The posts are few and far between these days because I'm now without a laptop. The infamous elbow of Matt Weinberger wrecked my laptop screen back on February 20th. Dell fixed it - or thought they fixed it. Then the screen died and here we are. I'll be receiving a new computer eventually.
So let's see if I can do better than my last post. Today, I'll spare you any life updates and such. No vague mentions of anything, and please let me say - once and for all - that I'm not making any references to my marriage or Sean's mother. We get alone just fine, with a common goal - Sean! In fact, I just saw Sandi a few hours ago for Sean's physical and we chatted, focused on Sean, and I wished her a belated happy birthday (she's joined the 4-0 club).
I don't really get into my relationships here(at least not in-depth). You might notice I've made no reference to if I'm dating, have dated, and so on. I've also never gotten into the demise of my marriage. What good would it do? There are too many variables, and too many opinions, so it's best to let it go.
My concerns of date are: Sean, career, finances, personal, etc. Sometimes the stress gets to be too much (like the way I handled something in the pediatrician's office before - I snarled but felt badly for it and calmed down) but I'm overall doing well.
The motto remains: KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
Hopefully I've cleared everything up. Thanks for being patient with me as I maneuver through this transition of homes and the lack of a PC. And now here's something we hope you really like!
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Phil Mushnick: Clueless
Every post related to the New York Post curmudgeon could be have the same title.
Yet some days he outdoes himself.
I don't even know where to begin. His obnoxious take on Erin Andrews? Missing Billy Packer?
I think it was probably the fact Phil gets upset that Bill Raftery says "ONIONS!" (meaning: "guts" or, GASP! "balls"). That sent me over the edge.
Phil, go out. See a play. Watch the birds in Central Park. Do you have kids? Go see them. Do something; anything.
Are you ever happy? Do you ever have fun?
Just curious.
Yet some days he outdoes himself.
I don't even know where to begin. His obnoxious take on Erin Andrews? Missing Billy Packer?
I think it was probably the fact Phil gets upset that Bill Raftery says "ONIONS!" (meaning: "guts" or, GASP! "balls"). That sent me over the edge.
Phil, go out. See a play. Watch the birds in Central Park. Do you have kids? Go see them. Do something; anything.
Are you ever happy? Do you ever have fun?
Just curious.
I'm Still Around
Hi all, I'm still here. There's a lot going on right now - a lot of transition - so I've been laying low. Silence from me can also be a sign that there are things to talk about that would just...be...wrong. So I stay away out of fear that if I start writing, I'll explode and let it all out. The fallout is never good.
Since you haven't asked, I'll just say that I'm fine. Had a good but busy weekend. Didn't see as much of Sean as I would have liked to. Wanted to go hit some baseballs in the batting cages, but they were closed (FAIL!). Met some great people - Brittany and Kristi are amazingly fun (and I'm now "Jerk Face").
Sure there was frustration, but when isn't there? Messages and emails that went unanswered (to multiple people)...issues that are unresolved...blah blah blah. Yet it's fine. I'm in a good place, and can only keep getting better.
So there. I'll be back writing again soon. Maybe later today, who knows? Links to send out...sadly, more death to discuss...pictures to post...and rants to be raged! Plus baseball is nearly upon us (Joe Mauer staying with the Twins is a good thing), and my college basketball pool is in the dump (Kansas? Really? Rock, Chalk, YOU SUCK...just kidding).
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Since you haven't asked, I'll just say that I'm fine. Had a good but busy weekend. Didn't see as much of Sean as I would have liked to. Wanted to go hit some baseballs in the batting cages, but they were closed (FAIL!). Met some great people - Brittany and Kristi are amazingly fun (and I'm now "Jerk Face").
Sure there was frustration, but when isn't there? Messages and emails that went unanswered (to multiple people)...issues that are unresolved...blah blah blah. Yet it's fine. I'm in a good place, and can only keep getting better.
So there. I'll be back writing again soon. Maybe later today, who knows? Links to send out...sadly, more death to discuss...pictures to post...and rants to be raged! Plus baseball is nearly upon us (Joe Mauer staying with the Twins is a good thing), and my college basketball pool is in the dump (Kansas? Really? Rock, Chalk, YOU SUCK...just kidding).
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Ron Lundy (1934-2010)
Not a good week for my broadcasting heroes. I'm blessed with many voices that have influenced me in one way or another. Of course, I'd be talking of Vin Scully, Don Imus, and so on. Last week, I wrote of the passing of Merlin Olsen. I just found out that Ron Lundy, a New York icon, one of the stalwarts of "Music Radio" 770 WABC, has died at the age of 75. Lundy might have been the very first in that long line of influential voices for me.
Ted David, one of the contributors to the New York Radio Message Board, made the announcement under an hour ago.
David Hinckley in the New York Daily News, noted that Lundy had been ailing.
Ron Lundy greeted us - his listeners - the same way every day, with an enthusiastic "HELLO, LOVE!" He breathed life into each song that was cued up on 770 AM. You never had a sense there was such a thing as a bad time with Ron Lundy. His voice spoke of the South (from Mississippi) and the listener could sense the warm ocean breeze and a mint julep.
Yet he loved New York City, where he made his professional name, working on WABC from 1965 until its very last minute as a music station, in 1982, then on WCBS-FM from 1984 until 1997, when he returned to Mississippi for good.
Even then - at the bitter end of WABC - Lundy was still upbeat. That was purely his style, and we were better for it.
Besides "HELLO, LOVE!", Lundy was known for always saying that New York was "The greatest city in the world!" and, at the end of each air shift, telling listeners, "I had a GOOD time today!"
To think back on hearing Ron Lundy on the radio is to think of "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)", "The Night Chicago Died", and "Seasons in the Sun." It's hearing him intro any song by the "king of rock and roll" as "ELLLLLVIS!" It's The Beatles, even if he might have missed out on the W-A-Beatle-C years.
Those were some amazing times on radio in New York. WABC was blessed to have a lineup including the "Morning Mayor" (Harry Harrison), Lundy, and the biggest start of them all (and Lundy's best friend), the great Dan Ingram. While I loved Lundy, Ingram was perhaps the greatest DJ of all-time, and I'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who could talk up a record better.
Yet they had a ying and yang, did Lundy and Ingram. To put it simply, Ingram was a rascal. Lundy wasn't. Someone might want to break it down further than that, and so be it. That's enough for me.
Steve West runs a tremendous radio site called Airchexx. I encourage any of you interested in the earlier days of the DJ business to head over there and listen to some of what Steve has. Tonight he is paying tribute to Ron Lundy by running several of his old air checks on his webstream, ThunderFM. While there, download some of the Ron Lundy audio from over the years.
Ron Lundy's Wikipedia page is here.
Ted David, one of the contributors to the New York Radio Message Board, made the announcement under an hour ago.
David Hinckley in the New York Daily News, noted that Lundy had been ailing.
Ron Lundy greeted us - his listeners - the same way every day, with an enthusiastic "HELLO, LOVE!" He breathed life into each song that was cued up on 770 AM. You never had a sense there was such a thing as a bad time with Ron Lundy. His voice spoke of the South (from Mississippi) and the listener could sense the warm ocean breeze and a mint julep.
Yet he loved New York City, where he made his professional name, working on WABC from 1965 until its very last minute as a music station, in 1982, then on WCBS-FM from 1984 until 1997, when he returned to Mississippi for good.
Even then - at the bitter end of WABC - Lundy was still upbeat. That was purely his style, and we were better for it.
Besides "HELLO, LOVE!", Lundy was known for always saying that New York was "The greatest city in the world!" and, at the end of each air shift, telling listeners, "I had a GOOD time today!"
To think back on hearing Ron Lundy on the radio is to think of "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)", "The Night Chicago Died", and "Seasons in the Sun." It's hearing him intro any song by the "king of rock and roll" as "ELLLLLVIS!" It's The Beatles, even if he might have missed out on the W-A-Beatle-C years.
Those were some amazing times on radio in New York. WABC was blessed to have a lineup including the "Morning Mayor" (Harry Harrison), Lundy, and the biggest start of them all (and Lundy's best friend), the great Dan Ingram. While I loved Lundy, Ingram was perhaps the greatest DJ of all-time, and I'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who could talk up a record better.
Yet they had a ying and yang, did Lundy and Ingram. To put it simply, Ingram was a rascal. Lundy wasn't. Someone might want to break it down further than that, and so be it. That's enough for me.
Steve West runs a tremendous radio site called Airchexx. I encourage any of you interested in the earlier days of the DJ business to head over there and listen to some of what Steve has. Tonight he is paying tribute to Ron Lundy by running several of his old air checks on his webstream, ThunderFM. While there, download some of the Ron Lundy audio from over the years.
Ron Lundy's Wikipedia page is here.
Kent Primary School on the Radio
I had the idea to take the show to Sean's school, Kent Primary School. Thankfully the school liked the idea, and it all came to fruition today. Ryan DeMaria and I hosted the show from a conference room, and we had Sean, his teacher, his principal, and all of his classmates on as guests. They sang a song for us and told us about sports, their favorite players, and favorite teams.
I'm told that the kids were really excited in the days leading up to the show, and they seemed to enjoy themselves.
The show will be on the Lifestyle Talk Radio Network archive for the next month.
My eternal thanks to Sean's teacher, Jennifer Byrd, Kent Primary's principal, Joan Pinkerton, and all of the students for allowing Ryan and I to bring the show to their school. Also thanks to our guy in the studio, Justin Woliner, and to Don Verity and the folks at Hudson Valley Talk Radio for loaning their equipment to us.
Lisa on the Radio
My friend Lisa is a music enthusiast (I was going to say "nut", but she might get offended). We used to work together a short lifetime ago, and we've stayed close friends ever since.
Lisa and her husband Lou are huge fans of 107.1 The Peak, the brilliant radio station that happens to be a member of the Pamal family (as in Hudson Valley Talk Radio). Among Lisa and Lou's Facebook friends is Bruce Figler, one of The Peak's great DJ's (and we've since become friendly as well - a really good guy).
What this seems to have all led to was Lisa visiting The Peak's studios to serve as a guest DJ on their new music show hosted by Chris Bro, Next.
Lisa recorded her show and it is on Next's blog. She did a great job, and there's a cute picture of Lisa and her daughter, Samantha.
Mother of three (add Joey and Evan to the mix), wife, small-business entrepreneur (Lisa's Gourmet Cookies), and defender of all causes (very charitable). Plus she once made an exceedingly unbearable business very bearable (I had a terrible virus). Now she's a DJ!?! She's an impressive person.
Lisa and her husband Lou are huge fans of 107.1 The Peak, the brilliant radio station that happens to be a member of the Pamal family (as in Hudson Valley Talk Radio). Among Lisa and Lou's Facebook friends is Bruce Figler, one of The Peak's great DJ's (and we've since become friendly as well - a really good guy).
What this seems to have all led to was Lisa visiting The Peak's studios to serve as a guest DJ on their new music show hosted by Chris Bro, Next.
Lisa recorded her show and it is on Next's blog. She did a great job, and there's a cute picture of Lisa and her daughter, Samantha.
Mother of three (add Joey and Evan to the mix), wife, small-business entrepreneur (Lisa's Gourmet Cookies), and defender of all causes (very charitable). Plus she once made an exceedingly unbearable business very bearable (I had a terrible virus). Now she's a DJ!?! She's an impressive person.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday Morning Linky Dinks
Before we float away in four to six inches of rain (!), let's rock our links out.
The tributes for Merlin Olsen continue to roll in. The NFL does their part, while Dick Enberg comments on the loss of his longtime broadcast partner (via Tom Hoffarth).
The New Era Pinstripe Bowl (via River Ave. Blues)? Really? Can we get more obnoxious? This, friends, is why the Winter Classic won't be coming to the Stadium anytime soon.
Now, would I go to the bowl game? Sure - I have nothing against that. What I do have something against is the decision-making (non-baseball edition) going on among the Bomber brass. Don't get me wrong: I love the Steinbrenners, and Brian Cashman (Cash-money) is the man. After that, we get into the people who like being a part of the Yankees just so they can go play the "Chuck Schumer" role. You know - the "I-love-to-stand-at-every-press-conference-and-be-in-front-of-the-mics-and-cameras" types.
John Miley created a collection of remarkable baseball broadcasts. I'm thrilled to say that I own a few of them, such as the game in which Roger Maris hit his 61st home run in the 1961 season. Major League Baseball tried to bully Mr. Miley about ownership rights and the almighty dollar (think of their behavior regarding YouTube). Mr. Miley fought, and won (from the Journal of Sports Media).
Jeff Pearlman thinks Erin Andrews shouldn't go on Dancing with the Stars. I disagree. See, here's the thing. Erin Andrews was the victim of a thoughtless, stupid crime. She was a dancer in college. She was interested in doing the show, if only to bring attention to women who are victimized. Yet ultimately she worried about her credibility. Then her family told her to do it. That's enough for me.
Yet there's more. Take Barbara Walters, for instance. Walters has done it all - first female anchorperson. Host of The View. Host of 20/20. A legendary interviewer. A legendary journalist. Yet does anyone remember when she once dressed as a Playboy bunny? How's her credibility?
In the end, you know what? Leave her alone.
I didn't really breakdown the Oscars in my usual way. I was out of touch with the movies, and was recovering from a virus. As such, I slept through a large chunk of the show. Yet I saw the tribute to John Hughes (from Stuck in the 80's). Nice.
Lastly, sometimes blog writing can be thankless, depending on the audience. Tim Parry has nearly pulled the FCIAC Football Blog a few times, and now the writer of the FCIAC Hockey Blog says he is done (via John Nash on the Hour Sports Minute). That's a shame.
Stay dry today!
The tributes for Merlin Olsen continue to roll in. The NFL does their part, while Dick Enberg comments on the loss of his longtime broadcast partner (via Tom Hoffarth).
The New Era Pinstripe Bowl (via River Ave. Blues)? Really? Can we get more obnoxious? This, friends, is why the Winter Classic won't be coming to the Stadium anytime soon.
Now, would I go to the bowl game? Sure - I have nothing against that. What I do have something against is the decision-making (non-baseball edition) going on among the Bomber brass. Don't get me wrong: I love the Steinbrenners, and Brian Cashman (Cash-money) is the man. After that, we get into the people who like being a part of the Yankees just so they can go play the "Chuck Schumer" role. You know - the "I-love-to-stand-at-every-press-conference-and-be-in-front-of-the-mics-and-cameras" types.
John Miley created a collection of remarkable baseball broadcasts. I'm thrilled to say that I own a few of them, such as the game in which Roger Maris hit his 61st home run in the 1961 season. Major League Baseball tried to bully Mr. Miley about ownership rights and the almighty dollar (think of their behavior regarding YouTube). Mr. Miley fought, and won (from the Journal of Sports Media).
Jeff Pearlman thinks Erin Andrews shouldn't go on Dancing with the Stars. I disagree. See, here's the thing. Erin Andrews was the victim of a thoughtless, stupid crime. She was a dancer in college. She was interested in doing the show, if only to bring attention to women who are victimized. Yet ultimately she worried about her credibility. Then her family told her to do it. That's enough for me.
Yet there's more. Take Barbara Walters, for instance. Walters has done it all - first female anchorperson. Host of The View. Host of 20/20. A legendary interviewer. A legendary journalist. Yet does anyone remember when she once dressed as a Playboy bunny? How's her credibility?
In the end, you know what? Leave her alone.
I didn't really breakdown the Oscars in my usual way. I was out of touch with the movies, and was recovering from a virus. As such, I slept through a large chunk of the show. Yet I saw the tribute to John Hughes (from Stuck in the 80's). Nice.
Lastly, sometimes blog writing can be thankless, depending on the audience. Tim Parry has nearly pulled the FCIAC Football Blog a few times, and now the writer of the FCIAC Hockey Blog says he is done (via John Nash on the Hour Sports Minute). That's a shame.
Stay dry today!
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Destruction of an Icon
I hope you're proud, Michael Bloomberg. I would never - under any circumstances - vote for you. Ever. You're the mayor of the city, whose "officials" are allowing the destruction of Yankee Stadium to happen, without even maintaining a compromise to those of us who asked you to do so.
In short: you and your crew are liars.
Have a look at this video from CNN via Pinstripe Alley. Yankee-haters will love it. It makes me sick, and angry.
In short: you and your crew are liars.
City officials giving a press tour of the demolition said they had no intention of saving Gate 2, as preservation-minded advocates want, because keeping it would interfere with the location of the fields.That's from this New York Times article from Richard Sandmoir. Not for nothing, and this will anger some of you, but does anyone remember exactly what kind of shape old McCombs Dam Park was in? I can clearly recall avoiding broken bottles (and God knows what else) when making my way through there from the parking lot. Who is going to take care of this new park?
Have a look at this video from CNN via Pinstripe Alley. Yankee-haters will love it. It makes me sick, and angry.
Merlin Olsen (1940-2010)
One of the true gentle giants of sports is gone. Merlin Olsen, defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams, broadcaster for NBC (and briefly for CBS), actor (Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy) and FTD pitchman, died of mesothelioma at the age of 69.
My best memories of Olsen is as a broadcaster where, with Dick Enberg, he formed the best play-by-play duo I've heard (yes, with all due respect to Pat Summerall and John Madden). They were smooth, exciting, and informative. They brought the AFC to life for me on NBC during the key years that made me want to be in that business.
Here's a nice article from Sports Illustrated's vault, dated January 19, 1981 (thanks to Richard Dietsch's Twitter page)
Some video: Olsen helps Curt Gowdy open a 1988 Steelers/Redskins broadcast.
Enberg and Olsen open NBC's coverage of the 1988 Rose Bowl.
Lastly, though he's barely featured here, Olsen was part of the call of Super Bowl XVII. I love the old graphics, the quality of the video, and the old Dolphins uniforms.
I still have Enberg and Olsen calling the Jets and Steelers from December 10, 1983. Anybody want to help me transfer it from the VHS tape?
My best memories of Olsen is as a broadcaster where, with Dick Enberg, he formed the best play-by-play duo I've heard (yes, with all due respect to Pat Summerall and John Madden). They were smooth, exciting, and informative. They brought the AFC to life for me on NBC during the key years that made me want to be in that business.
Here's a nice article from Sports Illustrated's vault, dated January 19, 1981 (thanks to Richard Dietsch's Twitter page)
Some video: Olsen helps Curt Gowdy open a 1988 Steelers/Redskins broadcast.
Enberg and Olsen open NBC's coverage of the 1988 Rose Bowl.
Lastly, though he's barely featured here, Olsen was part of the call of Super Bowl XVII. I love the old graphics, the quality of the video, and the old Dolphins uniforms.
I still have Enberg and Olsen calling the Jets and Steelers from December 10, 1983. Anybody want to help me transfer it from the VHS tape?
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Professional Baseball Coming To Rockland County?
(Design courtesy DLR Group and The Journal News)
Call me the skeptic but I'll believe this when I see it. The town of Ramapo, in Rockland County, NY, has talked about building a baseball stadium before, and now the plans are on the table (from The Journal News).
The stadium is slated to be built off of NY Route 45, in Pomona, near Exit 12 of the Palisades Interstate Parkway. It is supposed to have capacity for 3,500, and they think it will be ready for opening day, 2011.
The team would be a part of the CanAm League.
The reason for my skepticism is that I've seen this before - most notably in Yonkers, NY and Danbury, CT. In both cases, my mouth watered at the thought of more professional baseball coming to the area - and the chance for me to be their broadcaster!
Well the Yonkers site seems to have simply died and the Danbury site now has housing on it.
Now sit back and prepare for the NIMBY'S to spring to action!
Best of luck to the developers. It's baseball, so of course I'm rooting for them!
If the Rockland stadium is built, I want the team to be called the Rockland Rockets after an old Flinstones episode.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Well I Suppose That Worked Out
Remember the frustration I described over not doing the FCIAC boys' hockey championship game Saturday night IF the Greenwich Cardinals got there?
It's not necessary now.
Ridgefield beat them, 3-2
*sigh*
See you in the States.
It's not necessary now.
Ridgefield beat them, 3-2
*sigh*
See you in the States.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Game Highlights
Here are the highlights of the gold medal game between the US and Canada, courtesy of NBC Olympics.
Great work by Doc Emrick, Ed Olczyk and the rest of the NBC crew.
I know there are many who are OK with the US getting the silver. Just kind of happy to be there and all.
Not me.
I didn't like the US team when it was assembled. I thought the Russians and Canadians were superior. I wondered if the US would medal at all.
Then they started playing, and they started winning. Then they knocked off Canada 5-3. Suddenly it appeared they were really good. Still I thought a revitalized, determined Team Canada would win.
Yet the gold medal game went differently. Down 2-0, the US came back, with Zach Parise scoring just before the end of the third period to send the game to Overtime. At that point, Team USA had momentum, and had taking all life (and air) out of Canada Hockey Place. It even felt like they had the better goalie.
Just like that, though, it was over. Sidney Crosby. Sigh.
The better team won but the US was so close, and took the silver.
This sticks to my usual belief: get a team that I like to a championship game, and I won't settle for anything but a win. Blow my team out and the pain isn't as tough. At 2-0, it didn't look good. Even at 2-1, I didn't feel like it would sting as much. But to tie the game and then lose 3-2 in overtime?
Ouch.
Doesn't mean I'm not proud of Team USA. Quite the contrary. No harm in losing to Canada, and congratulations to them. But watching the highlights again, all I feel is that same thing.
Ouch.
Great work by Doc Emrick, Ed Olczyk and the rest of the NBC crew.
I know there are many who are OK with the US getting the silver. Just kind of happy to be there and all.
Not me.
I didn't like the US team when it was assembled. I thought the Russians and Canadians were superior. I wondered if the US would medal at all.
Then they started playing, and they started winning. Then they knocked off Canada 5-3. Suddenly it appeared they were really good. Still I thought a revitalized, determined Team Canada would win.
Yet the gold medal game went differently. Down 2-0, the US came back, with Zach Parise scoring just before the end of the third period to send the game to Overtime. At that point, Team USA had momentum, and had taking all life (and air) out of Canada Hockey Place. It even felt like they had the better goalie.
Just like that, though, it was over. Sidney Crosby. Sigh.
The better team won but the US was so close, and took the silver.
This sticks to my usual belief: get a team that I like to a championship game, and I won't settle for anything but a win. Blow my team out and the pain isn't as tough. At 2-0, it didn't look good. Even at 2-1, I didn't feel like it would sting as much. But to tie the game and then lose 3-2 in overtime?
Ouch.
Doesn't mean I'm not proud of Team USA. Quite the contrary. No harm in losing to Canada, and congratulations to them. But watching the highlights again, all I feel is that same thing.
Ouch.
Disappointing
There are certain days that just frustrate me in the radio/broadcast biz.
Today is one of those...and so was yesterday.
First, I found out yesterday that, due to conflicts with other programming, WGCH would not be carrying any of the action from the FCIAC boys hockey tournament. If the Cardinals make it to the finals, it will be the first time (to my knowledge) that WGCH won't be there to cover it.
Yet, trying to put a positive spin on things, I believed that the good news was that I would now be available to follow the Mount Saint Mary College womens' team through the first weekend of the NCAA Division III tournament. Earlier today, I assembled the pieces in place with station management, and the college was on board as well. Christine Baker was ready to join me in Ithaca for at least one, and hopefully two games.
Then I received the bad news: Ithaca College (the host site) had apparently dropped the ball. The college had not only the basketball tournament but a big track and field championship as well. There were no hotel rooms available. The basketball teams are scrambling for a place to stay, and there was no room at the inn for the broadcasters. Literally.
So I went from the hope of calling a couple of games to none. Stuff happens, and I've already made my frustration known.
OK, I'll put the positive spin back on it. I can spend the weekend with Sean, and I have a lot of things to do anyway. I can go to his school for a class party. Yeah, it's all good, I guess.
But it's still disappointing. It will take the Blue Knights advancing to the Sweet Sixteen for Christine and I to rejoin them.
Perhaps we'll recap the experience of calling Knights basketball at another time. For now, best of luck to them Friday night against Williams College. Also, best of luck to the Cardinals as they play Ridgefield tonight in the FCIAC hockey semis.
And sorry to the listeners.
Today is one of those...and so was yesterday.
First, I found out yesterday that, due to conflicts with other programming, WGCH would not be carrying any of the action from the FCIAC boys hockey tournament. If the Cardinals make it to the finals, it will be the first time (to my knowledge) that WGCH won't be there to cover it.
Yet, trying to put a positive spin on things, I believed that the good news was that I would now be available to follow the Mount Saint Mary College womens' team through the first weekend of the NCAA Division III tournament. Earlier today, I assembled the pieces in place with station management, and the college was on board as well. Christine Baker was ready to join me in Ithaca for at least one, and hopefully two games.
Then I received the bad news: Ithaca College (the host site) had apparently dropped the ball. The college had not only the basketball tournament but a big track and field championship as well. There were no hotel rooms available. The basketball teams are scrambling for a place to stay, and there was no room at the inn for the broadcasters. Literally.
So I went from the hope of calling a couple of games to none. Stuff happens, and I've already made my frustration known.
OK, I'll put the positive spin back on it. I can spend the weekend with Sean, and I have a lot of things to do anyway. I can go to his school for a class party. Yeah, it's all good, I guess.
But it's still disappointing. It will take the Blue Knights advancing to the Sweet Sixteen for Christine and I to rejoin them.
Perhaps we'll recap the experience of calling Knights basketball at another time. For now, best of luck to them Friday night against Williams College. Also, best of luck to the Cardinals as they play Ridgefield tonight in the FCIAC hockey semis.
And sorry to the listeners.
Christine Baker, This is For You!
I used this quote in an email exchange with Christine yesterday. Matches how both of us were feeling.
That's a Rule 55 for y'all(linked here)!
That's a Rule 55 for y'all(linked here)!
Linky Dinks (and Rob Crowley, Too!)
Thank you, Rob Crowley, for the nice shout out you gave me on your blog. You will be missed around WGCH and the associated Networks. To quote Rob:
To that end, Rob, keep posting away. I like your writing style and I think you have stories to tell. I also think you should still be with us in radio, but something tells me that is meant for a private conversation some time. You came from being raw to the biz to doing your best in every spot I put you in (like hockey) to being a top-notch board-operator and jazz show host. You kept me in line if I missed any spots. Well done, my friend. Best wishes, Jazzman!
I discussed the Skyline Conference All-Conference Women's team, and now it's time to note that Carlos Valdez from Mount Saint Mary College made the men's team. Congrats, Carlos. I know Sean Adams (one of your biggest fans) will be happy. The rest of the team can be found here, and the women's team is here.
Still no definitive word on if we're broadcasting the Mount's women's NCAA game against Williams on Friday at 6:00 PM. If they win, they play again on Saturday at 7:00 PM. Both games will be in Ithaca.
Oh, and we won't be broadcasting any of the Greenwich Cardinals FCIAC hockey playoff run on WGCH. See you in the states, barring any conflicts.
(Side note: sorry, I care about three things - the teams, the listeners (and the community), and calling the games, and that's where I come in. I'm not a businessman. I'm a broadcaster. I want to do the right thing for the community, and I want to call games. Oh yeah, and I'd like to make a salary. So yeah, I get a little annoyed when we - in Greenwich or at the Mount - don't cover things but it's because my heart is in the right, albeit different place. I'm not ripping anyone per se.)
And that's all I have to say about that.
Amy Beth Arkawy continues to write great stuff on her blog. She writes this time about the admission of - or confusion surrounding - the subject of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain." Funny thing is, my much-older siblings used to sing it to me. Yet I never bet the song was about me.
Also in music, the world has lost a solid session musician who seemed to pop up everywhere. T-Bone Wolk was the bassist for Hall and Oates, and was also a part of GE Smith and the "Saturday Night Live Band" from 1986-1992. He died of a heart attack at 58, just up the road at Daryl Hall's studio in Pawling, NY (thanks, Stuck in the 80's).
Stuck in the 80's also brings us the word that the 1980's was voted the best musical decade of the past 50 years in a recent poll. Yeah, I'm in shock also, but I like it. To be fair, the 80's were not as great musically as the 60's (Hello? Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Beach Boys, Supremes, Doors, The Who...shall I go on?).
Spring Training Baseball on TV! Schedules can be found on Fang's Bites for each team. Here is the schedule for the American League East. The defending World Champions play today, against the team they beat in the World Series.
The River Ave. Blues brothers give us a preliminary look at what "Heritage Field Park" (makes me sick just writing it) will look like. Michael Bloomberg and his cronies should be ashamed of themselves, and I'd say the same if Rudy Giuliani let this happen. That's the best New York can do for the most famous of ALL sporting sites? May the ghosts of Jacob Ruppert, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle pay you some ghoulish visits.
My "Only American Made" friend Lisa got a pleasant surprise while shopping at Bob's Stores, a discount clothing retailer in the Northeast. Haven't been in Bob's in a while (there's one in Danbury) but Lisa might have inspired me. I haven't exactly had money to go to, say The Gap recently (though Old Navy suits me just fine).
Joe Posnanski writes a terrific story about Al Michaels. I come to like Al more as times goes on.
I know, I know...blah blah blah road signs blah blah blah. Your mileage may vary. I have a very small sign collection. Really small. I have one sign that I like a lot (an older New York state style route 220 shield...paid $25 or so at a flea market for it!). So I get a wee bit jealous when I see posts like this from the CTsignguy.
Last thing - this is the mixed up feeling that people have for Sidney Crosby. The visiting goaltender got a larger ovation than Sid the Kid. In Crosby's own building.
...continue enjoying life and definitely continue blogging about it (I'm looking at you Rob Adams on the last part - Your blog always keeps me entertained and I constantly find interesting things across the internet because of it).Kind words like this encourage me to keep going. A little nice feedback goes a long way in all parts of life, trust me.
To that end, Rob, keep posting away. I like your writing style and I think you have stories to tell. I also think you should still be with us in radio, but something tells me that is meant for a private conversation some time. You came from being raw to the biz to doing your best in every spot I put you in (like hockey) to being a top-notch board-operator and jazz show host. You kept me in line if I missed any spots. Well done, my friend. Best wishes, Jazzman!
I discussed the Skyline Conference All-Conference Women's team, and now it's time to note that Carlos Valdez from Mount Saint Mary College made the men's team. Congrats, Carlos. I know Sean Adams (one of your biggest fans) will be happy. The rest of the team can be found here, and the women's team is here.
Still no definitive word on if we're broadcasting the Mount's women's NCAA game against Williams on Friday at 6:00 PM. If they win, they play again on Saturday at 7:00 PM. Both games will be in Ithaca.
Oh, and we won't be broadcasting any of the Greenwich Cardinals FCIAC hockey playoff run on WGCH. See you in the states, barring any conflicts.
(Side note: sorry, I care about three things - the teams, the listeners (and the community), and calling the games, and that's where I come in. I'm not a businessman. I'm a broadcaster. I want to do the right thing for the community, and I want to call games. Oh yeah, and I'd like to make a salary. So yeah, I get a little annoyed when we - in Greenwich or at the Mount - don't cover things but it's because my heart is in the right, albeit different place. I'm not ripping anyone per se.)
And that's all I have to say about that.
Amy Beth Arkawy continues to write great stuff on her blog. She writes this time about the admission of - or confusion surrounding - the subject of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain." Funny thing is, my much-older siblings used to sing it to me. Yet I never bet the song was about me.
Also in music, the world has lost a solid session musician who seemed to pop up everywhere. T-Bone Wolk was the bassist for Hall and Oates, and was also a part of GE Smith and the "Saturday Night Live Band" from 1986-1992. He died of a heart attack at 58, just up the road at Daryl Hall's studio in Pawling, NY (thanks, Stuck in the 80's).
Stuck in the 80's also brings us the word that the 1980's was voted the best musical decade of the past 50 years in a recent poll. Yeah, I'm in shock also, but I like it. To be fair, the 80's were not as great musically as the 60's (Hello? Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Beach Boys, Supremes, Doors, The Who...shall I go on?).
Spring Training Baseball on TV! Schedules can be found on Fang's Bites for each team. Here is the schedule for the American League East. The defending World Champions play today, against the team they beat in the World Series.
The River Ave. Blues brothers give us a preliminary look at what "Heritage Field Park" (makes me sick just writing it) will look like. Michael Bloomberg and his cronies should be ashamed of themselves, and I'd say the same if Rudy Giuliani let this happen. That's the best New York can do for the most famous of ALL sporting sites? May the ghosts of Jacob Ruppert, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle pay you some ghoulish visits.
My "Only American Made" friend Lisa got a pleasant surprise while shopping at Bob's Stores, a discount clothing retailer in the Northeast. Haven't been in Bob's in a while (there's one in Danbury) but Lisa might have inspired me. I haven't exactly had money to go to, say The Gap recently (though Old Navy suits me just fine).
Joe Posnanski writes a terrific story about Al Michaels. I come to like Al more as times goes on.
I know, I know...blah blah blah road signs blah blah blah. Your mileage may vary. I have a very small sign collection. Really small. I have one sign that I like a lot (an older New York state style route 220 shield...paid $25 or so at a flea market for it!). So I get a wee bit jealous when I see posts like this from the CTsignguy.
Last thing - this is the mixed up feeling that people have for Sidney Crosby. The visiting goaltender got a larger ovation than Sid the Kid. In Crosby's own building.
Koufax Speaks!
Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax, left, was the star attraction during a televised interview Saturday night with Dodgers Manager Joe Torre, center, and T.J. Simers, The Times' Page 2 columnist and event moderator. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / February 27, 2010)
The night would be reminiscent of an apparently brilliant evening in the same theater that featured John Wooden and Vin Scully (courtesy John Weisman's Dodger Thoughts Blog).
Weisman has since moved his blog to ESPN, and he wrote about the evening with Koufax and Torre.
Apparently, the only downside to the night (if you believe the criticism) was the moderator, TJ Simers of the LA Times. Simers wrote his take on the evening.
It sounds like Koufax enjoyed himself, and baseball would be well-served to get this (and the Scully/Wooden show) onto the MLB Network at once. No sport has better history than baseball, and few players are more fascinating to listen to than Sandy Koufax, simply because of his disdain for talking to the media.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Respecing the Greatness of Huey Lewis and the News
I have to sit in a dark room to listen to it. Most of the time, people just kind of chuckle when they hear who my favorite band is. This of course is purely my perception of what people think.
Someone recently asked me if I had ever seen them live. Well, yeah...
1985 - Middletown, NY
1987 - Madison Square Garden, NYC (still #1 on favorite concerts ever)
1987 - Middletown, NY
1989 - Poughkeepsie, NY (touring as "The Sports Section)
1991 - Jones Beach, NY
1996 - Westbury, NY
1999 - Danbury, CT
2001 - Jones Beach, NY
2005 - Poughkeepsie, NY (Met Huey and hung out with some of the band for a few minutes)
Quite often I poke fun at it myself (by calling them "the greatest" and such). Yet I think they are horribly, amazingly disrespected. Why is there such love for Bon Jovi - a band that stood toe-to-toe with them in the 80's? Or Journey? Or other peers? Their sound, overall, is pretty timeless, with catchy hooks that got them played on - GASP! - ROCK AND ROLL STATIONS in the 80's (which is part of how I came to love their music). Is it because they haven't released a new album in nine years (the under appreciated "Plan B")?
Is it because they backed out of Live Aid because they took a very respectable stance?
Is it because they've been buried in the hell known as Adult Contemporary radio for years while Bon Jovi and others continue to be played on Album Rock stations?
Quietly, this topic has driven me nuts for years.
Pop in one of their greatest hits CD's (or on your MP3 player), if you dare. Take any bias out of your brain. Now listen...closely. Simply enjoy the beat - one of the few pure rock acts of the time. Tell me it doesn't take you back - to 1982 through 1989 (roughly) when their shows were good, old-fashioned rock with a sense of humor thrown in.
For me, it's first loves and school fun. Bowling and baseball. Graduation and one of my many nicknames ("Huey", of course). It's that amazing night in a sold out Garden, when one of the people who went with me (not a fan) was blown away by how good they were.
The thing is, they're still that good. They just do it on a smaller level now.
It's the videos - the humor and heartbreak of "If This is It", the history lesson of "The Heart of Rock and Roll", the wink-wink party style of "Heart and Soul."
It's "Do You Believe in Love", the 7th best video - EVER - when MTV compiled the list for the first time in the mid-80's.
I can still feel the excitement of walking into Record Town in the Jefferson Valley Mall and buying FORE!, then having to return to work at Sears and waiting to pop it in the cassette player.
If I were advise you on their albums, I would rank them like this:
- Sports - 1983 (the masterpiece)
- Picture This - 1982 (Includes "Change of Heart", one of my favorites)
- Fore! - 1986 (I'll take "Jacob's Ladder as my favorite)
- Plan B - 2001 (lots to like on here)
- Huey Lewis and the News - 1980 (Huey often pans it, but there's a lot of fun new wave-meets rock)
- Four Chords and Several Years Ago - 1994 (their take on their bread and butter - old R&B tunes...gave new life to classics like "Some Kind of Wonderful")
- Small World - 1988 (very experimental for them - more jazzy the the previous records)
- Hard At Play - 1991 (fits in for that time)
One other thing: "The Power of Love" was never on one of their albums. You can find it on their hits CD's.
Maybe we'll even see a new CD from them in 2010 or 2011. Of course, they'll be on the road for a handful of dates as well.
So thanks to WNEW.com for reminding me that I'm not crazy.
The band is still out there, ready for you to rediscover.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Another Mount Saint Mary Update
The Blue Knights have punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III tournament. The Mount received an at-large bid and will play Williams College Friday in Ithaca, NY. I am hoping to be court-side to call the game...but can't guarantee anything.
If they win that, they'll play Saturday in Ithaca as well. All of this will mean some juggling for covering Cardinals hockey
Times are to be determined.
We'll keep you posted.
While we're at it, here are the 2009-2010 Skyline Conference Women's Basketball Award Winners:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Kimberly Blakney, Farmingdale State
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Krystina Agard, Old Westbury
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR:
Chris Mooney, Farmingdale State
Randy Ognibene, Mount Saint Mary
TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD:
Yeshiva
FIRST TEAM:
Krystina Agard, Old Westbury
Jessie Domes, Purchase
Courtney Heesemann, Mount Saint Vincent
Lauren Percodani, Mount Saint Vincent
Shannon Sangster, Mount Saint Mary
SECOND TEAM:
Kristin Leitheuser, NYU-Poly
Trish McMahon, St. Joseph’s
Margaux Pickell, NYU-Poly
Jess Tice, Mount Saint Mary
Latiqua Williams, Bard
My thoughts: Blakney was tremendous, though she frankly underwhelmed me. Still she was better than anybody else. Agard was a no-brainer as the ROY. Based on the behavior of the Yeshiva men's team that I saw, the women probably deserved to be the Sportsmanship winner.
As for the first and second team, I'm a little baffled. Blakney is the player of the year, yet she (and anyone else from Farmingdale State) isn't on the first or second team. I think the committee goofed by putting Jess Tice on the second team, and not giving Amanda Horvers a nod at all. I'm not trying to get the entire Mount team on the roster, but Horvers was a threat from downtown and really improved her defense as the season went on. I also enjoy watching others like Catie Biordi, Natalie Garbie, Sarah Joseph and Kate Hartnett play (and of course everyone else). Unfortunately, they can't all make the all-conference squad.
Congratulations to Shannon, Jess, and Coach Ognibene on their respective honors.
If they win that, they'll play Saturday in Ithaca as well. All of this will mean some juggling for covering Cardinals hockey
Times are to be determined.
We'll keep you posted.
While we're at it, here are the 2009-2010 Skyline Conference Women's Basketball Award Winners:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Kimberly Blakney, Farmingdale State
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Krystina Agard, Old Westbury
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR:
Chris Mooney, Farmingdale State
Randy Ognibene, Mount Saint Mary
TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD:
Yeshiva
FIRST TEAM:
Krystina Agard, Old Westbury
Jessie Domes, Purchase
Courtney Heesemann, Mount Saint Vincent
Lauren Percodani, Mount Saint Vincent
Shannon Sangster, Mount Saint Mary
SECOND TEAM:
Kristin Leitheuser, NYU-Poly
Trish McMahon, St. Joseph’s
Margaux Pickell, NYU-Poly
Jess Tice, Mount Saint Mary
Latiqua Williams, Bard
My thoughts: Blakney was tremendous, though she frankly underwhelmed me. Still she was better than anybody else. Agard was a no-brainer as the ROY. Based on the behavior of the Yeshiva men's team that I saw, the women probably deserved to be the Sportsmanship winner.
As for the first and second team, I'm a little baffled. Blakney is the player of the year, yet she (and anyone else from Farmingdale State) isn't on the first or second team. I think the committee goofed by putting Jess Tice on the second team, and not giving Amanda Horvers a nod at all. I'm not trying to get the entire Mount team on the roster, but Horvers was a threat from downtown and really improved her defense as the season went on. I also enjoy watching others like Catie Biordi, Natalie Garbie, Sarah Joseph and Kate Hartnett play (and of course everyone else). Unfortunately, they can't all make the all-conference squad.
Congratulations to Shannon, Jess, and Coach Ognibene on their respective honors.
Quick Mount Saint Mary Update
Later today, we will find out the fate of the Blue Knights, who did the unthinkable yesterday:
They lost the Skyline Conference Championship to Farmingdale State College, 67-58.
As a result, the Knights lost the automatic bid into the NCAA DIII tournament and now find themselves waiting to see if they will get an at-large bid. The answer will be revealed at 12:30 PM.
They lost the Skyline Conference Championship to Farmingdale State College, 67-58.
As a result, the Knights lost the automatic bid into the NCAA DIII tournament and now find themselves waiting to see if they will get an at-large bid. The answer will be revealed at 12:30 PM.
MSG Mania
Remember the issue WGCH had with MSG (and MSG Varisty)? I told my story here, while Tim Parry added his here.
John Nash of The Hour jumps into the fire with a well-written piece. He says what we're all feeling: that in theory what MSG and MSG Varsity is doing is good, but they have to stop essentially being so obnoxious about it.
As I've said before - I would work there because I think I'm a pretty good broadcaster and I love to call games. That's what I do. And I'm sure that, one-on-one, they're all good people (most of them, anyway). I've had nice conversations with most of their talent, and I think we've helped each other. I've spoken with members of their crew, and learn things about what they do, and vice-versa. Yet there are still some issues. John Nash brings many of the same things we have all said, in the open and behind the scenes.
They may never address the differences and that's their prerogative. Yet it would be better to have us all work together since we're there for the same goal - the game and the athletes.
There's a pretty good chance that if Greenwich advances to the hockey FCIAC Championship, WGCH will be there for the call. Yet what will the MSG impact be on us - who have called games from the same spot in the Terry Conners Rink for over a decade? Will they try to take that entire "press row" area, blocking us from the phone line that we need and use? The same area where the team video units set up shop?
Really - can't we all just get along?
John Nash of The Hour jumps into the fire with a well-written piece. He says what we're all feeling: that in theory what MSG and MSG Varsity is doing is good, but they have to stop essentially being so obnoxious about it.
As I've said before - I would work there because I think I'm a pretty good broadcaster and I love to call games. That's what I do. And I'm sure that, one-on-one, they're all good people (most of them, anyway). I've had nice conversations with most of their talent, and I think we've helped each other. I've spoken with members of their crew, and learn things about what they do, and vice-versa. Yet there are still some issues. John Nash brings many of the same things we have all said, in the open and behind the scenes.
They may never address the differences and that's their prerogative. Yet it would be better to have us all work together since we're there for the same goal - the game and the athletes.
There's a pretty good chance that if Greenwich advances to the hockey FCIAC Championship, WGCH will be there for the call. Yet what will the MSG impact be on us - who have called games from the same spot in the Terry Conners Rink for over a decade? Will they try to take that entire "press row" area, blocking us from the phone line that we need and use? The same area where the team video units set up shop?
Really - can't we all just get along?
Steelers Tribute (with Video)
Another Yankees History Lesson (With VIDEO)
I'm pretty sure I've posted this one before, but they updated it to included 2009. Pretty sweet.
River Ave. Blues gives us the link. I give you the embedded video goodness.
River Ave. Blues gives us the link. I give you the embedded video goodness.
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