Felt Like A Walk-off.

The Cards overcame an early 5-run deficit and beat the Cubs 9 - 6 in 3:26 today at Busch Stadium. The Redbirds broke a 6 - 6 tie in the bottom of the 8th inning by scoring 3 runs. The bottom of the 8th inning was great fun to cut. The Cards loaded the bases with nobody out. The next two batters struck out and there was an 0 - 2 count on the next batter. After almost getting hit in the face by a pitch, the batter laced a bullet off the pitcher's leg to drive in 2 runs. The next batter also singled and the game was put away. Even though this was not a walk-off win it sure felt like it. Great fun!

Long Day Made Longer

The Cubs and Cardinals split a day/night doubleheader today at Busch Stadium. The Cubs won the day game 5 - 1 and the Cards took the nightcap 13 - 2. We televised both games with about 2 1/2 hours between games. This was a very long day for our TV team and they performed admirably. However, this long day was made even longer when the Cardinals scored 9 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning of the night game. This half inning took 34 minutes to play and included two walks and a hit batter with the bases loaded. Not surprisingly, the pitcher who committed the walks and allowed 6 runs to score without recording an out was sent to the minor leagues after the game. Also not surprisingly, there was much cursing going on in the TV truck.

Impressive

The Cubs used 4 homeruns to defeat the Cards 7 - 2 tonight at Busch Stadium. If you are a Cardinals fan you hate the Cubs. If you are a Cardinals fan your two favorite teams are the Redbirds and anyone playing the Cubs. This is why I am going to make a statement that I have never made concerning the Cubs. This Cubs team was impressive tonight. That's right - impressive. The youngsters on that ballclub are eye opening. After watching that team tonight, I firmly believe that if they sign a couple of electric starting pitchers they will compete much sooner than I thought previously. Impressive indeed!

Ho Hum

It took 2:43 for the Bucs to beat the Cards 3 - 1 today in Pittsburgh. Once again, the crew in Pittsburgh did a great job. The only difference between today's game/telecast and the previous two was that today's contest didn't have many memorable moments. There wasn't any "wow" plays. In fact, our best replay was a super slo-mo replay of a box of Cracker Jacks being tossed in the air by a vendor. Off day tomorrow and then a 4-game weekend series with the lowly Cubs. Ho hum.

They Felt It

The Pirates defeated the Cardinals tonight at PNC Park 5 - 2 with a 3-run homerun in the bottom of the 8th inning. The 2:56 affair was, once again, very entertaining. Any baseball fan would appreciate and enjoy this entertaining game. True, with the victory, the Pirates fans enjoyed this game more than Cardinals fans but this game was fun to watch and fun to televise. Kudos to the Pittsburgh members of our TV team. Once again, they "felt it" and delivered.

Contagious

Good pitching, good defense and timely hitting make for a good game and a good telecast. That is what we had tonight as the Cardinals beat the Pirates 3 - 2 in 2:55 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The Cardinals' TV camera operators during tonight's game/telecast were spot on. Whenever I looked for a shot tonight, those shots were there. No hesitation and excellent framing made for a good brisk telecast. It seems that a good flow to the show is contagious. That was proven tonight. This was one of the most enjoyable game/telecasts of the 2014 season.

An Apology

The Cards lost to the Phillies today and we are currently flying to Pittsburgh. I am looking forward to the Pittsburgh series and I know my attitude will be in better shape. Today's game/telecast offered little, if anything, to fire up the viewer much less the TV team. I don't want to be negative but there was just something about this game that bored me to tears. If a TV sports director is bored the viewer is bored. Even though I fought it and fought it, even though I tried every director's trick in the book to fend off my ennui, the game defeated me. I never gave up but I gave in. I surrendered. I apologize.

Strange

The Cards beat the Phillies 6 - 5 in 12 innings tonight in Philly. This was a game that included many strange plays. The Phillies bungled a relay throw on a bloop single to left field that resulted in a run scoring and the batter making it all the way to third base without a throw. A Redbirds batter hit a ball over the centerfielder's head that nicked his glove, bounced off the wall, hit his foot and bounced over the fence. It was ruled a ground rule double. This game was so strange that our play by play announcer twice asked me "If I had ever seen a play like that?" You never know what you might see at a baseball game. Tonight's game proved that.

When This Game Ended

The Phillies defeated the Cardinals tonight in Philadelphia by the score of 5 - 4. The score was 5 - 4 after three innings and that was when the game ended. Absolutely nothing happened after the third inning. Nothing. The first three innings took as long as the last six. There were really two different games tonight between the Cards and the Phillies. First three innings - much action. Last six innings - nothing. After the bottom of the third inning - that's when the game ended.

Had Better Days

Here is the timeline of my day at Busch Stadium today. While in the beginning of our pre-game show the head of security came into the TV truck and asked for our Game Producer. He said he believed the Producer's car was damaged in the parking lot. I knew our Producer walked to Busch Stadium and since we drive the same make of vehicle I thought it just be my car that was damaged. It was. I park near a highway overpass and my guess is something fell from the overpass and landed on my back window which was shattered. Oh well, I'll get it fixed. Then, after the Cards jumped out to a 5 - 0 lead, there was a 58 minute rain delay after the bottom of the seventh inning. The Cards opponent, the Cincinnati Reds, were lackluster during their at-bat in the top of the 8th inning and even worse during the bottom of the inning when the Redbirds tacked on two more runs. Wouldn't you know it, the Reds brought the tying run to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. The player grounded out and the game ended. The rain delay was 58 minutes and the 8th and 9th innings took 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be a better day. How can it not be? It's an off day and I get to go to Philadelphia!!

Once Again

Once again the Cardinals took an early lead. Once again the Cardinals fell behind. Once again the Cardinals won in walk off fashion. Tonight's telecast was our yearly "This One's For You" show where we televise the game from Busch Stadium and interact with our troops from Afghanistan. I look forward to this show every year. Once again I was almost overcome with emotion as we interviewed families as they spoke to a loved one overseas. Trust me, it is very difficult to cut a telecast when little kids are crying while talking to their daddy. Once again I was cutting cameras with a huge lump in my throat. Once again it was worth it. Once again this was a fantastic experience!

Maybe Tomorrow

Cutting homeruns during a game is great fun as I detailed in my book "Cutting The Game, Inside Television Baseball From the Director's Chair." Cutting a game with a walk off win is even more fun. That is what we had on the Reds/Cards game tonight at Busch Stadium. The Redbirds won the game in walk off fashion in the bottom of the 10th inning - great, great fun. The only circumstance more enjoyable to cut than a homerun or a walk off is the end of a no-hitter or a perfect game. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow!

Cursing While Cutting

For eight innings a splendid baseball game was played today at Busch Stadium between the Padres and the Cardinals. Going into the ninth inning the Cards led by the score of 7 - 4. The reliever for the Redbirds proceeded to walk the first two batters of the inning. That is where the cursing started. After a terse visit from his manager, he promptly struck out the batter thus somewhat stopping the bad language. He then walked the next batter to load the bases and the cursing began again. The cursing stopped as the pitcher was removed from the game. This reliever managed to end the game and the Cards won. The joyous cursing began and the angry cursing disappeared.

I Am Blessed

After a 1:47 minute rain delay, the Padres beat the Cards 9 - 5 tonight at Busch Stadium. What is the worst scenario for a TV baseball production team? Bad pitching? Bad umpiring? Bad baseball? Extra innings? Bad weather? I don't know the answer to that question because I don't believe there is a bad scenario in this profession. I make my living covering Major League Baseball. The highest quality of the greatest game in the world. Speaking from my heart, I love the 2 - 1, 1 - 0 great pitched games. Maybe that is the reason I dislike the DH. All in all, I love this game. If this game wants to try and trouble me with bad whatever - I am not troubled. I love it! I am blessed!

Rhythm And Drama

4 - 2 was the score as the Cards beat the Padres in 3:00 tonight at Busch Stadium. This was a show with a good flow. The Redbirds starting pitcher threw strikes and had a nice rhythm all night long. The Padres starter found his rhythm after the first inning and both pitchers provided an entertaining duel. It didn't look that way in the bottom of the first inning as the first three Cards batters of the game walked. Maybe the most drama of the evening occurred before the start of the bottom of the 8th inning when the grounds crew took aff the covering of the tarp as if expecting rain. It did start to rain but not hard enough to stop the game. The rain ended during the top of the ninth and the game ended without a delay. Thank goodness! 5 minutes after leaving Busch Stadium I drove through a downpour that lasted most of my 40 minute drive home.

Did They Win?

The Cards beat the Padres tonight at Busch Stadium by the score of 4 - 3. Or did they? In the top of the ninth inning, the tying run for the Padres was thrown out at the plate. Even though the call was ruled correct after a replay review, I still think the runner was safe. Now, every member of any TV sports team wants their team to win every game. Count me in that category. Therefore, I am very pleased with the outcome of tonight's affair. But, even with replay review, it was a missed call. I don't know why it bothers me so much but I'll take it.

Great Flow

We are in the air flying home from Miami after the Cardinals 5 - 2 victory tonight. For most of the 2014 season the pace of Major League Baseball games have left a lot to be desired. I don't know if the pace of the game increases or decreases the pleasure factor of the baseball fan or if the pace of the game is only important to the TV crew working the game. I think the typical baseball fan wants to see a well-pitched and therefore a well-paced baseball game but I can't be sure. I do know that MLB is very concerned about the pace of the game. Well, MLB would have loved tonight's Cards/Marlins affair. It took 2:40 to complete this game. A nice pace indeed.

Wow Another Way

The "Wow" factor of last night's game/telecast was nonexistent in tonight's game/telecast. At least the Cards lost fast. It took only 2:34 to lose to the Marlins by the score of 3 - 0. To put this in perspective, the highlight of the telecast was a homerun off the foul pole. Two totally different game/telecasts. Last night, I was pumped after the show. Tonight, it was like there wasn't even a game.

"WOW"

What a game! The longest homerun I have ever seen hit wasn't even close to the loudest "wow" uttered in the TV truck tonight as the Cards battled the Marlins in Miami. There were 4 great great great great defensive plays in this game. The player who hit the massive bomb made an unbelievable catch in right field. The Marlins shortstop put on a clinic tonight. The Marlins second baseman made some "hall of fame" type plays. I don't remember how many times I exclaimed "wow" tonight, but I became more and more pumped as the game played on. A most memorable game/telecast! "WOW"

A New Favorite

I have a new favorite road TV crew. The Baltimore TV crew for the visitors is a great great bunch of professionals. Not only are they very talented in their coverage, they are exceptionally nice and extremely fun to work with. The camera shots are always "there", the audio is tight, the TD is solid, the tape room "gets it", the graphics are always ready and the venue is wonderful. There are absolutely no worries when televising from Baltimore. Just a great great experience!

The Bright Side

It only to 2:58 for the Orioles to beat up on the Cardinals by the score of 10 - 3 today at Camden Yards in Baltimore. That's back to back drubbing of a real good Cardinals club. The Orioles are a great hitting ballclub. It seemed like every ball was hit on the nose. The Orioles hit six homeruns yesterday and three today and the Cards connected for two in the two games so I had the pleasure of cutting a bunch of homers the past two games. Hey, look at the bright side right?

A Good Old Fashioned Ass Whooping

The Orioles dealt the Cardinals a good old fashioned butt whooping tonight at Camden Yards in Baltimore. 6 homeruns and 2:57 later and the game ended by the score of 12 - 2. This game was essentially over after 3 innings. The game was essentially over but not the telecast. Trust me, it is hard to stay focused during a blowout. And in this game the Orioles were relentless. They won the game by 10 runs AND they had two opportunities with the bases loaded and nobody out and THEY DIDN'T SCORE. They should have scored 20 runs tonight. It felt like they did.

Great Series

I will not write about the circumstances of tonight's Red Sox/Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. The 3-game series between these two clubs was the best series of the 2014 season as far as the brand of baseball goes. 3 great games! 3 great telecasts! Drama and "edge of the seat" excitement best describes this series. It's funny, the Cardinals are on their way to post season once again and last years' World Series Champion Red Sox are going nowhere this season. Yet, these two teams provided some of the best baseball of the season. Great fun! Great, great fun!!

Their Turn

It was the Red Sox, their fans and their TV team to feel the excitement tonight as the Red Sox scored a run in the top of the ninth to beat the Birds 2 - 1. Another good game with great pitching from both teams. The game took 3:01 to play but it sure seemed faster than that. These past few games have been a blast to cut. Hopefully tomorrow will be our turn to feel the excitement of a late victory.

A Right Recipe

This game had the right recipe for a good telecast. It was a tightly fought affair with Cardinals beating the Red Sox 3 - 2 with a run in the bottom of the 8th inning. The excitement and drama of the game kept growing and growing as the game went along. In the top of the 8th inning, a Cards reliever struck out the 1 - 2 - 3 batters all swinging. Then, in the bottom of the inning, the Redbirds scored the winning run after nobody was on with 2 outs. Busch Stadium was electric in the top of the ninth inning as the Red Sox threatened but didn't score. This was one of the best games and the best telecasts of the season!!

Now That Was Fun

The Cardinals defeated the Brewers 3 - 2 in 2:50 today at Busch Stadium. Two different Cardinals clubs showed up today. The first Redbirds team to show up had one hit through six innings of play and trailed 2 - 0 going into the 7th inning. That's when the Milwaukee starting pitcher left the game due to injury. The Cards scored 3 runs in the bottom of the seventh to gain the victory. For the first six innings Busch Stadium was quiet. For the last three innings Busch Stadium was electric. It is great fun cutting a game when the ballpark is buzzing. I believe this "energy" rubs off on the TV crew as everyone seems to be a little sharper. Cutting the last three innings was a blast. Off day tomorrow and then the Red Sox cone to town. I'm sure Busch Stadium will be rocking again.

Pumped

This game/telecast was the exact opposite of yesterday's game/telecast. There was a little bit of everything in today's show. Homeruns, triples, double plays, timely hits, good defense and a wonderful pace throughout the evening. The game was full of action. This game kept our TV team on the edge of our seats all night long. Unlike yesterday where I even felt a bit lethargic after we were off the air, I still have the adrenaline flowing and the game has been over for 1 hour. Oh yea, the Cards beat the Brewers 9 - 7 in 2:58.

Nothing

The Brewers beat the Cards at Busch Stadium tonight 7 - 4 in 3:14. This game between two clubs battling it out for first place in the NL Central Division, this game did not live up to it's billing. The Brewers dominated the Cards and defeated one of the best hurlers in the National League. I was excited about this matchup and was really looking forward to the game. Unfortunately, there was nothing memorable about it. Drama? No. Excitement? No. Run of the mill? Yes.

The Silence Was Deafening

I really can't recall much about today's Cardinals/Padres game. I know the Redbirds won but the most vivid memory I have about today was their clubhouse before the game. I have never seen or heard a clubhouse so somber. 2 of the most popular Cards were traded before the game. You could have heard a pin drop in that room. Everyone was sitting at their locker with their heads down - everyone. What I viewed before the game stuck with me throughout the game/telecast. The silence was deafening.