Sports Talk "60"

Ambassadors of the Sun

John — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:44:29 +0000

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.

The next day we were off to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa to cover the Yankees where we saw Curtis Granderson and some other Yankee players. It’s a beautiful park with lots of history.
Chip and Big Daddy stayed in Lakeland to cover the Tigers. All of us were impressed with the new Tiger Austin Jackson, and Johnny Damon got four thumbs up from the ST60 crew.
Saturday, we all covered the Houston Astros in Kissimmee. They were called the Kissimmee Astros, but now, when they are in Kissimmee, they’re the Osceola County Astros (u figure it out). They were playing the Braves and I got a picture with Dodger Great Don Sutton.
We all talked with ex-tiger Brent Clevlen who was Big daddy’s favorite. All in all, we met some great people during our trip and we came across lot’s of transplanted Michiganders.
On Saturday we had dinner at Medieval Times. It was a great show, with Knights, horses and fun. When we arrived back in Michigan the snow had melted, the temperature was in the 40’s and maybe even 50. We are truly ambassadors of the sun.

SportsTalk “60 - March 5th 2010

Admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:23:45 +0000

Radio Show

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A Great Conversation with a Great Guy

John — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:51:31 +0000

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.

A true football fan will know this name. He was a local boy (Crestwood H.S. in Dearborn Heights, MI) who made it to the NFL and never forgot where his roots were. He is busy running a business in the same area that he grew up in; in fact, our conversation took place in his office at Kickers/Joeys Comedy Club in Livonia.
My first impression was, why is he retired? He looks like he could still kick. We talked about his career. He was acclaimed as Indiana University’s best two sport athlete, and finished his career at Indiana with numerous school and Big Ten records as a kicker. Pete was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1989 and played in the NFL until 2000 and is considered one of the most accurate NFL kickers during those years.
I have always been accused of drinking the lions “kool-aid”, but they are my team. My other team has always been the Dolphins, and here I was chatting with their kicker from 1989-1995. He still holds the record for the longest field goal of 59 yards on November, 12th 1989 against the Jets. He also booted a 58 yarder against the K.C. Chiefs in 1991. In 1996 he was traded to the Chiefs and then retired in 2000 with the rams. 13 seasons of kicking a pigskin through the uprights. In 9 seasons he scored over 100 points . In 1992 he had a record 124 for his career, that is some respectable kicking.
We talked about his college days, the draft, playing for Coach Shula and with Marino and other greats such as Warner, Moon, Faulk, and Gonzalez. In no time I had taken up about an hour of his time and this man just let me ask anything I wanted.
This was truly a memorable event for me. I usually get to spend five minutes with the players that we cover. When they come on the show we get them for as much time as we need, but that’s work. Today this was just two guys talking football, no clock ticking, no commercial break, no ego. I was truly honored that Mr. Stoyanovich shared stories with me that I will be telling the guys on our Florida trip. The only thing I didn’t have the gall to ask him was, “if he had been a QB or defensive end… what would his place be called then?
Thanks Pete, for reminding me of why I love talking about sports.

SportsTalk “60 - February 26th 2010

Admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:47:54 +0000

Radio Show

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Memories Blossom with the Spring

John — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:47:41 +0000

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….

Spring Training on Tap

John — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:55:51 +0000

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.

SportsTalk “60 - February 19th 2010

Admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:09:55 +0000

Radio Show

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SportsTalk “60 - February 12th 2010

Admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:07:10 +0000

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SportsTalk “60 - February 5th 2010

Admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:58:56 +0000

Radio Show

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Southgate Rotary’s Pre-Superbowl Bash

John — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:49:49 +0000

Greetings one and all!
Sports Talk 60 was thrilled to participate in the opening festivities of the Southgate Rotary’s Pre-Superbowl bash at the holiday Inn in Southgate on Saturday. Proceeds from the event were slated to benefit the YMCA childrens fund.
Chip and I challenged everyone in attendance with trivia prior to dinner and an auction. Great prizes from “Fanatic U” were given out as well as certificates from “Pro Golf” and “Ball & Cue & Brew”.
We also gave out our new run of Sports Talk 60 shirts. We had a great time, and would like to thank everyone who played sports trivia with us.