A Couple of Jeff Pearlman Quickies

Jeff Pearlman, Mahopac High grad and well-known writer of multiple sports topics, has often been featured here.  I've interviewed him and exchanged quick notes here and there.  If you've read this blog long enough than you've seen me post many links to his blog.

I'm adding two more.

He often writes about Mahopac and, honestly, not always the most flattering stuff.  There's a certain whimsy in his posts, peppered with ruminations on our hometown being super-white, ultra-conservative, and even borderline anti-Semitic.  His experiences are different than mine but it should be noted that we grew up on two very different sides of town.  Beyond that, I'm 1) white, 2) grew up in a conservative house, and 3) not Jewish.  Therefore, it's easy to see that I probably didn't see or hear the things that he came across.  I probably wasn't as sensitive to it.  He has written of friends who had crosses burned on their properties and families who were asked to not move into the neighborhood due to color.  I never - NEVER - saw or heard any of that.  It sickens me to think of that.

OK, way off topic there, but still a fair opening to what Jeff wrote about in this piece, in which a Mahopac High grad asked if Jeff could write anything positive about the 'Pac.  He brings up Tom Gilchrist, a phys-ed teacher whose son was in my graduating class.  Which brings me to this picture...

Yes, that's little ol' me, dead center, at the 1987 Senior Prom in White Plains.  I still talk to Scott Wilson (the BIG hair), and occasionally to the former Rachel Rubin, who was my date.  Beyond that, the rest have disappeared, and that bothers me.

OK, I'm getting off-base again.  Back to Jeff Pearlman...

Jeff continues to hammer out "The Quaz", his interview with people that have varying degrees of fame.  Whether I've heard of the person, or even like the person, is irrelevant.  I find the "Quaz" to be fascinating, terrific stuff, and I have read every one of them.  Jeff recently interviewed Marty Appel, PR pro and Yankees historian.  Just as importantly, Marty has been on "The Press Box" a few times and was the guy who helped broker our interview with the wonderful Kay Murcer.  Marty's "Quaz" is great, and worth reading.

The Perfect Fit!

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a good friend (who is also looking for work).  He said he had found a job that he felt would be a great match for me.  He was right - I had each of the skills and requirements (and those that I didn't have were easily learned).  He worked with me to craft a great cover letter (arguably the best I've ever written) and touched up my resume to make it agreeable to the job in question.

It should have - at the very least - netted me an interview.

You probably know how this story played out. I got the brush off email.

My reaction?  Frustration?  No.  Disappointment?  Nah.  A philosophical shrug of the shoulders  You bet.

I'm used to this.  There have been too many jobs that I've looked into that have SCREAMED for me to pursue them.  "This job not only should be mine, but it WILL be mine!", I have thought.  In this case, I have inspiration from a great friend who stood behind me.  Through no real fault of our own, I got the heave-ho.

Why?

"Why" is not easy to answer.  The position (Assistant Sports Information Director for a well-known institution) would have been right in my wheelhouse.  Do stats.  Write.  Manage game sites.  Assist.  Do public relations.  Conduct interviews.  Help out with webcasting.  Anybody see anything there that I couldn't excel at?

Without looking too hard at my resume, one can see that I'm no kid, and Assistant SID's aren't usually 44-years-old.  I got my first full-time job before current college seniors were born.  Still, why not?  So it was worth a shot.  But really, the "why" can also be for reasons like there was already a strong internal candidate that the institution was going to hire, and only placed the ad due to Equal Opportunity requirements (aka the real-life "Rooney Rule").

There are a lot of reasons as to why one does not get a nibble on their resume.  There are so many job-seekers out there (despite what the government and media want to tell you).  Supply can not equal demand.  Yet the impression is left that there are jobs to be found.  Just Google it!  Lots of jobs await!

It's just not that easy.  I can only say "trust me" on this.

I've networked - aggressively.  I've blind emailed.  I've applied to things both in and out of my comfort zone.  I have friends who have asked friends.  I already told you about the SID position.  Ryan DeMaria is looking into private school teaching for me (don't need a teaching certificate).  Paul Silverfarb and Ken Borsuk are rooting around for writing (and so many of you have told me that this is the avenue I should pursue).  I have a well-placed friend shooting high for me in radio.  Another radio friend got me a great public address gig for a day (and they want me back).

The point of all of this is that this job market is still frustrating.  And bad.

But there's no point in lamenting the "perfect" job.  It happened.  Brush off the dirt and move on.

P.S.  I wrote this on Monday, and I put it on the shelf, which I rarely do.  I came back and edited it a few times, which I don't often do.  There was a funny, but harsh part to this that I took out.  Anyway, since then I've actually seen an uptick of things.  It doesn't mean the narrative has changed - the job market is still brutal and one still has to think "outside the box."  And that so-called perfect job thing is still annoying (especially to not net an interview).  But...so it goes.

Oh, and if you're looking for jobs, make sure to visit Indeed.com.  I've done it for a while, and the fact that Chris Erway works there doesn't hurt.

Postponed...Sigh...

It doesn't look that bad outside of the Mahopac Man Cave (RA Photo)

Tonight's Greenwich/Xavier state quarterfinal football game has been postponed to tomorrow night.  Allow me to show you the forecast for the Middletown, CT area (where Xaiver is located), starting with today (courtesy of Weather Underground):

Overcast with snow, then snow and rain in the afternoon. High of 39F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 80% with accumulations up to 1 in. possible.

OK, one inch.  And tonight (game time was 6:30)?

Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow and rain, then a chance of snow after midnight. Low of 27F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 80% with accumulations up to 1 in. possible.

I see.  So, correct me if I'm wrong, but that's ONE TO TWO INCHES, correct?  I mean, my math is good, but you know, the big numbers get me.

When I saw the forecast, silly ol' me, I figured Greenwich and Xavier would soldier on.  It's football!  In our online chat that the Playmakers and I have, Chris Erway questioned if the game would be postponed.  I'll be honest. I thought the question was ludicrous.  I even think CJ did as well, given he is a former Brien McMahon Senator captain.  He was a scholar athlete.  The dude is smart.

Then Paul Silverfarb began texting me.  Weston/Ellington-Somer had postponed...Newtown/Norwich Free Academy...the cancellations kept coming.  But damn it all, Staples/West Haven was staying true!  What's a little snow, and besides, the shoreline was just supposed to get rain.  It's football, and we play on in bad weather!

The Playmakers and I kept our collective fingers crossed.  Then Paul tweeted the sorry news that the game had been postponed. 

I tweeted "What a joke."

Hey, I get it.  Let's be cautious.  Let's play tomorrow.  Back the semis to Sunday.  But...as of this writing, not everyone is going along with postponing tonight (again, Staples/West Haven).  I just wonder about all this change when we are talking about one to two inches.  But I get the safety issue - 100%.  And I also get the fact that Ryan DeMaria, Max Barefoot and I would be driving on the hills of Interstate 84, traversing through Waterbury and Meriden on our way to Middletown.  There's an inherent risk.

Will the CIAC step in and force the postponement of the remaining games (there are six at this point)?

I've got another day to prepare.  I'll just move my parent-teacher conference again.  Reschedule dinner with my son.  Another day to wait for my new briefcase to show up from LL Bean.

So it goes.

All good.  Be safe.

See you tomorrow.

Hello From Florida (Again)

"The sea was angry that day, my friends.  Like an old man trying to send soup back in a deli." - George Costanza, Seinfeld.

I know, I know.  The last time I dared - had the NERVE - to blog away from Florida, I caught grief for it.  Well, I 'm doing it again!

I'm on the east coast this time - in Melbourne.  Lisa saw where she could take some time off, so she invited me to travel with her to Florida to meet her mother and father.  I know - THE PRESSURE!  Meet the Parents!  Aaaaarrrggghhhh!!!

No, I haven't been hooked up to a lie detector.  No.  Not really.

Lisa and I connected on Sunday morning and took an early flight out of Newburgh, NY.   Before we knew it, we were in Orlando.  My previous frustration with Jet Blue for their pricing policy* had faded because they really are a top-flight (duh) airline.

* In short, Lisa and I booked our tickets at the same time.  She paid $30 less than I did.  We expressed our frustration to Jet Blue, and they didn't even give us so much as a drink voucher.  Or a free movie.  Or a set of their freaking headphones.  Lesson learned.  Life goes on.

Lisa mother (Jo) and father (Roger) met us in Orlando and drove us to the east coast where, just feet from the Atlantic, I treated them to the culinary delight of a lifetime!

Tim Parry expressed his approval from Connecticut via Facebook.  Lisa, however, wasn't all that delighted.  Sigh...I guess the atmosphere of the Waffle House experience didn't cut it.  Me?  OK, it wasn't their best, but it's still the WH.

Besides, Tim, Jason Intrieri, and I are heading to "The Waff" in December on our way to the Reading Tent Sale.  Lisa, Paul Silverfarb, the Press Box Playmakers, and a cast of anyone is invited.

By the way, as a quick aside, my trip to Florida meant that I wouldn't be in Greenwich to call the 2012 GYFL Championships.  Chris Kaelin and Max Barefoot filled in ably.  I listened for a short while, and I was pleased.  They should be proud of their work.

This isn't going to be a trip of stories.  I don't expect to move much farther than Jo and Roger's house, other than walking across the street to the pool, or strolling the neighborhood.  There won't be adventures.  That's fine.  This is a trip to get acquainted and maybe even relax.

And write my 2012 Brunswick fall recaps for the Times of Brunswick.  And do program logs for WGCH.  Before I know it, we'll be right back in Orlando, and flying home to pick up Sean.  Soon it will be time for the 2012 FCIAC Football Championship game at Cardinal Stadium.

But I love me some Florida.  It's cloudy and only in the low 70's.  I don't care.  I'll take it.

Another View From the Press Box

I passed my most recent post, regarding the 50-point rule lunacy, onto my friend Paul Silverfarb at the Greenwich Post.  As I will be away beginning Sunday morning, Paul chose to use the article as my latest contribution to "A View From the Greenwich WGCH Press Box."

If time allows (or if I have wifi, or if I even bring my PC to Florida) I will check in next week with another edition.  If not, then this will serve nicely.

The 50-Point Rule Debate Explodes in Greenwich

What would he think?

I called a football game last night.  No, really, I did.  That's what my calendar said I was supposed to do.   Danbury at Greenwich, 7:00, Cardinal Stadium.  There was even a final score, as Greenwich won, 54-8.

So tell me why I feel like I was at a tea party?

Oh things were going just fine and dandy.  Greenwich sprinted away to a big lead, and was up 41-0 at halftime.  Taylor Olmstead returned an interception 97 yards to make it 48-0 with 9:03 to go in the third quarter.  That was the score at the end of three.

We all knew what was next.  The Cardinals wanted to pitch a shutout, but that they could not score again.  To win by over 50 points would mean that the Cardinals would have violated the idiotic 50-point rule (which is, in reality, and 51-point rule) and that head coach Rich Albonizio would be suspended for one game.  And, oh yeah, that one game would be the FCIAC Championship Game next Thursday at home against Staples.

Yes, I know that there is a review process, but still.  It's ludicrous.

Moving ahead, the Cardinals had brought in all of the backups.  They were mostly running the ball, save for an occasional pass play on a screen.  Then, suddenly, Nick Schepis, a junior running back, had 35 yards of daylight ahead of him.  He ran, scored, and celebrated with his teammates.  His first touchdown.  Then he looked at the scoreboard.

54-0.

The Greenwich offense came back out for the conversion...and they took...a...knee.

In the booth, I began a meltdown.  And I knew - KNEW - what was coming next.  For the deficit to drop under 50, Greenwich would have to let the Hatters score.

They did.  On the kickoff the seat parted and Tysheen McCrea ran into the endzone.

Danbury head coach Dan Donovan had seen enough.  He yelled across to Albonizio, telling him to play the game.  He has incredible respect for the Cardinals' leader, and said that he would defend him against the rule.  Still who is to say that the CIAC would take his word for it?  The two coaches met at midfield in one of the more bizarre things I have ever seen.  While the conversation was apparently passionate, it was not heated.

At one point I thought the game would be stopped.

In the end, play resumed, but the spirit of the game (which is why the rule was created) was shot.  The CIAC had been embarrassed.  I don't fault anyone at Cardinal Stadium.  Not a soul.  I don't blame Schepis (how do you tell a kid to stop running?), Donovan, Albonizio, or anyone else.

Later on, I noticed a Cardinal player had a chance to make an interception and perhaps run it back for a touchdown.  For the love of Lombardi, that would be the highlight of any kids' football career.

The CIAC has taken that away.  The player let the ball hit the turf.

How is this good?  Google "50 point rule" and you'll find chapter-and-verse from writers who have long lamented this travesty.  So, tell me, who benefits?  Suddenly, a night in which Greenwich could trumpet their return to the FCIAC Championship and the state playoffs (first time since 2007) was marred by this.  Two coaches stuck in a bad spot.  Players being told to let the other team score.

Who wins?  How can it be defended?

It can't.  I know a caller reached Sean Kilkelly in the WGCH studio, wanting to debate it with me and I want to hear what the gentleman has to say, but I just don't get how this foolish rule can be supported.  It has made Connecticut a subject of ridicule since it was put into place.

Look at the scenario last night.  What if the coach across the way wasn't someone who respected and liked his opponent?  What if it was some hot head?  Who is to say what breaks out?  Coaches, administrators, parents - you know, the ADULTS - are supposed to be the role models.  Yet in this "Everybody Gets a Trophy" era, we continue to fret over large scoring deficits.

Is that an extreme example?  Sure.  But still, look at what happened.  The rule - the score - took away from the confirmation that the Cardinals will play Staples on Thanksgiving for the FCIAC Championship. It further took away that the Cards cemented their place in the Class LL playoffs for the first time since 2007.  The 50-point rule was all that people were talking about.

You want score control?  Put things back into the hands of the coaches.  Save for a couple of bad examples, the system worked fine.  Common sense was mostly exercised, and there are always going to be charges of running up the score.  I know the defenders will say that the number of blowouts have been whittled down since the rule went into effect, but at what cost?  At the charge of kids pulling up before scoring?  At playing at a different speed (which is a way for potential harm to the athletes)?  At allowing the other team to score and thus dumping on the sport itself?

Running clock needs to be emphasized.  Keep working in the JV players.  Run plays into the line.  Keep it simple.  No jet sweeps, trick plays, and so on.  Again, use common sense.

Get rid of this rule.  It only causes more harm than good.

WGCH will air the championship games in the GYFL on Sunday.  Chris Kaelin and Max Barefoot will have the call.  Chris, Max, Ryan DeMaria, and Chris Erway (in the power chair) will have Staples coach Marce Petroccio and Sean Patrick Bowley from the Connecticut Post on The Press Box, Monday night at 7:00.  I'll call in from Florida, where I'm going for a few days.

Of course, I'll be back on Thursday morning for Greenwich/Staples.  The pre-game show will begin at 9:40 AM.

The View From the WGCH Press Box

Here's my latest installment of "The View From the Greenwich WGCH Press Box" at the Greenwich Post.

The WGCH "Press Box" airs tonight at 7:00, and runs for two hours.  Good times for all!

A Crazy Football Day

We all know what the past few weeks have been like.  Hurricane Sandy (Superstorm), a Nor'easter, and the recovery from all of it.
 
Many are still without power, and that is shameful.  Many have lost so much.

Sports, our great distraction, has come back.  Finally, the FCIAC played football, with Greenwich taking on Brien McMahon of Norwalk after numerous delays.

The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead and they just kept scoring, easily rolling to a 49-14 win.  Liam O'Neil threw three touchdowns to Joe Kelly in the victory.  O'Neil has been among the best quarterbacks in the FCIAC, throwing 13 touchdowns in three games.

Yet, this was just a small piece of the story.  Yes, the Cardinals needed to win to keep their hopes alive for an appearance in the state playoffs and the FCIAC Championship Game - which would be included as part of their season-ending, Thanksgiving Day showdown with Staples.  It is the only way that an outright championship would be awarded.  Otherwise, the title would be split between Staples and Trinity Catholic.

The Crusaders had last won the county championship in 1984, when their current coach, Pete Stokes, was their quarterback.  The team needed to beat Darien at home to keep their shot at a co-championship alive.

That's where we sort-of came in.  Ryan DeMaria and I met up and drove to McMahon, with me nursing a cold that had me off my game.  Max Barefoot, our intern, statistician, and extra booth voice, met us at McMahon.  Chris Erway and Chris Kaelin both showed up about 10 minutes into our pregame show, due to the multiple date changes.  Each had a commitment. Erway was especially interested in this game, being a McMahon grad.

As the Greenwich/McMahon game got underway, the Greenwich fans, gathered underneath our window in the booth, began asking for scores from the Trinity/Darien game.  Jason Intrieri was there, and he texted me information furiously.  Twitter was a strong source as well, with Darien Football, Dave Ruden and others tweeting away.

At first, I relayed scores by yelling out to Warren Bernstein, father of the Cardinal "Sherman Tank", Mark.  Then, I remembered that I had a wipe-off board, that I bought for a dollar at Target, intending to let others in the booth use it when they wanted to tell me something, as opposed to me reading lips.  I began watching Twitter (along with Chris Erway), calling the game, checking texts from Jason, and updating the fans on the wipe board.  Their cheers and groans were audible.

Fast-forward to the end of the Greenwich game.  I had hoped to stay on the air until the Trinity game was over, but due to a miscommunication, McMahon asked us to clear out of the press box (realizing later on that we could have stayed).  As we walked out of the booth, I chatted with McMahon AD Joe Madaffari about the game when I glanced again at my phone.  It seemed everyone wanted to know what was going on with the Trinity game.  They had played a crazy, sloppy, ugly, memorable game.  It see-sawed to the point that it was 20-20, with overtime seeming likely.  We thought about making a run to get to Trinity's Alumni field to see the end (no broadcast was covering it...ugh...), but then....Twitter gave the answer, followed by Jason.

#cthsfb #darien omg!Triple covered Nicky Lombardo somehow jumps out of his 5'8" frame and comes up with 34 TD pass.
— Darien HS Football (@Darienfootball)

I yelled out for Madaffari, CJ, and Max to hear.  Kato, Ryan, and others also heard the news.  Jason confirmed it further - the game was over.  Ryan suggested I jump on the air (as in, call the station).  My first call to Sean Kilkelly went unanswered, so I called Warren Bernstein, knowing he could pass the word.  The response from the Bernstein car was ecstatic, to say the least.  Sean, in the meantime, sent me a text, and I called him right back.  Within seconds, I was on the air to report the details (or at least what I knew).

This is Dave Ruden's story on the game.

The Cardinals and Wreckers had both won.  The Crusaders had lost.  Greenwich needs to beat Danbury on Thursday night.  Staples needs to do the same to Westhill.  So long as both of those things happen, it will be the Cardinals and Wreckers for all of the marbles on November 22nd at Cardinal Stadium.

This morning, I noticed a tweet from The Cardinal Crazies (I love seeing students getting so fired up at Greenwich!), letting me know how the football team reacted when they found out about Trinity Catholic losing.  This made my day.

Snowed In...

I wasn't planning on this.  Yeah, I know - Nor'easter.  What was supposed to be 1-3 inches of snow on ground that wouldn't be cold enough to cover has turned to 4-8 inches (give or take, the numbers vary).

I'm in a Dunkin Donuts in Hopewell Jct, NY (or East Fishkill, or whatever).

The story has to start somewhere.  Let's got back a few hours.

With the storm a-coming, I checked the website for Sean's school to see if he had an early dismissal.  Tonight was our usual Wednesday dinner night, but I check anytime.  Just want to know what's going on with him.

So it turns out that his school was going to have a full day, but would have no after school activities.  So that meant no "aftercare", which is what kids go to after school.  They do their homework, have a snack, and play.  It's not my favorite way for him to go, but it does give him somebody to play with.  It's a reality of having parents who both work, or other circumstances.

I left home around 2:45 to get to him around 3:30.  That should have been enough time, even with some snow on the roads.  Streets near me were OK, and the Taconic Parkway wasn't bad as I started going north.

I entered the higher elevations on the Taconic, through Clarence Fahnestock State Park, and approached the exit for NY Route 301, when I saw the tail lights.  Sure, I thought, we have to slow down for the first of two hills - one that goes past the old ski slopes, and the other down past Hortontown Hill Road.  Initially, all went well...and then, as we prepared for the descent past Hortontown Hill Road, things...got...

Icy.

I saw cars sliding off onto the side road (it meets the TSP at an at-grade crossing) before returning.  A snow plow passed me in the left lane, which at least gave those of us in the right lane some hope (that included me).  I jumped into the left lane and, though I was doing only about five MPH and my right foot was shaking, I moved along and was at Sean's school at 3:45.

Poor Sean.  He was waiting for me to show up, and the school office made him call me to find out just where the heck I was.  Fortunately, I had just pulled into the parking lot.  It, of course, begs the question: what if I couldn't get to him (or his mother, or anybody else, for that matter)?  I mean - it's a nor'easter.  Stuff happens.

As for his mother, Sandi was leaving her job near Pleasantville around 4:00.  Sean and I drove to a local pizza place, not too far from their house.  We stayed there until about 5:45, when we walked through the same plaza to a Dunkin Donuts.

It is now 8:00.  Sandi is still stuck on the TSP.  Sean and I are still in the Dunkin Donuts.

I still have more driving to do tonight.  At least writing this post has given me something to do, after I wrigged up some wireless connectivity thanks to my cell phone.

But we're listening to radio station K-104 (top 40) blasting away, which is fine.  It's upbeat, and I very nearly had my first radio job there over 20 years ago.  But...I've heard the same couple of songs about three times now (including some dreadful auto-tune thing).

Ugh.

Rob the Vote

I just voted.  I drove a few minutes up Secor Road, stood on a short line with my mother in front of me, stepped to my little desk, marked my ballot, put it in the machine, and drove home.

Easy peezy lemon squeazy.

WHOM I voted for doesn't matter (it does, but not in regard to this post).  To be honest, I picked from both sides of the aisle.  With the exception of one year (and that still bothers me), I've voted in every annual election since just before my 19th birthday.  It's a right that I enjoy and utilize.

I don't care if you go to your polling place and write in "Snooki" for President.  Honestly, although there are inherent problems with that, it's your vote.  Simply go and vote.  It's not that hard.

Now, that being said, it's not that easy this year either, certainly in the metro NY area, with many thanks to Sandy.  Many polling places are dealing with the impact of the super storm.  New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said that residents can vote anywhere this year, with restrictions, but the idea is to get people out to have their voice heard, at least at the state and national levels.

Once today is done, we can, thankfully, move on.  There is such a chasm that exists in our society, and it is sickening.  I will probably be on social media later today so that I can get a sense of the mood for my reports on WGCH tonight (8:00), but I think I would rather just disappear for the day.  As I've said before, what happened in 2008 made me bitter, against friends, the media, etc.  It was a bad day, in my mind.  The rhetoric was foolish, and I've seen some of that same stuff again.

I mean, to be honest, can't we just get along?  Really?

I hope whomever wins the big race puts us on the path to being a better society.  Emotionally.  Spiritually.  Financially.

The people will be heard from.  The commercials and phone calls will stop.

And we'll move forward.

It's All Fair

Criticism is a part of life.  In broadcasting, it's fair game.  As it is, I offer criticism here often - about stations, format, personalities, and more.

I expect it, and take it with a grain of salt.  I always consider it, and then decide if it 's worth addressing.

But if it's not correct, well, that's just not right.  And I'll call you out on it.

I just read a post from a Greenwich blogger (not posting or linking it here) that had a cutie little snarky nickname for what "WGCH" stands for.  In his criticism, he derided us for being off the air since Sunday, among other things.

Hmmm.  Unless I'm wrong, I recall being on the radio Monday night.  My neck hurt from sleeping on the floor.  I witnessed the rain and watched the trees bend in the wind.  Yep, I was there and we were on the air.  It was mighty real.

But, according to this critic, we were off. 

We were there, and the reviews have been quite positive.  I've received emails and heard from others about the job we did.  Not patting myself on the back; just stating the story, and defending ourselves.

Now, did we lose power?  Yes - at 10:30 Monday night, right around the time where we weren't sure what more there was to say.  We all wanted to be right back on the air each subsequent day.  But we were hardly the only station to lose power in the impacted storm area.  In fact, this post from Stop the Cap includes information from NorthEast Radio Watch that indicates just how widespread the damage was for the broadcasting business.

Again, criticism is fair game, and often warranted.

But make sure you know what you're talking about.

UPDATE: After an exchange with the blogger, an amendment has been made.  I appreciate his willingness to discuss this and recognize the error.

John Iannuzzi For State Rep

This really isn't about politics.  Nope.  John Iannuzzi has been my friend for over a decade.  Last year, he ran for public office in Bridgeport, CT.  This year, he is running for State Representative in the 130th District.

This really isn't about politics for a couple of reasons, most notably, I don't live in Connecticut.  So...I can't vote for him.  Walking the fine line of being a reporter, it's not like I'm endorsing him (though...well...you know).

He's a Jets fan (meh).  He's a Yankees fan (my brotha!).  He was my colleague at WGCH, where he was a wonderful news reporter, and an even better political reporter.  That's where he should be, but we know the harsh realities of the biz and of life.  He also blogged about his frustrations over Hurricane Sandy, as he lives in the south end of Bridgeport, which got hit really hard.

I just got an email from him with a link to his TV ad.  It.  Is.  GREAT.  No bashing of his opponent.  Hell, no mention of his opponent.  Just - why is he running and and what he is standing on.  His presence, voice (he's a radio guy, like me), and personality all come across.  Add in his dog and his wonderful wife, Sonni Ann, and you have a fine commercial.

I guess, in closing, let me say that I'm Rob Adams, and I approve this message!

Greenwich Football News and Notes

Greenwich/Westhill, October 27, 2012

The first piece of news is that Greenwich will not play at Brien McMahon in Norwalk this Friday as originally planned.  That game, along with the rest of the games scheduled for this weekend, will be play next Thursday.  According to the CIAC website, the Cardinals will play the Senators on Thursday, November 8, at 6:00.

The Cardinals' following game with Danbury, originally scheduled for Friday, November 9th, will most likely be played on Tuesday, the 13th.  Just going with the what I've seen, I would guess the game time would be 6:00.  That is purely speculation.

Up the road, the Brunswick/Hopkins game has also been canceled.  No word of when they will make that up yet (or if they will).  We were scheduled to carry that game on WGCH.

The FCIAC has made their schedule changes with the intention of protecting the FCIAC Championship game (Sean Patrick Bowley).  If Trinity Catholic and Staples remains unbeaten, then the Crusaders and Wreckers will meet in Trumbull on Saturday, November 17 for the title.  If the Crusaders lose to either Darien or St. Joseph (their next two opponents), and both Greenwich and Staples remain unbeaten, then the Cardinals and Wreckers will tangle at Greenwich High School on Thanksgiving morning for the championship.

Of course, the debate is whether or not the conference should have canceled the championship game totally.  I know, from talking to players, winning the FCIAC means a lot.  Some have told me it means more than winning the state.  Yet it's a lot of football to be played in such a short window.  The alternate plan would have been for Trinity and Staples to be declared "co-champions" if that was the way it played out, or for Greenwich and Staples to play on Thanksgiving.  Then the games from this weekend could have been moved to the weekend of November 16-17.

My take?  I never like the idea of co-champions but, really, football isn't the first priority.  People have lost homes.  They have no power.  We love our sports - we need them as a release - but we have to keep our eye on reality.  But my opinion is irrelevant and the FCIAC has made their decision.  But a lot of coaches, players and fans are outraged.

I once played in a baseball league that scheduled our championship game for a Sunday.  It poured that day, and the game was canceled and never made up.  The trophy said "1985 Co-Champions" on it, part of a threepeat for us.  Still, I hate that co-champs thing.  But, again, priorities.

The bottom line is that I will show up and broadcast the games if I can.  Once can only hope that all power is back by then.

By the way, and this matters little, but three days later, I'm sincerely proud of the efforts that WGCH - and the community - put forward on Monday night.  We had calls from as far away as Cape Cod and the Virgin Islands.  Losing the power at 10:30 was so disappointing, since we had no way to get back on.  The Greenwich Time (Frank MacEachern) wrote about us.

My game story about Greenwich and Westhill is online (and soon, in print) at the Greenwich Post website.  I have to go get a copy of it.  I showed the last issue to Sean (you know, The Son) and he smiled with pride.  I like that.

A View from the WGCH Press Box

Here's the latest from the WGCH Press Box, online at the Greenwich Post website.

Happy Halloween to all (and hopefully many of you can still trick-or-treat).

Me...on CKNW and Sandy

Greenwich, CT - October 30, 2012 (RA Photo)

The past 36 hours (and some more) have been pretty wild.  I guess I can say that I served as the anchor for WGCH's live Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy coverage, manning the controls for nearly eight hours until power wiped us out at 10:30 last night.

Just after I got to the station, our true News Anchor (and News Director) Tony Savino took a phone call from a Canadian-based radio station, looking for an interview regarding the storm.  Tony asked if I would like to do it and I was pleased.  I enjoy doing such things, and would step away from the WGCH microphone at 3:35 (our time) to take the call.

From what Tony heard on the phone, I would be appearing on CKLW, a legendary 50,000-watt station based in Windsor, Ontario, and booming into Detroit.  I thought of perhaps talking about the Tigers' loss in the World Series.  Excitedly I posted the information on Facebook.

Then I took the call and heard a traffic report discussing CKNW (980 AM), not CKLW (800 AM).  OK, so no Tigers talk!  Still, the thought of going on a highly-rated (and regarded) station in Vancouver sounded pretty cool to me.

I spoke with Simi Sara, who peppered me with questions in a professional, yet breezy way that allowed me to stay loose and still be a reporter. 

I must have done something right, because Simi suggested that they might call on me again.

After I tried to catch up on some sleep this morning, I checked my phone to discover that I missed three phone calls from a strange number.  Sure enough, Simi's producer, Claire Allen, had called to ask if I could appear on the show again.

You probably know I don't take these things lightly.  I truly consider them a privilege.  I made sure to charge my phone up enough so that I had power to do the interview when they called again.

If they ever need me again, I'm there.  Maybe next time we can really talk sports.  We could discuss the NHL and, as ace "Exit 55" reader Harold said, "tell them the Canucks are a bunch of divers!"

I found out that Simi does podcasts of her shows and, indeed, the past two days are online.  So if you want to hear how I sounded, you can check them out for yourself (look for the shows of 10/29/12 and 10/30/12).

Home Sweet Home.  I had no other choice!

As for our WGCH experience, well, it was, um, an experience.  The wind was incredible and the storm surge intense.  Despite our best-intentioned plans, it wound up being "The Rob and Jim Show", with Jim Fischer and I making it up as we went along, with an assist from Darby, hosting her one-hour show.  Otherwise, it was Jim and I.  We talked about the weather.  We talked about the news.  We interviewed a few guests.  We handled roughly two hours of phone calls from listeners about the power and the storm.  We even took a few sports phone calls.  The "Press Box Playmakers", Chris Kaelin and Chris Erway called in to give us the perspective from their towns and talked just a little sports.  Online, Kato, CJ, and Ryan DeMaria kept me laughing with our ongoing conversation.

Tony Savino and Bob Small also worked extraordinarily hard from multiple angles, with Tony stationed at Police Headquarters (before returning in the storm to the studio) and Bob trying to engineer and problem-solve.

Greenwich.

The night reminded me of why I love radio so much.  People needed us.  People were listening.  People were responding.  It was awesome.

After the power went out, we were faced with the inevitable: sleeping at the station.  No problem, though, as I brought my trusty air mattress, "Brenda" (yes, it has a name - long story).  But...I didn't inflate it when we still had electricity and my battery-powered air pump didn't work.  So I jumped into my sleeping bag on the floor and made the best of it as the wind howled.

The corner of Lewis and Mason Streets in Greenwich - October 30, 2012 (RA Photo)

After a largely restless night, Jim, Tony and I (joined eventually by Bob, who had gone home) gathered in the studio and talked for a bit before I decided to try to venture home.  The drive, to be honest, was largely uneventful.  I returned home to a powerless house.  We had no flooding or down trees (a few limbs and branches).  Being without power was a small price to pay.

Power returned about 90 minutes ago.  I hope for everyone else to get theirs back soon, and feel for those who have suffered and lost so much.

It was a remarkable stretch.  Another story in my radio life that I won't soon forget.

My Article in the Greenwich Post

A writer, and three broadcasters at Cardinal Stadium.  Me, Ryan DeMaria, and Chris Erway,

Paul Silverfarb - you know, the MAN (who happens to also be the Sports Editor at the Greenwich Post) needed a weekend off with the family, and he made the call to the bullpen.

Everyone else was unavailable, so he asked me.  It was like calling the Notre Dame bench and finding out only Rudy is there.

My game story on the Greenwich/Brigeport Central homecoming game is online (and at newsstands across Greenwich).

I'm known as "Post Special Correspondent."  Sadly, "Super Genius" has already been taken.

Yankees YouTube Finds

I'm always seeing new goodies on YouTube, related to all kinds of various things.

A few Yankees goodies.

1) Ed Figueroa became the fist Puerto Rican to win 20 games in MLB history.  He won his 20th against the Indians to close out the 1978 season.  NBC covered it as the Game of the Week, with Joe Garagiola calling the play-by-play.  This is the ninth inning of that game.

The Yankees would lose the next day, setting up the "Bucky Dent" (American League Division Playoff) game.

2) Here's a promo from WPIX (Channel 11) in that same 1978 season.  Eleven Alive!


3) From 1985, the Bombers top the Twins, 9-8.  Spencer Ross and Bill White had the call on WPIX.  Good seats still available.  This was during the years that it was considered "dangerous" to go to Yankees games.

This happened not longer after the firing of Yogi Berra as Yankees manager.  Billy Martin (who else?) replaced Yogi, and Berra would not return to the Bronx until 1999.  And for you young fans, Ron Davis (who surrendered the home run) is the father of current Met Ike Davis.

A Walk on a Beautiful Sunday

Last Sunday was possibly the last nice weather day that we will see in 2012.  Of course, if cold weather and so on is your taste, then you're the wrong person for this post.  For Lisa and I, it was about as nice as it can get.  Sunny, 60's, and the fall colors near their peak.

We planned to make it a leisurely type of day, but we were absolutely going to walk somewhere.  Lisa's initial intention was to go to Val-Kill, the cottage and grounds that Eleanor Roosevelt owned until the end of her life in 1962.  That plan seemed to be scuttled when we decided to grab a small breakfast (Robbie needs his coffee) and head on over to a different trail.

We drove to Quiet Cove, a small park off US 9, just north of the city of Poughkeepsie.  I took the above shot of the Walkway over the Hudson and the Mid-Hudson Bridge from there.  There is a house on the site that seems to be rented out for meetings and such, but it's the deck looking out onto the Hudson that is the winner.  It's a sweet little park, but it didn't have the trail that we intended to take, so we drove up the road into Hyde Park, where we found the beginning of the next trail that we wanted to take.  The bonus to this was parking at the old Hyde Park train station.

But as we started walking, something just didn't seem right about this trail.  For Lisa, it was a touch too familiar.  I think she wanted something new, and I had no objections, so after checking out this awesome waterfall on the edge of the Vanderbilt Mansion property, we went back to plan A.

We drove around the Vanderbilt property, where I got this great shot.

From there, it was on to Val Kill.  We did the walk to Top Cottage, FDR's "retreat.", built around 1938.  The guide we met there told us that the President only went there 98 times before his death in 1945, and never slept there.  Of course, Lisa and I were curious how one defines "sleep" in this case.

Giggity giggity goo.

Still, I had to laugh at the thought of Franklin Roosevelt, who had a beautiful house just about three miles away on the Hudson River, needing to go to a "retreat."  Ah, wealth.  So obnoxious.

It's a nice little place, and worth a fast visit.  The view (before the trees grew) must have been fantastic.

The walk from Val-Kill to Top Cottage was decent.  Nothing strenuous about it.  If anything, it reminded me of walks I used to take on the many trails in the woods surrounding my boyhood home (now mostly gone).

Back at Val-Kill, we decided to visit the cottage of one of the 20th Century's most important women.  But...the tour wouldn't start for 90 minutes and we were hungry.  Yet the tour would be free, so we went and grabbed some lunch at the Hyde Park Brewing Company.

Housed in an old Howard Johnson's (my mom and I ate there a few times when we visited the FDR estate 30 years ago), I snapped a picture of Simple Simon and Pieman (the old HoJo logo) that still exists on the floor in Hyde Park.

After we nibbled on our pretzel (goes great with beer and football), pizza, and pasta (all outstanding), we bounced back to Val-Kill for the quick tour of the grounds.  Eleanor Roosevelt (not to be confused with Eleanor Rigby) lived quite simply in this cottage housed in the former home of Val-Kill Industries.  Her two good friends who lived in a house right next to the industrial-looking cottage.

Eleanor Roosevelt's living room.  Of particular interest to me was her radio (of course).  Amazing to think she entertained JFK here, among others.

We finished our tour, giggling at times like school kids over silly things like big fat leaves and such.  That's the bond that only two people so close can share, and the contents will make no sense to anyone else.  We finished our day on that note.

I hope the weather gives us more moments like this, but it was pretty good regardless.

Here's a sign picture for you to finish up.  I'm happy to give.  It's the kind of guy I am.  A good way to "end" things.

The Latest From The Press Box

My latest edition of "A View From the WGCH Press Box" is online at the Greenwich Post.  Plus, if you grab a copy of the latest edition (hot off the press!) you will find the game article for last week's Greenwich/Bridgeport Central game, written by me.

In fact, I have to get a copy for myself!

Early Departure

Tappan Zee Bridge, January 11, 2012, 4:54 AM

I decided to get an early start on my day this morning, and was on the road around 5:30.

And I loved it.

This is one of the ways I love to travel.  I have a system (patent pending) for my trips to the south, for instance.  I know that if I'm on the road by 5:30 AM, I can pretty much avoid the New York rush hour.  I'll be around Philadelphia (either on I-295 or the NJ Turnpike) between, say, 7:30-8:00.  Dicey, to be sure, but if I take the right roads then there is no problem.  The right road is the Turnpike, but I've grown annoyed at paying tolls.  After that, I'm into Delaware by 8:30...Baltimore by 9:30...and crossing the Wilson Bridge into Virginia at 10:30.  My only traffic concern is construction (of which there is much in the Washington area on I-95), but if I'm heading towards Richmond or beyond, I'm strolling into town by 12:30 (and that's WITH stops).

That was a huge digression, but it felt oh-so-good to type.

Plus, and let me be clear about this, I love it when it is dark.  I want to watch the sun come up, not leave as it's coming up.  Big difference.  One more thing about traveling far south is, back in the day of the family trip to Florida, we could be getting into the car wearing winter coats, and getting out without them.

Early morning travel is not great for a road enthusiast who loves to take pictures (exhibit A is above).  Here's another one...

Approaching the Pennsylvania/Delaware border at approximately 7:00 AM.  Cool effect, I guess.

And as the sun comes up, well, I guess it's visually interesting but not quite right.

Glasgow, DE.  Approximately 7:45 AM.  We road enthusiasts are kind of fond of this intersection.

Yet, I'll take this over anything.  I've told Lisa, and I'll stand by it, that my favorite part of the trip I took to Charleston back in January, was the drive (which these pictures are from).  That's no offense to anyone, or anyplace.  I just loved getting out and on the road at four in the morning.  Loved keeping little notes for mileage and time (I found that if I had made no stops that day, I would have made it to Charleston in about 13 and a half hours).  Loved visiting Richmond - not long enough.  Loved the freedom, and only wanted company with the right person.  Sean is a very good companion, for the most part.  I'm looking forward to a big drive with Lisa one day.

Anyway, there's something wonderful about the early morning road.  Especially when it is quiet.  A Sunday morning can be so serene.  I really enjoy that.  Just me - and the opportunity to count the number of other cars that I see.  Plus that little ol' wireless device.  You might have heard of it: a radio.  Specifically, an AM radio.

Back in the days when I used to fill-in doing the news on WGCH, my early morning drive to Greenwich could have me spinning the dial to listen to WSB in Atlanta, or KMOX in St. Louis.  Perhaps Chicago, Charlotte, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or other far off points.  Of course, there's also Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and Boston.  They're quite easy to pick up.  This morning, it was Cincinnati on "The Big One", WLW (700).  Why them?  They were talking about their Bengals, who lost to...um...the Steelers last night.

So yeah, that made for happy listening.

This morning was a tease, just as it was in the recent times that I've been on the road early.  The road isn't long enough on these early trips.  The promise of heading out for...who knows where...is tantalizing.  That feeling of a clean car (clean windows!), having things set just right, and setting off with very few others on the road is a warm thought.

It will happen.

The Latest "View" in the Greenwich Post

Here's my new edition of "A View From the WGCH Press Box" on the Greenwich Post website.  I understand technical glitches happen, but they embarrass me.  In this case, it was fairly unacceptable, and I let it be known.

Joe Buck

A tip of the hat to Kenn Tomasch for pointing this one out.  Will Leitch, former Deadspin dude, defends Fox broadcaster Joe Buck, and says what I've been saying for a long time: frat boys get on Joe Buck for his lack of over-the-top hysterics (not a Buck trait).  But most of all, Buck is too omnipresent.

He is our generations Curt Gowdy.  Gowdy, older fans will recall, did baseball, football (NFL and college), college basketball, and the American Sportsman.  He.  Was.  Everywhere.

Buck is an outstanding play-by-play announcer.  Why do you need screaming?  An announcer is supposed to enlighten and entertain.  They are supposed to report.  Yes, they're allowed to get excited, but when does that fly way over the top (and you know whom I'm getting at)?

Yes, Joe comes off as smug, which I think is more about his sense of humor than his actual personality. 

Here's the big knock on his not getting excited.  The David Tyree play.


Oh please.  Exactly what do you think the great Vin Scully would have done with this play?  Or Al Michaels?

The moment doesn't often need screaming.  It needs to be nuanced.  It needs to be right.  Here's Al handling the James Harrison interception a year later.  Pretty brilliant.


And for a guy who doesn't get excited, Joe Buck sounds pretty good here.  I'm kind of fond of this one.


So stop.  If you're sick of Joe Buck, fine.  If he's not your style, that's good too.  But as for if he's a good play-by-play voice, he's more than fine.

He's working on a Ford Frick Award-winning career.

The Three Home Runs

It happened thirty-five years ago.  That seems almost impossible, but it is true.

The Yankees won the first World Series of my lifetime.

After coming close, and making the Series in 1976 (but getting destroyed by the Big Red Machine), 1977 was meant to be different.  Oh, that it was.  For starters, the Bombers added a big straw named Reggie Jackson.  Now, let's be quite clear.  Reggie did some good, even great things as a Yankee (including 35 years ago tonight).  But he also at times embarrassed his so-called beloved pinstripes.  His comments about Thurman Munson (the infamous "straw that stirs the drink" comment) got things off to a bad start.  He loafed at times (in a way more offensive than Robinson Cano is accused of today).  He famously fought with Billy Martin in plain view at Fenway Park.

To be honest, I didn't like Reggie.  In a lot of ways, I still don't.  I've seen him personally - rude, brash, arrogant.  I've heard more stories that back that up.  He essentially made a deal with the Yankees to get his number retired in exchange for putting an "NY" on his Hall of Fame plaque.  In that same deal he got a job as a "special assistant", or whatever he is.

Maybe Reggie is just fine.  Derek Jeter likes him.  Guess that says something.

Oh, and there's no way in the name of George Herman "Babe" Ruth that his number should have been retired.  I've done that debate before here.  My opinion hasn't changed.

But my god did he cement his legacy 35 years ago tonight.  Jackson homered off of Don Sutton in his last at bat of Game 5, as the Dodgers pounded New York, 10-4.  It was a Tuesday night and, given the chance that the Yankees could win the World Series that night, I was allowed to stay up past my bedtime.  Jackson walked and scored on a Chris Chambliss home run in the second.  Then the fireworks began.

He came up with the Yankees down 3-2 in the fourth and hit a two-run shot off of Burt Hooton to make it 4-3.

He hit a two-run shot in the fifth off of Elias Sosa.

Then, with the old building rocking, he launched a shot to "the black" in dead center field off Charlie Hough in the eighth.

(By the way, if I was Keith Jackson, calling the play-by play, I would have thrown both Tom Seaver and Howard Cosell out of the booth that night.  Never cut the play-by-play voice off.  Jackson barely got the word "high" out of his mouth.  Bad.)

Between Games 4 and 5, Jackson had homered four times...on four straight swings; each home run coming on the first pitch he saw.

The Dodgers added a run in the ninth before started Mike Torrez closed out the 8-4 win.  At home in Mahopac, eight-year-old Robbie began to jump before remembering that my father had already gone to bed (he always got up for work early).  It was the quietest jump in this history of celebrating.

In the Yankees locker room, Bill White interviewed the Champions for ABC.


Side note: I miss these days.  It's all too scripted now.

The Yankees would win again in '78, of course, before going into the silence of the 80's and early 90's.  Then we were blessed with '96, '98, '99, and 2000.  Then, with Sean sitting on my lap in 2009, we watched the Yankees wrap up that 27th Championship.

Sean quickly went back to sleep, but celebrated the next day.

Sadly, I don't think a corresponding photo exists of me from 1977, but you get the idea.

You never forget your first time.

October 17, 2009

This is us...now.

It was a Saturday. I was scheduled to call the Rye-Harrison game at Feeley Field in Harrison (a terrible place to broadcast a game from, unless you can find room in or near the press box).

Of course, we never found room to do a game in or near their press box, so, as usual, Sean Kilkelly, Nick Fox, Chris Erway and I went inside the Harrison Ave Elementary School and tried calling the game from the back of the auditorium - through a small window.  In fact, Sean sat in another part of the auditorium near a window, and I was a good 100 feet away.  Erway went down to the field, and when I couldn't see the action, I would just hand it off to him.  He called things from field level!

Harrison has finally moved to a new field.  I hope one day to do a game from there.

Ah, but back to Rye-Harrison '09.  Rye won "The Game" 21-7, winning their seventh in a row against the longtime rivals.  That's about all I remember about it.

The postgame is much more memorable.  I wanted us to wrap up and head out as soon as possible, because I needed to get all the way up to Poughkeepsie, NY.  I was set to meet my cousin Kris at a Starbucks near Marist College, but I needed to get there, and fast.  Time was a factor.

Kris was heading over to St. Francis Hospital to see his wife.  Well, that's not exactly true.  His wife, Lori, was there, but he was bringing me to see his wife.  Wait, no, that's wrong also.  Kris and Lori wanted me to meet somebody.

Lisa.

I knew very little about her, but it seemed like a good idea for us to meet.  So Kris and I met at Starbucks, where I was told that I was buying a Chai tea latte.  Lisa would like that.

We parked where the cops park - after all, Kris is, well, a cop.  We strolled right into the emergency area as if we worked there.  Damn, I expected to be caught and thrown out but Kris is Kris.  He knows where to go.  We made it back to where Lori was...and Lisa was supposed to be.

I waited.  I would come to find out that that is her standard operating procedure.

Finally, a very attractive blonde walked in.  No smile - at least not at first.  Maybe an awkward one..  Nervous, I thought, though she seemed pleased with the gift from Starbucks.  She was cautious - not too outgoing.  Maybe shy.

We made small talk for a few minutes - almost acting like neither one of us was standing there expecting to have met the other (though we both knew we were set up).

Kris and I left.  He invited me back to his house, and Lori would join us for some pizza, carrying an important document.

A scrap of paper with Lisa's phone number.

Two days later, after a long phone conversation, we met at a different Staburcks, further down US 9 (which runs from Laurel, DE to Champlain, NY) in Poughkeepsie.  We spent a few hours talking and getting to know each other (all while the Yankees were playing Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.  That's a huge compliment.).

We also shot a cell phone picture together, but I know her, and she would not want me to post it here.

She was funny and fun to talk to.  She was attractive.  She liked me, but didn't entirely want to be liked.  Not yet.  To be honest, she was detached and difficult to get close to.  It was like we were friends, at best.  Subsequent so-called "dates" were like pulling teeth.  It didn't make sense, but I figured it just wasn't meant to be.  Ultimately there were reasons for all of this, and we both went on with our lives before fate intervened again.

Trust me when I say that it could have been very different, but we went down different paths.  I think we're better for it.

It all started three years ago today.  And for that, I'm forever grateful.

To Ty

Ty Campbell was a adorable little kid who lived in Pawling, NY.  Sadly, he was, because cancer took him earlier today.  Ever the dutiful reporter, I watched as the first report hit online.  I waited for multiple sources.

The Journal News has confirmed it.  He was five.

His mother kept a blog of the whole story - a document to her son's life.  It is beyond sad.

It brought her and her family attention from many corners of the globe.  Hopefully that provided some kind of a smile.  A way to get through the day.

I only hope for their continued strength now that Ty has gone.

I'm a dad.  That makes this story hit a little closer for me.  But no matter what - father or simply a human being - this story is beyond sad.

Five.  He was five years old.

No matter how you look at it - it just isn't fair.

I'm going to have dinner with my son now, and hug him a little tighter tonight.

A New Greenwich Post Post (HA!)...and Other Writing News

This is my latest contribution to the Greenwich Post website.  Paying tribute to friends at Cardinal Stadium.

In a related story, it looks like I'm going to be a writer.  You know, as in, "professionally."  My friends at the Post (Ken Borsuk) were instrumental in putting me in touch with some folks at Brunswick School, the wonderful boys private school in Greenwich.  Of course, I've broadcast games around 'Wick for years, including hockey, football, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse.  Going forward, I will be the sports writer for their Times of Brunswick periodical.  My work will be found in their pages (which is published three times per year).

There are a few things that are really exciting about this:

1) Building a strong relationship with the school.  We're pretty solid with Greenwich High School, but not as solid with everyone else in town (there are various reasons for this - none bad on my part or the school's.  Just matters of time and such.).  This will give me more contact with their coaches and athletes.  If "The Press Box" soldiers on*, we can continue to grow.

* Yes, I said "if."  With that said, cultivating this relationship is networking at its finest, for me personally.

2) They told me to "have fun with it."  Nothing sounds better to me!

I'm also working on some things with Connecticut School of Broadcasting (you might recall that I attended the school and now teach there).  Hopefully more to come on that eventually.

Magical Mystery Tour Re-release

I know, I know.  Beatles...blah blah blah.  And now I'm going to try to sell you on their perhaps most painful-if-not-bizarre project, Magical Mystery Tour.  The TV movie shown on Boxing Day, 1967 has long received dreadful reviews for its lack of a script and purpose.

In short it's a psychedelic mess.

But...there's the little matter of the music.  Let's face it; The Beatles were all about the music.  As usual, the music is pretty much brilliant, from the opening bounce of the title track right on through.   The album, which was part soundtrack and part "LP", features another personal favorite of mine, "I Am The Walrus", along with classics that weren't a part of the soundtrack, like "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Penny Lane", and "Hello Goodbye" (which was played over the closing credits of the movie).

This is the trailer for the new release of the movie in the various formats for your own pleasure.

In The Greenwich Post

A View From the WGCH Press Box has returned to the Greenwich Post this week, thanks to my friend Paul Silverfarb.  Give it a read.  I'm not giving up on a big turnout Friday night at Cardinal Stadium (pregame show at 6:40 PM on WGCH).  They can chant my name if they want.

PS, I'm quite happy (obviously), that the Yankees have won the AL East again.  I hope it is a big postseason for the Bombers.  I want to like this team, but I just haven't yet.  I also haven't had a lot of faith in this team.

But...despite what people said, I thought the Yankees would win the division all along.  I just didn't (and don't) have a strong belief that they're sticking around for long.  I hope I'm wrong.

Last night's "Clubhouse" show was hysterically fun.  The sponsor wants the show to return in 2013.  I hope it does.  I enjoyed it.

L-R: Rob Adams, Brian Crowell, Billy Condon, Mark Jeffers

October Begins and We're Off the Bench

Yes, October.  Time to shine in baseball.  I'm sure you saw MLB is using a guy named Springsteen for their postseason commercials?  Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.


Once again, the Yankees will be a part of the party.  Once again, they will go home without the big prize.  I'm not sure, but I feel like this is the first Yankees team that I just can't seem to embrace.  Of course I'm rooting, and rooting hard, but something is missing.  In the end, good pitching will shut down the Bombers' big bats.  Home runs are great during the regular season, but manufacturing runs offensively is a big part of winning in the postseason.  And...not doing everything by the book.

Thankfully the real refs are back in football.  Of course, within a few hours, we were all cursing them again.  Life as it should be.  I'll spare you my Roger Goodell rants, except to say that those who want to praise him for getting a deal done with the stripes should also criticize him for letting it go on too long.  Be consistent.

Jack White is a pretty brilliant musician.  That does not allow him to be an ass.  My friend Lisa Picc was at White's show - or lack thereof - the other night at Radio City Music Hall.  She filed this post.

Elsewhere...

The election is over, right?  No? DAMN!

Trouble with the Curve is a fine baseball movie, featuring decent performances from Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake.  Is it among the baseball movies ever?  No.  Is it basically that Clint's character from Gran Torino, Walt Kowalski, has come back to life as a baseball scout?  Yes!  It works.  Clint isn't entirely believable as a baseball scout, but I thought the movie was a nice way to spend a night out.  It's predictable, but that's OK with me.

I picked the Cowboys to beat the Bears last night.  I was wrong.  Oh well.  Sometimes you win when you lose.

Once again, I attended "The Big E" fair in West Springfield, MA.  I won't lie and say it was the best one I've ever been to.  Something seemed off about it, but as it has been for roughly 17 or 18 years (give or take), I intend to go back next year.  I like the tradition of it.  That's just me.

Anytime the hockey gods would like to get their heads out of their collective arses would be just fine with me.  The sports world is doing a collective yawn towards them and they better come back for the good of their game.

The Ryder Cup exhausted me.  Questionable placement of players and so on.  That one hurt.

My Twitter feed is there on the right.  Lately I have been going nuts on Twitter; enjoying doing the random posts and retweets and such.  Make sure to follow me.

Only one football broadcast this weekend: Friday at Cardinal Stadium for Trumbull at Greenwich.  Pregame coverage begins at 6:40.  We might finally have our full team with us - if Chris Kaelin can make it.  But there are also priorities to consider.

Amazing that it took to October to have the first home game.  But it is...you know..what it is.