When I chaperoned Chip, Kevin and Big Daddy to Florida last week for our coverage of spring training, the ground was covered in snow and temperatures were in the 30’s. When we arrived in Florida the temperatures were in the 50’s and 60’s with clear skies everday.
On the first day of our trip, Kevin and I were in the press box at Joker Marchant Stadium, while Chip and Big daddy worked the stands. It was in the press box that Kevin and I met Jim Hendricks who was a longtime sport media person in Detroit and still does sports in Lakeland. He passed on some great stories to us, one of which included his start as a Tiger bat boy in 1951 and all the great players he had interaction with.
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Being a member of the sports media has its perks. Locker room access, press box, standing on the field during practice, but Tuesday afternoon I had a unique experience.
Sports Talk 60 has just acquired a new sponsor; Kickers Entertainment Complex in Livonia, an establishment run by two brothers who were football kickers. I stopped in there today to pick up some giveaways and was introduced to Pete Stoyanovich.
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As I’m starting to write this post, there is a hint of spring around the corner and I wonder what memories this season stirs in you. There is still snow on the ground, but next week the ST60 crew is off to Florida to cover our Tigers and various other Major League ball clubs.
When I was a kid I couldn’t wait for the Tigers to start spring training. I knew that I would soon be spending time with my dad, watching Tiger baseball or listening to Ernie Harwell on the radio. My dad worked hard his whole life and even on his days off we would work together in the garden or the garage, but the radio would always be tuned to WJR and Tiger baseball. That was a connection I always had with my father who was born in a different time and world.
Even today, close to eighty years old he makes his comments about what they should do or who isn’t performing. I can talk to my father for hours about baseball and it makes no difference that I do a sports show, he always thinks he’s right.
Please, tell us what spring training or baseball has meant to you. Till next time….
Our annual Sports Talk “60″ spring training trip is scheduled for March 3rd. Chip, Kevin, Paul “Big Daddy” and I will be heading down for some action packed baseball. Of course we will be covering the Tigers, but also we want to see the Phillies, Astros and Nationals. It will be 4 days of games, checking out the new players and the veterans.
There are some changes to our own Tigers, as in we now have Johnny Damon in the lineup. We will be sending back some live feed to Jimmie James everyday from each game site.
Stay tuned and don’t forget, Sports Talk “60″ T-shirts are now available.
Is everybody as ready for playoff football as I am? The superbowl is just weeks away with lots going on. The Sports Talk 60 crew will be in Southgate on Jan 30th for a pre Superbowl bash that will benefit a charity.
At the “No Child Without a Christmas” fundraiser we held December 3rd at “Jake’s Again”, a Sports Talk 60 package was auctioned off that included a day in the studio with the Sports Talk 60 crew. We are looking forward to working with the winner of our “in studio” guest spot on January 22nd.
I haven’t mentioned my career as an actor recently, so I’ll just let you know that I am polishing up my acting by taking a workshop in Royal Oak that features Bill Marinella from Los Angeles.This workshop is filled with some talented people and Bill is working us hard and giving us the benefit of his great knowledge in this field. I just cant believe he chose the playoff’s to do it in; those Californians.
Well the news that Tiger fans did not want to hear is spreading across the airwaves. Not only has Granderson been traded to the yankees, but Edwin Jackson has been traded to the Diamondbacks. The winter meetings are in session and Dombrowski is once again trying to rebuild a team.
Tiger fans are surely upset with Granderson being traded but the object of the game is to win. Payrolls are sky high and the Tigers may have come out on top in this. There is no argument that Mr. Dombrowski has made some great moves in his years here.
While the tigers went to the big game in 2006 and were in first place this past season, every deal will not always be a fan favorite. Look at the Tampa Bay Devil Rays a few years back. Although they didn’t win the World Series, they were in it with a team of young gifted players and a low payroll. Tiger fans need to stay Tiger Fans, pack the stadium and support those who wear the Ole English “D” because, in the end, this is our team.
Spring training will have some new faces, and some of our favorites will surely be gone. I will miss Curtis and Polanco too, but I say we give this team the chance to prove themselves.
I had the great pleasure to work for the re-election of Romulus Mayor Alan Lambert yesterday and his return, as mayor, for another four years in my hometown.
While at the election celebration, I was introduced to Chuck Shonta by someone who has been in the media business for years, a gentleman by the name of Dennis Davidson. Romulus has had a few residents and/or transplants that have been in the entertainment world, and it seems that Mr. Shonta is one of them.
Chuck Shonta played professional football in the old AFL (1960-1967), as a defensive back with the Boston Patriots, which are now the New England Patriots of the NFL. What a treat, as a sports host, talking to this man. Look for him to be on a future Sports Talk 60 show with some exciting stories. If you are a football fan you will not want to miss this.
Well, my head is still spinning as I write this. The 163rd game of the season. The Tigers should not have had to play this game with the lead they had at the beginning of September.
Now the stories will go on about the lead, how Cabrerra was drunk, and that no team ever had a 3 game lead with 4 games left and blow it.
Well, after last season, I am impressed that the Tigers were in first place since May. I am inspired by the turn around this team had. I am proud to wear my Ole English “D” and other Tiger gear.
I am sad but stuff happens. We still have a pitching staff that we can take pride in, so hang your heads high boys, there is always next year.
Spring training starts in 125 days.
We are asked by many, what it’s like to be in the press box during games. They seem to think that it must be an awesome experience and we would be the first to admit that it really is. We truly enjoy sports talk radio because we are able to talk with our listeners about what’s going on in the world of Detroit sports.
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