My Stats
| Followers: | 22 |
| Contributor since: | July 2009 |
| Location: | Chicago suburbs |
About Me
I've turned an avocation into a vocation. I paid just $1 -- can you believe that? -- to sit in the cheap seats of Chicago's ballparks in the 1970s. You learn a lot about sports by watching hundreds, even thousands, of games -- you don't necessarily need to "strap it on" as athletes insist.
For the last three decades I've covered baseball and other sports in multi-media fashion -- for newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and on-line -- from my Chicago base. My sum total of experiences, relationships and perspectives will be featured in "Bench Jockey" while I continue my old-media work, including my venerable 16-season-old "Diamond Gems" syndicated baseball radio show. I've authored 10 baseball books since 1998 with No. 11, an oral history of 1970's baseball, due out at the end of the 2010 season.
What you read comes from a media junkie. Back in eighth grade, I read four daily newspapers while watching Huntley-Brinkley and Cronkite. I'm also a dog "parent" of a golden retriever and basset hound. They're angels even when they're devils. My 16-year-old African grey parrot talks just like me -- yikes! I'm proud that my daughter, Laura, 25, is a recent Dean's List graduate in interior architecture from Columbia College Chicago.
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Professional
I'm Known For...
Saying three or four words where two will do just fine
My Current Project
Perfect this TrueSlant contribution, write more books and get into internet TV sports programming
My Greatest Achievement
Writing the 151,000-word "Million To One Team" book about the Cubs in 2000. Also keeping "Diamond Gems" radio show alive for 16 seasons and getting it on 38 stations without the aid of a network or syndicator.
My Biggest Regret
Not taking a Chicago Tribune summer news internship when offered to me in 1976.
I Truly Respect
Anyone who does media sales. This is truly combat pay as you are selling in essence an intangible instead of a three-dimensional object like a car, washing machine or flat-screen TV
Moments I'd Like To Forget
Most of the times I lost my temper
How I Pay For This Wardrobe
I don't. I wait for birthday or Father's Day presents.
Blocks I've Been Around
The politics of media and sports, worse than politics itself.
Things That Really Happened
My daughter, Laura, sitting on Hall of Famer Billy Williams' lap at her first ballgame at age 3 1/2 on July 6, 1987. Billy was my favorite player growing up.
Where I'd Like To Be 10 Years From Now
Best-selling author and host of a baseball video show in whatever is the cutting-edge medium of the time.
Why True/Slant
Freedom of speech and no inch or word count
Personal
What I'm Currently Addicted To...
TCM movies. Love those old MGM movies that used to be on the Late Show way back when
This Is Annoying Me...
Sports events that stretch to three or more hours that used to be completed in 2 to 2 1/2 hours. There is more at work than an increased TV commercial load.
This Is Making Me Worry...
Congressmen that don't understand what the average person deals with in our health insurance mess because they have "Cadillac" medical coverage. The disconnect of our public officials and top business executives from the average American is at the root of our problems.
This Is Bringing Me Joy...
My daughter's proud wrap-up to college. She is self-made and worked harder than you can imagine.
I'm Running From...
The 1969 pennant-stretch collapse by the Cubs. I can't out-distance it even after four decades.
This Is Helping Me Create...
True freedom of speech regarding sports
This Is Making Me Think - Hard...
Why there were biblical "miracles," but none in 1940 when they were really needed.
This Makes My Teeth Itch
I'm practical here -- not brushing my teeth for hours after a meal.
Can't Do Without
A good night's sleep and a good morning summary of baseball either in the paper or on-line
Favorite Voices
Mike Royko, Jack Brickhouse, Harry Caray, Marty Brennaman, Jim Durham, Walter Cronkite, Floyd Kalber
My Most Awkward Moment
Breaking my left foot just running down the street at 15
My Secret Ambition
To throw a fastball 90 mph just once in my life
