Chronicling my world since 2006! This is your source for a mix of sports, pop-culture, history, roads, music, current events, movies, entertainment, and life. Jump on board as we keep moving forward.
The latest thing on Facebook is to post your first profile picture, and compare that with a more recent picture.
I haven't done it yet, but thought perhaps I could participate by doing so here.
There's an irony in this picture from 2007. I have facial hair in this and, to be clear, I was a compulsive shaver.
Like, daily. It wasn't until several years later that I finally began to back off of my habitual every day shaving and now shave maybe twice a week.
The other main difference was the lack of glasses. I still wore contact lenses at that time -- something I started doing in 1984. In fact, I only needed one lens, having discovered my right eye was nearsighted in the late 70s (the reason I couldn't hit a baseball -- it wasn't just that I was a terrible baseball player).
The other eye began to decline in the 90s. I continued to wear contacts until around 2014, when I finally switched to glasses. Cost had something to do with that.
This picture is from last September, when my niece Laura got married. Sean and I were the primary entertainment (aka "DJs"). I talked. He helped carry stuff, along with setting up and breaking down.
Anyway, that's how I've changed in roughly 11 years.
When in doubt during the #365Project, just post the broadcast of the day.
So here we are.
As I've said previously, I don't take broadcast assignments lightly. I know there are listeners and viewers, and I do what I can to make the broadcasts enjoyable for the viewers.
Today it was Hoosac and Brunswick at the Hartong Rink. Head coach Mike Kennedy and associate head coach (as well as athletic director and former head coach) Ron Van Belle were among those who made me welcome at the rink.
From there, Brunswick wasn't very hospitable. The Bruins beat the Owls 6-1.
We all know the bad of social media. The negative is terrible. The up side can be quite good. After I tweeted to promote the hockey broadcast, the Hoosac School hockey twitter feed shared it with their followers.
Thus I had Hoosac viewers tuning in (I was also on Robcasting).
I feel a responsibility for the whole audience.
So this made me feel good, given it came from a Hoosac fan.
Nice job commentating @double5! We enjoyed the game.
Thank you, Kristy! I also had a great chat with the parents of Bruin Cooper Moore after the game, who told me Cooper's grandparents enjoy the broadcasts from Orlando. I'm grateful. The words lift me, especially when I feel like I was too hungry and not at my best (er...like today).
If you missed it, here it is, suitable for streaming (or you can stream and download here).
Not a whole lot to add to this Thursday evening around the Exit 55 control center.
I called Greens Farms Academy and King School tonight in boys basketball in Stamford. Two teams that deserve more attention but don't always get it.
So I gave it.
I have relationships with both schools, and I'm enjoying strengthening bonds like that. The door was opened for me to bring the mics back to King anytime, and I greatly appreciate that.
A similar arrangement exists at GFA, and I'll be there soon.
Matt Bonaparte worked with me, and he did a nice job, as I hope you will hear in the attached audio.
Thanks to all parties for a nice night of basketball. We'll do it again soon.
I saw the sad news that Nick Mayer, a former player for the EO Smith/Tolland Bucks, has died. My condolences go to his family and friends. The hockey community is always very tight-knit, and they have embraced the Bucks tonight.
The one thing I can contribute is the broadcast from the day that Nick, his brother Peter, and their on-ice brothers won the state championship in Division III. Jake Zimmer, Eric Gendron, and I called the action from Inglalls Rink ("The Yale Whale") in New Haven on HAN Radio (HAN Network).
I'm getting this post in under the deadline before midnight, so time is tight if I want to do a post-per-day.
I was back teaching at Connecticut School of Broadcasting this evening, where I'm the night instructor for sports reporting, play-by-pay, and so on.
It was one of the largest classes I've had in a long time -- and that stretches now some 14 years.
I worried. But I always do.
There are those who don't like sports, have no interest in sports, are intimidated by sports, or are flat-out sports haters.
There are myriad personalities to address.
I thought for sure this group might push me to the limit.
I didn't think I was reaching them.
I didn't think I inspired them.
Yet they reminded me why I love to teach.
I worked with the esteemed Andy Madison of WEBE 108, who has become a favorite to work with, as we share the same passion for war stories, music, sports, and laughter.
As for the group, those who were completely perplexed by writing sports found their voice. I've been known, in a pinch, to write their reports for them. In this case, they all made sure they did it, with one girl telling me that she wanted (paraphrasing) a nudge to get on the right path and then she would write it.
Not only did she write it, but voiced it. So did the other students.
It was one of the best groups I've dealt with. They were fun and challenging, with great voices and deliveries. Their performances were terrific.
They took the coaching and criticizing (aka "nitpicking") that Andy and I had to offer.
I taught them how to conduct interviews, and had barely scratched the surface, only brushing the top of play-by-play.
They walked out feeling entertained and that they had learned a new skill. Once they got past the notion of it being about sports, they realized it was something useful.
It was a joy, and I'm pleased that I'll be back with them again in February.
Non-sports fans generally hate sports. They buy into the stereotypes.
Sports fans stridently defend our games.
But there are certain behaviors that can't -- can not -- be defended.
Add Cody Parkey to the latest of a bad list.
Parkey, if you don't know, doinked a 43-yard field goal at the end of yesterday's Bears/Eagles playoff game in Chicago. Inaccurate as he has been, the twenty-six-year-old kicker not only hit the upright, but then it dropped down onto the crossbar where, with the right bounce, could have won the game for the Bears. Instead, the Eagles took the victory, and the trolls took to Twitter to threaten the kicker with death.
Forgetting the so-so performance of the Bears defense. Forgetting letting Golden Tate catch a touchdown on fourth and goal. Forgetting other missed opportunities.
No, Cody Parkey deserve death threats and more. Like this:
You see, football is a team game. So is baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer, and so on.
So let's ignore everything else about the Bears performance against the Eagles and put it all on Cody Parkey.
The same happened with Bill Buckner. Scott Norwood. Patrick Stefan, Mike Torres, Tony Romo, Leon "Bull" Durham, Joe Pisarcik, Jackie Smith, Steve Smith (hockey), Ernest Byner, Chris Webber, Andres Escobar, Fred Snodgrass, Fred Merkle, and Ralph Branca. (have fun on Google with some of these!).
We could start with Roger Clemens leaving after seven innings. We could hand some blame to Calvin Schiraldi (actually, a lot of blame to him). Then there's dynamic duo of Bob Stanley and Rich Gedman, and the wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score.
But yes, let's blame Bill Bucker, who hit .311 with 18 HRs and 102 RBIs in 1986.
Let's run Bill Buckner out of Boston. Which he was, for a time.
Thankfully Twitter wasn't around for most of those events, or Steve Bartman, who was wrongly blamed for a human reaction -- reaching for a foul ball.
But Twitter is around for Cody Parkey, and Wikipedia is easy to edit.
- I appeared on Hudson Valley Sports Talk this morning on the Real Country combo (including WBNR and WLNA). Thanks to the guys for having me on, and to #YourBoyTrav Travis Jackson (Five Minute Major) for inviting me. I was able to catch up with my old friend Jay Verzi, who was there to keep the show sounding good. This is why you keep your connections, and networking is the most important thing. Never know what doors will open (or reopen).
I enjoy getting to see other programs in action. Carl, Tony, and Carl have the feeling of "controlled chaos" that I've had on every show I've done since 1998. It was fun and they were gracious hosts.
- On a completely different topic, there's literally nothing good to say about R. Kelly. If you've read about the documentary "Surviving R. Kelly," then you know what I mean. This is actually a deeply disturbing story.
Never mind the simplistic idea of respect for women (and all people, silly me). But these stories are disgusting.
- I'd talk politics. But nah.
- Back to happy stuff (like sports), I was sad to discover the MLK Jr Basketball Classic, played at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, is off the schedule this year. I had the pleasure of broadcasting it a few times and thought it was a great day for basketball fans in Connecticut.
I've heard various reasons about it (socioeconomic and so on). I've heard the people who wanted it are gone. Whatever the case, days like that are good. In my naive view, I'd love to see a big sponsor step in to support the day, make ticket prices super low, and involve a broadcaster (oh, hi, that's me). More sports should do it. There are hockey tourneys everywhere. Make one happen at Webster Bank Arena. A baseball day at Cubeta Stadium in Stamford would be fun also.
In football, while such a thing is harder, there is the 7-on-7 tournament in New Canaan. I've been to that a few times and it was great fun to watch.
- The FCIAC playoff schedule is out, with some new (or just different) facilities in the mix for hosting. The boys hockey championship will be at Dorothy Hamill Rink in Greenwich, while the girls will be at the Darien Ice House (Rink). Trumbull is the host for girls basketball, while Wilton will again host the boys. There are all kinds of moves going on. Interesting stuff. I hope I'm heavily involved.
Most curious to me is the disappearance of Terry Conners Rink as the home of the FCIAC Championship games in hockey. I'm sure it's business.
There's stuff I don't understand, and so I put my trust in Dave Schultz and the FCIAC braintrust.
- There will be more details to come, but it looks like Mick McGowan and I will lead the way for the 2019 Connecticut girls hockey championship broadcast, as we did in 2018 (with Shawn Sailer). I'm guessing the game will be on March 10, but again, details to follow.
- As we've made it January 6, just a note of support for John Nash, as he started this ball rolling on his Project 365, and thus encouraged me to do a post every day as well (we're on day 8, actually). Here's his latest, and I actually love the idea in this one. I might have to try that one.
The view of the #OriginalTB12 (Terry Bradshaw) from my comfy chair.
I'm watching the NFL playoffs, and I'm relaxed.
Oh sure, I wish the Pittsburgh Steelers were in it but, to be honest, they didn't deserve it, and they had no realistic chance of making the Super Bowl.
I'm an all-or-nothing type of guy. Don't get me wrong. I want the team I root for the in the playoffs, I don't want them in the Super Bowl only to watch them lose (Supes XXX and XLV still haunt me). The same goes for the World Series. Each Yankees' World Series loss in my lifetime (1976, 1981, 2001, and 2003) gnaws at me.
Then there are the playoff losses (1995 and, yes, 2004 particularly come to mind).
So knowing the Steelers are a dysfunctional mess, I'm content to watch this otherwise bland Colts/Texans tilt that is barely starting to be a bit more interesting.
It's hard to imagine that the Pittsburgh Steelers are indeed a dysfunctional nightmare, but here we are. I suppose it happens to the best of them.
For the record, yes, Mike Tomlin is on the hot seat. The team that hasn't fired a coach since Bill Austin after the 1968 season might have to do the slightly unthinkable.
Then there's Antonio Brown. For the love of Lance Alworth, what is it about wide receivers?
I'm getting sidetracked.
Anyway, there is something to be said about your team being out of contention. While that drives many fans away from their sets (and certainly not my preference), it's nice to not have that worry. In my case, I get to watch the game as a largely-unbiased observer.
I have no dog in the fight, and overall, I don't care who wins the Super Bowl.
OK, nobody wants the Cowboys or Patriots to win, but beyond that.
Oh yeah, and the Ravens. A Steelers fan can't want that.
Oh and the Seahawks. They're still whining about Super Bowl XL (get over it).
And the Colts just beat the Texans. So that's that.
Anyway, I'm chilling in the chair that my niece gave me (she got a new one, so I'll take it) and enjoying the evening.
Greenwich and Darien shake hands following the Winter Classic on 12/29/18.
Roughly a week ago, my friend Travis Jackson (aka Five Minute Major on Twitter/Instagram) asked if I would join him for a radio interview on a show in the Hudson Valley.
Who? Me? Radio interview? Sure!
So this is going to happen:
I'm super excited to appear with my man, @double5 on the inaugural episode for 2019 of "Hudson Valley Sports Talk" with host, Carl Garofalo Jr.! The show will air live on "Real Country" beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 6th! #HVpucks https://t.co/yqatZfSzHfpic.twitter.com/2HNPrPjnXj
The show will air on WGHQ 920 AM and W22CR 92.5 FM in Kingston, WBNR 1260 AM in Beacon, WLNA 1420 AM in Peekskill.
You can also find it on TuneIn Radio and at Real Country.
Does any of this sound familiar?
What's currently known as "Real Country" was once called "The Sound of the Valley" and "Hudson Valley Talk Radio." It was also the home of the Hudson Valley Renegades, Mount Saint Mary College basketball, and a talk show called "The Tailgaters."
If you're new, or don't remember, I joined the group (owned by Pamal) in 2001 when I asked if they wanted help with Renegades broadcasts. I soon became one of their board operators (I prefer the term "studio host") and joined my friend Sean Ford for Gades games at Dutchess Stadium. This continued on and off through 2017 (the Gades have since shifted to being online only).
They also handed Sean and I a unique opportunity in 2008 when I not only ran the board but served as color commentator from the studio (nope, not kidding). On other nights, I went to the ballpark with Sean. In the process, we created a talk show called "The Tailgaters."
That was also the year of the game broadcast at Fenway Park. A treasured time for sure. I also went to Lowell (along with Harold), as well as Brooklyn, Aberdeen, and Oneonta. Good times. I'd eventually add in Troy (Tri-City) and Staten Island as well. I miss that.
Finally, I was given the chance to be the first play-by-play voice in the history of Mount Saint Mary College for the 2009-2010 season. I called a bunch of games in both men's and women's basketball, often with my Sean (then nearly eight-years-old) in tow, working with the great Christine Baker, as well as John Spang (who always wanted to do basketball) and Chris Kaelin.
So it will be fun to walk back into the studios of the Broadcast Center Sunday morning to see not only Real Country, but WHUD, K-104, and WBPM.
I have no idea how much I'll actually be on "Hudson Valley Sports Talk," but I'm looking forward to it.
It's a majestically-flawed operation, to be sure. One opinion versus another.
A few days ago, I noticed Fairfield Ludlowe's Falcon Sports Network (aka Aiden Blanc) did a top ten list of games for 2018. Politely, I said I disagreed with one of the choices (one that I called, to be fair). To rank a dramatic overtime basketball game at number nine while posting a regular season football game at number one just didn't quite hold for me.
But, again, opinions. If you're going to join the ranks of the media (a la the troops at WWPT Radio at Staples High School), then you've got to be ready to defend those opinions.
Alas.
As for me, I love reading rankings. Then I love running them through my brain to see where they sit.
So let's do the Top 10 Robcasting Moments/Games (nearly all games ran on Robcasting, even if the main outlet was WGCH, Local Live, or elsewhere so that I could have a backup).
Honorable mentions: Too many to mention. Watching Cornelius Johnson's brilliance. Watching Gavin Muir, Jack Feda, Mozi Bici and company from week to week. Reuniting with my high school for hockey (and reuniting with Harold for the hockey broadcasts). Calling the MLK Holiday Classic in Webster Bank Arena with Shawn Sailer. Calling Gilbert/Nonnewaug baseball at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury with Tim Parry. Calling the FCIAC Championship in boys soccer. The state hockey championship between Greenwich and Fairfield Prep. Building myriad relationships with King School, Greens Farms Academy and more.
I'm trying to work everyone in. I can't.
10) Hockey: Girls Winter Classic, New Canaan at Greenwich (12/29/18). I know the boys game later on had the bigger crowd, under the lights, and I suppose we could put both games here. But the girls game was my first outdoor hockey broadcast. Watching Jennifer Kelly score right below my broadcast perch was really...er...cool. So we can make both games number 10.
9) Lacrosse: Hill Academy at Brunswick (4/25/18). The Bruins won. It was decisive. For a stretch, they were in the conversation for the best team in the country (and, I suppose, the world, since Hill is from Canada). It was a great night for lacrosse in the tri-state area.
Check this out on Chirbit
8) Hockey: The Gunnery at Brunswick (2/9/18). This one is personal. Mike Richter -- yes, his name is on the Stanley Cup and his number hangs in the rafters at Madison Square Garden -- was my analyst. Brunswick won, and Mike had a rooting interest, but for one day, he was my partner. It attracted a different audience. It was a blast. Once my nerves settled down.
7) Hockey: Darien vs. Suffield co-op (CHSGHS Girls Ice Hockey Championship, 3/11/18). Mick McGowan joined me, so having a friend made it fun. Shawn Sailer was there also. We had the privilege of being the exclusive live voice of the state championship. Darien won. Girls hockey continues to win.
6) Baseball: Hopkins @Brunswick (5/21/18). I was partnered with Jim Walsh, whom I'd never met before. No pressure. The Bruins held on and Trystan Sarcone pitched his tail off. The joy of baseball.
5) Baseball: Newtown @ Trumbull (7/12/18). This belongs to Mike Buswell, coach of Trumbull, who asked me to come do the games. Sometimes, one just needs to be wanted. So I did them, and had a ball, practically living at Unity Park, between the Babe Ruth and Little League games I did there. Each game was a blast, including the Darien/Trumbull game a few nights earlier. In this case, it took a walkoff to send Trumbull to the regional tourney in Norwalk (and a call that evoked 1959's "We Go to Chicago," as said by Vin Scully). It was very pure baseball.
4) Baseball: Keene, NH @ Norwalk (Babe Ruth New England Regional Championship, 7/25/18). After a crazy stretch of game...after game...of Babe Ruth and Little League baseball, it came down to Keene and Norwalk. All of the fans at that event were awesome. I have a sign hanging at home that was a gift from Keene. Other teams gave me hats. I got soaking wet and sunburned and burned out and possibly damaged my right leg from standing, and I. Loved. All. Of. It. But how it ended was unfortunate and bizarre. I felt for Keene. I was happy for Norwalk. I was baffled by it all.
3) Basketball: Fairfield Ludlowe @ Fairfield Prep (Holiday Classic, 12/27/18). You didn't have to be there to get it. Prep built up a big lead before halftime. Prep scored zero in the third quarter. The teams went back and forth. It took free throws in OT. I was exhausted, and didn't leave Alumni Hall for over an hour after the game ended.
(I realize this isn't a Ludlowe highlight, but this Jack Scholl bucket brought the place to its feet)
Check this out on Chirbit
2) Hockey: East Coast Selects vs. Russ Moscow Hockey (World Selects U15 Invitational Final, 5/6/18). How can I put this succinctly? East Coast Selects won a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. The winning goal (sans my play-by-play) made SportsCenter as a Top 10 (not the only time that happened in 2018). Again, I broadcast a world championship. That magnitude of that is overwhelming.
1) Football: Greenwich vs. New Canaan (12/8/18). The empire is back. In his fourth year, John Marinelli has brought the Cardinals back to being the target. They're now the program that others want to be, and I saw every play of it. December 8 was a coronation, featuring show-stopping gadget plays (and thus AJ Barber's one-handed catch and throw made SportsCenter). On the field, before and after the game, it was clear that Greenwich was back, bursting with pride. Generations held each other in a town-wide hug.
OK, so now it's your turn. Bring it. It's what's fun about doing this, and the truth is, if I decide I was wrong or missed something, I'll update this post.
UPDATE: 1/3 (4:36 pm): I've added individual calls from each of the games, and I wanted to point out a few facts about my archive. I'm also pleased to have people listen to games after the fact, and download them.
The second day of the year always brings out the snark in me.
Where's Seacrest? Where's Carson Daly? Where are the all of the other "B" level entertainers?
It just plays into my common sense way of "any day can be a fresh start." Why does January 1 have to make or break a year?
Answer: it doesn't.
So we're back at it today. Life is back to "normal."
Thankfully.
*****
Last night was the final Doctor Who episode until 2020. Who knew that I would embrace this show like this?
A father, that's who. See, when you're not sure what you have in common with your son, you try different things to create a bond. My dad was never the sports fan that I was, but I knew he watched a little more (especially the Yankees) to keep in touch with me.
Same with his love on MTV. Yes, you read that correctly. It allowed my then over-50 father to stay somewhat "cool."
I came to love Doctor Who more than ever thanks to Sean. It's what you do when you're a dad.
As for the just-completed season, the overall review is "meh." Some stories have been average. A few have been quite good.
What has been extraordinary (something Sean and I agree on) is the performance and chemistry of the main cast, led by Jodie Whittaker as the thirteenth time lord. Sean was not a fan of the announcement when it was first made, not for the gender-driven reasons that people thought (and I took a load of crap for expressing his concerns), but because of his own knowledge of the role. I kept preaching that the writing would be so important, and Whittaker would then need to flourish.
She did better than that, in our opinion. She had the quirks, the sense of humor, the rapid-fire patter, and the "wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey" touches that The Doctor needs. The character eventually focused less on being "she," and more on simply being The Doctor.
While it was initially said that viewers wouldn't see the classic monsters and villains, as opposed to new ones like T'zim-Sha (whom The Doctor called "Tim Shaw" to humorous effect), it was a relief to see the return of the Dalek in the January 1 finale.
Side note: put the show back on Christmas night. Having a show on New Year's Day really didn't change the impact. The story could have easily been built into a Christmas arc, but what do I know?
The companions each brought a certain charm as well, but they haven't really been flushed out. Yas and Ryan (played by Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole) are both, at best, still thin. Graham (Bradley Walsh) has shown the most depth (I'm trying to give nothing away in the hope you'll watch for yourself). This is a solid take on the companions (courtesy Vulture).
With the next batch of episodes not due until 2020, I look forward to seeing if showrunner Chris Chibnall takes the show in the right direction.
Well then, I didn't expect to dive into the Whovian universe, but there you are.
The setup at Cardinal Stadium before the Class LL quarterfinal versus New Britain, Nov 27, 2018
I put together a "best of" show for 2018 on Doubleheader that ran yesterday. I included three impactful interviews and added a highlight reel at the end.
The highlights are in no way complete. I didn't include the world championship goal of the World Selects hockey tournament, and time restraints kept me from finding a suitable lacrosse moment. I also didn't include much of the work of any of my great analysts. I wasn't trying to be selfish, but again time was an issue, as I had roughly four minutes to get in a year of work.
While driving to work this morning on NY Route 35 (it goes from Peekskill to the Connecticut line, where it continues as Conn Route 35), I saw my phone light up that I'd been tagged in a Facebook post by John Nash.
So...er...um...maybe? He used a road sign for the post. That's hard for me to resist.
This blog is 12 years old and I've cranked out 2,350 posts. I've also slowed down considerably, with just 35 morsels coming out of my keyboard in 2018. That's my lowest ever.
There are reasons (aren't there always)? Most of all is a complete and profound loss of confidence as a writer that is hard to explain.
I also need to factor in a loss of edge, in that I reached a point where I had to watch every word I said, and that includes on the air. Yes, I know, that seems strange given I can appear to be such a "loose cannon," but you have no idea how much I hold in.
Let's just take 2018, for example. The full story of this year would be something to read, though I'm not foolish enough to think I'm different from anyone else. Yet this year one was...something. I put blame for everything at my own feet, but oh boy did I have plenty of help.
I wish I could just let it fly and tell you everything. I can't. Or I shouldn't.
But I can tell you this: I need changes, and I don't need to wait for Ryan-freaking-Seacrest.
First and foremost, there needs to be a change in my employment situation, and to get paid for outstanding work. I'll leave the latter part of that statement right there for now, but let's just say I'm not unwilling to take that story public. I try -- so hard -- to take the high road. But...yeah.
Anyway, work. I clawed my way through myriad broadcasts out of love of the craft and belief in getting games on the air. I also did it to build my -- gulp -- Robcasting brand. I cultivated new relationships, often at a loss of income.
I have an idea for the job. Somebody needs to take a chance for it to happen.
It's time for those trees to bloom, or go do something else so that I can do games on the side.
Or just walk away and get a life.
That's where I was on the blog also. I had thought of hanging the "Gone Fishin'" sign.
I lost faith in my use of grammar. Spelling. Punctuation. No I'm not kidding. All of it.
My posting yesterday was actually fairly significant, and I don't expect anyone to understand why.
So with John's idea, maybe -- just maybe -- I can rediscover a little fire. Only with practice will I rise from the ashes. I've asked a friend to edit my work (I do my best but I miss stuff).
It would be tempting to take 2018 and call it the worst year of my life and so on. But no. Let's call it a success because I'm still standing (yeah yeah yeah). Seriously, that's all we can do, right? We fight to see another day.
It's the very reason why one of my favorite song lines is, "All I want from tomorrow is to get it better than today." Yes, that's Jacob's Ladder, written by Bruce Hornsby and John Hornsby, and perfected by Huey Lewis and the News (well, duh).
So when I hear nonsense about fresh starts and 2019, etc, I get a little crazed. John tagged me in this today. Change can start any time.
Like now.
Will I write every day? I love the idea, but fear (well, that's me in a nutshell, I suppose) that I won't. I'm bound to forget. I'm bound to be in a rut.
On the other hand, I've written two days in a row. So that's something.
So let's see where this goes. I'm making no promises. I'm calling for no resolutions. I'm not hanging the "Closed" sign.
While there are plenty of full broadcasts to stream, they often run a live stream with random games. At this time (er, press time), they are airing Game 4 of the 1943 World Series with Red Barber calling the first 4.5 innings, and Bob Elson handling the last half of the game.
I'll save you the drama and tell you the Yankees beat the Cardinals at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, 2-1. The game was played in a crisp two hours and six minutes.
There is such joy in listening to this. Barber is descriptive and brilliant in his Mississippi-born, but Florida-based drawl (despite going to Cincinnati in 1934 and Brooklyn in 1939). "The Old Redhead" as he calls himself, gives every ounce of details, from the pitch location to the small items in the crowd.
"Bob (Elson)," Red says at one point, "will you check these numbers?"
Why? Because people are listening and, more importantly, keeping score at home. Beyond that, Red is a stickler for accuracy.
These are the things that Red will impart upon another young redhead beginning in 1950. That kid, Vin Scully, turned out to be pretty good also.
Red (and, later, Elson) reports and gives facts. In 1943, there aren't color analysts. Any commentary between the two announcers is minimal at best, mostly confined to any mentions of Gillette, the longtime World Series sponsor (this game is on the old Mutual Broadcasting System).
Each broadcaster, during their play-by-play innings occasionally tells the other to "come in." The reason being that "voice" is to do the sponsor read. There are no other sponsor mentions, though this is due to the Army not allowing sponsors on shortwave broadcasts. The game is being carried to the troops.
Remember, it's 1943, and thus the middle of World War II. Patriotism is obviously quite high.
Another note is that Elson is in the Naval Reserve as of this game, so he is allowed to the call with the permission of the Navy. However, Elson's announcing fee is donated back to the war effort.
What I keep coming back to is how pure this all is. It's not scripted, other than the sponsor reads. Red and Elson, in fact, were blissfully unaware that the Star-Spangled Banner was to be played when, suddenly, Red stops his sponsor mention and says, "Here's the National Anthem."
For the young broadcaster, I can't suggest more strongly to listen to games like this. There's no uncontrolled screaming (too many examples of this to cite). For sure, we've evolved, and things had to change, but there's still a fundamental basic premise: Report. Be accurate. Tell stories. Entertain.
Most of all, while your personality does matter, the game is still the thing.
Find a broadcast from the icons: Scully, Barber, Allen, Harwell, Costas, and so on. Listen and learn. But do not try to imitate them.
Another Barber belief, that he passed to "Young Scully" was that broadcasters bring something into the booth that no one else does: themselves.
Really enjoyable to listen to this. I highly recommend it.
That's not a plea for gifts or birthday wishes or whatever.
This birthday -- more than any other -- has befuddled me.
The date in question is this Thursday.
Thanksgiving.
I'll call the Staples/Greenwich football game in the morning, and I'm looking forward to hosting the senior day ceremony, as well as eating a lot at the tailgate, because my Thanksgiving plans are...er...unsettled.
Yes. That's the word I'll use.
Trip number 50 around the Sun for me has been quite the thing. It could be its own blog post, and I could settle a whole lot of scores. For now? No. Let's not do that.
Instead, let's find the positive.
I want something*, but nothing material.
(*Yes, there are things that I want, but this is different.)
You see, many people -- far more benevolent than I -- have begun using social media, and Facebook specifically, to ask users to donate to a charity. It's a noble thing, and I applaud those who do it. Then we get notifications on Facebook to donate.
I don't want to do that to you. By all means, please donate to something because you want to, but not because I've given you a Facebook notification. This is basically the same philosophy I used for the Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014. Do it if youwant.
**But, please feel donate to Arthritis Foundation, in honor of my dad. Or any myriad causes that will eradicate us of cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and heart disease. Or give to Big Brothers/Big Sisters or Boys and Girls Club.**
There are many places that deserve your money or time. I don't want to hit you up for any of that, mostly because I can't afford to do it myself, and it hurts me more than you know. I'm practically a charity unto myself (again, a whole different blog post).
No, what I want, is goodness. Seems phony, I know. Trite, even.
But as I thought about my 50th birthday, and the negative feelings I've had about it (I don't personally care about the number), I felt the best thing everyone could do is simple.
Be Kind.
I thought of the departing words of the Twelfth Doctor, as portrayed by Peter Capaldi on Doctor Who. This is the speech he gave before he regenerated into the wonderful Jodi Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor.
"You wait a moment, Doctor. Let’s get it right. I’ve got a few things to say to you. Basic stuff first.
"Never be cruel, never be cowardly. And never ever eat pears! Remember – hate is always foolish…and love, is always wise.
"Always try to be nice, and never fail to be kind."
(Moving forward, after he talks about never telling anyone, except children, what his real name is)
"Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.
"Doctor – I let you go."
That's all I want, friends. There is so much sadness. There is so much bad.
But, if we occasionally take a moment and look, it's not as bad as we think. We just see the bad more than ever, and maybe we can rise above it all anyway.
We can -- and should -- have healthy debates, but at the end of the day, let's love each other.
We should debate Bon Jovi's place in music history, and...for the love of God...John Mellencamp. I mean, why?
We should debate Don Mattingly and Keith Hernandez, or Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Or Jordan and LeBron.
We should never debate Babe Ruth. Well, you're welcome to try.
We should debate politics. In a healthy way. Because we all love our country (well...maybe not. I've lost some faith on that last point).
But we should hear and try to understand the other side. No matter how hard.
We should shake hands and be well at the end of the day.
Stop and help the person in need.
Hold a door -- even if they don't say thank you. That's their problem. You did the right thing.
Help a friend who needs it. Sometimes they just need to be heard, but honesty and a kind word always help.
Sometimes, simply asking if someone needs help is enough. Sometimes, just help.
Do it. There's no playbook for it.
Don't just do it for my birthday. Do it every day.
As for me, I'm going to hope the 51st year is much better. Because it will be.
Sadly, for Bruins fans, the result wasn't the desired one: Choate 25, Brunswick 8. I'm incredibly grateful to AJ Szymanowski for driving down from Cambridge, MA to join me for the call, and to Shawn Sailer for producing (aka, "keeping us company"). Also thanks to Local Live and Gus, the tremendous cameraman who ably keeps things moving.
But oh what a ride it was. This was a team that was "thought" to win maybe four to six games.
The point is nobody knew.
They found a QB, worked out a running game, and created a wonderful defense.
They played their hearts out.
They had two stellar captains in Cornelius Johnson and Nick Villis. Both will be heard from after they leave Wick.
In fact, all of these players will, and they'll figure things out for 2019.
Yes, the loss stinks. I'm sure there's regret for the loss yesterday (they finished at 8-2).
There should be no regret for the effort and pride they demonstrated.
I'm only sorry I wasn't there for all ten games.
Not many know that I've been around Brunswick athletics for roughly 20 years, and have called so many games.
Yet now -- more than ever -- I've made friends.
I'm excited for hockey and basketball at Wick, as well as the finish of Greenwich football (Thursday, 9:50 am -- WGCH). The playoffs follow.
-- On WGCH, regular programming will continue, including The Clubhouse at 7pm. Mark Jeffers and Dave Torromeo will carry on without me (I'll be back for the season-ender on Dec. 5).
-- At 8 p.m. on WGCH (wgch.com...anywhere), we will air the game on tape-delay (to my knowledge, only one of three times that Greenwich football aired on tape since I've been here).
-- Over on YouTube, the game will stream live through the capable hands of DJ Furano and company, with my play-by-play (and Paul Silverfarb's analysis). The stream will be here (or watch below).
The audio will be archived after the broadcast on Mixlr, Mixcloud, and Archive.org.
Bill on Capitol Hill is exhausted after last night.
I heard the word "douche" last night in a concession speech. I've actually got it recorded.
The name of the person isn't important, I suppose. I doubt it will be reported.
So it's all over. America is mad, crazy, whatever.
The midterms, baby. The sea was angry that day, my friends.
Like you, I have opinions about the elections.
But I'm a journalist (at least one or two people actually believe that), so I don't think I should offer those opinions.
Oh I'm like anyone else. I'll drop the ball on occasion and perhaps tweet one thing or another.
A rare blog item here and there also.
Yet it's not a habit, where you know my stance, to the point where you might question my ethics and my professionalism.
In fact, those who think they know me (or maybe knew me "back in the day") might be surprised on where I stand.
The point is: you don't know (unless you know me well, and even then).
Because I think it looks bad in my position -- especially the one night of the year that I'm actually a political reporter.
We talked about this around the campfire at WGCH last night before we went on the air. The opinion of being a journalist and keeping your political leanings offline was unanimous.
I have no idea, for instance, which way WGCH news director Tony Savino leans.
We should report, and that's that.
Look, I'm a sports broadcaster, and I have been for a long time. I've been "The Voice of the Greenwich Cardinals" (except hockey, or whatever) since the late 90s in one form or another.
But I'm telling you right now: I don't root for Greenwich. I can't. Sure, I like families and athletes to do well, but I can't cloud my judgement by having a rooting interest. Yes, the more GHS wins, the more coverage I'm able to provide, but I'm not a Greenwich Cardinal. It's never "we."
Ever.
I'm so proud to know journalists like Susan Shultz, the esteemed editor of the Darien Times, who doggedly works her tail off, and was up near midnight still cranking away at results, turnout, minutiae. She feels her election coverage is one of the most important things she does in a given year.
She prides herself on it. Go ahead, accuse her of bias. You'd be impressively wrong (can I name names?).
Whatever I know of her politics comes from my knowing her. Off social media.
Like me, she'll fumble once in a while (and deletes the post shortly after).
But she's the best, most honest and honorable journalist I know (I specifically did NOT use an Oxford comma here because we differ on that topic).
I wish everyone could be that way.
Oh, and one other thing: she knows I'm no phony, but I've got her back.
To sum it up, like I said Monday night, play nice.
