelworking husband Pat took her to see Chicago play Boston she opted instead to sit out the game in a hotel room watching Art Carney score on Jackie Gleason.

Later, Phil Esposito reveals there is no love between the future Hall of Fame brothers when they are on the ice.

Brother Phil touched his lucky turtleneck shirt, patted the medal stitched inside his thigh pads, blew a kiss in the direction of the inverted horns and the four-leaf clover over his locker, carefully uncrossed a couple of crossed hockey sticks down the row and said, “My brother is my best friend and the greatest goalie in hockey, but when we get on the ice he’s not my brother, he’s just another goaltender we have to beat.”

Bas-reliefs of both brothers stand at two approaches to their hometown. “Welcome to Sault Ste. Marie, the home of the Esposito brothers,” the plaques say. Heroes to the hometowners, Tony and Phil are also heroes to each other. But their relationship is far more complex than mere hero worship. It is a curious mixture of old-country Neapolitan warmth, sibling rivalry and all-out war.

“My name is Phil,” says Phil Esposito heatedly. “Don’t call me bleeping Tony.” Phil saw several shades of heliotrope last month when the California Golden Seals’ program listed the leading NHL scorer as “Tony Esposito.” “Ain’t that a new high in stupidity?” Phil announced. “They’ve made my brother the highest-scoring goalie in hockey history.”

 

 

Sunday books: The USGA’s Great Moments of the U.S. Open

Posted on by

Another chapter in the U.S. Open will get written today. Or tomorrow, if there’s a playoff.

To read about the entire history of the great tournament, check out the United States Golf Association’s new book, Great Moments of the U.S. Open.

Terrific pictures, and of course, many great stories.

*********

Here’s the write-up from the USGA.

Written by Robert Williams, director of the USGA Museum, and Michael Trostel, the Museum’s senior curator and historian, the book celebrates the accomplishments of U.S. Open champions, shares their inspirational stories and chronicles the extraordinary circumstances that each faced. Rand Jerris, senior managing director of public services for the USGA,served as supervising editor, and among the contributors are Mike Davis, executive director of the USGA, and John Mummert, manager of creative services and senior staff photographer for the USGA.

Complete with a foreword by four-time U.S. Open champion Jack Nicklaus, “Great Moments of the U.S. Open” draws together heroes, past and present, who persevered under the most demanding conditions to become America’s national champions.

Release of the book coincides with the 100th anniversary of amateur Francis Ouimet’s shocking victory over top British professionals at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., and the return of the U.S. Open in June to Merion Golf Club, site of Ben Hogan’s 1950 comeback from a near fatal car accident.

From Horace Rawlins’ improbable victory in the inaugural U.S. Open in 1895, to Nicklaus’ narrow defeat of Arnold Palmer in 1962 for his first professional win, to Tiger Woods’ breathtaking triumph on a broken leg to capture the 2008 U.S. Open, “Great Moments of the U.S. Open” uses the USGA Museum’s collection of stunning archival images and artifacts to bring to life some of the most memorable U.S. Open victories.

“The U.S. Open has long been celebrated as the game’s premier championship,” said Jerris. “Its history is full of unforgettable moments – spectacular shots, amazing comebacks and legendary champions who have inspired generations of golf fans. As some of the stories in the book demonstrate, the U.S. Open has also been marked by incredible stories of courage and determination that have been all but forgotten with time, but that deserve to be remembered among the most inspirational moments in golf history.”

“Great Moments of the U.S. Open” features 27 stories that provide readers a unique and authoritative view on America’s most prestigious golf championship.

“The U.S. Open helped to solidify golf’s standing in America and has expanded the game’s reach around the globe,” said Trostel. “This book celebrates some of the defining moments and iconic champions in the U.S. Open’s rich history. While the championship has evolved dramatically since its origin in 1895, the critical ingredients remain the same. It is golf’s most complete test, played on the country’s greatest courses and is open to all who have the skill, passion and determination to compete.”

Published by Firefly Books, “Great Moments of the U.S. Open,” is a 216-page celebration of one of the world’s premier sporting events, making it a must-have for golf fans and sports history enthusiasts. The book is currently available for purchase at www.usga.org/publicationsstore.

 

Weekend wrap: Was Ed Sullivan really once part of U.S. Open TV coverage?

Posted on by

Spanning the globe to give you the constant variety of sports media…

Ed Sullivan?: Classic Sports TV and Media has a history of U.S. Open TV coverage. Yes, Ed Sullivan was part of NBC’s team for the 1959 Open. He was a member of Winged Foot. A big moment for this site in running its first Ed Sullivan picture. Won’t be the last.

Ed Sullivan, part 2: Can you believe he once was on the cover of SI as a golfer? Nice white socks.

Year 2: Ty Duffy of Big Lead does an assessment of Grantland on its second year anniversary.

Ads: Darren Rovell of ESPN.com has a story of how the NBA will allow limited advertising on the court next year. Here’s betting it won’t be limited in a few years.

What gives: Like everyone else, Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News wonders why ESPN is cutting staff.

Endorsers: Richard Deitsch of SI.com examines the issues of TV sports play-by-play and announcers taking on endorsements and the possible implications.

Baseball: Sports Media Watch shows how baseball beats the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals in some markets.

A title please: SI.com asked its writers to file a list of the most worthy players who finally need to win a title in their sport. Athletes include Tony Gonzalez, Jim Thome, Steve Nash, and Vince Carter.

Too many?: ESPN.com’s Kristi Dosh wonders if the NHL risks blowing a good thing by doing too many outdoor games.

Recommended reading: At his site, Jeff Pearlman is very high on a new book, Super Agent, written by Dr. Jerry Argovitz. Writes Pearlman: “It’s the best insight I’ve ever seen into owner-agent and athlete-agent relations, as well as into the multiple ways professional and college sports screw the jocks for all they’re worth.”

Trachs: Pearlman also has an amusing interview with Steve Trachsel, the former Cub pitcher who gave up Mark McGuire’s 62d homer in 1998.

Advice: Michael Bradley of the National Sports Journalism Center offers this sage advice to journalism students: Work! Nothing beats hands-on experience in this profession.

Enterprise: Here is what Bradley is talking about. Students at Columbiasportsjournalism.com profiled former NFL players who are suing the league because of head trauma issues related to their playing careers.

More from future journalists: The class of 2013 has filed the Sports Journalism Institute report. It includes stories on Dan Jenkins and his daughter, Sally. The Institute is sponsored by the Associated Press Sports Editors Association. Here’s hoping all of them find jobs.

********

Sports media podcasts

Sports-Casters: Sean McIndoe (Grantland, Down Goes Brown) and Michael Fabiano (NFL Network, NFL.COM).

Sports Media Weekly: Paulsen of Sports Media Watch.

 

Report: Bengals next up for HBO’s Hard Knocks

Posted on by

It will be the second time in five years for the Bengals.

From John Reedy of the Cincinnati.com:

While the series has been popular with football fans because of the inside access it gives them, it is the bane of existence for head coaches. Only one other team had expressed serious interest in appearing.

The Bengals were the team in 2009 and won the AFC North with a 10-6 record. When asked over the past couple years about possibly doing the series again, coach Marvin Lewis has been leery of making a return, but with a young team and a more mature locker room, this might be a good time to do it again.

However, the reasons why Lewis did the series four years ago could ring true this time — he has a young but mature roster and he feels like they can handle it. It will also give Andy Dalton and A.J. Green more national recognition.

 

What is it like to call 10 periods of playoff hockey in 2 games? Just ask Blackhawks play-by-play voice

Posted on by

I did my Chicago Tribune column on Blackhawks play-by-play voice John Wiedeman trying to lay low Thursday after calling back-to-back marathons. Please access via my Twitter feed.

********

From the post:

Wiedeman’s vocal cords have gotten an extraordinary workout in recent days. Wednesday on WGN-AM 720, he and analyst Troy Murray called more than 51/2 periods in the Hawks’ 4-3 victory over the Bruins in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. That came on the heels of the Hawks’ clincher over the Kings in double overtime Saturday in the Western Conference finals.

All told, Wiedeman had a two-game span in which he described action for more than 10 periods of hockey. It’s an unprecedented stretch for a Hawks announcer, especially given the magnitude of these games.

“If I got paid by the word, I wouldn’t have to buy a lottery ticket,” Wiedeman joked.

Seriously, Wiedeman insists he wasn’t fazed by the long nights behind the microphone.

“I go into every game thinking of scenarios where it could end up this way (multiple overtimes),” he said. “You have to prepare for that even though it won’t happen 95 percent of the time. However, for that 5 percent, you have to be ready to go.”

Posted in NHL

Triple OT most-watched Game 1 since 1997; nearly 6.4 million viewers

Posted on by

Throw in massive ratings in Chicago and Boston, a triple overtime, and you get a terrific rating.

From NBC:

Last night’s triple overtime thriller (8 p.m.–1:06 a.m. ET) between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks in the inaugural game of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final averaged nearly 6.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched Stanley Cup Final Game 1 in 16 years, the most-watched Game 1 ever on NBC (since 2006), and up 119% vs. last year.

The game — in which the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins, 4-3, in an epic three overtimes — drew a 3.9 household rating and 6.358 million viewers, up 117% and 119%, respectively, vs. last year (L.A.-N.J., 1.8 rating, 2.902 million).

The 6.358 million viewers are the most to watch a Stanley Cup Final Game 1 in 16 years, just 9,000 viewers off Detroit-Philadelphia on FOX in 1997 (6.367 million), which stands as the most-watched Game 1 ever (since the advent of people meters in 1987). Last night’s game now stands as the second-most watched Game 1.

Viewership for the game peaked in the first overtime period (11:15-11:30 p.m. ET), which was filled with a flurry of action, with nearly 7.5 million viewers (7.444 million).

Bruins-Blackhawks was the No. 1 program of the day across both broadcast and cable among Adults 18-49 (tie, 2.5), Men 18-49 (3.1) and Men 25-54 (3.5). NBC was the top network in primetime (8-11 p.m. ET) for all key male demographics.

NBC is averaging 3.083 million viewers for its coverage of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, up 38% vs. the same time period in 2012 (2.226 million). For the entire playoffs, including last night’s game, NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC have combined to average 1.191 million viewers per game, up 7% vs. last year (1.116 million).

LOCAL

Boston received a 28.1 household rating, up 10% vs. the Bruins’ Game 1 rating for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final on NBC in the market (25.5). Chicago received a 25.1 household rating, up 49% compared to the Blackhawks’ Game 1 rating for the 2010 Stanley Cup Final on NBC in the market (16.9).

NBC was the No. 1 rated network overall in Boston and Chicago during the 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET time period. Following are the top five markets:

  1. Boston (28.1)
  2. Chicago (25.1)
  3. Providence (18.5)
  4. Buffalo (8.5)
  5. Milwaukee (6.1)

What happened to loyalty? ESPN doesn’t show much in firing ‘The Schwab’

Posted on by

I was at the Blackhawks game last night, and my son, who was sitting in a different part of the United Center, sent me a text:

“Dad, did you see Dickie V tweet? They got rid of The Schwab!!”

I knew ESPN was making another round of cuts yesterday, but I never envisioned they would include Howie Schwab.

Most viewers knew him from his Stump The Schwab TV show on ESPN. I must say my kids started to fall in love with sports from watching the program, in which contestants would try to beat Schwab at sports trivia. It was a fun show mainly because he took it so seriously. He truly didn’t want to get beat.

However, Schwab was much more to ESPN. He spent 26 years as a researcher and producer for ESPN. He was at Dick Vitale’s side for many events.

Judging from the reaction on Twitter and Facebook, he was beloved in Bristol. Former ESPNer Dan Patrick paid tribute to Schwab on his radio show today: “To me he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of ESPN. He took great pride in doing it better than anyone.”

You could feel Schwab’s heart breaking with this post he put on his Facebook page:

After 26 years at ESPN, I am extremely disappointed to say farewell. I have been proud of my association and my work during my tenure. I was a loyal employee, displayed respect for others, worked with numerous charities, represented the company well. I always did everything asked of me and more. What did I get in return today … word that I should get lost. The only thing that mattered was my salary, which in my view was the lone reason I lost my job.

Listen, the only people who get lifetime jobs are Supreme Court justices. Everyone is vulnerable, and times that by a million for people working in the media business these days.

I don’t think ESPN is cutting back. I believe the network is restructuring certain areas in an attempt to become more efficient. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the overall staffing became bloated, and ESPN president John Skipper was informed to trim jobs.

Many good people were told, “Sorry, that’s the way it goes.”

Yet shouldn’t there be some loyalty for an employee like Schwab who dedicated everything he had to ESPN for 26 years? Maybe I am incredibly naive, but if I’m running things, you find a way to keep someone who bleeds for the place.

I’m sure ESPN people will argue otherwise, but his firing makes it look like loyalty is a one-way street in Bristol. The Schwab deserved better.