A Load Of Crap

In Miami tonight, it took 2:45 for the Cardinals to defeat the Marlins. Tonight's telecast was on Fox1 and was a National broadcast. I worked with the Marlins producer and we had a fairly smooth show. Everyone in the business who sits in the Producer's chair or the Director's chair has a different style. One of the primary reasons why I love my job so much is that each and every night I learn something new. Tonight was great fun as I sat next to someone whom I had never worked with before and it only took a couple of innings before I understood his rhythm and we got into a nice flow. I remember when dual feeds were introduced into our business. Everyone knew that dual feeds were brought into the TV business as a big time money saver. At the time, duals were saving each broadcast side $5000.00. That's $10,000 per show - big money. Multiply that by 155 telecasts and that figure is $1,550,000 - huge dough. I still laugh when I remember the reason we were given as to why dual feeds were introduced. "Every director cuts the game in a similar fashion. Therefore, there won't be a noticeable difference in the coverage." What a load of crap.

Brain Back To Life

It took 2:29 for the Phillies to beat the Cardinals 9 - 2 today in Philadelphia. I am currently flying with the team at 36,000 feet to Miami. I truly do not remember anything about this game. I do remember predicting a Cards victory, but this game is a blur. What can I say? The worst team in baseball beat the best team in baseball. We have an off day tomorrow in Miami. I will try to remember something about today's game/telecast, but I doubt I will be able to do that. I am just a bit brain dead. Sleeping until 2:00 eastern tomorrow just might bring my brain back from the dead. It may or may not work but I am going to try it.

A Collapse

The Redbirds defeated the Phillies tonight in Philly by the score do 10 - 1 in 3:02. For the second consecutive game the Cards collected 16 hits against a Philadelphia pitching staff that may be the worst I have ever seen. These poor pitchers don't have a clue on the mound. We were talking in the truck tonight about the collapse of the Phillies. This was one of the best teams and sometimes the best team in all of baseball for many years. How quickly it can and does end. The Cardinals shouldn't and won't lose to this team tomorrow. I have always liked the Phillies and their players. Unfortunately, this team will lose well over 100 games this season. From the highest of highs to the lowest of the lows - that is the Philadelphia Phillies. Wow!!

Disrespect

The Cards beat the Phil's tonight in Philly by the score of 12 - 4. This 3:34 affair for the Cardinals included 12 runs, 16 hits and 10 walks. This was a bad baseball game with a bad baseball team - the Philadelphia Phillies. However, the Redbirds still showed signs of respect for the Phil's by not trying to pile on. There were a couple of instances where the Cardinals could have sent more baserunners home on basehits but the runner was held up on third base. Respect. It is very important to the integrity of the game that both teams show respect to each other. It is also very important for members of the TV team to show respect for one another. This did not happen tonight. I felt that one member of our TV team was disrespecting another member of our TV team and I tried to put an end to it. Words were exchanged in an unprofessional manner during the telecast. I should have waited until after the show to confront the disrespectful member of our team but, I felt at the time, I had to end this now. The show went on and no more disrespect was shown. We will see about tomorrow's game/telecast.

Better And Better

Today, I turned 60. Yup - 60. For over half of my life I have been involved with Major League Baseball television. 32 years to be exact. I am blessed. I love the game of baseball - love it. My career highlight occurred this week in Minnesota - my home state. I worked on a telecast with my two sons. One ran the duet (graphics) and the other ran the Fox Box. So, in my 32nd year of televising baseball, I experienced the highlight of my career! What does that tell you? It tells me that this gig just keeps getting better and better.

Thank You God

I just spent the greatest night of my 32 year professional TV baseball career. I began my career in Minnesota. I was part of the TV crew that closed out Metropolitan Stadium. I was part of the TV crew that opened the Metrodome and the current ballpark of the Minnesota Twins - Target Field. Those moments were all great. But, nothing compares to my experience tonight. I directed the Cardinals @ Twins telecast tonight with my oldest som, Tom, running the duet (graphics) and my youngest son, Mike, running the Fox Box. I really enjoy covering Cardinals baseball and I look forward to every telecast. Tonight, however, was special having my two boys involved with Cardinals television. I am proud of my boys and tonight I couldn't have been more proud. I am so blessed. Thank you God, thank you!!

Home

It took 2:31 of actual game time for the Cards to beat the Twins today at Busch Stadium. I said actual game time because there were two rain delays during the game. One delay was for 45 minutes and the other was 47 minutes. Currently flying to Minnesota at 36,000 feet to continue the series. 2 games in St. Louis followed by 2 in Minnesota. Being from Minnesota, I have been looking forward to this trip all season. I don't care that it is supposed to rain in Minnesota tomorrow. I'm going home.